L.A. Focus Newspaper September 2022

VOLUME XXVII • ISSUE 7 •September 2022 > > W W W. L A F O C U S N E W S PA P E R . C O M

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UPFRONT New Poll Gives Karen Bass Big Lead Over Rick Caruso

SEE PAGE 10

EYE ON GOSPEL Erica Campbell Gets Positive About New Release

Up Front

Heather Hutt Apponted to Represent the Tenth District on the City Council

THROUGH THE STORM Pastor Back At Work Following Brutal Attack

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contents

September 2022

L.A. Focus Publications

(Left) Nipsey Hussle’s Dad Dawit Asghedom, son Kross, grandmother Margaret Boutte, sister Samantha and daughter Emani –celebrate his star on Hollywood Walk of Fame; Councilman Curren Price and incoming BBA President Sarah Harris pose with Skip Cooper at celebration of his 50 years of service to the Black Business Association; Right: Metro board members Ara J. Najarian, Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Metro LA president Stephanie Wiggins, Mayor Eric Garcetti, past board member Pam O’Connor, Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas and L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell joined media in a sneak peek for the K Line stretching from West Adams to Westchester.

4 From The Editor

12 Hollywood Buzz

The Story Behind the Story

No Going Back for Chris Rock; Coming Soon–The Weekend’s “The Idol”: Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance set to release first film under deal with MTV.

Commentary

Meghan Markle Enjoyed The Perks Of Light-Skinned Privilege--That Is, Until She Couldn't

6 UpFront

L.A. Officials Report Alarming Rise in Hate Crimes • New Poll Gives Karen Bass Big Lead Over Rick Caruso •Heather Hutt Appointed to Represent 1oth District • Attorneys for Nurse Who Caused Windsor Hills Crash Suffered a Mental Collapse Before Collision

Footnotes Sterling K. Brown

13 Red Carpet Style Red Carpet Movie Premieres

Eye On Gospel

14 Through The Storm

9 Money Matters

16 Church News

Student Loan Forgiveness Sparks Debate

Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Could Provide Relief to Up to 43 Million Borrowers

Biz News Briefs State Launches College Savings for Millions of Students & All Newborns

On the Money Uncle Nearest Named One of America’s Most Successful Companies • Snoop Expands Biz Empire

Sounding The Alarm: Will We Become the Next Flint, Michigan?

Photographer Advertising

Lisa Collins Gerald Bell,,Keith Delawder, Chez’Ney Hadley Ian Foxx Kisha Smith

ECM Ministries Hosts 4th Annual Church in the Park; Bethel AME Breaks Ground on New Housing Development; Brooklyn-Based Mega Pastor A.R. Bernard to Build $1.2 Billion Urban Village

17 First Lady Files 18 Pastor Profile

Todd Clease, New Life LA

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 Baptist Minister’s Conference Inglewood Minister’s Assoc.

With 23 Grand slam titles to her credit and an estimated $94.5 million in prize money alone, many say Serena Williams–one of the greatest tennis players of all time–redefined what a women’s tennis player can be since turning professional in 1995. This month she will retire from tennis to focus on being a mom and discovering what she says is a “different but just as exciting Serena”.

But, given her performance at the U.S. Open, she is not likely going anywhere anytime soon.

@L.A.Focus

Bishop Charles Blake Bishop Noel Jones Pastor Michael J.T. Fisher Rev. Xavier L. Thompson Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer Pastor Emeritus Melvin Wade Pastor K.W. Tulloss Bishop Robert T. Douglas Sr.

advisory board Napoleon Brandford Apostle Beverly Crawford Lem Daniels Bob Blake

@Lafocusnews

Yvette Nicole Brown

Siebert, Brandford, Shank & Co. Bible Enrichment Fellowship Int’l Morgan Stanley Bob Blake & Associates

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L.A. Focus/September 2022

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. www.lafocusnewspaper.com

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Klancy Miller

honorary advisors

staff Publisher/Editor-In-Chief Staff Writers

Pastor Back At Work Following Brutal, Near Deadly Attack

Arianna Daniels

10 Cover Story

Atherton Baptist Church

Maverick City Music, CeCe Winans Among Top Nominees for Dove Awards; Erica Campbell Gets Positive About New Release; CeCe Winans Hits the Road

8 Headlines From Africa Head 2 Head

19 From The Pulpit of 21 In Good Taste 22 Saving Grace

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Commentary

CHARLENE CROWELL Guest Columnist

“Meghan Markle Enjoyed The Perks Of Light-Skinned Privilege--That Is, Until She Couldn't” n Meghan Markle’s latest episode of her podcast Archetypes, “The Duality of the Diva,” Mariah Carey and the Duchess discussed the complex nature of being biracial or mixed. Not only did it set the internet ablaze, but it also left something to be desired.

“I think for us, it’s very different because we’re lightskinned,” Markle said to Carey. “You’re not treated as a Black woman. You’re not treated as a white woman. You sort of fit in-between.” She then goes into further detail about how marrying into the royal family exposed her to a sort of racism she hadn’t experienced before.

“If there’s any time in my life that it’s been more focused on my race, it’s only once I started dating my husband. Then I started to understand what it was like to be treated like a Black woman. Because up until then, I had been treated like a mixed woman. And things really shifted.”

Alongside CNN’s Brianna Keilar and John Berman, Don Lemon discussed Markle’s revelation. “I commend Meghan Markle for going there, even though it is a bit shocking that at 30-some years of age, she is just understanding what it’s like to be a Black woman in America,” Lemon stated Wednesday morning.

In an explosive interview with Oprah last year, Markle and her husband Prince Harry revealed how insidious the racism toward her had been, not only from British tabloids but also the royal family.

She explained to the renowned media personality there were “concerns and conversations about how dark [her and Harry’s son, Archie’s] skin might be when he was born … Those were conversations that family had with Harry.” Her husband was noticeably tight-lipped

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when asked to name the family member who asked such a ridiculous question.

Markle has handled the vitriol she has received with grace. Not only did her family pack up and leave England when the treatment she received became unbearable, but the couple’s interview with Oprah shed light on the importance of mental health and how harshly discrimination happens on a global level.

From the Editor

In that same interview, Prince Harry shared that he had been financially cut off by his family when he and his wife opted out of their obligations. The fact the pair have been able to secure millions of dollars through undertakings with Spotify and Netflix is commendable. Markle’s interview in The Cut was a raw and honest look at her experience and how far she and Harry have come.

