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FEATURE

“The Sky’s Not Falling, But We’re Definitely In A Storm”:

Fire Chief Daryl Osby Is On A Mission to Shed Light on the Department’s Dire Needs

THROUGH THE STORM: Doctors Wrote Thom Washington Off But God...

>> SEE PAGE 10

contents

L.A. Focus Publications

September 2019

Left: Councilmember Herb Wesson and L.A. City Attorney Michael Feuer congratulate Carmen Hawkins on her retirement at City Hall Middle: (L-R) Charmaine Jefferson, Director of Cultural Affairs; Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr.; Danielle Brazil, General Manager for the Department of Cultural Affairs and President/CEO Robert Sausedo of Community Build, Inc. host Black Music in L.A . Right: Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas at the ground breaking cermony for the Athens Vistas Senior Apartments.

From The Editor The Power of the Black Church

Commentary America Must Take a Good Look in the Mirror

UpFront Charter Schools, Unions Call a Truce in Epic Battle as Newsom Brokers Deal Lawmakers Tackle Severe Housing Shortage for Renters Who Have Federal Vouchers

12 Game Changers 13 Eye On Gospel 14 Calendar/ Around LA 16 Red Carpet Style 17 Hollywood Buzz Ruth Carter

MTV Video Music Awards

Head to Head The 1619 Project

Headlines From Africa

Money Matters dfree® Billion Dollar Challenge: The Key to Financial Freedom

Biz News Briefs

Feature Story “The Sky’s Not Falling, But We’re Definitely In a Storm”: Fire Chief Daryl Osby Is On A Mission to Shed Light on the Department’s Dire Needs

staff Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Staff Writers Production Photographer Advertising Social Media

Lisa Collins Gerald Bell, Keith DeLawder Kisha Smith, Dianne Lugo Ian Foxx, Rickey Brown Leatha Davis, Kisha Smith Tristin Alexandria

L.A. Focus–On the Word, is published monthly. Address all correspondence to: L.A. Focus, 333 W. Florence Ave., Suite C333 Inglewood, CA 90301 • (310) 677-6011 Subscription rates $25.00 per year.

Viola Davis Will Portray Michelle Obama in New Showtime Series; New Series “Black Women OWN the Conversation Released on Oprah Winfrey Network; Black Panther 2 Release Date Has Been Confirmed; Leslie Jones is Leaving SNL After Five Seasons

One On One Keke Palmer

18 Church News 20 Pastor Profile

What’s Next For Mt. Zion with Sudden Passing of E.V Hill

21 First Lady Files 22 From The Pulpit 23 Through the Storm 25 In Good Taste 26 Saving Grace Michelle Clease

“I am Chosen”

Doctors Wrote Thom Washington Off But God...

Gerry Garvin

Erica Campbell

West Angeles COGIC Music & Art Department present: Dr. Judith McAllister Conference Host Worship Symposium “19 When We Worship

Lance Rhyley

honorary advisors West Angeles C.O.G.I.C. City of Refuge Greater Zion Church Family Southern Saint Paul Church Faithful Central Bible Church Mt. Moriah Baptist Church Mt. Zion MBC Jacob’s Ladder

Bishop Charles Blake Bishop Noel Jones Pastor Michael Fisher Rev. Xavier L. Thompson Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer Pastor Emeritus Melvin Wade Rev. Edward V. Hill II Bishop Robert T. Douglas, Sr

advisory board Napoleon Brandford Pastor Beverly Crawford Lem Daniels Bob Blake

Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co. Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church Morgan Stanley Bob Blake & Associates

Cover Design: UpScale Media Group

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Commentary

ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS Guest Columnist

America Must Take a Good Look in the Mirror f there was ever a moment in time when we as Americans needed to dig deeply and take a good look at ourselves in the mirror, that moment is now. Today, when I stare at the face of America, I see the distorted image of a country needlessly plagued by hatred. It's hatred fueled by ignorant prejudices toward people of different races, religions, ethnicities and lifestyles. The United States of America has always stood as a beacon of diversity, a democracy that celebrates differences. This is the very land where the greatest civil rights movement of all time broke the shackles of old bigotries. That's why the recent uptick in religious and race-based hatred in America is so shocking and so very disheartening. And the climate of hate is only becoming worse, escalating and spreading in the most alarming and tragic ways. Since Sandy Hook, there have been more than 2,000 mass shootings in America – from El Paso, Texas, to Dayton, Ohio, to Parkland, Florida. These shootings are tearing us apart. My own cousin the Rev. Clementa Pinckney was just one of far too many victims. He was gunned down by a troubled young man in his church in South Carolina. After being welcomed into the house of prayer with open arms by those in attendance, the attacker then turned on them out of his own racial hatred toward African Americans. Lives were taken. Families were shattered and destroyed. And for what? The numbers show that the hatred is growing. In 2018, the Southern Poverty Law Center documented 1,020 active hate groups in the United States. That same year, the Anti-Defamation League recorded a total of 1,879 attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions in America – including the most deadly attack against the Jewish community in American history at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. Minority groups from coast to coast including blacks, Muslims, Jews, nonwhite immigrants and the LGBTQ community have come under attack – online, in their houses of worship, in their workplaces and even in schools and on playgrounds. What is the driving force behind these hatemongering people that choose to hate others so blindly? To explore the root of hatred, I recently interviewed a man who was a former neoNazi skinhead. This man had never met a Jewish person but vehemently hated them all. At one point in his life, this man was in desperate need of a job. Living in

From the Editor

Philadelphia at the time, the then-white supremacist was given a job by a Jewish business owner who mentored him, showered him with respect and treated him with the utmost kindness. That's when the neo-Nazi, whose heart had been filled with blind hate, changed for the better. He realized he had been brainwashed to hate Jews and had never actually met one. Ignorance is one of mankind's worst enemies. To explore the root of hatred even further, I also recently sat down with Sara Bloomfield, the director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. I asked her about how and why anti-Semitism has existed for over 2,000 years. Bloomfield likened anti-Semitism to a disease, a cancer that finds different places to morph and new ways to manifest. She also spoke of the conspiracy theories, myths and misinformation about Jews that have been promulgated over the centuries – especially in lands where the Jews were persecuted as minorities and labeled as the Other. As the director of one of America's most important institutions – which serves as a living memorial to the Holocaust and also as a databank of historical evidence of genocide – Bloomfield shares the heavy responsibility of imparting the lessons of the Holocaust to prevent future atrocities. But this responsibility is one we should all share as Americans. It is incumbent upon all of us to not become numb and complacent to stereotypes and hateful rhetoric but to stand up against it and promote diversity and human dignity. We can and must do better. We all need to remember that, regardless of our skin color, we are all made in the image of our creator. We are all God's children, and we must to learn to live together and love one another. After all, we are supposed to be the United States of America. And with this title comes our collective obligation to treat one another with civility. Our code of conduct must include respect for all differences, all perspectives and even all political views. To succeed as a nation, Americans need to find a way to disagree about politics and still have civil discourse without strife. But true success will be the day when we can look at one another devoid of ignorance, when we can look at ourselves in the mirror and be proud of the diversity we see. To find out more about Armstrong Williams, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

LISA COLLINS Publisher

“ The Power of The Black Church” was privileged to be the guest speaker at a Susan G. Komen Worship in Pink event last month and among the topics was the black church and its outreach to the community. I was struck by the notion on the part of some that community outreach and the church was something new, forgetting that a great deal of the progress in the black community has had its roots in the black church. The black church was pivotal in the Underground Railroad and the movement to free slaves, pivotal in its quest to educate blacks–from reading lessons to serving as the center for the dissemination of information for blacks. As Peniel Joseph pointed out in his “Why The Black Church Has Always Mattered” op-ed, “the black church’s radical humanism harbored a fierce resistance to slavery, a love of freedom, and a thirst for citizenship and equality that made it a hotbed of internal debates, discussions and controversies over the best course for black liberation in America.” Because of that the separation between the sacred and the secular, the religious and the political, has not been as distinct among African- Americans. The clergy had to be advocates for justice, arbiters of internal disputes within the community and managers of sacramental affairs, all in one, as pointed out by my good friend, Rev. DeForest “Buster” Soaries, Jr., whose dFree program is highlighted in our “Money Matters”. Lest we forget that Martin Luther King Jr. was a preacher and that one of the greatest movements in this country–the Civil Rights Movement– was led by black preachers and the black church. Just as importantly, the backbone of that movement was black women, without whom the civil rights movement would have surely failed. All this to say that we don’t know our power. As I have so often previously stated, I remain miffed by the reality that the black church –the one entity in our community that has the most liquid capital, the most land and the most votes –has the least power. There is a line in the movie, Hidden Figures where Taraji P. Henson’s character is arguing with the head NASA engineer (Jim Parsons) about attending briefings which were off-limits for women and Space Task Group director (Kevin Costner) intervenes, to find out what the problem is. Costner says, in these walls, who make the rules to which Henson replies, You sir, you are the boss. You just have to act like one. The black faith community has power. We just need to act like it.

L.A. Focus/September 2019

What’s at stake are millions in corporate and government dollars set aside for programs like health testing, emergency preparedness and homelessness–that would fortify and extend much needed resources to efforts already in place in the faith community. On our cover this month is Grammy winning and multiplatinum selling gospel star, Erica Campbell, who is redefining the role of First Lady at the California Worship Center where her husband, Warryn Campbell serves as pastor. Campbell is one of the honorees later this month (September 14) at L.A. Focus’ 22nd Annual First Ladies High Tea. For the newspaper, the red-carpet event is an opportunity to shine a light on the impact women of faith are making in our community. The tea was conceived both to foster and honor the role first ladies and women in the church play in impacting and shaping the lives of youth, particularly young girls during an afternoon of fellowship, fashion, inspiration and entertainment, while also It is to the first ladies that L.A. Focus is most indebted. They saw and embraced my vision and have provided the steadfast support that has served as a solid foundation for an event that had become an annual tradition. Rounding out this year’s honorees are First Ladies Melinda Campbell, Juanita Edwards and Barbara Hendricks along with County Supervisor Janice Hahn, actress Essence Atkins, noted breast surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk and our legacy honoree, Marla Gibbs. Our feature story this month addresses L.A. County Fire Chief Daryl Osby’s mission to let the public know about the serious shortfalls in equipment and resources the L.A. County Fire department is in need of. Most of us take for granted that the fire department will be there for us, believing that they have the resources necessary to get the job done–whatever the job may be. But an understaffed department with outdated and failing equipment in the face of ever-increasing Southern California megafires is not the best reassurance of that. The challenge is getting additional funding–about $1.5 billion–to assist firefighters who are being pressured to do more with less in order to serve a public whose needs for it are steadfast. See our story on page 10 for more on Osby’s mission. Keep the faith.

UpFront

News Briefs

Charter Schools, Unions Call a Truce in an Epic Battle as Newsom Brokers a Deal Gov. Gavin Newsom brokered an agreement Wednesday on a highprofile charter-school regulation proposal at the center of this year’s contentious battle between teachers unions and charter advocates, removing a key hurdle for its passage this session. The compromise on Assembly Bill 1505 comes after months of lobbying by the state’s two most influential education interest groups and several impassioned hearings over sweeping proposed changes to how the publicly funded, independently managed schools operate in California. Initiated in the early 1990s as a way to bring innovation into California’s K-12 school system, charter schools have sharply grown over the years, primarily in the state’s urban school systems, and have become a flashpoint for unions, who contend they draw enrollment away from traditional public schools, depriving them of critical funding and resources. In a joint statement Wednesday afternoon, Newsom and Senate and Assembly leaders characterized the deal on AB 1505 as one that “significantly reforms the Charter Schools Act to address longstanding challenges for both school districts and charter schools.” “This agreement focuses on the needs

of our students,” the statement from the Governor’s Office read. “It increases accountability for all charter schools, allows high-quality charter schools to thrive, and ensures that the fiscal and community impacts of charter schools on school districts are carefully considered.” Under the latest iteration of AB 1505, which lawmakers are expected to vote on in the two weeks remaining before the

end of the legislative session, local school boards would have more discretion over approving new charter schools, including the ability to factor ina new charter’s impact on a district’s finances – a criterion that districts were not allowed to consider for prior charters. All charter school teachers also would be required to hold some sort of state credential along with a background check, though uncredentialed charter teachers leading “non-core” classes would have five years to meet that requirement. The state would also impose a two-

RICARDO CANO CalMatters

year moratorium on non-classroom based and online charter schools under the proposal. But a pathway toward appeals to county and state boards for charters denied by local school boards would remain in place under the proposal. Unions representing teachers and classified school employees celebrated the agreement, touting it as “significant progress on behalf of our students.” The C a l i f o r n i a T e a c h e r s Association, which backed Newsom during the election, spent $4.3 million this year lobbying for more restrictions to charter schools. “All along, our goals have included ensuring locally-elected school board members have the discretion to make decisions to meet the needs of local students … and holding all taxpayerfunded public schools to the same high standards,” the CTA and a coalition of unions said in a joint statement. The California Charter Schools Association removed its opposition – formally shifting to a “neutral” position – on AB 1505 after it said it secured “significant protections” for charter schools, including some preservation of appeals to counties and the state, as well as granting high-performing charters a fast track toward renewal. “For 25 years, California’s charter Charter Schools continued to page 24

Lawmakers Tackle a Severe Housing Shortage for Renters Who Have Federal Vouchers MANUELA TOBIAS AND JACKIE BOTTS Fresno Bee and CalMatters

s California struggles with a crisis in affordable housing, state lawmakers are trying to improve a severe shortage of housing available to renters who have federal Section 8 vouchers. The vouchers allow tenants to pay only 30% of their income toward rent with federal assistance to pay the rest. But most landlords do not accept tenants who pay with vouchers, saying they are too burdensome. Meanwhile, applicants can wait years to qualify for the Section 8 vouchers and, when they do, they often can’t find housing before the vouchers expire, usually within 60 days. Last year in Fresno, roughly 17% of the 21,000 people who applied for a voucher got one. But less than half who did found a place before the clock ran out. “It’s billed as a golden ticket,” said Alexander Harnden, a policy advocate for the Western Center on Law and Poverty. “At this point, I describe it as a ticket to last summer’s movie. If you can find where it’s playing, that’s great. Otherwise, it’s just a piece of paper.” L.A. Focus/September 2019

Preston Prince, executive director of Fresno’s housing authority, attributed the trouble in securing housing to multiple factors: rising housing costs, poor credit scores and renting histories, and landlords who refuse to accept Section 8 vouchers. State lawmakers are weighing two very different remedies to the problem in a state with an intensifying housing crisis that has become a pillar of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s first-year agenda. One of the bills, introduced by Sen. Anthony Portantino, a La Cañada Flintridge Democrat, would give landlords more incentive to accept Section 8 tenants by providing a tax break equal to 3% of the voucher’s value. The bill is estimated to cost the state $48.5 million over the next three years. The other bill from Sen. Holly Mitchell, a Los Angeles Democrat, would make it illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants who receive federal housing vouchers or local housing assistance. Current law prohibits landlords from several categories of discrimination including income. Mitchell’s bill would expand the law to require that landlords

consider tenants equally regardless of whether housing assistance is one of their sources of income. Landlords believed to discriminate would risk lawsuits from the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Both bills are scheduled to be considered Friday in the state Assembly. Alongside “no smoking” and “no pets,” California landlords often write “No Section 8” in their rental ads on websites like Craigslist and Zillow. A recent search on Zumper.com, a rental website that includes a Section 8 filter, found fewer than 1% of the more than 16,500 rental postings for Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Jose, Fresno and Oakland combined accepted Section 8 vouchers. The search is even more difficult for units that are priced within the limits of Section 8 vouchers. Voucher holders must find apartments priced within the standard set by their local housing authority, which ranges from 90% to 110% of the Fair Market Rent, a county-wide number set by the U.S. Department of Housing Vouchers continued to page 24

FAA Confirms that Inglewood Site for LA Clippers Arena is Unsuitable for Housing In another win for Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reaffirmed that housing cannot be built on the site of the proposed LA Clippers arena in Inglewood. “Such residential redevelopment would increase residents’ exposure to aircraft noise and is inherently inconsistent with the intent of the City’s land acquisition/noise mitigation program, approved and funded by the FAA,” said David F. Cushing, the FAA’s Manager in the LAX office, wrote to Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts. Mayor Butts hailed the letter as confirmation of what he and other city officials have been saying. “We have long been focused on providing more affordable housing to the citizens of Inglewood, and have added or approved more than 600 units over the past seven years to do just that,” Butts said. “But the FAA’s finding confirmed what we knew to be true — this land cannot be used for housing, period.”