However, that doesn’t negate the fact that Markle gleefully benefited from being racially ambiguous until she couldn’t do so anymore. In past interviews, she described the privilege she has about being a light-skinned biracial woman and how it’s helped her access certain spaces and receive preferential treatment.

However, she never really condemned racism until she experienced it in such a public, overt and unapologetic way. The fact that she finally knows what it’s like to be treated like a Black woman–which is poorly–feels like a slap in the face to every Black woman who doesn’t have any other choice in the matter.

Markle felt not only racism because of marrying a British prince, but it was a combination of that, classism, xenophobia, and misogyny. Of course, she experienced better treatment because she is a light-skinned Black woman.

But now that she really knows how badly Black women are treated, what does she plan to do about it?

Candace McDuffie is the Senior Writer at The Root who focuses on the intersection of race, gender and entertainment. McDuffie has appeared as a commentator on HBO, BBC World Service: World Business Report, KCRW and the Smithsonian Channel, For more about McDuffie, visit www.candacemcduffie.com. This commentary first appeared in theroot.com.

LISA COLLINS Publisher

“The Story Behind the Story"

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L.A. Focus/September 2022

recently read a column titled “Is Journalism Dead?” “Although”, the columnist wrote, “there are still a significant number of journalists with integrity, we have seen an increase in the number of journalists who have been seduced by the pleasures of fame and led astray by their inability to disassociate their personal views with the critical roles that they hold.”

He suggested that with the advent of the internet the barriers of true journalism had eroded in the competitive race for followers, leading to an increase in misleading headlines, false news, inflammatory pieces, reputational assaults and hurriedly compiled reports including substantive evidence from questionable sources. All of which have become more commonplace.

Unfortunately, a lot of what he says is correct.

There is a lot of sloppy journalism out there as well as those who utilize their outlets to propagate news that suits their interests and suppress news that does not.

As a publisher, as hard as we try, we all have biases even in determining what stories we choose to cover or not to cover particularly in local news.

In selecting what we cover here at L.A. Focus, we’re telling you one of three things. The first is what news we think you should see as important–those things that impact your life and shape the world we live in and the laws we live by; whether it’s a new COVID19 variant or vaccine; the growing rise of hate crimes, a shooting that calls into question law enforcement procedures, a weather phenomenon that has disrupted lives or the race for who will be the next mayor or president,–all with a decidedly Black focus.

Second, are those stories we believe will cause you to think, reflect, consider a different perspective or just be inspired. It could be an opinion piece that prompts you to question or rethink an issue from

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a different perspective or a testimonial of how someone got through a difficult health or life challenge.

Third is what we know will get your attention as it ties into something you love or are curious about. It could be as salacious or titillating as a scandal or fall from grace, as tried-and-true as a rags-to-riches story, the latest accomplishment from your favorite athlete, sports team or the purely sublime–the things that make you go hmmm.

In every editorial meeting in America, that’s what’s on the table and the choices we make can in and of themselves often reflect a bias. No way around it.

That’s where intentionality becomes important.

Is the intent to inform or sway you? Therein lies the story behind the story. It is a violation of trust to serve our own interests, but sadly the practice has become more commonplace and it is becoming more and more incumbent on readers/followers to read between the lines.

Our journalistic job is to lay out the facts: the who, what, when, how and why, and let folks make up their own minds.

It’s not always easy when you come to know the people you cover or the issues that just seem to draw you in. Years ago, I remember seeing reporters covering stories where people were starving to death or suffering through a drought in Africa. The reporter would be describing how a child was starving to death and that if they didn’t get some nourishment soon they would perish. All the while I’m thinking to myself, I hope now that you’re there, he or she will eat, even if it’s your food.

Simply put, it’s hard to report some stories without becoming part of them and thus playing a role in determining the outcome. Neutrality, however, is what true journalism is all about.

It has been reported that in the 15 years leading up

to 2020 more than onefourth of the count r y ’ s newspapers–over 350– disappeared as print circulation declined. Gannett, the largest newspaper chain in the country, is in serious financial trouble, despite the fact that their CEO was reportedly making $7.74 million in cash and stock awards. (Don’t I wish!)

Because of the decline, a recent study found that 20% of Americans — mostly in “traditionally underserved communities” – live in a news desert with no local news organizations. And for those of you who think little of local newspapers, consider that the void created in the loss of local news has significant political, social and economic implications for our society and our democracy.

There are proven parallels in the lack of local/community newspapers leading to lower voter turnout, more pollution, more corporate crime, less accountability in city councils and school boards, less support of local businesses, lower turnout in community activities and events and little or no coverage of high school sports.

In fact, the value of local media is incalculable in educating readers and building a sense of community.

But for all of its value, the columnist is correct in advising readers to “always dig deeper and seek the truth, rather than allowing the truth to be fed to you.” In some cases, that might mean looking to the story behind the story and what it is being motivated by.

Keep the faith.

UpFront L.A. Officials Report Alarming Rise in Hate Crimes for Second Consecutive Year

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n 2019, two men, Ceasar Savoc and Stephen Taubert–both white supremacists– were convicted in federal courts for threatening to kill Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

Taubert was found guilty by a federal grand jury after calling Waters’ Los Angeles office and stating, “I’m gonna be at every event that stupid f*ing ni***r b***h is at and I’m gonna kill that f*****g b***h and all you stupid f*ing n****s that work for her.”

Last March, a senior member of the Big Hazard street gang was sentenced to 192 months in federal prison for orchestrating and executing the nighttime firebombing of African-American families at the Ramona Gardens Housing Development in Boyle Heights in order to force the residents out of their homes.

In December, a federal court sentenced a California man to more than six years in prison for a hate crime for attacking a Black man in Santa Cruz, California. Using a nine-inch knife, the man slashed the victim on his head, chest, and stomach, while yelling racial slurs. It was the man’s fourth known attack against Black men.

This year, police in Palo Alto were investigating as a hate crime an incident where somebody changed the wording on a woman’s yard sign from “Black Lives Matter” to “Asian Lives Matter.”

Whether fueled by toxic and weapon-

ized rhetoric, gentrification, online hate speech, turf wars, or the growing movement of White nationalism or the proliferation of hate in media coverage, it should come as little surprise that hate crimes are on the rise in Los Angeles.

Last year, 596 hate crimes were documented in LA—the highest number ever reported. This year, from Jan. 1 to June 30, nearly 350 hate crimes were reported to the Los Angeles Police Department, a 16.7% increase from the first half of 2021, and more than double the equivalent period in 2020.