CA Democratic Party Black Caucus Elects All Women Board The California Democratic Party African American Caucus (CDPAAC) made history this after it elected four Black women to lead the organization. “I am at a loss of words. People were crying, cheering and texting me congratulations — all at the same time,” said Taisha Brown, who the CDPAAC’s members elected chair at the convention, held Aug. 23-Aug. 25. Brown is only the third woman and the first in 20 years to win the leadership role of the CDPAAC. The other Black women elected to the board are Kendra Lewis, vice-chair, Lorrie Brown, recording secretary, and Cecile Nunley, treasurer. Willie P. Blair, state chair of the Black American Political Association of California, said he is excited by the new board’s historic achievement. “The Honorable Ms. Taisha Brown, I am so proud of this historic election for you and your new staff to these very prestigious positions,” said Blair. “But take my word, the very best is yet to come for you and your team! Congratulations.”

Ilhan Omar Accused of Having Affair With Married Political Consultant Rep. Ilhan Omar vehemently denies accusations that she had an affair with her married political consultant named Tim Mynett. The allegations surfaced after Mynett's estranged wife filed for legal separation last month and in the complaint, accused her husband of leaving her for Omar after he confessed his love for the freshman congresswoman. Mynett has since filed a countersuit that accuses his wife of waging a campaign to “ruin his career” after he left their unhappy marriage. After the complaint was filed, the conservative National Legal and Policy Center filed an FEC complaint alleging that Omar misused campaign funds. The complaint notes that Omar’s campaign began reimbursing Mynett’s consultant company, for “travel expenses” in April 2019, the same month the Mynetts split up. The campaign paid Mynett and his company a total of nearly $230,000, the complaint said. Omar has denied the existence of an affair, calling questions about the alleged relationship and FEC complaint “stupid.”

HeadToHead The 1619 Project he New York Times has anti-majority rule, undemocratic begun a major initiative, Beginning of provisions. One provision, heavily US Slavery the "1619 Project," to criticized, is the Electoral College. observe the 400th anniversary of the begin- In their wisdom, the framers gave us the ning of American slavery. It aims to reframe Electoral College so that in presidential elecAmerican history so that slavery and the tions, heavily populated states could not run contributions of black Americans explain roughshod over sparsely populated states. who we are as a nation. Nikole Hannah- In order to amend the Constitution, it Jones, staff writer for The New York Times requires a two-thirds vote of both Houses, or Magazine wrote the lead article, "America two-thirds of state legislatures, to propose Wasn't a Democracy, Until Black Americans an amendment, and Made It One." She writes, "Without the ide- requires three-fourths alistic, strenuous and patriotic efforts of of state legislatures for black Americans, our democracy today ratification. Part of the would most likely look very different – it reason for having a might not be a democracy at all." bicameral Congress is There are several challenges one can that it places another make about Hannah-Jones' article, but I'm obstacle to majority going to focus on the article's most serious rule. Fifty-one senaerror, namely that the nation's founders tors can block the intended for us to be a democracy. That wishes of 435 representa- Walter Williams error is shared by too many Americans. The tives and 49 senators. The president, with a word democracy appears nowhere in the two veto, can thwart the will of all 535 members most fundamental founding documents of of Congress. It takes a two-thirds vote, not our nation – the Declaration of just a majority, of both houses of Congress to Independence and the U.S. Constitution. override a presidential veto. Instead of a democracy, the Constitution's In addition to not understanding our Article IV, Section 4, declares, "The United Constitution, Hannah-Jones' article, like in States shall guarantee to every State in this most discussions of black history, fails to Union a Republican Form of Government." acknowledge that black Americans have Think about it and ask yourself whether our made the greatest gains, over some of the Pledge of Allegiance says to "the democracy highest hurdles in the shortest span of time for which it stands" or to "the republic for than any other racial group in mankind's which it stands." Is Julia Ward Howe's pop- history. The evidence: If black Americans ular Civil War song titled "The Battle Hymn were thought of as a nation with our own of the Democracy" or "The Battle Hymn of gross domestic product, we'd rank among the Republic"? the 20 wealthiest nations. It was a black The founders had utter contempt for American, Gen. Colin Powell, who headed democracy. James Madison, the acknowl- the world's mightiest military. A few black edged father of the Constitution, wrote in Americans are among the world's wealthiFederalist Paper No. 10, that in a pure est. Black Americans are among the world's democracy "there is nothing to check the most famous personalities. inducement to sacrifice the weaker party or The significance of this is that in 1865, the obnoxious individual." At the 1787 neither a slave nor a slave owner would Constitutional Convention, delegate have believed that such progress would be Edmund Randolph said, "that in tracing possible in less than a century and a half, if these evils to their origin every man had ever. As such, it speaks to the intestinal forfound it in the turbulence and follies of titude of a people. Just as importantly, it democracy." John Adams said: "Remember, speaks to the greatness of a nation within democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, which such progress was possible, progress exhausts, and murders itself. There was that would have been impossible anywhere never a democracy yet that did not commit else. The challenge before us is how those suicide." U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice gains can be extended to a large percentage John Marshall observed, "Between a bal- of black people for whom they appear eluanced republic and a democracy, the differ- sive. ence is like that between order and chaos." Waltter E. Williams continued to page 22 The U.S. Constitution is replete with

Headlines From Africa Angola: As public concern grows in response to the blazes burning in the Amazon, data shows that Angola and DR Congo may actually have more wildfires than Brazil after Weather Source recorded 6,902 fires in Angola in late August.

Burundi: Burundi will begin repatriating all 200,000 of its refugees from Tanzania. The announcement sparks fears of forced returns among the refugees attempting to escape violence stemming from clashes with security forces since 2015 that has left hundreds killed.

Cameroon: Separatists continue imposing a school boycott in Cameroon as part of their protest against President Paul Biya’s French-speaking government affecting more than 600,000 children. Thousands continue to flee violence in the separatist English speaking regions.

DR Congo: The death toll from Congo’s year-long Ebola outbreak has climbed above 2,00, authorities announced as responders continue to battle to overcome widespread security problems and community mistrust.

Guinea-Bissau: Police seized more than 1.8 tonnes of cocaine that were hidden in flour bags in the biggest seizure in the country’s history. Police said the drugs arrived by sea and were discovered after a two-week operation that left eight people arrested.

Kenya: Flash flooding in Kenya’s Hell’s Gate National Park has left six dead and one tourist missing. The gorge was closed after the tour group was swept away in the floods even though guides are trained to detect stormwater flowing down from the gorge and alert visitors to impending danger and after clearly marked emergency exits were created along the park after seven members of a church group were similarly killed in 2012.

Mali: A bomb exploded under a bus in the violence-plagued central Mali region of Mopti and killed at least 14 people. The makeshift landmine was hit by the vehicle carrying 60 passengers through an area that has been facing ethnic militias regularly killing civilians from rival groups.

ver the last few years there Why Aug 20,1619 this was the legitimately the has been a movement on first documented recognition of is a date all social media to reclaim Black Americans our arrival in Virginia. dates that mean more to us than For those who are a bit need to know the whitewashed ones we were disappointed by this tedious taught in school; specifically anniversaries and unglamorous origin story, just rememlike Juneteenth, which unlike the more ber that many things we say we hold commercialized 4th of July, was the real sacred, like the Constitution (and just “Independence Day” for Black slaves living about every religious text), came about in in America. much the same way. But this year a Since 2010, the city of Hampton, whole new date has Virginia along with several organizations, made its way to the including Project 1619, have observed forefront of these con- August 20th as an annual African Landing versations about re- Commemoration Day. imagining our history: And while it may seem morbid to “celethe year 1619, specifi- brate” such an anniversary, much like cally, August 20th, someone who remembers the day they 1619. received a devastating health diagnosis, or For those of you the day they lost a loved one, there is Blue Telusma who may be unaware, power in commemorating moments that on this date (exactly 400 years from the changed the course of your life or deeply date this was posted), Africans who had affected your community. been taken from their homelands and In the midst of what’s happening with taken to British North America, landed in the current Trump administration and Port Comfort, which is known today as across the globe in general, stopping to Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia. meditate on just how long our people have These two dozen or so Black people been going through this and the seemingly were brutally removed from their home- unsurmountable odds we’ve had to beat to land by force, and their arrival to the New even get here, puts a lot of things in perWorld decidedly marks the official onset of spective. slavery in North America, an act of white Not to mention, as the Zinn Education supremacy which would destroy, and take project points out, ironically, “1619 also the lives of countless Africans for another was the year that a semblance of democratwo and a half centuries with no interfer- cy came to Virginia, as the colony held its ence from the government. first election for the inaugural House of To be fair, according to The Atlantic, Burgesses, the forerunner of today’s “These 22 or 23 Africans who arrived this Virginia General Assembly.” week 400 years ago were not the first to This not so fun fact illustrates how sysland in North America. Some Africans temic oppression and a “semblance of probably came before Christopher democracy” go hand in hand like peanut Columbus.” butter and jelly in this country. None of But as with most displaced peoples, this is new. African Americans often find themselves And while this little history lesson may yearning for a birth date. It is understand- make for cool trivia to share at your next able why a community that if often afro-centric dinner party, I want to point maligned, dismissed and preyed upon, out that the call to acknowledge 1619 and would want a concrete and tangible mark- other forgotten parts of America’s history er of when their ancestors made the best of with Black people isn’t merely symbolic. a heinous situation, and ended up building This year as we gear up for the 2020 a country that never meant to claim them elections, reparations has suddenly as its own. become a hot topic, with candidates of all In an effort to fill this glaring void in races and genders being made to take a the narrative, some scholarly African stance on whether they are for or against Americans got together, looked over any reparations. paperwork they could find, and agreed on But when you start this backslide into August 20, 1619, based on the fact that our forgotten past, you quickly realize that

A look at current news from the continent of Africa Nigeria: Parts of the country’s western border with Benin have been closed in an effort to curb rice smuggling that continues to threaten the country’s efforts to be self-sufficient in rice. Nigeria has imposed import controls after President Muhammadu Buhari introduced policies since taking office that are aimed at curbing imports to boost local production and conserve foreign exchange reserves.

Sierra Leone: Sierra Leoneans are suing the government for failing to protect them from alleged environmental lapses at the country's largest diamond mine. In the complaint, they allege that when residents complained about water contamination and damage to their houses near the mine, the government failed to act. Additionally, the company did not relocate hundred of households away from the site as was required by their mining license.

South Africa: After Johannesburg was hit with another wave of violence that targeted foreign-owned businesses in South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the arrest of those involved in the xenophobic attacks. Police have arrested 70 people in connection with the incident that began in the neighborhood Jeppestown but quickly spread to other areas. Sudan: Former President Omar Al-Bashir has been formally indicted on charges of possessing illicit foreign currency and corruption after a senior police officer testified that Al-Bashir, who was ousted earlier this year after months of protests, had admitted to receiving $90 million from Saudi Arabia. Zimbabwe: Public sector doctors have gone on strike for the second time in less than a year in their continued demand for salary increases to cover soaring living costs and as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government tries to grapple with a deteriorating economy. The biggest hospital in the country is now accepting only patients with serious needs and referring all others to private hospitals.

MoneyMatters dfree® Billion Dollar Challenge: The Key to Financial Freedom DR. DEFOREST B. SOARIES, JR. dree® CEO & Founder hen I first issued the dfree® Billion Dollar Challenge, a national economic campaign created to educate and inspire African Americans to collectively pay down $1 billion of consumer debt, I had no idea that so many people would join me in working towards that goal. As word spread, I could see that we had the makings of a real movement. And that is exactly what we have. Approximately 9,000 people have paid down more than $21 million of debt. We are now driving cars that we really own, living in houses that have no mortgages and saying goodbye to those dreadful student loans. One example in particular is Billion Dollar Challenge member Tameka Davis from Fairfield, California. Being a soldier in the U.S. Army was one of the greatest challenges for Tameka. However, her battles with debt proved to be equally challenging. Tameka learned about the dfree® Financial Freedom Movement, which launched the Billion Dollar Challenge, shortly before attending our first West Coast Regional Conference in March 2017. Serving as an intern for the New Dawn Vallejo community redevelopment corporation while working on her bachelor’s degree, Tameka’s boss sent her to the conference to learn all she could about dfree®. Accustomed to working on projects to help children and victims violence, domestic of Tameka said she wasn’t sure she was the right choice but was excited to learn about something new. “I was blown away. I didn't even know such a program existed,” Tameka said. “I was in so much debt. My debt to income ratio was ridiculous." Much of her debt resulted from a “terrible divorce” in 2012. After, Tameka ended up moving

herself and five young children from her home state of Kentucky to California, so the eldest ones could be closer to their father. She said she made the mistake of subletting her home to “friends” while she took on a new rental burden in her new state. Later, she found out the friends failed to pay the mortgage and, eventually, the bank foreclosed on her Kentucky home. By 2013, facing homelessness, she had to declare bankruptcy. After learning about our movement, Tameka was able to use the dfree® strategies and the Billion Dollar Challenge tool to pay off thousands of dollars in debt and increase her credit by 100 points. As a result, Tameka closed on a new home in September 2017 and managed to do it while pursuing a degree in human resources. “I prayed and prayed and asked God to order my steps and touch the people’s hearts who were making decisions,” about her financial future, Tameka said. “It changed my perspective entirely.” In 2018, Tameka was the grand prize winner of our first-ever Billion Dollar Challenge Sweepstakes. People across the nation are benefiting from the dfree® belief that if we manage our lives well then, we will use money strategically to reach our life goals. Crucial to that belief is the action that comes along with the Billion Dollar Challenge. The dfree® Billion Dollar Challenge is our civil rights mission to continue the legacy founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. of financial wellness and empowerment for all. Like Tameka, as our economic situations are improved, new options and resources become available, creating pathways that seemed unattainable in the past. With the help from partners, like Prudential, dfree® – a values-based, wealth-building system designed specifically with the black community in mind used by more than 4,000 churches and organizations and over 150,000 individuals – combines efforts to help African Americans achieve financial wellness through resources and programs like the Billion Dollar Challenge. Learn more and join at today billiondollarpaydown.com.

On the Money Williams, Osaka Top List of Highest Paid Female Athletes, But Look Out, Coco’s Coming 15-year old Cori “Coco” Gauff is all the rage on the tennis circuit and while her surprising bow at Wimbledon came to an early end, her income potential is just beginning. According to Forbes, Gauff –who made history as the runner-up in the girls' singles event at the 2017 US Open, making her the youngest finalist at the event in the tournament's history–earned $61,101 on the court this year. After her defeat at the hands of former world No. 1 Hercog, she still earned about $223,500 between singles and mixed doubles at the tournament. Of course, the big money is in endorsements and beating Serena Williams proved to be a big boost, netting her endorsement deals with New Balance and Barilla among others. Though well on her way, the Delray Beach, Florida native who turned pro last year has a long way to go to catch up to her tennis idol, Serena Williams, who topped the list of highest paid athletes racking in $29.2 million over the last year, the bulk of which ($25 million) came from endorsements. The 23-time Grand Slam champion has more than a dozen brands in her endorsement portfolio, including Nike, Beats, Gatorade, Pampers, General Mills and JP Morgan Chase. Her $225 million estimated net worth makes her the only athlete on Forbes’ list of the nation’s Richest SelfMade Women. Coming in second on the list in Naomi Osaka who scored an estimated $16 million off the court over the last years thanks to endorsement deals with the likes of Mastercard, Nissan and Proctor & Gamble. She’s expected to net even more with a new multi-million deal with Neal. The only other two blacks making the list of the top 15 highest paid female athletes were Sloane Stephens (#5) with total earnings of $9.6 million and Venus Williams (#10) with $5.9 million. Not surprisingly, the ten highest-paid female athletes in the world were all tennis players.

Biz News Briefs

L.A. Focus/September 2019

A line of “Inspire Change” apparel for the Jay Z and NFL To 2019 NFL season will be the project from the new Launch Apparel first controversial partnership struck between Jay Z and Line the NFL. The line will be designed by music artists– including Meek Mill, Rapsody and Meghan Trainor– with proceeds going to education, economic empowerment, community relations and criminal justice reform as the rapper was tapped to spearhead entertainment and social justice initiatives for the league. The launch will unfold alongside an initiative called “Songs of the Season,” featuring original music that will roll out during game broadcasts. As part of the deal, Jay Z’s Roc Nation will also be producing entertainment events for the league, including the Super Bowl halftime show.

Hasbro Toys Acquires Music Catalog of Death Row Records as Part of $4 Billion Deal Hasbro Toys now owns Death Row Records, after the company announced that in a $4 billion deal it was acquiring Entertainment One, a British company that not only owns popular children programs such as “Peppa Pig”, but also owns the music catalog of Death Row Records. Although not a direct purchase for Death Row Records Hasbro will now add Entertainment One’s large music division to their portfolio which is one of the biggest independent labels in the industry with more than $30 million in revenue in the first quarter of the year. Entertainment One previously acquired Death Row Records for $280 million in 2013. “The acquisition of eOne adds beloved story-led global family brands that deliver strong operating returns to Hasbro’s portfolio and provides a pipeline of new brand creation driven by family-oriented storytelling,” Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner said in a statement, following the acquisition.

The L.A. Urban League Stands With Byron Allen The Los Angeles Urban League is firmly standing by Entertainment Studios and its owner Byron Allen in his quest to uphold the 153-year-old civil rights act outlawing

racism in business dealings. In its petition to the Supreme Court, Comcast (with the support of the Department of Justice) is attempting to gut the Civil Rights Act of 1866, specifically section 1981, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and ethnicity when making and enforcing contracts. Comcast's arguments are a tacit admission that their refusal to enter into a contract with Entertainment Studios, is based, at least in part, on the fact that Entertainment Studios is owned by an African American. Comcast, which makes billions of dollars annually from African-American subscribers, has taken the position that a plaintiff must show that racial discrimination was the only, 100 percent “but for” reason not to do business with African Americans, Allen’s Entertainment Studios in particular. "We cannot condone Comcast's attempt to eviscerate this important civil rights statute in order to legitimize their refusal to enter into a contract with Mr. Allen. We stand in solidarity with Byron Allen and Entertainment Studios," said Michael Lawson, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League. "Now it is time for us to act, to stand up and be counted and refuse to do business with any organization that supports the legalization of racism in any form."

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“The Sky’s Not Falling, But We’re Definitely in A Storm”: L.A. County Fire Chief Daryl Osby Is On A Mission to Shed Light on the Department’s Dire Needs

L.A. Focus/September 2019

ast year, California was devastated by its deadliest and most destructive wildfire season yet. Thousands of firefighters were deployed in response to the Woolsey Fire which burned over 1,600 structures and killed three people in Los Angeles County. Weeks after the Woolsey Fire, residents continued to raise concerns about what they perceived to have been failings in the way the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the fire. Those frustrations are perhaps a prime example of the “new realities” the L.A County Fire Department is facing. While firefighters are forced to prepare for and respond to increasingly devastating wildfires, the department must also be able to answer over 1,000 calls a day and maintain resources to protect the rest of Los Angeles County. “The sky’s not falling, but we’re definitely in a storm,” said L.A. County Fire Chief Daryl Osby, who is on a mission to bring to light the serious shortfalls in equipment and resources the L.A. County Fire department is in need of via a series of public meetings to let citizens know just how dire the situation is.

DIANNE LUGO Staff

“Not only did we have to allocate resources to the Woolsey Fire, but we still needed to assure that we had resources here to protect the rest of the county’s – via 175 stations – 2,300-square miles,” said L.A. County’s first black fire chief. “We had dedicated men and women coming to work to help, but we ran out of equipment.” In 2018, the Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to 400,000 incidents alone. 85 percent of those incidents were 911 calls for medical assistance. The volume of calls has consistently risen throughout the years and the department reports seeing a 50 percent increase in emergency medical incidents. Increases in resources to respond to rising demands have not been proportional— the increase in paramedic squads was only five percent comparatively. It is an issue that Osby is well aware many residents of L.A County may be oblivious to. Osby was appointed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to the position of fire chief in 2011. At the time, the fire department, like much of the United States was attempting to recover from the housing bubble burst and the ensuing recession. Considering that nearly twothirds of the department’s budget comes from property taxes, Osby knew that one of his challenges would be setting up a successful fiscal strategy to move the organization forward in a way he likely would be unable to. “We have about a 1.5 billion dollar need in infrastructure and improvement of the communication system, apparatus, equipment and fire station enhancement,” Osby shared. Firefighters are consistently pressured to do more with less in order to keep serving the public, contends Captain Andrew Hill, who has worked as a firefighter for over a decade. According to him, most radios on the rigs the department uses are so outdated that they are unable to get new pieces to repair them just because they aren’t made anymore. “We are, in some cases, driving around in fire engines that are 20 years old with 100—almost — 200 thousand miles on them that are breaking down and then you’re placed in another 20-year-old engine with makes it difficult to get [to an emergency,” he says. “Last year, we had two fires that I was involved in where we pulled a person out of the fire and we have a thing called thermal imaging cameras that are very advantageous for us when we’re fighting fires because that allows us to be able to see through the smoke and look for victims.” Budget restrictions, however, mean that more than

“

Because there is so much riding on the profession having all we need to get it done is of the utmost importance. So that’s what it is. It’s not so much about us. It’s really about the public and making sure we have all the tools we need to be able to give them the service they deserve

”

half of the equipment being used in emergencies is at least 20 years old, but that the fourth-busiest fire department in the country has limited thermal imaging cameras available. Unfortunately, in one of the fires which led to a fatality Hill wonders if the outcome might have been different with more thermal imaging. L.A. County Fire Department medical director Dr. Clayton Kazan added that “for every minute that a defibrillator is delayed in getting to the patient, there is a 710% drop in that patient’s survival. Which communities are the ones most impacted? The ones that are accessing 911 the most because they’re the ones whose apparatuses are the busiest.” According to Osby, it has been three years since the department was last able to purchase new equipment for firefighters and paramedics. Additionally, the department continues to deal with staffing issues as their budgetary issues also restrict their ability to hire more firefighters to meet the dramatic call volume increases and their inability to equip new firefighters with enough equipment, old or new. Last year, the Los Angeles Times reported that more than 640 firefighters received at least $100,000 in overtime and two dozen firefighter made over $200,000 in overtime in 2017. The high overtime costs marked an increase of 35% in the last five years and while county officials scrutinized the costs, which Chief Osby recognized as valid concerns about taxpayer money, the costs once again underscored how the department continues to struggle to meet the demands of major emergencies while also protecting 4 million residents. It is a struggle that led to the approval of a $4.5 million plan in December of last year that hopes to educate the county public about the kind of strain the department faces and hopefully reduce it. “The number and severity of wildfires in Los Angeles County has dramatically increased over the past several years ... and that is testing our county Fire Department like it has never been tested before,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, at the time. “This new normal has propelled me to ask whether our Fire Department has what it needs.” As the public awareness events begin taking place across Los Angeles County, the department hopes that public feedback might also reveal some solutions. “So basically, we're going around educating the community and so we're getting impact reports. We have a questionnaire we ask our citizens to take online at www.wearelacountyfire.org,” Osby explained. “The feedback that we're getting back from the town hall meetings or the civic group meetings, gathering data, I'm going to take those findings back to the Board of Supervisors the latter part of the year and then go back for the determination and next steps on how they want to strategically support the department financially.” The education, Osby explains, is vital not only for the communities the department serves, but also to better convey their need to politicians and decision-makers. “We have not asked for an increase in taxes in 20 years. So when we were considering going to the voters for a ballot measure, what we found was that the fire department

had very high public approval,” Osby said. “But, when we talked about the need for support in relation to additional staffing or new equipment or new apparatus or new communication systems or whatever it may be, we couldn’t make that connection because it was hard to understand how we can be so popular but then have all these needs because we do such a great job.” “A lot of what we do face and what we do go through is largely unknown,” Hill added. “Oftentimes when you’ll see us is when we’re driving down the street or if you happen to call 911 so the exposure to firefighters is very limited. You know we’re there, but you don’t quite know what actually goes into us being there.” It’s a sentiment Alexis Kendricks, a firefighter and paramedic, echoes. “I don’t want to assume that the public doesn’t know or have an understanding about our jobs. I would say I believe people may think we just strictly fight fires and

that’s all we do. But our career is a lot more dynamic than that. We’re pretty much the jack of all trades so any coming call to 9-1-1, whether you’re smelling something funny like a gas leak; or your cat is on the roof; or your grandma is having a heart attack; we have to respond. We have to be the problem-solvers of the community.” That unawareness of the department’s issues is perhaps best exemplified when looking at the reaction following the Woolsey Fire that prompted the initiative. In response to the Woolsey Fire, a crowd of hundreds of residents would grill Osby, Chief Deputy David Richardson, Deputy Chief Thomas Ewald and Deputy Chief Vince Pena at a town hall meeting. While Osby assured the crowd that the department had done all it could throughout its response residents continued to accuse the department of not doing enough. Some residents recalled seeing idle fire trucks in front of burning homes and others questioned why there weren't more airplanes and helicopters assisting. The reality? “We ran out of equipment,” Osby revealed at the recent public meeting in July. He expanded further in an interview that the anger and push back did not necessarily upset him.

“I have a lot of empathy for people who lost their homes or their property or their lives. As firefighters, we want to save every single home and I understand the emotions surrounding the loss of the homes because I would be disappointed if my own home burned down,” he added. “This is not my first time dealing with a community where people were upset because they lost something. It was my first time dealing with something that was of this magnitude.” While L.A County could normally rely on aid from Northern California last November those resources were sent to another devastating fire, the Camp Fire. It was a fire that left over 80 people dead and thousands of structures destroyed. It is why building up capacity and updating the equipment is vital. Osby especially sympathized with the firefighters who fought the historic fire. Many, he said, were up 48 hours straight protecting homes and evacuating residents all while not getting “the help that they asked for.” 9-1-1 dispatcher Kevin Hernandez reports, “We’re obviously dealing with a lot of stress everyday. We're taking 400 to 800 calls a day; during the Woolsey fire it was close to 4,000 calls. "As far as staffing goes, take the Woosley Fire for example. We had thousands of calls coming in and – while talking calls for the fires – we also have to take calls for other medical emergencies and other structural fires within the county of Los Angeles.” Understaffing and a lack of resources coupled with stress have taken a heavy emotional toll on firefighters. “Typically, the number one cause of firefighter death would be line-of-duty death. But, unfortunately, it is now suicide,” Osby said. “There are a couple of things I wasn't prepared for when I took this position. As the fire chief for the last five years, I've spoken at over 50 funerals.” “My goal is to have the appropriate level of staffing, appropriate level of apparatus, the latest and greatest equipment, the best training, the best facilities to continue the amazing legacy of the L.A County Fire Department,” concluded Osby. Hill also wants to make it clear that becoming pessimistic about this “new reality” would be damaging. “If you’re not careful that daunting pressure and that feeling of things aren’t getting better can take a toll. And it does take a toll on members. That’s why it is so important for us to do the best we can with what we have,” Hill said. “Now, mind you, of course having more members behind us would help or having a thermal imager would help but...this conversation right here is a source of positivity for our members. Knowing that the message is getting out there.” “It’s not like we’re complaining,” Hill continued. “Being a firefighter is an honor and a privilege because there is so much riding on the profession having all we need to get it done is of the utmost importance. So that’s what it is. It’s not so much about us. It’s really about the public and making sure we have all the tools we need to be able to give them the service they deserve.”

Game Changers Ruth Carter he 2018 Marvel film “Black Panther” could have easily been written off as just another entry into its long list of superhero movies, but it instead became a groundbreaking cultural phenomenon that many on social media celebrated for exploring black culture and acknowledging AfricanAmerican political debates. It clearly resonated with moviegoers as it brought in historic box office success, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide and breaking the records for highest-grossing film by a black director and becoming the ninth-highest grossing film of all time. Critics and viewers similarly raved about how African culture was clearly on display throughout the whole film and notably throughout its costume design. It would win the Oscar for Best Costume Design thanks to its Afrofuturistic vision of African dress. Those slick designs that brought together traditional garments from across the continent were the creations of a woman named Ruth Carter. It is little surprise that Carter would be the woman behind the iconic costumes in the Marvel film when you take a look at her impressive portfolio. She has worked on some of the most iconic films to be shown on the big screen for the past three decades including “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” “Amistad,” and “Selma,” working alongside some of the most prolific directors and visionaries in Hollywood like Spike Lee, John Singleton, Ava DuVernay and Steven Spielberg. Her career began as a young child in her hometown of Springfield, Massachusetts where her single mother would sign her up for various programs that involved art and

while she was always deeply involved and in love with those programs, she would enter Hampton University pursuing a teaching career. “I was a little afraid that maybe [theatre arts] wasn’t a field where you could actually make a living,” Carter explains. “So, I followed my mom’s and my aunt’s path which was teaching. My mom really respected that profession and so I just said, ‘what the heck, I’ll become a teacher,” she explains. But her love for theatre did not disappear and while Carter continued studying elementary education she began auditioning for plays. It was after one of those auditions fell through that she was thrown into the world of costume design. “My professor—who was actually the director of the play—said ‘do you want to try and do the costumes?’ and I said ‘sure,” Carter recalled. While Carter had previously sewn as a child, she only had experience with the basics of working a sewing machine but with that one play, she became the go-to costume designer on her campus. “Anybody who was doing anything dramatic, they came to me and asked me to do the costumes,” Carter said. Soon enough, she recalled, her off-campus apartment became her studio. Her kitchen table would become her workstation with a sewing machine on top and patterns spread across. Carter would find herself working as an intern after graduation with the Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico before moving to Los Angeles. There, she picked up a copy of the Los Angeles Times and while looking at their Calendar section noticed a picture of the staff at the Los Angeles Theatre Centre

DIANE LUGO

Staff Writer for an article about the new center that was opening. She knew that would become her new home. It was at the Theater Center that she would meet Spike Lee who encouraged her to go to the film departments at USC or UCLA and volunteer on student projects. She would go on to work on her first-ever film with Lee, “School Daze.” In the years since she cemented herself as Hollywood royalty, one of the industry’s most consistently employed costume designers. Her reputation is why Marvel knew they were making the right choice to bring their fictional world of Wakanda to life. Carter considers Black Panther her biggest challenge yet. “I had never done a superhero suit. I’ve said all along that I’ve been dressing superheroes my whole career [Martin Luther King Jr., Tina Turner, Malcolm X, for example] but I’ve never done the super suit,” she said. “And it was pretty intimidating, the different phases of creating the superhero and also the pressure behind the fans. People were anticipating this film with great expectations and I didn’t want to disappoint them.” Carter would create a total of over 1,000 costumes for the film, each painstakingly and thoughtfully outlined and inspired from ancient African history with color from the Maasai and the jewelry from Ndebele women. The Dogon tribe directly inspired the Jabari tribe in Wakanda. In her Academy Award acceptance speech, she further celebrated her achievement by saying that “Marvel may have created the first black superhero, but through costume design, we turned him into an African king.”

H e r platform has given her a unique opportunity to showcase people of color in a way that has largely been unseen in the industry. She hopes to use to inspire other young artists. Recently, she began a series called ‘Mentee Mondays’ where she shouts out the work of young designers. “I have a really special place in my heart for interns,” she says, remembering her start as an intern. “And I had incredible mentors along the way that encouraged me and saw something in me that they felt I had. I want to be that for others and my Mentee Mondays is a way of showing young people that there’s somebody out there who sees you and wants to tell the world that you are a valuable artist.” For Carter, the art of costume design is about creating people and using meticulous and historical research to construct an authentic individual and the great joy she gets in honoring the people and the legacy of those whose stories she helps to tell. “Costume design is not being a good shopper,” Carter stressed. “Costumes are people. Costume is you. It’s me. It’s all of us and that’s what fuels me.”