Brian Levin, Director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino, warned that a further increase of hate crimes could be coming to L.A., linking the claim to the approaching elections when divisive political rhetoric intensifies.

“If you take the last ten years of FBI data and you rank by quarter, the second half of the year is the one that has more hate crimes,” Levin said.

Blacks in Los Angeles have suffered more hate-motivated attacks than any other group in the first half of 2022 with 91 reported anti-Black or anti-AfricanAmerican hate crimes, up 15.2% from the same period last year.

“We saw a reversal of a decline in antiBlack hate crimes in 2020,” said Levin.

“It’s now gone back up.”

The LAPD defines a hate crime as any

criminal act or attempted criminal act directed against a person based on actual or perceived race, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or gender.

Hate crimes can include, but are not limited to threats of violence, injury (even if slight), and property damage. Nearly 45% of the reported 349 hate crimes during the first half of 2022 involved an assault.

The Southern Poverty Law Center reported that 65 hate groups were tracked in California in 2021. Among them were American Front, American Freedom Party and the Proud Boys–who have 9 chapters. The SPLC further reported that over 400 verified bias-related incidents occurred within one week following the election of Donald Trump in 2016, and another 1,000 incidents happened one month after election day—a significant increase over previous months nationally.

The LAPD has long recognized the serious nature of crimes motivated by hatred and is one of the first law enforcement agencies in the nation to establish specialized procedures for the handling of hate crimes which can be prosecuted either as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the severity of the acts committed.

“All persons within the jurisdiction of this State have the right to be free from any violence, or intimidation by threat of violence, committed against their persons or property,” according to the LAPD web-

GERALD BELL Contributor

site. “Anyone who violates the right is liable for each and every offense for the actual damages suffered by any person determined by a court of law.”

According to The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), there’s an overall increase in attacks involving religious bias that is closely associated with the overall 89.6% increase in California hate crimes over the past decade.

Groups like the ADL and LA vs Hate are stepping up to address the rising rate of hate crimes.

“These heinous acts of harassment, vandalism, and propaganda all cause a ripple effect,” said Jeffrey Abrams, regional director of ADL. “The perpetrators [are] seeking to instill fear among not just the Jewish community, but all minority and marginalized communities. And this we cannot, and will not, tolerate.”

This article is one in a twelve-part series to examine what is driving this rising trend of hate crimes and appropriate solutions to “stop the hate”.

"The Stop The Hate campaign is made possible with funding from the California State Library in partnership with the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA). The views expressed in this series produced by L.A. Focus do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the CSL, CAPIAA or the California government. Learn more at capiaa.ca.gov/stop-the-hate".

News Briefs New Poll Gives Karen Bass Big Lead Over Rick Caruso

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ongresswoman Karen Bass finished first in the L.A. mayoral primary with an impressive seven point lead over billionaire real estate mogul Rick Caruso, who spent a record $40 million to Bass’ $4 million leading up to the June 7 primary. But if a new poll conducted by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies for the L.A. Times is accurate, Karen Bass has widened her favorability margin to twelve points among voters in the nation’s second largest city.

The survey of 1,746 registered Los Angeles voters earlier this month found that 43% of voters favored Bass compared to 31% of voters for Caruso, with 24% undecided.

Nearly half of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of Bass, compared to 22%

unfavorable, while 29% had no opinion.

According to the poll, Bass has even made headway in the San Fernando Valley which has been considered a stronghold for Caruso giving him a 7.5% victory over Bass in the primary. However, the poll shows him leading by just two points.

For all the money Caruso spent, the poll found that just 35% of those surveyed had a favorable opinion of Caruso, while 40% had an unfavorable opinion of him and 24% had no opinion.

Bass’ edge over Caruso was tied, in part, to her experience in elected office.

Just 21% said experience in public office was not important.

Ironically, a majority of those surveyed (55%) didn’t think it was important that the candidate was a woman and 58% didn’t believe it was all that important that the candidate was a person of color.

However, 72 percent thought it important that–like Bass–the candidate had a history of defending abortion rights.

Caruso was likely to benefit from respondents desiring a candidate who is tough on crime while 51% thought it was important that the candidate had a business background. And though turnout among Latino voters is lower on average, Caruso led in L.A. precincts with populations that were at least 80% Latino, but tied with Bass overall among Asian

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“

As a resident of the 10th district, and a public servant for over 20+ years, I am committed to doing the work. I understand the complexities, diversities and challenges and I promise to work towards doubling down on our investments to house our unhoused neighbors, building parks that are equitable, safe and accessible, and making this a district that you are proud to call home.

D.T. CARSON Staff

ency in the process of selecting who should be appointed, calling instead for townhalls and more input from the citizens who would actually be impacted by the appointment.

Hutt will hold the office through the term or until Ridley-Thomas is acquitted of corruption charges and he could resume the post.

Martinez said that Hutt would be “the first woman to represent the 10th District and the first woman to represent South Los Angeles in a decade.”

“Leadership is stepping up during a challenging time,” Martinez said in a statement. “That is what Heather Hutt has done as caretaker and what I know she will do as the council member for the 10th District.”

Hutt has said she would be a voice the residents of the 10th District–which spans Koreatown and West Adams to Crenshaw and Leimert Park–could depend on.

Hutt, who formerly served as an aide to then Senator Kamala Harris, was defeated last year by Isasc Bryan in a bid for the 54 Assembly seat.

“I am humbled by the outpouring support of my colleagues, peers and the council members who had the faith in me to lead and do what is best for this district” Hutt said. “As a resident of the 10th district, and a public servant for over 20+ years, I am committed to doing the work.

I understand the complexities, diversities and challenges and I promise to work towards doubling down on our investments to house our unhoused neighbors, building parks that are equitable, safe and accessible, and making this a district that you are proud to call home.”

Attorneys for Nurse That Caused Windsor Hills Crash Suffered a Mental Collapse Before Accident Attorneys for Nicole Linton– the nurse charged with on six counts of murder and five counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence in the fiery Windsor Hills last month–say their client suffered a lapse of consciousness leading up to the tragic multi-car collision. Further, the 37-year old ICU nurse was revealed to have struggled with bipolar disorder over the last four years,–a condition for which she had also been prescribed psychiatric medication.

Linton had been clocked at going over 90 mph when she slammed through a red light at the intersection of La Brea and Slauson on August 4. A doctor has stated that she has no recollection of the events preceding the incident.

In a past incident, Linton was involuntarily committed to a psyche ward after running around her apartment complex naked.

Her attorneys maintained that she would be “most appropriately housed in a mental health treatment facility where she could be monitored and treated for her illness.