Eye On Gospel Grammy Nominated Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy To Headline High Tea The Grammy® Award nominated gospel troupe, Anthony Brown & group therAPy — best-known for their No. 1 hits “Worth” and “Trust in You” — are set to headline L.A. Focus’ 22nd Annual First Ladies High Tea on September 14 in Beverly Hills. Brown is one of the leading acts in gospel music with millions of digital streams and numerous Top Ten hits such as the 2015 cut, “Worth,” which spent 24 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart. Along the way, they’ve picked up multiple Billboard Music Award and Grammy® Award nominations. They have also won an armful of Stellar Gospel Music Awards and a couple of Dove Awards too. Most recently, the group muscled their way into the Top Five of the Billboard Gospel Airplay chart with their Go-go-flavored urban inspirational single, “Blessings on Blessings”. The up-tempo track anchors the group’s forthcoming album, Second Wind, which is tentatively scheduled for an October 2019 release. Said Brown, “2econd Wind is not just another cd. It’s the song of the conqueror. It’s what happens when you push past the place where you said “I can’t”. When God adds His “super” to your “natural”, 2econd Wind is the result.”

Kirk Franklin Receives Billionaire Honor From Pandora Last month in Los Angeles, fourteen-time GRAMMY®-winning artist/songwriter/producer, Kirk Franklin, was honored with a

Billionaire plaque from Pandora commemorating Franklin having received over 1.6 billion streams on the platform. Franklin is the first gospel music artist to reach this milestone. The music streaming company surprised Franklin by presenting him with the prestigious award on-stage at the Los Angeles stop of his Long Live Love Tour. Melissa Chalos, Christian and Gospel Music Curator/Programmer at Pandora, says, “The impact of Kirk Franklin’s music simply cannot be overstated. His icon status is unquestionable. His influence spans genres and generations and he is the only gospel artist to cross the Billion spins threshold to date on Pandora. We’re excited to present to him a plaque that commemorates the billions of spins and millions of listeners who love him”. Franklin was moved by the honor. He says, “It is truly humbling that the music God let me borrow has touched so many people, and that they still choose to listen with so many incredible gospel artists out there.” Franklin being inducted into Pandora’s “Billionaires club,” comes on the heels of the release of his thirteenth studio album, Long Live Love. The album has been atop Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart for ten consecutive weeks and spawned the smash hit, “Love Theory,” which has been #1 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart for 28 straight weeks.

Donnie McClurkin Returns To London For 20th Anniversary of London & More Plans are underway for gospel singer and multiple award- winning artist Donnie McClurkin to return to London for a special celebration. Twenty years ago, the trailblazer made a gutsy decision to

do an international live recording on the heels of his goldselling, self-titled solo debut album, Donnie McClurkin. Despite the naysayers, he went on to record Live in London and More… at the historic Fairfield Hall in Croydon, England in 1999. McClurkins’ sophomore album, Live in London and More launched his music career to new heights, and settling on the Billboard music charts for weeks. The single, “We Fall Down” was a phenomenon right out the gate. “We’re bringing America to England and we’re going to have a wonderful time. This is my way to show my love and appreciation to everyone who made Live in London and More… a classic CD,” says McClurkin. Briefly: Grammy® nominated and Stellar Award- winning artist Kierra Sheard has released two new singles, “Don’t Judge Me” featuring Hip-Hop icon Missy Elliott and a solo recording of "Don't Judge Me" accompanied by a new music video. In addition to the release of her new singles, Kierra recently co-wrote and is featured on Chance The Rapper’s single “I Got You (Always and Forever)” along with En Vogue and Ari Lennox. Kierra will roll out more music in the coming months in partnership with RCA Inspiration, and will be recording a liveversion of her upcoming album at her father Bishop J. Drew Sheard's church, Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC, in Detroit. Additionally, Kierra is set to portray the role of her mother, Karen Clark Sheard, in the upcoming Lifetime Biopic, "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel”, slated for January 2020… Motown Gospel announced the official signing of iconic choirmaster Ricky Dillard. Known for his skillful directing and inimitable presentation marked by high energy, acrobatics and charisma, the 3-time Grammy nominee will record his Motown Gospel debut album live in Chicago later this month. Said Dillard, “I’m so excited to be partnering with such an iconic and progressive label as Motown Gospel for this next chapter and level of my assignment”.

GRYD Gang Prevention GRYD Gang Intervention Individual Counseling OUR MISSION Community Build is dedicated to the revitalization of our community through human capital investment and economic development.

Community Build, Inc. 4305 Degnan Blvd • Ste 102 Los Angeles, CA 90008 323.290.6560 Communitybuildinc.org Visit us on Facebook and Instagram

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Calendar of events

Ongoing Art exhibit: Ernie Barnes: A Retrospective(Thru September 8) Tues-Sat: 10am — 5pm; Sun: 11am — 5pm Free/Parking $12) California African American Museum (CAAM) 600 State Drive Info: (310) 676-7300 caamuseum.org L.A County Fair (Through September 22) Offering 69 rides, 100 attractions including farm animals, concerts, culinary demonstrations and food, marching band competition, vendors, fitness fair and more Call for Hours/Pricing 1101 W. McKinley Ave Pomona lacountyfair.com

Saturday, September 7 102.3 Radiofree KJLH Men’s Empowerment Summit 8am — 3pm • Free Cal State University Dominguez Hills 1000 E. Victoria Street Carson Contact: (310) 330-2200 www.kjlhradio.com In Concert: Sinbad

8pm • $38 - 58 The Saban Theatre 8440 Wilshire Blvd Beverly Hills Contact: (888) 645-5006 sabantheatre.com

Sunday, September 8 In Concert: Gladys Knight Featuring The Kingdom Choir 7:30pm • $14 - $152 Hollywood Bowl 2301 No. Highland Avenue Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com In Concert: Mercy Me With Special Guest Tasha Cobbs 7:30pm • $22 — 97 Citizens Business Bank Arena 4000 East Ontario Center Parkway Ontario Contact: (909) 244-5510 www.cbbankarena.com Performance: “Animate Space with Debbie Allen Dance Academy DADA Ensemble” (Inspired by the paintings of Ernie Barnes) 2:30 — 3pm • Free/Parking $12 The California African American Museum

600 State Drive RSVP: (213) 744-7432 www.caamuseum.org

Avenue Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com

Tuesday, September 10

“Walk With A Doc": Join UCLA Health physicians for an informative, brief discussion on a current health topic, followed by a refreshing stroll at your own pace Free • 7:30 — 8:30am UCLA Health Culver City - 6000 Sepulveda Blvd, Suite 2660 (Inside Westfield Mall, 2nd level) Contact: (800) 516-5323 connect.uclahealth.org/calendar

Seminar: Understanding Medicare 6:30-8pm • Free UCLA Medical Center Santa Monica 1250 16th Street, Auditorium Contact: (800) 516-5323 connect.uclahealth.org/calendar

Wednesday, September 11 In Concert: Ben Harper/Neneh Cherry 8pm • $9 - 124 Hollywood Bowl 2301 No. Highland Avenue Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com

Saturday, September 14 Hammer’s House Party featuring MC Hammer, En Vogue, Biz Markie and Coolio 7:30pm • $44 - $165 1101 W. McKinley Ave Pomona Information: (909) 6233111 lacountyfair.com In Concert: CeeLo Green 8pm • $38 - 99 The Saban Theatre 8440 Wilshire Blvd Beverly Hills Contact: (888) 645-5006 sabantheatre.com

Sunday, September 15 In Concert: Ruben

Friday, September 13 In Concert: Earth, Wind & Fire (Fireworks Finale) (Through Sat., Sept. 14) 8pm • Check pricing Hollywood Bowl 2301 No. Highland

EVENT SPOTLIGHT Saturday, September 14 L.A. Focus’ 22nd Annual First Ladies High Tea Honorees include Marla Gibbs, Supervisor Janice Hahn, Essence Atkins, Erica Campbell, Dr. Kristi Funk, Melinda Campbell, Juanita Edwards and Barbara Hendrix 11am — 2pm • $90 — 135 Beverly Hilton Hotel 9876 Wilshire Blvd Contact: (310) 677-6011 www.firstladieshightea.com

L.A. Focus/September 2019

Ciara dazzles the crowd in a sequined couture gown at Black Girls Rock 2019 last month.

vid the “Da ending tt in a g y a in n ceen Ver Ava Du an” premiere s M s od. Make Hollywo

Teddy Ril ey, the Kin Swing, w as honored g of New Jack with a st Hollwood Walk of F ar on the ame. a glamourous Galia Tiffany Haddish wore ate the premiere of ebr cel to n Lahav gow nth. n” “The Kitche last mo

Jordyn Woods at the premiere of Entertainment Studios’ “47 Meters Down: Uncaged.”

The legendary Missy Elliot delivered an epic performance at the MTV Video Music Awards before accepting the Video Vanguard Award in recognition of her influence.

(Studdard) Sings Luther 8pm • $40 -70 Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 18000 Park Plaza Drive Cerritos Information: (562) 916-8501 www.cerritoscenter.com

Monday, September 16 In Concert: Chance The Rapper plus special guests 7pm • $59 - $129 The Forum 3900 W. Manchester Blvd Information: (310) 3307344 Fabulousforum.com

Tuesday, September 17 “The Royalty Tour”: Mary J. Blige 7:30pm • $36 - $250 Hollywood Bowl 2301 No. Highland Avenue Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com In Concert: Ciara 7pm • $29 -$115 The Wiltern 3790 Wilshire Blvd Information: (213) 3881400 www.wiltern.com

Executive Producer Michael B. Jordan, creator Tarell Alvin McCraney, Oprah Winfrey, star Akili McDowell and OWN President Tina Perry celebrate the screeening of the new TV project, David Makes Man which premiered last month. (Courtesy of OWN/Photographer: Erik Umphery)

Wednesday, September 18 Workshop: Resentencing, Parole and ReClassification: Navigate Retroactive Sentencing 12:15 — 1:15pm • $30 L.A. Law Library 301 West 1st Street Contact: (213) 785.2516 • Register online lalawlibrary.org

Thursday, September 19 Workshop: Custody & Child Support 2pm • Free (Must register) Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse 275 Magnolia Avenue Long Beach, CA 90802 lalawlibrary.org Seminar: Memory and Aging 10-11:30am • Free Santa Monica Family YMCA 1332 6th Street RSVP: (800) 516-5323 connect.uclahealth.org/calendar

(The Voice of Romance Tour) 8pm • $95 -135 Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 18000 Park Plaza Drive Cerritos Information: (562) 9168501 www.cerritoscenter.com In Concert: Charlie Wilson with Montell Jordan 7:30pm • $44 - $125 1101 W. McKinley Ave Pomona 91768 Information: (909) 6233111 lacountyfair.com

Saturday, September 21 African Roots of Gospel Music With Dr. Daniel Walker and the LA Chapter, GMWA 7-9pm • Free St. John’s Cathedral 514 W. Adams Blvd Contact: (323) 333-4664 theguidordcenter.org/gospe lmusic

10022 S. Broadway Information: (323) 9720773

Wednesday, September 25 In Concert: Black Movie Soundtrack III Host: Craig Robinson Featuring El DeBarge, Chaka Khan, BeBe Winans, Charlie Wilson, Raphael Saadiq, Dionne Farris & Meshell Ndegéocello 8pm • $9 - 124 Hollywood Bowl 2301 No. Highland Avenue Contact: (323) 850-2000 hollywoodbowl.com In Concert: Niki Harris– “Sisters In Soul” (Big voice behind Madonna & Jazz Chanteuse) 8:30pm • $25-60 Catalina Bar & Grill Contact: (323) 466-2210 catalinajazzclub.com Exhibitions: “Making Mammy: A Caricature of Black Womanhood, 1840 1940 How the mammy figure

was produced to temper the atrocities of enslavement and serve southern interests domestically, economically, and politically Also: Cross Colours: Black Fashion in the 20th Century The success of Cross Colours and its significant influence on mainstream fashion (Through March 1, 2020) Tues — Sat: 10am— 5pm Sun: 11am- 5pm • Free/Parking $12 California African American Museum 600 State Drive www.caamuseum.org In Concert: India Arie 8pm • $47.50 — 94.50 The Novo 800 W. Olympic Bl Contact: (213) 765-7000 www.thenovodtla.com Los Angeles’ Diversity Career/Job Fair Business attire and Resumes required 11am-3pm • Free (Register online) Double Tree Hotel 6161 W. Centinela Avenue

around los angeles Friday, September 20

In Concert: Johnny Mathis

Markees Williams Live In Concert 6pm • $10 -20

Keke Palmer, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, and Lili Reinhart came together to celebrate their upcoming new movie “Hustlers.” es a plaque from the Kirk Franklin receiv Franklin’s music ate ebr cel Pandora to billion times. 1.6 r being streamed ove

Jamie Foxx joins his daughter Corinne at the L.A premiere of her new film, “47 Meters Down: Uncag ed.”

Culver City www.citycareerfair.com

Thursday, September 26 The West Angeles Worship Experience Conference Host: Dr. Judith McAllister (Through Sept. 28) $25 - $550 3045 Crenshaw Blvd Contact: (323) 733-8300 westa.org

Friday, September 27 Jazz At LACMA: Paulette McWilliams 6-8pm • Free Smidt Welcome Plaza 5905 Wilshire Blvd Contact: (323) 857-6000 www.lacma.org

Saturday, September 28 43rd Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival Performances from established and emerging musicians and tours of Watts Towers 10am-6pm • Free Watts Towers Arts Center 1727 E. 107th Street Contact: (213) 847-4646 www.wattstowers.org

Jada Pinkett Smith str ikes a pose on the red carpet at the premiere of “Angel Has Fellen.”

RedCarpet Style

QUEEN LATIFAH

wears a Sergio Hudson fringe-detail suit

KEKE PALMER pairs her yellow gown with a bejeweled handbag

Celebrities once again showed off their colorful and fun fashion for this yearâ€™s MTV ideo Music Awards that were hosted at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Here are some of the best looks.

H.E.R channels Britney Spears with a live snake accessory

LIZZO looks red hot in a Moschino gown and feathered boa

MONICA showed off a colorful and patterned look

INSIDE HO L LY W OOD with Neily Dickerson Hustlers: More Than A Pole Dance “Hurt people, hurt people." I’ve heard Joyce Meyer say this for years, but it was the last thing I expected to hear in the highly~anticipated film, Hustlers. However, in a poignant moment between the film’s lead character, Destiny, played by Constance Wu of "Crazy Rich Asians” fame, and Elizabeth, portrayed by Julia Stiles, she recalls her painful evolution from an inexperienced stripper into a skilled business woman. Here’s what happens, a crew of New York dancers, aspiring to do more than perform, are effected by the 2007 wallstreet crash. Under the guidance of Ramona, played with pure “Jenny from the block” swag by Jennifer Lopez, and Destiny, decide to flip from their hustle from dancers to a financial scheme tar-

men scheming them out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The sisters squad grows form 4 to 8 and the ladies grow closer and become a family that supports each other on every level. As the sister’s hustle grows, Ramona becomes greedy, Destiny gets tired of being the responsible one, the men being hustled begin talking, the sisters get sloppy and it’s only a matter of time before the scheme spirals out of control and the sisters do and say things to one another that are geting high-rollers. The ladies assemirreparable. The outcome, Destiny and ble a crew calling themselves, sisters, Ramona make decisions that take that includes: Mercedes - played by them in different directions and the Keke Palmer and Annabelle - Lill bosom buddies bond is broken causing Reinhart of Riverdale fame. Other a hurt that is never mended. notable Hustlers include, Cardi B, as Should you see “Hustlers,” yes, it’s Hometown: Harvey, Illinois Diamond and Lizzo as, Liz. The squad more than a pole dance, it’s about life Big Break: “Akeelah and the Bee” of sisters prey on unexpecting gentleCurrent Projects: Hustlers and Strahan & Sara lessons. Keke Palmer has spent most of her life in the limelight after breaking into the industry as a young child actress in the film Akeelah and the Bee. She signed a record deal when she was just 12 years old and since then has continued releasing music while acting in several shows. The multi-talented artist is clearly committed to shining and continuing to excel in her career and most recently, Palmer is returning to the Disney family joining ABC’s Good Morning America’s Strahan & Sara Rambo: Last Blood 21 Bridges Running With The Devil Hustlers September 20 September 29 September 13 morning talk show while preparing for the release of her September 13 latest film “Hustlers” which she stars in alongside Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B, and Constance Wu. Viola Davis Will Portray New Series “Black Women OWN the high after the first film grossed $1.3 Michelle Obama in New Conversation” Released on Oprah billion at the box office and the film On joining Strahan & Sara... received several awards. Showtime Series Winfrey Network Disney was my first entertainment home when I began Chadwick Boseman will return as A new Showtime series titled A new Oprah Winfrey Network my career in entertainment. They always created a “First Ladies” is currently on (OWN) series “Black Women OWN King T’Challa alongside Angela space for me to take the stage and express my many faces. Here we are again, 15 years later, still growing fast-track development and the conversation” has begun that Bassett, Winston Duke, Daniel together. And to add, I love these two [Michael Strahan will feature Viola Davis as focused on empowering and support- Kaluuya, Lupita Nyong’o, and Danai Gurira. and Sara Haines.] Two of the kindest people I know, Michelle Obama. Davis will ing women, especially black women. The villain is rumored to be Namor I’m thrilled! also serve as the executive A collaboration between OZY Media producer for the project. and OWN, it is a historic first for tele- the Sub-Mariner while Michael B On balancing life after being a child actor... According to Deadline, the vision as it features panels of well- Jordan’s Erik Killmonger is set to I went through so many phases. I think when I first one-hour drama will known women like Stacey Abrams, return as an antagonist as well. entered the industry, I had no idea what fame was. It center around the Monica, Angelica Ross and others in Leslie Jones is Leaving SNL After Five was just about acting and doing whatever type of perlives of first ladies conversation in front of an audi- Seasons forming I could do. I didn't really know all the side In a heartfelt Twitter goodbye, in the East Wing ence of 100 black women. effects that came with that kind of career. There of the White The conversations cover top- Leslie Jones confirmed her departure reached a point where [I went] from just doing this, to House and will ics like “Beauty,” “Motherhood,” from the long-running late-night experiencing the fame and understanding what being a focus on the “Love,” and “Mind, Body and sketch comedy show after five seasons celebrity played in my career and how to use it to my as a cast member ahead of its 45th impactful deciSoul.” benefit without allowing it to crush me. I'm in front of sions that have The conversations feature season. the spotlight in front of the camera and that's needed Jones thanked her fellow cast memlargely been guests with different for certain moments in my life, but also I want to have hidden from points of view in an bers, writers, fans and creator Lorn privacy too. I want be able to have that balance. What v i e w . effort to try and encour- Michaels in the tweets. it means to have my career be my lifestyle and what it “I cannot thank NBC, the producSeason 1 age hearing from and means to have a lifestyle separate from my career. will focus on learning about differ- ers, writers, and amazing crew enough for making SNL my second Eleanor Roosevelt, ent perspectives. On overcoming fear when trying new things... Betty Ford, and Episodes air every home these last five years," she tweetWe have a choice. I feel like sometimes in our existence, ed. Michelle Obama. Saturday. in our society, we feel we don't have a choice in how we The actress gave a special shoutout Deadline further feel. Fear is a choice.That is something you can either Black Panther 2 broke down the choose to feel or not. Release Date Has to her castmates by thanking them and mentioning special moments she show by adding Been Confirmed would miss with each of them. that the idea for That is not to say that you're not going to have dangerKevin Feige the "Thank you for all the love and supthe series was ous situations, or situations that have multiple [bad] Marvel Studios coport through my SNL years and I inspired by a spec outcomes, but ultimately you get to choose how you feel president has conknow you will be as excited as I am script series write about it and how you choose to feel about it will help firmed that Black when you see some of the amazing Aaron Cooley had propel you forward in how that situation goes. Panther 2 will be projects and adventures that I have written about Lady released May 6, 2022. On being seen as a role model... coming up very soon!" Jones tweeted. Bird Johnson. The Although a long I can’t tell someone what to see me as, but there are cer"Love you all!! #iamnotdeadjustgraduseries is also wait, Director Ryan tain things that I feel could be communicated better in ating." closely in line Coogler wanted fans to the world and so I use my platform for that. Jones was Emmy-nominated twice with the mission know that the team is “takfor her role on SNL and this year was of one of the creI speak a lot on being a black female, being a female, ing their time with it” in nominated for co-writing “Upper East ator’s (Cathy being a millennial; if any of those things attract somehopes of delivering a powSide,” a comic music video from Schulman) company body to say, “I like what she says, she’s a role model to erful sequel to the box Season 44 of SNL. Welle Entertainment, me,” then of course that’s cool. But I don’t try to think office breaking Black The show will return for Season 45 which is “dedicated to too much about being a role model as much as I think Panther. on Sept. 28 with Woody Harrelson as about being myself and speaking on the issues that are making female facing Expectations are important to me. a host and musical guest Billie Eilish. content.”

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ

DUE IN THEATERS THIS MONTH

Q&A

Keke Palmer

ChurchNews What’s’ Next For Mt. Zion with Sudden Passing of E.V. Hill IIl

Agape Church of Los Angeles Worship Center Consolidated Plaza: 3725 Don Felipe Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90008 Corprate Office: 4602 Crenshaw Blvd, Suite 2A, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 295-5571 www.agapela.org Bishop Craig A. Worsham, Founder & Senior Pastor Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:00am Loving, Lifting & Liberating Humanity Through The Word

hen he took to the pulpit just days following the untimely death of Edward V. Hill II at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Melvin Von W a d e – P a s t o r Rev. Mark Whitlock Emeritus of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church–made two things crystal clear. The first was that he was happily retired and not looking to take over as pastor of the church, whose pulpit is now empty, but would instead serve in the role of advisor. The second thing he made clear was that no decisions would be made about who would take over as pastor at this time and that church members needed to be careful about they proceeded given the reputation that Mt. Zion has and the two great pastors parishioners were blessed to have had as leaders. “We need to stick together and remember that this is our church,” said Rev. Charles Yarzieh, who is leader of the Shepherd’s Ministry and has welcomed guest pastors –including Alex Toussaint and Elton Johnson – over the last several weeks. As to what’s next? “The church is going to have three days of prayer followed by a closed door meeting on September 15 to make decisions on what the next step is,” said Cheryl Mason, who served as administrative assistant to Hill II, who had served as senior pastor since 2004, following the death of his dad, E.V. Hill Sr. in 2003. Over 1500 members of L.A.’s faith community turned out for the two-day Celebration of Life services for Hill II at Mount Zion and West Angeles COGIC. “We are still in shock. E.V. Hill held a special place in the faith community aside from his father, though preaching was in his DNA,” said Pastor K.W. Tulloss, president of the Baptist Minister’s Fellowship. “That he was both Apostolic and Baptist made for a powerful combination and he was not only a huge supporter of clergy but a tremendous prayer warrior.” The Friday night services at Mt. Zion drew a standing room only crowd and was officiated by Bryant McNeal and punctuated by statements from leaders of upwards of a dozen various ministries established by the church. The following morning, upwards of 100 members of clergy were on hand to pay honor to the 52-year old pastor and L.A. native, who also established the “Spirit of Zion” church in the San Fernando Valley. Hill was eulogized by Bishop Charles E. Blake, who remembered him as “a great preacher and pastor” who was loved and admired by thousands. The service was officiated by Pastor R.A. Williams (McCoy Memorial Baptist Church) and Mt. Moriah Pastor Emeritus Dr. Melvin V. Wade Sr. Speakers included Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Pastor Welton Pleasant, L.A. Councilmember Curren Price, Evangelist Wanda Davis, Bishop Henry Hearns and a touching tribute from Hill’s son, Edward V. Hill III, with video tributes from Hezekiah Walker, Kurt Carr and Bishop Noel Jones. (See page 19 for some parting shots).

L.A. Focus/September 2019

Pastor Christopher Bourne To Be Installed as Senior Pastor at Second Baptist Monrovia Pastor Christopher Bourne (dubbed affectionately as “Pastor Chris”) is set to be officially installed as senior pastor of Second Baptist Monrovia on September 15. Bourne–who formerly served as senior pastor of Bethlehem Church Pasadena since 2002– will receive the mantle of leadership from Bishop William La Rue Dillard, who retired last year. With his vision and commitment to further the Gospel, Bourne has taught and served in a variety of strategic leadership positions and as an adjunct professor at The Southern California School of Ministry. Pastor

continued to page 22

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of South L.A. 10905 S. Compton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90059 (323) 566.5286 Pastor Reginald A. Pope Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 8am • 11am Children’s Church: 11am (2nd/4th Sundays) Evangelism Training/Bible Study/Independent Prayer: (Mon): 7:29pm Mobile Prayer/Bible Study: (Wed) 11am Book by Book Bible Study (Wed.): 6:30pm Bryant Temple AME Church 2525 W. Vernon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 293-6201 • F: (323) 293-0082 Pastor Dwaine Jackson Sunday School: 8:15am Morning Worship: 9:15 am Bible Study (Tues): Noon Pastor’s Bible Study( Tues): 6:00pm

God’s Faithful Disciple of Jesus Christ / Prayer Clinic & Deliverance Ministry P.O. Box 561368, Los Angeles,CA 90056 (323)293-7566 • www.gfdjc.org•gfdjc@att.net Dr. Ruby Cottle, Pastor & Teacher G.F.D.J.C Every Friday: 7:00pm -9:30pm Location: St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 3901 West Adams Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90018

Grant AME Church 10435 S. Central Avenue • Los Angeles, CA 90002 (323) 564-1151 • F: (323) 564-5027 Rev. Dr. J. Arthur Rumph, Senior Pastor Reappointed to Grant AME Church Los Angeles Rev. Dr. James A. Rumph

Sunday School: 8am Worship: 9:30am Wed. Bible Study: 11:30am •6pm

Grace Temple Baptist Church 7017 South Gramercy Place, Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 971-8192 Rev. Rodney Howard Sunday L.I.F.E Group: 8:30am Sunday Worship Service: 9:30am Wednesday Intercessory Prayer: 6:30pm Wednesday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm E-Mail: gtbcla@gmail.com

Calvary Baptist Church 4911 W. 59th Street,Los Angeles, CA,90056 (323)298-1605•F: (310) 568-8430 • calvarybaptistla.org Rev. Dr. Virgil V. Jones Sunday Prayer: 8:30am Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Wednesday Bible Study: 12:00pm & 7:00pm We are the Church on the Hill where the Light Shines Bright!

Grace United Methodist Church 4112 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 294-6653 • F: (323) 294-8753 • graceumc1@earthlink.net Rev. Dr. Cedrick Bridgeforth, Pastor • www.graceumcla.com Early Morning Worship: 7:45am Sunday School (all ages) : 9:45am Morning Worship: 10:45am Tues. Mobile Prayer: 6:15am Wed. Bible Study: Noon Follow us on Facebook

Christ The Good Shepherd Episcopal Church 3303 W. Vernon Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90008 (323) 295-4139 • F: (323) 295-4681 Rev. Edith Oloimooja Sunday School: 10:00am Early Worship: 8:00am Morning Worship: 10:00am Mon. Centering Prayer/Meditation: 6:30pm Mon. Overeaters Anonymous: 7:00pm Wed. Bible Study & Eucharist: 7:00pm Wed. Alcoholic Anonymous: 7:00pm E: cgshepherd4041@sbcglobal.net

Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church 5300 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 759-4996 Rev. DeNon Porter

Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship 2085 S. Hobart Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 Phone: (323) 731-8869 • F: (323) 731-0851 www.christianfellowshipla.org Pastor James K. McKnight Sun. Early Worship: 8:00am Prayer Meeting: 10:30am Morning Worship: 11:00am Wed. Afternoon Bible Study: 1:00pm Wed. Prayer Meeting: 6:00pm Wed. Evening Bible Study: 7:00pm View Pastor McKnight’s Sermons on YouTube

Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Inc. 4269 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 846-1950 •Fax: (323) 846-1964

Crenshaw Christian Center 7901 South Vermont, Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 758-3777 • F: (323)565-4231 • www.faithdome.org Pastor Frederick K. Price, Jr.

Mt. Sinai Church 3669 W. 54th St. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 291-1121 F: (323) 291-1133 • office@sinai.church • www.sinai.church George E. Hurtt, Pastor-Teacher Sunday Worship: 8:00am, 10:00am Noonday Prayer (Mon): 12:00pm Tuesday Night in the Truth: 7:15pm Noonday Bible Study(Wed): 12:00pm Radio: KKLA 99.5 FM (Sat): 9:00pm

Sunday Service: 9:45am Bible Study (Tue): 11:00am & 7:30pm Tue. Night Children’s Ministry: 7:30pm Tue. Night Bible Study (Teens): 7:30pm Alcohol & Drug Abuse Program (Wed): 7:30pm

First AME Church (FAME) 2270 South Harvard Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-1251 • F: (323) 735-3353 • www.famechurch.org Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, Senior Pastor/CEO Sunday School: 10:00am Worship: 8:00am, 10:00am, Noon Teen Church (2nd Sundays):Noon,Allen House Wed. Prayer Service: Noon Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm Radio: 10:30am on KJLH-102.3FM First AME is the oldest Black Church in the City

Early Worship: 8am Sunday School: 9:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11am Radio-KALI 900AM: Sun. 11-Noon, 7-8pm KTYM 1460AM Sundays: 5:30pm Bible Study (Tues, Wed & Thurs): 7pm

Reverend Johnteris Tate-Pastor Sunday Church School: 8:00am Worship Service: 9:15am Baptist Training Union: 7:00am Tues. Bible Study/Prayer:Noon & 7:00pm

Please call for our Sunday School & Discipleship Schedule

Our Goal: To glorify God by winning more Christians and developing better Christians (Matt. 28:18-20) Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1300 E. 50th Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 235-2103 • F: (323) 235-3177 • www.mtzionla.org Dr. Edward V. Hill, II, Pastor Sunday Intercessory Prayer: 9:15am Morning Worship: 9:30am Children’s Church: 9:30am Sunday School: 11:30am Baptism: 2nd Sun. & Lord’s Supper: 1st. Sun. Tues. Pastor’s Bible Study: 6:30pm Wed. Noon-day Prayer: Noon

New Antioch Church of God in Christ 7826 So. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 778-7965 Elder Jeffrey M. Lewis Sunday Early Morning Worship: 8:00am Sunday School: 9:30 am Morning Worship: 11:00am Tuesday Prayer and Bible Band: 11:00am Wednesday Bible Study: 7:30pm Wednesday in the Word: 7:30pm The Potter’s House at One LA 614 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (818) 763-4521 • www.tphla.org Sr. Pastor Toure’ Roberts Sunday Worship: 9:00am, 11:15am & 1:00pm Thursday Midweek Service: 8pm Watch Live: http://ttphla.org/watch-live/

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church 2009 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 293-6448 • F: (323) 293-6605 Dr. Sylvester Washington Sunday School: 8:00am Morning Worship: 10:00am Tues. Bible Study: 11:00am Wed. Evangelism Class: 6:30pm First Sun. Holy Communion Service: 4:00pm www.pleasanthillbaptistchurch.org

Praises of Zion Baptist Church (“Praise City”) 8222 So. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90003 (323) 750-1033 • F: (323) 750-6458 Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick, Sr. Pastor Early Morning Worship: 6:45am Educational Hour: 9:15am Mid-Morning Worship: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 7:00pm Sunday Morning Broadcast: 5:30am Live Streaming Sundays: 12:00pm http://www.pozlive.com