FDA Authorizes Updated Boosters to Target the BA.4/BA.5 COVID Variants The U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations (of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines to authorize bivalent formulations of the vaccines for use as a single booster dose at least two months following primary or booster vaccination. The updated boosters target the BA.4 and BA.5 variants. Considered the most infectious strains of the virus, the variants account for the majority of the cases being reported and are expected to fuel a fall and winter wave of COVID-19.

The updated Moderna vaccine is authorized for use as a single booster dose in those 18 and older. The new Pfizer vaccine is authorized for use as a single booster dose in those 12 years of age and older.

“The FDA has been planning for the possibility that the composition of the COVID-19 vaccines would need to be modified to address circulating variants. We sought input from our outside experts on the inclusion of an omicron component in COVID-19 boosters to provide better protection against COVID-19. We have worked closely with the vaccine manufacturers to ensure the development of these updated boosters was done safely and efficiently,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research.

L.A. Focus/September 2022

plore the eligibility requirements for appointments to a temporary vacancy in the 10th District as well as the steps, costs and legality of holding a special election to fill the vacancy.

A recent L.A. Times editorial board opinion piece cited “shady backroom maneuvering” in February to name termedout former Councilman Herb Wesson” as what first called the legitimacy of Martinez’ moves into question.

“The concern isn’t with Hutt…The concern is with the attempt to bypass meaningful public dialogue about what to do with this seat”, editors wrote.

All have agreed that leaving the district without a voting member was not an option and holding a special election was not the answer in the event RidleyThomas is cleared of charges.

Residents had been split on the matter with some residents desirous of voting representation and a yes vote for Hutt and others concerned about the transpar-

Staff

and Latino voters.

Additionally, she led Caruso by nearly 2 to 1 among former supporters of Councilmember Kevin de León, who came in third in the primary.

Of course, Bass–as expected–has a sizable lead among registered Democrats as well as liberal and Black voters.

Caruso has, by contrast, led with moderates and conservatives.

The poll mirrors the results of a poll of 1,061 registered voters released by Communities United for Karen Bass which reported an 11-point lead in favor of the Congresswoman on issues relative to crime and homelessness, which have been targeted by Caruso.

There is little doubt among election observers that Caruso will be spending big to see if he can change some minds and increase support among voters by election day on November 8.

Meanwhile a steady stream of highpowered endorsements including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Alex Padilla, L.A. City Council President Nury Martinez, County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Hillary Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the L.A. Democratic Party and an impressive list of local unions along with the L.A. County Federation of Labor have kept Bass in the spotlight over the summer.

Heather Hutt Appointed to Represent Tenth District eather Hutt has been officially appointed to fill suspended Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas’ seat.

Hutt had been serving as the CD 10 caretaker after being appointed chief of staff to former Councilman Herb Wesson who resigned last month following a ruling by an L.A. Superior Court judge that barred him from service due to ineligibility given that he had already served the maximum three terms on the city council.

The appointment did not come without its share of dramatic and politically heated twists and turns, including numerous public protests, several court decisions to block Wesson who had already served the maximum three terms on the council and a failed previous attempt to appoint Hutt as the motion was blocked by five councilmembers.

In a separate motion, at least three city council members–including Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Mike Bonin– presented a separate motion that would instruct the city attorney to ex

KISHA SMITH

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HeadToHead

Student Loan Forgiveness Sparks Heated Debate

o reduce inflation, battle clicess to higher education and emStudent Debt mate change, reduce gas power every American to reach fulprices, stem rising crime Relief -- Repara- fillment. By delivering historic tions for Rich and to protect our southern targeted student debt relief to milWhite People border, President Joe Biden has lions of borrowers, more working forgiven $10,000 in federal student loans families will be able to meet their kitchen and extended $20,000 in debt cancellation table needs." But Pelosi on July 28, 2021, to Pell Grant recipients for borrowers mak- said: "People think that the president of the ing less than $125,000 a year. A study by United States has the power for debt forthe University of Pennsylvania's Wharton giveness. He does not. He can postpone. He School found that "Between 69% and 73% of can delay. But he does debt forgiven accrues to households in the not have that power. top 60% of income distribution" and the That has to be an act of total cost could reach $1 trillion.

Congress."

Even many Democrats are outraged.

Charlie Rose, GenJason Furman, chair of the Council of eral Counsel, former Economic Advisers under former President Obama Department of Barack Obama said: "I've been critical of Education, on May 7, student debt loan relief for the last two 2021, agreed with Peyears, but the plan came in, frankly, much losi. Rose said: "If the Larry Elder worse than I expected. It was supposed to be issue is litigated, the about $250 billion. I thought that was a bad more persuasive analyses tend to support idea, I expressed that. Instead, it's probably the conclusion that the Executive Branch about $500 billion. At this point in our econ- likely does not have the unilateral authority omy, we really don't need to be adding $500 to engage in mass student debt cancellabillion of deficit spending for a purpose that tion." frankly includes wealthy law students and What, one might ask, about the suckers business school graduates getting tens of who paid off their student loans and the mathousands of dollars." jority of Americans, many of whom are miMany of these grad school degree recip- norities, who never attended college? Let's ients work in jobs that do not even require propose an addendum to the plan. Because college degrees, let alone advanced degrees most criminals will not benefit from student from expensive colleges and universities. loan forgiveness, and to combat "systemic The cost of college has long exceeded the racism," Biden should allow thieves of color rate of inflation, primarily because of the and/or thieves from the LGBTQIA+ comavailability of government money that munity to keep $10,000 worth of stolen creates an incentive to jack up tuition and goods, if taken from a white college graduhire more administrators lest the college ate. Win-win. lose millions of dollars. This will turboUnder the category of "you cannot make charge the impetus to raise college admis- this up," Harvard Law professor Laurence sions, never mind universities like those of Tribe tweeted, "Good news for thousands of the Ivy League with endowments substan- my former students. I'm grateful on their tial enough to admit students for free. behalf, Mr. President." In other words, the Hate to be a buzzkill, but is the debt for- prof celebrates loan forgiveness for Harvard giveness even legal? law grads, those most capable of paying off Speaker Nancy Pelosi, on Aug. 24, 2022, their own loans. Let's hear it for reparations said: "President Biden's bold action is a for rich white people! While we have the mostrong step in Democrats' fight to expand acLarry Elder continued to page 20

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Headlines From Africa Angola: With over 97% of the vote counted, Angola’s election commission reported that the formerly Marxist People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola captured a 51% majority of the vote, leading the opposing National Union for the Total Independence of Angola, or UNITA with 44.5% to claim victory. But because the MPLA did not receive a two-thirds majority, they will need a buy-in from other lawmakers to pass major reforms.