St. Matthew Tabernacle of Praise “The S.T.O.P.” 1740 West 59th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90047 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 56608, Los Angeles, CA 90056 (323) 291-1115 • F: (323) 293-0471 Rev. C.Barry Greene, Pastor Sunday Worship Service: 8:00am PrayerLine: (Tuesday & Wednesday): 6:00am WordLine (Tuesday): 7:00pm ( (712) 775-7031 Access Code: 814352108) E: thechurchstop@yahoo.com pastorcbgreene@aol.com St. Rest Friendship Baptist Church 709 W. Manchester Ave., Los Angeles, CA,90044 (323)752-6179•strestfriendshipglobal.net Rev. Torrey Collins, Pastor Sunday School: 9:00am Morning Worship:10:45am Bible Study(Tues):7pm Choir Rehearsals(1st & 3rd Wed.): 7pm

PARTING SHOTS (Celebration of Life Services for Pastor Edward Victor Hill II)

Paradise Baptist Church 5100 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 231-4366 Pastor Darryl Barnes Adult Life Sunday School Study: 8am Sunday Worship Servie: 9:30am P3 - Pray, Praise & Partake (Fri before 1st Sunday) Mission Bible Study(Wed): 12:00pm Women’s Bible Study(Thurs.): 7:00pm New Life Bible Study(Sat.): 9:00am

Price Chapel AME Church 4000 W. Slauson Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 296-2406 • pricechapel@sbcglobal.net Rev. Benjamin Hollins Sunday Worship Service: 10:00am Sunday School: 8:30am Power Lunch Bible Study (Wed): 11:00am Praise & Worship Bible Study (Wed): 6:30pm

The Sanctuary Church of Refuge 888 S. Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323)519-2341 • Sanctuarycor@gmail.com Pastor Markees Williams Sunday School: 9:30am(Youth) & 9:45(Adult) Sunday Worship: 8am and 11am Morning Worship: 11:00am Bible Study (Thurs.): Noon Sun. Radio: KJLH 102.3FM: 11:00am

Gather, Grow,Go and Live The Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Park Windsor Baptist Church 1842 W. 108th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047 (323) 756-3966 • RevTerrellTaylor@sbcglobal.net Rev. Terrell Taylor Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Bible Study Wednesday: Noon & 7:00pm Communion: 1st Sunday at 8:00am & 11:00am

People’s Independent Church of Christ 5856 West Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90043 • (323) 296-5776

Sundays: Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Wednesday Bible Study & Mid Week Worship: Noon & 7:00pm Prayer Meeting: 6:30pm

Southern Saint Paul Church West Angeles Church of God In Christ 4678 West Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016 3045 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 731-2703 • smbc@smbcla.org (323) 733-8300 Rev. Xavier L. Thompson, Senior Pastor/Teacher Bishop Charles E. Blake Corporate Prayer: 8:30am Sunday School: 8:00am & 10:30am L.I.F.E. Groups: 9:45am Early Worship: 8:00am Morning Worship Service: 11:15am Morning Worship: 11:00am Baptism & Communion (First Sunday): 4:00pm Evening Worship (North Campus): 7:00pm Pastoral Bible Study (PBS)Wednesdays:7:00pm Wed. Mid-Week Worship: 7:00pm North Campus: Sun. Radio Broadcast KJLH 102.3FM: 10am Worship Service: 8:00am www.westa.tv 11137 Herrick Av • Pacoima 91331 (818) 899-8031 st.paul@smbcla.org •“Loving People Making Disciples” St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 231-1040 • stmarkmbcofla.org Reverend Dr. Lovely Haynes, Pastor Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Mon-Wed Corporate Prayer: 6:00 - 6:55 pm Monday Night Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Noon Prayer: 12 Noon Wed. Exposition of Sunday School Lesson: 7:00pm

Trinity Baptist Church 2040 West Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-0044 • F: (323) 735-0219 Rev. Alvin Tunstill, Jr Sunday Worship: 7:30 & 10:30am Sunday Church School: 9:00am Radio Broadcast KJLH FM: 9:00am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: Noon-7:00pm www.trinitybaptistchurchofla.org

The Neighborhood Church 3435 San Anseline Ave., Long Beach, CA 90808 (562) 425-1235 Pastor Lance Riley Early Worship: 8:00am Sunday School: 9:30 am Morning Worship: 11:00am Bible Study:7:15 - 8:15

Lifeline Fellowship Christian Center In Altadena 2556 N. Lake Ave., Altadena, CA 91001 (626) 797-3585 • F: (626) 797-3233 • www.lifelinefcc.org Bishop Charles D. Dorsey Sunday School: 9:00am Early Worship (Glory Prayer): 8:00am Morning Worship: 10:30am Evening Worship (1st & 2nd Sun.): 5:00pm Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm

Arise Christian Center In Westchester 6949 La Tijera Blvd. Suite C,Westchester, CA,90045 (310)568-8445•F: (310) 568-8430 • Arisechristiancenter.com Pastor Ron Taylor Morning Worship: 9:00am & 11:15am Bible Study Wednesday: 7:00pm Intercessory Prayer Tuesday : 7:00pm Intercessory Prayer Sunday: 8am - 8:45am Thursday:11:30am-12:30pm

Resurrection Church L.A. 1135 East Janis St., Carson, CA 90746 Office Address: 1143 East Janis St., Carson, CA 90746 (310) 626-4864 •www.resurrectionchurchla.org

Victory Baptist Church 4802 South McKinley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90056 (323) 231-2424• Pastor Dr. W. Edward Jenkins Sunday School: 10:45 am Morning Worship: 9:00am Bible Study Wednesday:Noon Radio Sundays: KPRO 1570AM: 9:00pm

Weller Street Baptist Church 129 S. Gless St, Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 261-0949 • F: (323)264-6601 • www.wellerstreetlive.com Pastor K.W. Tulloss Sunday School: 8:00am Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am Tues. Bible Study: 6:45pm www.wellerstreetlive.com “We have not walked this way before” Joshua 3:1-6 Peace Apostolic Church 21224 Figueroa Street, Carson, CA 90745 (310) 212-5673 Suff. Bishop Howard A. Swancy

In Carson

Pastor Joseph Carlos Robinson Worship Services: 8:00am & 10:00am Bible Study Tuesdays: 7:30pm

Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church In Compton 12930 No. Lime Ave., Compton, CA 90221 (310) 638-0536 • F: (323) 636-2080 • www.citizensofzion.org Rev. Bobby Newman, Jr., Senior Pastor; Rev. B.T. Newman, Pastor (Pastor Emeritus) Sunday School: 9:00am Morning Service: 10:45am Wed. Mid-Week Bible Study: 7:00pm First United Methodist Church Compton 1025 S. Long Beach Blvd • Compton, CA 90221 (310) 639-0775 • Fax: (310) 639-1161

Dr. Arnetha E. Inge, Pastor Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Worship: 11:45am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Noon Day Bible Class: 12:30pm Wed. Bible Class: 7:30pm

Sunday School: 8:30am - 9:30am Sunday Morning Worship: 10:00 - 11:45am TONGAN Worship: 1:00 pm (2nd & 3rd Sundays) Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: 7:30 am & 6:30pm

Pastor Profile: Lance Rhyley Church: The Neighborhood Church (Long Beach) How Long at Church: 5 years Hometown: Compton Family: Wife, Ta’Neisha

Having been raised in church, was ministry always in your plans? No. I tell my church all the time, God's plans are always polar opposite from yours because after the navy and studying culinary arts, I had plans to do something else, but God had a different route for me. It's hard because you may have temporary gains, but you'll never have long-term success working against the plan God has for your life. It wasn't until I really inquired of the Lord as to what the problem was that He said, "You're not doing what I called you to do." What was happening in your life at that point? My mom passed away when I was 13. My stepfather, who raised me, passed away when I was 18. At that point, I realized I was out here on my own. I’d been operating as a youth minister, but the support system I had wasn't there and nobody that promised me anything actually came through on their promises, so I felt like God let me down.

L.A. Focus/September 2019

I remember sitting in a car with a preacher friend and he was like, "Well, read this scripture." I told him, "I don't want to read scripture." Then he says, "Let's pray." I didn't want to pray, and I remember when he got out of the car, I heard God's voice, "You're not doing what I called you to do." I said to God in that moment, "If you let me feel you, I'll never t u r n a w a y again.

Just let me see you actually working this thing for me, going ahead of me like you said you would. That was the moment He began to open doors for me. 21 years later, He's still opening doors for me. It doesn't mean I haven't had challenges, but every time–right before I hit the bottom– He brought me right back. What let you know that God heard you? I literally felt His presence. In that moment when I began to release all that I had been holding and was bottled up into the atmosphere, it allowed Him to get in there. Is the experience you're describing one you have a lot with your members? Definitely. The Bible says, "Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Instead of giving advice in those moments, [sometimes] you just wrap your arms around them and hold them so they feel that presence and it’s more important than anything one can say or do. Just knowing that He was there in that moment to catch me was enough for me to say, ‘okay, we got a deal.’ Is part of your mission to continue that connection? That connection is solid, but now it’s just trying to keep it in balance and at the forefront with my other businesses I run. I have independent living homes for people who are chemically dependent and who have mental health challenges. And so, how I keep it in balance and keep it in perspective, is remembering that we are here to serve and not to be served. What’s most important is serving Him and His people. And the more that I deal with my clients on a daily basis, the more that I understand the service aspect of ministry because I understand the only difference between myself and my clients that I serve is really... is just one bad choice. Tell me about your church? I'm the first black pastor in the church's 73-year history. It was an all-white church. When I got there, there were 17 members and now we're roughly at about 200 members. I succeeded a gentleman by the name of Walter Carter. We actually went to The Neighborhood Church as tenants because we were looking for space to lease. They had this large property—about three acres. The main sanctuary holds 1100 and there are some auxiliary sanctuaries on the property, but just 16 members occupying the entire property.

They said, "Look, you have a thriving church–what do you think about taking this over and trying to make it work?" How challenging was that? When you take an existing ministry and try to merge it with another ministry, you have some conflict. Add to that this huge cultural difference. You have a Caucasian guy who is almost 70 and an African American kid who is 35 [me] and you're trying to merge these two cultures together. People who are low to moderate-income coming into a middle-class community and so now you're trying to do ministry with a lot of different dynamics, and it adds up to more challenges than the average church merger. But God has always put me in those situations where He said, "Lance, you want to see me open doors and work for you, this is another one of those situations. Five years down the road, God has brought us to a harmonious balance. So many pastors gauge their success on the number of members. What do you gauge your success on? The number of lives that are changed. Pastor [Lonnie] Dawson used to always tell me, "People don't care about how much you know, they care about how much you actually care." So, I could have 20,000 members, but if I'm not effectively reaching the lives of the people that I'm serving, then I haven't done my job. You seem to be pretty big on resources… I believe you have to serve the whole man. You cannot take and introduce somebody to Christ and their stomach is growling louder than the voice that's trying to lead them. You can't sit them on a pew for three hours and then when they leave, they're going to go lay their head on concrete and expect them to retain the message. So, part of my ministry is to take those people — whether they're part of my ministry or not–and more than just seeing to their spiritual needs, we try to see to their personal needs." A huge thing is their mental needs because mental health goes unchecked, especially in the African American church. We're trying to pray demons out of them and it's not a demon you need to be praying out of them. They may need get on some medication to regulate a chemical imbalance, so I just believe in servicing the entire man because that's what Christ did. He fed the 5,000 not because they needed food, but because he understood they could hear the message better if they didn't have to worry about where that meal was continued to page 22

Greater Zion Church Family 2408 North Wilmington Avenue, Compton, CA 90222 (310) 639-5535 • (Tues - Thurs 10am -4pm)

First Lady Files Michelle Clease

Crusade Christian Faith Center 801 S. La Brea Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-8535 Bishop Virgil D. Patterson Sr.

New LifeLA

Dr. Michael J. Fisher, Senior Pastor Sunday Worship: 8:00am|10:45am| 5:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 12pm|7:00pm FB: GreaterZion IG: GZCFamily www.gzcf.us

Love and Unity Christian Fellowship 1840 S. Wilmington Ave, P.O. Box 5449, Compton 90220 (310) 604-5900 Fax: (310) 604-5915 Dr. Ron C Hill Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:30am Sunday Evening Worship: 6:30pm Bible Studies: Wed. 7:30pm & Sat. 9am Food for Your Soul Radio & Television Ministry: beblessedwebradio: Mon - Fri. 6:30am Church Channel: Tues. 5:30pm & Fri. 2:30pm

The City of Refuge 14527 S. San Pedro Street, Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 516-1433 Bishop Noel Jones

In Gardena

Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Evening Worship: 6:00pm Bible Study (Wed): Noon & 7:00pm BET/Fresh Oil (Wed): 7:00am

The Liberty Church 14725 S. Gramercy Place, Gardena, CA 90249 (310) 715-8400 Pastor David W. Cross Early Worship: 8:30am Morning Worship: 9am & 11am Children’s Church: Both Services Word Power Wed.: 7-8pm www.thelibertychurch.com

Atherton Baptist Church 2627 W. 116th Street Hawthorne,CA 90250 (323) 757-3113 • www.athertonbc.org F: 323-757-8772 • athertonbaptist@sbcglobal.net Pastor Larry Weaver

In Hawthorne

Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00 am Sunday Bible Enrichment Class: 9:45am Mon.-Thurs. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 12:30pm & 7:00pm Victory Institutional Baptist Church 4712 West El Segundo Blvd., Hawthorne, CA 90250 (310) 263-7073 • www.vibconline.com Pastor Richard Williams, III Sunday Morning Worship: 9:00am Sunday Evening Worship: 6:00pm Wed. Mid-Week Worship: 7:00pm Bible Study Tuesday: Noon & 7:00pm

Bible Enrichment Fellowship International 400 E. Kelso, Inglewood, CA 90301 In Inglewood (310) 330-4700 • www.bamcm.org Dr. Beverly “BAM” Crawford Morning Worship: 9:30am Tues. Bible Study: 7:30pm Wed. Mid-Week Prayer: 5am, Noon & 7:00pm Wednesday Pathway: 7:00pm Thurs Bible Study: 10:00am Sat Marriage & Family Prayer: 7:30am

Blessed Family Covenant Church 325 North Hillcrest Blvd, Inglewood, CA, 90301 (310)-674-0303 • F: (310)-674-0303 • blessedfamilycovenant.org Rev. Wendy Howlett Sunday School: 8:30am Morning Worship: 9:30am Wed. Prayer & Bible Study: 7:00pm

Wed. Mid-Week Service: 7:00pm Sunday School: 9:00am Sunday Worship: 10:30am

Church of God Center of Hope 9550 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305 (323) 757-1804 www.go2Hope.com Pastor Geremy L. Dixon Morning Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Wed. Mid-Week Service: Noon Wed. Teaching Ministry: 7:00pm 1st Sunday Communion 5th Sunday Baptism

Faithful Central Bible Church 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave. Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-8000 • F: (310) 330-8035 Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, Ph.D. Senior Pastor/Teacher Services at The Tabernacle: Sunday Services: 7:00am, 9:30am & 11:45am Wed. Mid-Week Service: 7:00pm The Tabernacle is located at 321 N. Eucalyptus Ave., Inglewood www.faithfulcentral.com

Jacob’s Ladder Community Fellowship, inc. 1152 E. Hyde Park Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90302 (866) 330-1702 • F: (310) 674-0760 Watchman/Shepherd Dr. Robert T. Douglas Sr. Sunday Fresh Start & Prayer 9:00am Sunday School: 10:00am Morning Services: 11:45am Evening Service: 7:00pm Wed. Lock & Load Prayer: 7:00pm Wed. Bible Study: 7:30pm 3rd Friday Youth Night: 7:30pm www.jacobladderschurch.com New Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church 434 S. Grevillea, Inglewood CA 90301 (310) 673-6250 Office • (310) 673-2153 Rev. Dr. Phillip A. Lewis, D. D., D. Th., Senior Pastor Early Worship: 8:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 11:00am Mid-Week Bible Study (Wednesday): 7:00pm Afternoon Bible Study (Thursday): 1:00pm

True Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 7901 South Van Ness Ave. Inglewood, CA 90305 (323) 750-7304 Rev. James A. Perkins

Antioch Church of Long Beach Mailing address P.O. Box 2291, Long Beach, CA 90801 website:www.antiochlb.com

In Long Beach

Pastor Wayne Chaney Jr. Sunday Worship Services: 10:00am Long Beach Poly High School 1600 Atlantic Avenue Long Beach, Ca 90813

Christ Second Baptist Church 1471 Martin Luther King, Jr., Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-3421 • Fax: (562) 599-6175 • www.csbclb.org Rev. Welton Pleasant II, Senior Pastor Sunday School: 8:30am Sunday Worship Service: 9:40am Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wed Youth & Young Adult Ministry: 7:00pm

Family of Faith Christian Center 345 E. Carson Street, Long Beach, CA 90807 (562) 595-1222 • F: (562) 595-1444 Bishop Sherman A. Gordon, E.D. Min

Sunday School: 9:30am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 10:45am Bible Adventure Hour (Tues): 6pm Bible Study (Tues): 7pm Bible Study (Thurs): Noon

Christ Our Redeemer AME Church In Irvine 45 Tesla, Irvine, CA 92618 (949) 955-0014 • F:(949) 955-0021 • www.corchurch.org Pastor Mark E. Whitlock, II Sunday Worship: 8:00am, 10:30am New Generation Praise Service: 10:30am Sun. Bible Univ.: 9:30am Tues. Interactive Bible Study: 7:00pm Wed. Pastor's Bible Study: Noon, 7:00pm Thurs. Bible Study: 7:00pm Fri. Singles Bible Study (1st Fri): 7:00pm St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church 1720 N. Walnut Avenue, La Puente, CA 91744 (626) 918-3225 • F: (626) 918-3265 Pastor Tony Dockery

Michelle Clease and her husband of over 30 have called New LifeLA. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she had always had a reverence for the Lord but it was after attending Cal State Dominguez Hills for two and a half years that she decided to rededicate her life to God. For her, the idea of becoming the First Lady was intimidating at first. “When I thought of a First Lady I always thought of them having to look and be perfect all the time and I didn’t feel that I walked in that. So I shied away from accepting that,” she remembers. After growing into the role and she now describes herself as an encourager. “One of the main passions of my heart is to help people realize that they can live for the Lord and still be happy regardless of life circumstances. For me, encouraging is a huge part of what I do and helping people represent Christ in an authentic and transparent way.” Clease and her husband also dedicate themselves to helping married couples at their church after they themselves were able to restore their own relationship through Christ. “My husband I want married couples to feel love, not just be married, but have a thriving happy marriage that people can want because they serve God,” she said. “I want to encourage that everyone should feel love in spite of where they are in their walk and what’s happening in their life. Our culture is to love and let people have fun. We look at [New LifeLA] as a healing place.”

In La Puente

Sunday School: 9:30 AM Early Worship: 8:00 AM Morning Worship: 11:00 AM Spanish Service: 9:30AM Bible Study: Every Wednesday 7:00 PM www.stsbc.org

Sunday School: 8:00 am Morning Worship: 9:00 am

Gospel Memorial Church of God In Christ 1480 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 (562) 599-7389 • F: 562-599-5779 • gospelmemorial@aol.com Bishop Joe L. Ealy Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Evening Worship: 6:30pm Wed. Intercessory Prayer: 7:00pm Wed. Pastoral teaching adults: 7:30pm Wed. Youth Ministry Boot-Camp; Youth Bible Study: 7:00pm & Choir Rehearsal: 7:30pm

Grant AME Church of Long Beach 1129 Alamitos Ave. Long Beach, CA 90813 • (562) 437-1567 grantamelb@aol.com • www.grantamelb.org Rev. Michael W. Eagle, Sr. Sun. Worship Experience: 10:45am 3rd Sun. Healing & Annointing: 10:45am Wed. Bible Study: Noon & 6pm Mothers of Murdered Youth & Children Were all receive a little attention, affection and love.

From the Pulpit of: Second Bapist Monrovia “I Am Chosen” “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in my name He may give you. John 15:16 Have you ever stopped to think about the people you get to make a choice about? We have a choice in who we befriend, who we date; who we hang out with, and who we want to marry. (Well most of us). We have been blessed with the ability to choose, but although we get to choose, one of the toughest parts is that someone else gets to make a choice on us too! Have you ever experienced the pain and disappointment of not being chosen? Some of us struggle with the fact that somebody didn’t choose us. Someone you thought would have automatically picked you… but didn’t. Not being chosen can be a painful, embarrassing and even discouraging scenario. I recall in elementary school, a game called Kickball and the captains would get to choose their teams. The kids would eagerly raise their hands and say “choose me” as the mere thought of not being chosen was tough. Experiences like that made me understand the importance of being in the position to make the choice. So what happens when your movement or participation is based on someone else choosing you? You have to be willing to accept the choice or the invitation. Jesus enlightens His disciples with the knowledge that they aren’t servants, but they are friends. What a wonderful feeling to know we aren’t just servants of the Lord, but also his friend. Jesus goes from affirming their friendship to letting them know they (we) are chosen by him. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you”. So it doesn’t matter who didn’t pick you. It doesn’t matter who overlooked you. God chose you for Himself. Not that He rejects anyone; but it’s a picture of Him hand choosing you. I know you said, “I decided to follow Jesus”, but truthfully you and I couldn’t come to the Lord except He extended us an invitation. As a matter of fact, John 6:44 says: “No man can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him”. It was the Father who initiated the relationship. He made the first m o v e . T h e L o r d handpicked you! Jesus has a reputation o f extending inviPastor tations: Christopher In John Bourne 1:35, two of John’s disciples followed Jesus. Jesus asked, “What are you looking for?” They asked, Rabbi, Teacher, where are you staying? Jesus said, ‘Come and see’. They followed him and remained with him. In John 1: Jesus says to Nathaniel, “before Phillip called you, I saw you under the fig tree”. Nathaniel said, Rabbi, you are the Son of God! Jesus said (Verse 51), hereafter you will see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man! Jesus extended the invitation and they accepted and followed him. Just like He extended an invitation to them, the Lord is inviting you, but you must respond and accept the invitation. Not only are you chosen, but you are appointed. To appoint means: God places you. He puts you somewhere specific. God chose you and He put you where you need

New Philadelphia A.M.E. Church 6380 S. Orange Avenue, Long Beach, Ca 90805 (562)422-9300•F: (562) 422-9400 Pastor Darryl E. Walker, Senior Pastor Worship: 9:00am —1st & 5th Sunday Sunday School/New Member Classes: 8:00am 2nd thru 4th Sunday Worship:7:30 am &10:00am•Sunday School New Member Classes: 9:00am Sunday worship services streamed live on the web Pastor’s Bible Study: Wednesday Eve 7:00pm Mid-Week Bible Study: Thursday 12:00 noon www.nuphilly.org

Walking In The Spirit Ministries Double Tree (Sonoma Grill) 13111 Sycamore Drive, Norwalk CA 90650 (213) 248-6343 P.O Box 1597 Norwalk CA,90651 Tim & Leshia Brooks Morning Worship: 11:00am Services Held Every 2nd & 4th Sunday and Free Breakfast Is Served Bible Study: 8:30am (Every 5th Friday)

Morning Star Chrisian Church In Pasadena 980 Rio Grande Street, Pasadena, CA 91104 *Mailing Address: 1416 N. Mentor Ave. Pasadena, 91104 (626) 794-4875 • F: (626) 794-7815 Pastor W. Harrison Trotter and First Lady Ranza Trotter Sunday School: 8:30am Sunday Worship: 10:00am Bible Study Wednesday: 7:00pm Intercessory Prayer (Fourth Wed.): 7:00pm Christians Uniting To Make A Difference -Eph. :13

to be to serve Him. Some people are wondering why they are in certain areas of ministry or service. It’s because God chose and appointed you to be there. If you are somewhere God didn’t put you, you’re there on your own and He’s not responsible for where he didn’t appoint you! But if God put you there, you’re there for a purpose. He has appointed you to bring him glory. And don’t limit God’s appointment to just ministry or church work. Some of you are on jobs, in other careers and in specific places because God put you there to bring him glory. Wherever God puts you, it’s because He chose you and He knows you. Some of you have friendships and acquaintances for a reason or a season. God did not put you anywhere to be a wallflower…just to take up space. God put you where you are so that you can bear fruit. God chose you because He knows what’s in you, and what’s in you will bring glory to his name because it will produce spiritual fruit. You and I are meant to produce spiritual fruit. In the secular world, if you fail to produce on your job you might get fired. In the sports world, if you fail to produce on the field or on the court, you might be benched or cut. In the classroom, if you fail to meet the curriculum requirements you might fail or get dropped. In each area, you are expected to fulfill the responsibilities of the chosen assignment and to produce. If you understand that your bosses, coaches, teachers, and professors expect you to produce, then surely you can get the importance of God wanting us to produce. What is spiritual fruit? Spiritual fruit is produced in our daily lives. We are to bear the fruit of continual praise. Praise God for blessing us, praise God for saving us, praise God for keeping us and praise God for healing us. Whatever you do just keep praise on you lips. The psalmist said (Psalm 34:1) “I will bless the Lord at all times, and his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” We are to share the good news about Jesus and his saving grace. Paul says: I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. We need to have the fruit of witnessing. We are to remember that God put us where we are, but it starts with that fact that “He chose me”. My friends, Christ has chosen you. What will you do with his invitation?

First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Pasadena 1700 N. Raymond Ave, Pas, CA 91103•(626) 798-0503 admin@famepasadena.org•www.famepasadena.org Rev. Dr. Larry E. Campbell Sunday Worship Service: 8:00 am - 11:00am Church School: 10:00am Wed’s: • Sunrise Prayer Service: 5:30am • Hour of Power Bible Study: 10:30am • Sunset Prayer Service: 6:00pm •Evening Bible Study: 7:00pm Third Saturday Bible Study: 10:00am Children Ch 1st, 2nd, 4th Sun: 8 & 11:00am First AME Church Santa Monica In Santa Monica 1823 Michigan Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404 • (310) 450-0331 F: (310) 450-4680 Rev. Reuben W. Ford, Pastor Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Worship: 11:00am Bible Study/Prayer Meditation: Thursday 6pm “The Church In The Heart Of The Community with The Community at Heart” Email:famecsm@verizon.net Facebook: First AME Church Santa Monica

Church News continued from page 18 Chris serves as the Executive Director of Bethlehem Community Development Center, which services youth in education, empowerment, career and shelter. He also serves as the Chairman of the Associated Churches of Christ Holiness Board of Elders and on the executive board of the Clergy Community Coalition. In other local church news, Pastor T. Delbert Robinson has been appointed senior pastor of the Compton-based Zion Baptist Evangelistic Temple, as it’s pastor of more than 15 years, Kevin Stafford, departs to accept a pastoral appointment in Fresno, Ca. Robinson will retain his position of pastor at Pilgrim’s Hope Bible Church. Pastor Profile continued from page 20 coming from. Do you see a correlation between government, corporate, and church to provide the transformative resources needed to service parishioners? Definitely. I know that a lot of people demonize that relationship and say there's a separation between church and state and that everything should come from tithes and offerings, but it's in Psalms where Jesus instructs us to occupy, which means that we are to do business. We are to be involved with government. We are to be at the table…to be policy makers, because we’ve got the largest influence. And if we take that power and bring it back together, we can effect change on a much greater level. And change is not just going to come from the Baptist Church or the Methodist church, the AME church or the Muslims, but it takes us all coming together to work to be able to make that change happen. Williams continued from page 7 Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. To find out more about Walter E. Williams and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com. Telusma continued from page 7 when those first documented slaves arrived from the Portuguese colony of Angola in 1619, the American colonies were struggling and barely hanging on. In fact, the desperation born from those struggles is what incited many of them to resort to such barbaric measures in the first place. To keep it all the way funky, in 1619, the first spark of what would later become our “great nation” was a hot mess. Yet by 1860, not only was America no longer struggling, there were actually more millionaires living in the lower Mississippi Valley than anywhere else in the United States. And to be clear, every single one of those millionaires were slave owners. In fact, according to James McPherson’s Battle Cry of Freedom, “In [1860], the nearly 4 million American slaves were worth some $3.5 billion, making them the largest single financial asset in the entire U.S. economy, worth more than all manufacturing and railroads combined.” So as awkward as it may be for some people to acknowledge – particularly historically misinformed white people and the Black allies who defend them on social media – slavery, quite literally built this country. For hundreds of years, disempowered Black bodies were the greatest asset in America, and some would argue in many ways that remains the case. So is it really all that farfetched to think that maybe, somebody (i.e the government) needs to cut the descendants of those slaves a check? One could argue that 400 years is more than enough time to pay back a loan.

Through the Storm “Doctors Wrote Thom Washington Off, But God...”

t was in August of 2017 that Pastor Thom Washington, of the Long Beach-based 3CLA Ministries (formerly known as Christian Community Center of Los Angeles), was compelled to preach the story of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and their quest to be delivered from King Nebuchadnezzar, who ultimately commanded that the three be thrown into a fiery furnace, only to later see four men walking unharmed in the flames, the fourth being the son of God. “The sermon was called “Faith In The Fire”, said Washington. “The message being that you still have to maintain your faith, even if you’re in the fire.” Little did Washington know he was about to be in the fire himself. “The following week, I was getting ready to go to the church picnic,” the 51-year old pastor recalls. “I had been having some aches and pains and thinking, maybe I’m doing too much. I went to CVS to pick up some things and while in the checkout line, I started feeling really hot. “Suddenly, everything went black,” Washington continued. “When I came to I was on the floor and this woman, I don’t know where she came from but she said ‘my name is Nicole. I’m not a nurse, but I’m going to stay with you until help comes.’ She stayed with me until my wife, Stephanie and the paramedics came. When they put me in the ambulance, she was by Stephanie’s side. Then she just disappeared. I know she was an angel.” Washington was transported to the hospital where a battery of tests was run before emergency physicians concluded he was dehydrated. As almost an afterthought, they mentioned that they’d seen something in his abdomen, but wasn’t sure what it is. So, they hydrated him, sent him home and suggested he get to his primary physician. Hours later, with a temperature of 110 degrees, he was rushed back to the hospital. They admitted him and ran more tests. What they found was a tumor in his colon the size of a grapefruit. Still, they couldn’t get his temp to go down. Thinking he was anemic, they gave him two blood transfusions. A biopsy confirmed that he had cancer and that it may have spread to other areas. He was scheduled for surgery, but doctors still couldn’t get his temp down. At 11am on the day of his 1pm surgery, Washington laid hands on himself as his Dad and sister prayed over him. “My wife was on the way when It was almost as if I heard an audible voice saying, you must leave this hospital now,” Washington recounts. “I looked around and said, I’ve got to get out of here. And my Dad, who is also a preacher, said ‘well let’s go’. Even stranger, these nurses came from around the curtain and instructed my family to get me out of there right now, saying He’s not supposed to be here.” Looking back, Washington describes the experience as supernatural. In the nine days he’d been hospitalized his weight had dropped from 170 to 130 pounds. Nurses suggested he go to Long Beach Memorial. “My sister said, we can’t wait for the doctors or insurance co. I was still hooked up, They were like get this stuff out of him right now. As soon as we got to Long Beach Memorial my [primary] doctor instructed us to go to emergency and who to ask for. It turned out to be the chief of surgery, so they immediately got to work on me. “The first thing they said to me was, ‘did you know you had walking pneumonia?’ If I had let them operate on me, I would have died, but I was just following the leading of the Holy Spirit. They also saw the cancer. Now I’m comfortable. They did their tests and scheduled me for surgery.” Doctors attempted to perform a colectomy, but found the tumor too large to be excised, adding that it had