Cameroon: Authorities report that thousands who fled communal violence near the Chad and Nigeria borders are suffering from malnutrition with scores of children dying.

Chad: Over 340,000 people from more than 55,000 households have been affected by unprecedented flooding caused by torrential rains. Crops and farming land as well as hundreds of homes were also been destroyed by the swollen rivers and the record rains.

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hile in the White student loan giveaway is unIn Epic Tweets, House, Former Presfair to the 87 percent of AmerWhite House ident Donald Trump icans without student loan Drags Repubenjoyed a well-earned repdebt and those who played by lican Opposition utation for using Twitter to the rules.” to Student Loan attack and hit back at critics Tweeting the video, Forgiveness of his administration. Since the White House rebuked BuPresident Joe Biden took office, the use chanan: “Congressman Vern Buchanan of the @WhiteHouse account on the so- had over $2.3 million in PPP loans forcial media platform was limited to tout- given.” ing specific policies Also, on Fox, Mullin claimed, “We do and legislation for not need farmers and ranchers, small which the current business owners, and teachers in Oklaa d m i n i s t r a t i o n homa paying the debts of Ivy League sought to lift up. Lawyers and doctors across the U.S.” Until now.

The response from the White House In a series of was to put him on blast: “Congressman tweets, the White Markwayne Mullin had over $1.4 milHouse spotlighted lion in PPP loans forgiven.”

Stacy Brown lawmakers comResponding to Hern’s tweet that plaining about student loan forgiveness claimed the administration “forced [taxdespite the government ultimately for- payers] to pay for other people’s college giving those members of Congress Pay- degrees,” the White House replied: check Protection Program (PPP) loans. “Congressman Kevin Hern had over $1 The White House account specifi- million in PPP loans forgiven.” cally homed in on GOP Reps. Marjorie The White House also pointed out Taylor Greene of Georgia, Reps. Mark- that Congressman Mike Kelly had wayne Mullin and Kevin Hern of Okla- $987,237 in PPP loans forgiven, and homa, Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, and Congressman Matt Gaetz had $482,321 Vern Buchanan of Florida. Each re- in PPP loans forgiven. ceived large PPP loans during the panSocial media erupted over the White demic.

House’s diss of Republicans attacking Greene went on television to call loan forgiveness.

Biden’s student loan forgiveness unfair “Today is the day that Joe Biden offi— to which the White House Twitter ac- cially became the second Black prescount sprang into action. ident of the United States,” Twitter “Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor user @BlackKnight10K wrote. “Because Greene had $183,504 in PPP loans for- only my people would do some [stuff] as given,” the White House tweeted along gangster as this.” with a video of the congresswoman com@BlackKnight10K wasn’t done. “Yo, plaining about Biden’s new student the White House twitter account has loan policy. temporarily reinstated slavery in the On Fox News, Buchanan insisted, United States because they are owning “As a blue-collar kid who worked his every single Republican who had a PPP way through college, I know firsthand loan forgiven,” the user wrote. the sacrifices people make to receive an Added U.S. military vet Eric Garcia: education. Biden’s reckless, unilateral Stacy Brown continued to page 20

A look at current news from the continent of Africa to destabilize the embattled African country. Berlin’s decision to freeze troop deployments out of a United Nations mission came as relations deteriorated between Germany and Mali’s military junta, which has become increasingly belligerent toward the West.

Namibia: Namibia’s central bank raised borrowing costs by the biggest margin in almost two decades to safeguard its currency peg with South Africa’s rand and quell inflation.

Nigeria: In an attempt to develop local talent, Nigeria's advertising regulator has decided to ban white and foreign models and voiceover artists. The measure —taking effect in October—is expected to boost the prospects of locals in the advertising industry which had been primarily reliant on white models and British accents.

Niger: Parched by extended dry spells that have disrupted crops, Niger is deploying rainmaking planes in a bid to alleviate a drought that has sparked fears of a food crisis in the desert nation.

Ethiopia: A humanitarian truce to let food be brought to the besieged region of Tigray was broken on August 24th, raising fears of a return to all-out war in the north. At the same time, rebellions around the western and southern edges of Ethiopia threaten to fragment the entire country.

Sierra Leone: Violent protests against soaring inflation and the rising cost of living rocked the capital of Sierra Leone last month. Food inflation is at the highest level in decades, almost doubling since one year ago.

Gambia: The government of Gambia is starting the implementation of two climate resilience projects to increase agricultural yields and food security for people in urban and rural areas.

South Africa: In the wake of rising unemployment, President Cyril Ramaphosa has given a seal of approval to the revised critical skills work visa as the country tightens its immigration laws. South Africa is now reserving some jobs for its nationals in a move that will leave millions of foreign nationals jobless.

L.A. Focus/September 2022

Congo: With the help of Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo have agreed to initiate direct communications aimed at ending tensions and fighting in eastern Congo.

Kenya: Vice President William Ruto of Kenya was named the winner of the country’s presidential election last month, but long-time opposition leader Raila Odinga challenged the results and filed a petition in the nation’s Supreme Court seeking to overturn Ruto's victory. Four out of seven commissioners overseeing the elections have also challenged the vote.

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Mali: Germany suspended its military mission to Mali as terrorists and Russian mercenaries continue

Uganda: Officials have launched the Restore Africa program to enable a record 350,000 farming households to be more climate resilient. Restore Africa will work in 36 districts to improve degraded farms—an urgent task given the rapidly changing climate and the need to climate proof Ugandan farmers and their farming systems.

Money Matters Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Could Provide Relief to Up to 43 Million Borrowers

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ast month, President Biden announced a three-part plan to provide debt relief for those he says need it most, citing the skyrocketing cumulative federal student loan debt–$1.6 trillion and rising for more than 45 million borrowers–as a significant burden on America’s middle class.

Offering targeted debt relief as part of a comprehensive effort to address the burden of growing college costs and make the student loan system more manageable for working families, Biden announced that the Department of Education would provide up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients with loans held by the Department of Education, and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients.

Borrowers are eligible for the relief if their individual income is less than $125,000 ($250,000 for married couples). No high-income individual or high-income household — in the top 5% of incomes — will benefit from this action. To ensure a smooth transition to repayment and prevent unnecessary defaults, the pause on federal student loan repayment will be extended one final time through December 31, 2022. Borrowers should expect to resume payment in January 2023.