spread to his liver, pancreas, spleen, torso. They applied a colostomy bag and said there was nothing he could do. He had stage 4 cancer. The only hope was for some kind of treatment that would shrink the tumor enough to complete the procedure. “Here I am in the fire, but I would not let the word cancer stage 4 come out of my mouth,” Washington said. “Never would I say it. Even when he told me I had cancer, it was like he was talking to somebody else.” What came to him was the scripture “this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God to be revealed.” “The surgeon kept telling me, I’m going to be with you through this whole process. That was my reassurance,” Washington explains. “This peace came over me, knowing I’m in the fire now, but I know that He is in here with me. The Holy Spirit said, you walk like you’re healed, talk like you’re healed. Don’t let any defeat come out of your mouth. “The doctors wanted me to do 12 cycles of chemo and when I went to Chemo. I told the oncologist, I’m going to.be healed from all of this. He’d say, ‘I’m glad you have this positive attitude.’ I was talking like I was healed, walking like I was healed and praising like I was healed. “I would have my sandwiches, water and fruit and I started getting stronger,” Washington adds. “I was 135 pounds and every time I’d go there I’d weigh more. The doctor could not understand it. I wasn’t losing my hair. I wasn’t losing my nails. I wasn’t nauseous. I was gaining weight. I said,’ I told you he’s healing my body.’ “I went back to the church (hadn’t been there) and I felt something happening in my body,–I felt God move through me. So I’m halfway through my sixth session of chemo and the doctor says I need to check you. I want to do a scan on you to see where we’re at…if there’s any progress” They performed a PET imaging scan. Anywhere the cancer was supposed to be should have been lighting up but there was nothing anywhere…nothing was lighting up. The doctor said I need to schedule a surgery to go in and see what’s happening. “We go into surgery, same doctor, same team. He opens me up–couldn’t find anything,” Washington says. “The tumor had completely dried up. Everything was clean. They took the bag off. I’m not a doctor. I don’t know what was happening in there. But I do know the Great physician.” The experience only served to strengthen Washington’s faith and his love for family including his wife of 23 years and 12-year old daughter. “I’d spread the gospel in those chemo sessions,” Washington reports. “I was praying for people in that room. A guy that I prayed for who had bladder cancer was also healed. We were having church, talking about the word, praying for other patients. My message was telling people you have got to hold on to your faith, so it was like a mission. I was supposed to be there.” Understanding his mission, Washington now speaks freely on health issues. “You’ve got to be your own advocate. That other hospital would have killed me, but I held onto my faith even in the fire, because He was in there with me and all the stuff I went through He took the sting out of. You’ve got to take care of this temple. I was a pescatarian, but this still happened to me. I speak to other cancer patients, You’ve got to surround yourself with people who speak victory. I saw God’s hand everywhere I was. He kept speaking to me and I’m so glad I was listening. “Now, I’m back at it. I’m back in the saddle again. He’s taken care of all my needs,” says Washington, who is docmenting his experience in a book set for release next year. “That is my message. Faith in the fire and he’ll bring you out.” For more information on Pastor Thom Washington and his miraculous journey, you can follow him @thomwashington.

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You’ve got to be your own advocate. That other hospital would have killed me, but I held onto my faith even in the fire, because He was in there with me and all the stuff I went through He took the sting out of. You’ve got to take care of this temple. I was a pescatarian, but this still happened to me. I speak to other cancer patients, You’ve got to surround yourself with people who speak victory. I saw God’s hand everywhere I was. He kept speaking to me and I’m so glad I was listening.

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Charter schools continued from page 6 public school movement has relentlessly run towards the greatest challenges in public education,” Myrna Castrejón, president and CEO of the state’s charter association said in a statement. “Far too many of our most vulnerable students have been underserved by our current public school system, which is exactly why we’ve engaged in thoughtful conversations and shown a willingness to compromise on this important legislation.” News of the agreement marked a striking departure from previous sessions in which teachers unions and charter advocates bitterly fought the opposing sides’ proposals to a legislative stalemate. But Newsom, who won office amid heavy opposition from deep-pocketed charter supporters, signified soon after he took office in January that he planned to play an active role in mediating California’s charter school debate. One of the first bills Newsom signed this year, Senate Bill 126, requires charters to adhere to the same public-records and open-meeting laws as traditional district schools – a proposal that had passed previously but was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown. Legislators fasttracked that bill partly in response to the massive Los Angeles teachers’ strike in January that amplified the debate over charter school restrictions. “The goal over the next few months is to work to address a number of these vexing issues that frankly need to be addressed. It’s long overdue to have these conversations,” Newsom told reporters in March after signing SB 126. The original version of AB 1505 called for granting local school districts sole power over authorizing charter schools in California, granting wide latitude to school boards over charter approvals and removing appeals to the county and state boards altogether. The bill was introduced as the centerpiece of a package of charter restriction bills by Democratic legislators, and immediately set off an intense public debate. Charter advocates, including the state charter association, decried the original proposal as “poisonous” and an existential threat to charters in California. Teachers unions and supporters of the legislation said the accountability proposals were “common-sense” reforms that were long overdue. AB 1505 gradually has been amended as it has cleared each successive legislative hurdle, but it became clear it would become the vehicle for a consensus revision after it cleared the Assembly in a narrow and dramatic floor vote. Another charter regulation bill, AB 1507, that would prohibit school districts from authorizing charters outside of their geographic boundaries remains active, as well. Democratic Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell, chair of the Assembly’s education panel and author of AB 1505, acknowledged after that vote that it would take further compromises to advance the bill to the governor’s desk. In a statement Wednesday evening, O’Donnell said the agreement “represents a step in the right direction to reform our state’s outdated charter school laws that have been in place since 1992.” “This bill is good for kids and for California taxpay-

ers but there is more work to be done to ensure bad actors are held accountable.” CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics. Vouchers continued from page 6 and Urban Development. Across those same cities, a Zumper search found just one Oakland unit and two Fresno units that accepted Section 8 vouchers among a total of 770 two-bedroom listings that had monthly rents below each city’s Fair Market Rent. For the last two months, Fresno resident Reina Richter has spent upwards of five hours browsing the internet, calling landlords, and visiting apartment complexes, three to four days a week, to find someone who will take her voucher. “That ‘No’ is powerful,” said Richter. “It’s detouring. It’s a struggle.” Richter, who has dwarfism and diabetes, receives disability and supplemental security income from the state. “I don’t even know how someone would have a fulltime job and try to find a place,” she said. She worries about what will happen if she can’t find an apartment in time. “I would end up homeless. Or maybe I move in with a family member … I don’t know at that point, if I lose my voucher, what I’m going to do.” Nicknamed after Section 8 of the Federal Housing Act, the Housing Choice Voucher program is the country’s largest low-income housing assistance program, helping about 2.2 million households secure housing in the private rental market. The program was created in the 1970s as an alternative to public housing projects. However, advocates for the poor say that landlords often reject Section 8 tenants based on racist or class stereotypes. “It’s gotten so bad that it’s almost completely undermined the initial purpose of the Section 8 program in that it was supposed to allow people that were financially disadvantaged to live in high-resource communities,” said Leah Simon-Weisberg, who leads the tenants’ rights program at Centro Legal de la Raza in Oakland. “In the same way it’s unacceptable to say ‘No Jews’… , it has to be equally unacceptable to say ‘No Section 8.’” Landlord and real estate lobbies oppose Mitchell’s bill because they say the red tape required to work with federal agencies is burdensome and can cost money through vacancies. Greg Terzakis, senior vice president of the California Apartment Association, said it can take weeks to get inspections, which are required before units can qualify for Section 8 vouchers. He also said the federal money is sometimes late. Plus, Section 8 requires a one-year lease while some landlords prefer month-to-month contracts. “Normally, renters give you an application, you run a background check, credit, say yes or no and you’re done,” he said. “But with Section 8, there’s an additional paperwork packet. You have to take it to the housing authority, once it’s reviewed they have to send you a letter telling you when the inspection is going to be.” Fresno’s Housing Authority acknowledged the

process can be difficult. “There may be some inconsistencies on our part. Those are things we are working on through monitoring and training. We hear them,” said Angie Nguyen, chief of staff at the Fresno Housing Authority. Portantino’s bill attempts to address landlords’ concerns. If passed together, the two pending bills could represent a comprehensive solution, he said. “Section 8 – It’s real money, it’s valid resources,” he said. “There’s really no reason not to take it. I think reminding the landlords that there’s no reason not to take it and then providing them an incentive for taking it, that’s a complementary approach.” A handful of local governments have seen improvement after passing incentives similar to those proposed by Portantino’s bill, sometimes in conjunction with discrimination bans. In 2016, Marin County offered up to $3,000 to protect landlords from income loss due to vacancies or property damage related to Section 8 tenants and passed a ban on voucher discrimination. The rate at which Marin voucher holders found rentals before their vouchers expired nearly doubled, from 30% in 2015 to 60% in 2018. Costs have been a problem, however, according to a HUD report published this year. And rent increases in the area have prevented the housing authority from issuing any new vouchers. Several local governments have also approved bans on voucher discrimination similar to the state proposal in Mitchell’s bill including Santa Clara County, San Francisco, San Diego and Berkeley. Los Angeles and San Jose passed similar protections this summer. The Berkeley ban, passed in 2017 has had little impact because the city didn’t invest in landlord education or enforcement, according to Simon-Weisberg, who also serves on the Berkeley housing advisory commission. San Francisco’s ban is more effective because the city attorney has proactively sued landlords, sending a strong message across the city, Simon-Weisberg said. But in both cities, online rental postings that explicitly don’t accept Section 8 vouchers abound, despite the local laws. In other parts of the country, research indicates the discrimination law change has had more impact. Just 31% of screened rental ads denied vouchers in Newark, New Jersey, where a statewide anti-discrimination law has been in place since 2002, compared to 76% in Los Angeles, according to a 2018 Urban Institute study commissioned by HUD. The rate was just 15% in Washington, D.C. Sen. Mitchell says that outlawing voucher discrimination won’t solve the shortage of landlords who take Section 8, but it will make a worthwhile dent. “The whole point of this bill is, give me a shot. It doesn’t mandate that you accept Section 8. But it does say, stop disallowing me from even applying,” Mitchell told CalMatters’ Matt Levin and Los Angeles Times’ Liam Dillon on this week’s episode of “Gimme Shelter: The California Housing Crisis Podcast.” Manuela Tobias is a journalist at The Fresno Bee. Jackie Botts is a journalist at CalMatters. This article is part of The California Divide, a collaboration among newsrooms examining income inequity and economic survival in California.

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SavingGrace Erica Campbell @IAmEricaCampbell

hen people traditionally think of first ladies, they think hats. They think sitting on the front row, always smiling. But I have a bunch of really great first lady friends who are fully themselves just authentic–women who don't feel held hostage to what the title is supposed to be. Women who told me, "Define it for yourself but don't feel held hostage to the stereotypes that go with a first lady.” Truth is, Erica Campbell, one half of gospel’s best-selling sister act, “Mary Mary” and a Grammy winning solo artist in her own right, who has a wig line, a hit WeTV reality show, a nationally syndicated morning radio show and just released her third book, is hardly a traditional first lady. But in defining the role for herself, Campbell, the first lady of the San Fernando Valley-based, California Worship Center–established five years ago by her husband, Grammy winning producer/senior pastor, Warryn Campbell– has found a new passion. “I've created what God wanted me to be as a first lady and I legit love it. I look forward to I it and tell my kids, ‘Sunday is our church day, but it's also fun. It's also music, encouragement, worship. It's everything I need it to be. It is my refuel, my refresh and I'm excited.” That wasn’t always the case for Campbell. “Initially, I told my husband, ‘God called you, I'll keep singing and that's how we’re going to let that rest.’ But I realized that was not the right spirit. I never want to have him take on a big task and then his biggest problem is trying to convince me. So, I was like, ‘Lord, work on my heart and help me not be selfish with my life.’ I've also been blessed to have people around me who support me, who challenged me, who push me, who pray with me and it's made me love being a first lady.” “At California Worship Center, we have something called Beyond the Walls and we also have o u r

L.A. Focus/September 2019

I have had to perform after some of the worst news in my life and I feel stronger when I'm able to move past a storm and not fall apart in the face of devastation. Legit stuff like losing my dad, finding that I'm not in a group anymore or that there was infidelity in my marriage, and I still had to function.But I learned that I'm stronger than I thought I was and so, I go, "All right, God, I can handle that. What's next?"

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homeless ministry,” she continues. “A few months ago, I packed up my car with a bunch of clothes and took them downtown where we were serving and praying. We also go to stores in September and October and pay for people's groceries and then pray for them. To be able to be there to serve those people is a wonderful feeling. It's a blessing for them because that's God supernaturally doing something for them that sometimes changes their mind about churches and Christians or just lets them know God is thinking of them.” Another ministry close to her heart is dubbed, “More Than Pretty” and it is from that ministry that she took the title of her new book, “More Than Pretty: Doing the Soul Work That Uncovers Your True Beauty”. Available later this month, the premise of the book is that true beauty is found not in external appearances, but in celebrating the person God made one to be. For Campbell, writing the book was more therapeutic than anything else. “When you're doing music and everything is about the music, beyond the stage, there's a whole lot going on in your life,” Campbell explains. “There's a whole lot of personal development, hills and valleys, victories, tragedies and I believe you experience things for reasons, to learn something or to use that as a tool. “I had to learn that when I shifted from first just being a church girl singing in choir and then singing background with R&B singers and where I grew up singing R&B was a sin, so that was a shift. Then I become an artist and then a wife and a mom... With every change, I had to create new normals. I learned so much that I just needed to write it down and I started writing and just didn't stop.” The book mirrored her own evolution. “Just to write it down and to look at it and say, "Erica, this is how you've grown. This is what you've conquered,” she says. “Then maybe it can be helpful for somebody else" because I'm sure if I've gone through it, there's got to be hundreds, maybe millions who have gone through the same thing. So, I started the journey, then I wrote a little pamphlet of a book and sent it to a printer. As I kept having this conversation, I knew there was more to discuss, so I got an amazing publisher and started this journey. “I believe you either struggle with pretty if you had been deemed "beautiful," or if you have a different look, there are struggles there because the enemy's attack is never really the exterior. He wants to make you think you're not enough. It's him trying to

tear you down.” Campbell contends that there are a lot of problems with “pretty” that people just don’t acknowledge. “When a p r e t t y w o m a n walks in a board room, they automatically think she's d u m b , ” Campbell states. “When a pretty woman has a business or has money, they automatically think she got it from a man. Then you have to remember there's a bunch of people who hate you just because you're pretty" and I acted like it wasn't real until it smacks you in the face. But I still don't let that change my temperament or steal my joy.” To that end, Campbell is excited that she gets to talk and share and hopefully encourage and build as many other women as she can with a better understanding of her own strengths. “The best part of me is my ability to get over stuff, to move forward,” Campbell reports. “I have had to perform after some of the worst news in my life and I feel stronger when I'm able to move past a storm and not fall apart in the face of devastation. Legit stuff like losing my dad, finding that I'm not in a group anymore or that there was infidelity in my marriage, and I still had to function. “Yes, I cried, went to therapy, prayed, went to church, shouted, all the stuff we do,” she adds. “But I learned that I'm stronger than I thought I was. I'm tough and I'm proud that I'm tough and so, I go, "All right, God, I can handle that. What's next?" There aren’t enough hours in the day for the happily married wife and mother of three who day begins at 5am with a daily radio show, Get Up Mornings with Erica Campbell, still records and performs and works alongside her husband both in ministry and in the recording studio. “I wish God would just put like maybe three more hours on the 24-hour clock and I can get more sleep. Still,” she says, “it is a great time to be Erica Campbell right now. I'm loving who I am. I have my moments, but I try to see the blessing in it all. I naturally assume that things are going to work out for me. I'm not letting anybody steal my joy. Her latest single, “Praying and Believing” is further proof of that. “I want people to understand that, yes, we can pray, but we've also got to believe. It may not happen the day we want or the way we want, but it happens. I wrapped all of that in a song and I hope it will encourage people.” On September 14, she will be honored at the 22nd Annual First Ladies High Tea, where she will also be signing copies of her new book. “I remember coming to the High Tea before I was a first lady and seeing these room full of beautiful women, a lot of whose churches I had gone to sing at, and to know I'm now a part of this group of amazing women who serve, and to be honored…makes me so humbled. I just hope to live up to this honor and that no matter how high God takes me, I'm always at the feet of Jesus.”