"All this means people can finally crawl out from under that mountain of debt to get on top of their rent and their utilities. To finally think about buying a home or starting a family or starting a business," Biden said in remarks from the White House.

The President is also directing the Department of Education to make the student loan system more manageable for current and future borrowers by (1) cutting monthly payments in half for undergraduate loans; and (2) fixing the broken Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program by proposing a rule that borrowers who have worked at a nonprofit, in the military, or in federal, state, tribal, or local government, receive appropriate credit toward loan forgiveness.

To further reduce the cost of college, the President has said that he will continue to fight to double the max-

KISHA SMITH Staff

On the Money State Launches College Savings for Millions of Students & All Newborns

imum Pell Grant and make community college free, noting that colleges had an obligation to keep prices reasonable and ensure borrowers get value for their investments, not debt they cannot afford.

Added Biden, "It includes unprecedented investments – nearly $6 billion in historic Black colleges, much of which is focused on pandemic relief to help students cover tuition and other costs so they can stay in school," This Administration has already taken key steps to strengthen accountability, including in areas where the previous Administration weakened rules. The Department of Education is announcing new efforts to ensure student borrowers get value for their college costs.

The President freely admitted that the plan would not make everyone happy, stating “But I believe my plan is responsible and fair. It focuses the benefit on middle class and working families. It helps both current and future borrowers. And it will fix a badly broken system."

Since 1980, the total cost of both four-year public and four-year private college has nearly tripled even after accounting for inflation. Federal support has not kept up: Pell Grants once covered nearly 80 percent of the cost of a four-year public college degree for students from working families, but now only cover a third. That has left many students from low- and middle-income families with no choice but to borrow if they want to get a degree.

All told, the plan could provide relief to up to 43 million borrowers, including cancelling the full remaining balance for roughly 20 million borrowers and by targeting relief to borrowers with the highest economic need, the Administration’s actions would help narrow the racial wealth gap.

The Department of Education is also announcing new actions to hold accountable colleges that have contributed to the student debt crisis. These include publishing an annual watch list of the programs with the Money Matters continued to page 20

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Class, and 335 Gold, Double Gold and Platinum medals for its whiskey.

Mattel Sues Rap Snacks

amilies of low-income public school students — 3.4 million across the state — can now access college savings accounts created in their children's names, with seed investments of between $500 and $1,500. The CalKIDS program, launched this month, invests $1.9 billion into accounts for low-income schoolage children in grades 1-12 and for newborn children born on or after July 1, 2022.

“California is telling our students that we believe they’re college material — not only do we believe it, we’ll invest in them directly,” said Governor Newsom. “With up to $1,500, we’re transforming lives, generating college-going mindsets, and creating generational wealth for millions of Californians.”

“My goal with this program was to bridge the gap between wealth inequality and the high cost of education,” said Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian. “CalKIDS will expand access to college through savings by providing each child born in the state of California a seed deposit in a ScholarShare 529 college savings account. Furthermore, thanks to Governor Newsom’s investment and expansion of the Program to make college more accessible to low-income California kids, additional deposits will be made for low-income first graders across the state, with supplemental deposits for foster and homeless youth. Our shared vision ensures each child across the state will have an opportunity at higher education.”

In the coming months, CalKIDS will send notification letters to qualifying children and families with more information. To find out more, visit calkids.org.

Up to $1,500 for 3.4 Million School-Age Children: • $500 Automatic Deposit: Eligible low-income public school students in grades 1-12.

• $500 Additional Deposit: Eligible low-income public school students in grades 1-12 identified as foster youth.

• $500 Additional Deposit: Eligible low-income public school students in grades 1-12 identified as homeless.

Up to $100 for Newborn Children: • $25 Automatic Deposit: Every eligible child born on or after July 1, 2022.

• $25 Additional Deposit: Those who register on the program’s online portal.

• $50 Additional Deposit: Those who link a new or existing ScholarShare 529 account to the CalKIDS account.

Biz News Briefs Uncle Nearest Named One of America’s Most Successful Companies

L.A.’s own Fawn Weaver, daughter of the prolific author Bunny Wilson and late Pastor Frank Wilson, is celebrating a huge milestone of her own. Weaver is the chairman, CEO and founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, which was recently ranked among the top 1,000 companies honored on Inc. Magazine 2022 listing of the 5,000 most successful companies in America. The company– which has grown more than 3,000 percent since its first year–announced in 2021 that it has become the bestselling African American owned and founded spirit brand in history, having sold 1.5 million bottles of its super premium whiskey. Little wonder why as Uncle Nearest has earned 509 awards, including 59 Best in

Snoop Dogg’s Business Empire Continues to Expand Calvin Broadus (aka Snoop Dogg) recently branched out into the world of kid songs and nursery rhymes with the launch of “Doggyland”, a You Tube channel aimed at helping kids learn social-emotional skills through rap, dance, and song. The show – aimed at toddlers to 8-yearolds – features a colorful cast of dogs in a vibrant world where they sing fun and educational songs that teach social, learning and cognitive skills. The 50-year-old rapper has also entered the cereal game with “Snoop Loopz””, the latest product from the Broadus Foods line he co-founded with fellow rapper "Master P" that includes oatmeal, grits, pancake mix and syrup. “More corn, more flavor & more marshmallows, that’s what separated us from the rest”, Master P wrote in an Instagram post of the gluten free cereal. “If you like Fruit Loops then you will love SnoopLoopz!!”

Last month, Mattel Inc. filed a lawsuit in L.A. Federal Court against Rap Snacks, the popular Miami-based snack brand that features rap artists. The toy company alleges that the company infringed on its Barbie trademark with the early summer launch of its “Barbie-Que Honey Truffle” chips, featuring Nicki Minaj on the label.

The California-based toymaker argues that the snack creates confusion among consumers, falsely associating the product with its Barbie brand. The company sought an order to block Rap Snacks from using its trademark and is hoping to receive unspecified damages along with profits from the sales of the chips. Nicki Minaj was not named in the suit…Speaking of chips, WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson has become the first-ever female athlete to sign a sponsorship deal with Ruffles. The 6-foot, 4-inch, four-time WNBA All-Star power forward for the Las Vegas Aces and Olympic gold medalist is tipping off her multi-year contract with the game-changing launch of the new Ruffles Ridge Twists product line, including her own signature flavor, Smoky BBQ. The product will be available in stores nationwide in the coming weeks and is currently available on snacks.com in 5.5oz bags for $5.59 and 1.75oz bags for $2.29.

KEITH DELAWDER

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ike much of the western United States, California is in the midst of what experts are calling a “megadrought”, claiming that the last 22 years has marked the driest period since records started being kept nearly 1,200 years ago. While lack of water may affect all citizens equally— and as lawmakers in the state scramble to figure out long term solutions to make up for the state’s dwindling water supplies— the ability to provide reliably safe water is an issue that overwhelmingly affects our states most vulnerable populations including people of color.

Despite California being the first state in the union to declare that “every human being has the right to safe, clean, affordable, and accessible water adequate for human consumption, cooking, and sanitary purposes”, as stated in legislation passed in 2012 under Governor Jerry Brown, a blistering audit recently released by acting State Auditor Michael Tilden confirms that California is failing many of its citizens on their right to safe, clean water.

According to Tilden’s report over 370 water systems across the state which serve more than 920,000 Californians were not meeting water quality standards as of December 2021. The report states that more than two-thirds of these systems are located in disadvantaged communities with significant financial need, forcing residents who can least afford it to “purchase more expensive bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes”, not to mention the long term negative health outcomes associated with being exposed to unsafe drinking water which include increased risk of liver and kidney problems as well as cancer.

All of which conjures up images of Flint, Michigan, where thousands lined up to get clean water after city’s residents were sickened after being exposed to danger-

Contributor ous levels of lead, and outbreaks of Legionnaire disease killed at least 12 people. And even more recently, Jackson, Mississippi where the city has been without potable running water for weeks and residents have been advised to shower with their mouths closed.

In L.A. County, the right for all communities to have equal access to safe, reliable drinking water is a major concern— as historically, wealthier and more established cities were able to lay claim to a greater stake in the clean drinking water supply.

Environmental lawyer Jennifer Hernandez, who runs the Land Use and Environmental Law Group at the law firm, Holland and Knight, explains how water deals made over a hundred years ago are negatively affecting unincorporated areas which are largely made of communities of color.

“Many of the smaller cities in L.A. County emerged after the major water deals were brokered, and those deals only served the bigger, wealthier cities that were organized to go after the water,” reports Hernandez.

“Unincorporated county areas, which tended to have higher percentages of black and Latino residents and had local governments that were either just getting started or non-existent weren’t at the table when the big water pie was getting sliced up.”

Hernandez says the L.A. County water system as it is currently set up was working well until around the mid-seventies. Since then, a population boom of around 20 million along with the dwindling water supply due to extreme drought conditions has caused an inequity in the quality of water being supplied. The result is the larger, more economically stable areas getting a greater stake in the supply of fresh drinking water, and smaller areas left to try to find solutions on ways to create supply— including using treated sewage water.

“Right now, there is really only one important solution to water supply and that is to treat sewer water,” says Hernandez. “Of course, that's pretty ridiculous but

that's the solution L.A. has accepted. It shouldn't be the only solution for the folks of south L.A.— they should have the right to the same healthy and sustainable water as the wealthier and older cities.”

Adriana Renteria, Director of Public Participation at the State Water Control Board points to the racist policies of redlining and segregation directly contributing to the disparity in water quality across the counties.

“Smaller communities of color were intentionally not incorporated by nearby cities,” says Renteria.

“Sometimes cities would essentially grow around these immigrant communities and those immigrant communities would be left unincorporated. When you look at the history of which communities were incorporated and which ones were redlined, you will see that there's a legacy of historic disinvestment so those communities which were not incorporated had to create their own special district.

“Many of them to this day still run their water district with their own people. You can imagine how hard it would be to manage a complex water system if you’re a volunteer, and that’s what is happening today.”

There are currently 205 separate water systems in L.A. County, each in charge of providing water for the connections in their jurisdiction. Some water systems, like the L.A. Department of Water and Power which serves 681,000 customers, are large and relatively stable and reliable— while smaller systems struggle to meet quality standards.

According to the State Water Control Board (SWCB)--the government agency tasked with overseeing the allocation of the state’s water resources for all purposes— small public water systems are often less resilient to natural disasters, such as drought and fire, have more difficulty adjusting to regulatory changes, and may struggle to fund infrastructure maintenance and replacement due to poor economies of scale and

lack of staff.

One example of a small water system failing was in 2017 when 7,000 residents in the Compton/Willowbrook area complained about murky brown water with a foul odor coming from their pipes. The residents were all customers of the Sativa Water District whose aging pipes were leaching manganese into the water, along with failing wells and contaminated ground water.

Sativa serviced largely Black and Latino neighborhoods whose residents were predominantly low income. The County ended up dissolving Sativa completely and having the L.A. County Department of Public Works serve the area before it was eventually bought by Suburban Water Systems.

The joining of two or more water systems— with a larger system usually absorbing a smaller system— is called water system consolidation and according to Adriana Renteria, it can be a good solution to helping provide clean water to areas in need.

“Consolidation can be an effective strategy in providing relief for smaller water systems that are buckling under the pressures of lack of supply along with years of neglect and underfunding,” says Renteria.

“The issue becomes finding incentive for the company to take on the costs— also some residents fear that their rates will rise overnight.”

In his first week in office, Governor Newsom proposed providing permanent funding for safe drinking water projects to help more than 1 million Californians without access to clean drinking water, subsequently signing into law SB 200, which established the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund to help local water systems provide safe drinking water.

“The fact that more than a million Californians can’t rely on clean water to drink or bathe in is a moral disgrace,” said Newsom. “This funding is critically important to addressing California’s long-standing safe drinking water issues, and I would like to thank the Legislature for working collaboratively to pass this solution.”

During its August 18, 2020 meeting, the State Water Board publicly acknowledged that the historical effects of institutional racism be confronted throughout government, directing its staff to develop a Racial Equity Action Plan which would include specific actions the State Water Board would take to address racial inequities, as well as metrics to track progress.

“With this action plan,” the report stated, “we envision a sustainable California where race no longer predicts where clean water is available or who has access to it.”

But in his April 2022 resignation letter to the California State Water Resources Board, Max Gomberg, a climate and conservation manager, said he believed that the administration had failed to address inequities in the water rights system, citing local groundwater agencies dominated by representatives of irrigation districts and agricultural interests which get the lion’s share of the state water resources.

“The people in charge of those agencies have the least incentive to move quickly,” Gomberg said. “They fully intend to run out the clock and fight any state attempt to come in and get into their business.”

With shrinking water accessible from the Colorado River and California in the midst of one of its most extreme droughts on record, the concern for racial equity is only exacerbated.

That’s where organizations such as Groundswell for Water come in, organizing campaigns aimed at ensuring water equity for communities of color across the L.A. area, and throughout California.

Groundswell is led by a coalition of local organizations and individuals who are advocating for new policies which enhance the delivery of water by supporting small water system operators throughout the state, many of which have been serving low income communities with unsafe water for decades.

“Groundswell was designed to pick up the water fight and deal with water equity as a social justice issue for communities of color,” says Robert Sausedo, President and CEO of Community Build Inc., a leading organization in the Groundswell coalition along with the Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, among others.

The organization has recently been involved in a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management, to make sure people of color have a seat at the table when it comes to creating water policy.

“Those from disadvantaged communities tend to be at the end of the value sheet when it comes to getting clean drinking water and we need to be at the table like everyone else— on the front end of the deal,” says Sausedo. “The people that show up and fight are more likely to be communities that are economically stable, which means they are the first recipients of any new water and leave communities of concern out of the loop. That’s why we have to raise our voices now and deal with this right now. No one’s going to look out for the rights of communities of color unless we do it ourselves.”

For more information and how to get involved, visit groundswellforwater.com

IS YOUR WATER SAFE? If you are someone who is wondering whether your water at home is safe, there are several resources available for checking the water quality in your area.

According to Jeff O’Keeffe, Supervising Sanitary Engineer for the State Water Resources Control Board’s Southern California Division of Drinking Water, the first step in finding out about your water’s quality is knowing where it comes from.

“There are 205 community water systems in L.A. County alone so many times people don’t know how to go about finding that information,” says O’Keefe.

“There is a tool on the SWCB’s website where you can put in your home address and find out which water system is providing you with water.”

From there, O’Keefe advises that you look up your water system’s annual Consumer Confidence report– which each water system is required to publish– and gives information about the source of your water along with summarizing details about the risks of contaminants found in the water, and accounting of the system’ sanctions to restore safe drinking water.

“For those who are billed customers, you receive a of the Consumer Confidence reports directly, but many renters never see them so it’s important to look it up,” says O’Keeffe.

The SWCB also has a tool available through its Safe Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) program which monitors and identifies public water systems and domestic wells that are “at-risk”.

“On the SWCB’s website the SAFER program offers a dashboard where you can look up any community and see if they’re failing, or if they’re at risk and see how much funding we’re providing,” says Adriana Renteria. “For instance, in the east L.A. region there are a few at risk systems so you can use the dashboard to see where they are and if you will be affected.”

L.A. Focus/September 2022

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HO L LY W OOD SPOT LIGHT Chez Hadley “The Woman King” Growing up we’ve all heard the fabled stories of Amazon warriors– all female armies whose mythical militaristic prowess was said to be marked by superhuman strength, speed and heightened intelligence.

Coming to the big screen September 16th is a film that is inspired by an historical account of the amazon warriors who served the Kingdom of Dahomey (now Benin), which flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Woman King tells the story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected Dahomey with skills and a fierceness never before seen. The film follows General Nanisca (portrayed by Oscar winning

actress Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Among the recruits is Nawi (Thuso Mbedu), based on the real life warrior of the same name believed to have been the last survivor of the Dahomey Amazons.

In the 126-minute film directed

by Gina Prince-Bythewood and filmed on location in South Africa, Nanisca and her recruits are made aware of a plot by white foreigners to colonize all of Africa. For Nanisca, there is but one choice, “fight or we die. We fight for our ancestors. We fight for the future.”

Davis enrolled in martial arts and weaponry training, plus weight training and sprinting for four hours a day, five days a week to take on the role.

John Boyega stars as the King Ghezo under whose rule, the Agojie became dominant. Rounding out the cast are Adrienne Warren, Lashana Lynch, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Jordan Bolger.

OUT THIS MONTH

L.A. Focus/September 2022

HOLLYWOOD BUZZ

Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul • September 2

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End of the Road September 9 (Netflix)

No Going Back for Chris Rock: Chris Rock has confirmed that he will not be returning to the host the Oscar’s next year, having officially turned down an offer from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. At a recent appearance the 57-year old comic –who has hosted the show three times—told an audience, “He’s bigger than me,” The state of Nevada would not sanction a fight between me and Will Smith.” Rock will however be returning to help with the Everybody Still Hates Chris reimagining. Rock, who created and narrated the original Everybody Hates Chris, posted “can’t wait” on his Instagram account. Releasing on both Paramount+ and Comedy Central, the show will follow Chris Rock’s teenage years growing up in a workingclass family in 1980s BedStuy, Brooklyn and moves from live action to animation.

Viola Davis Has Found Her Place: Viola Davis, who is set to hit the big

The Woman King September 16

screen on September 16 in “The Woman King”, and already has five projects in the works including “Black Adam” with Dwayne Johnson and an untitled Harriet Tubman project, was recently tapped to star in Lionsgate’s Hunger Games prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes”. The Oscar winner will play Dr. Volumnia Gaul, the head gamemaker of the 10th annual Hunger Games. Earlier this year, the 57-year old released her memoir, Finding Me. Of it, she said, “As I wrote Finding Me, my eyes were open to the truth of how our stories are often not given close examination. We are forced to reinvent them to fit into a crazy, competitive, judgmental world. So, I wrote this for anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love.

For anyone who needs reminding that a life worth living can only be born from radical honesty and the courage to shed facades and be . . . you.”

All in The Family: Rarely do Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance get a chance to work together, but the talented husband and wife duo will get the opportunity to do just that as they release the first film under their deal with MTV Entertainment Studios under the banner of their company, Bassett Vance Productions. The film, Heist 88, was inspired by true events and tells the story of one of the largest bank heists ever to occur in the United States. Vance will “This character is inspired by a man who was able to convince a small group of young people who were at the lowest rungs of their bank to join him in committing one of

The Silent Twins September 16

the biggest crimes against the US banking system in this country’s history,” Vance said.

Coming Soon—The Weekend’s “The Idol”: HBO has already released two teasers but have yet to release a date for the upcoming music industry series, The Idol, that was co-created, co-written, executive produced for HBO and will star The Weekend (whose real name is Abel Tesfaye). The series–also starring Lily Rose Depp, D’Vine Joy Randolph, Hank Azaria and the now deceased Anne Heche– follows a female pop singer who starts a romance with an enigmatic L.A. club owner who is the leader of a secret cult and will depict the classic Hollywood tale of sex, drugs and partying…In the meantime, Apple TV has released the trailer for Sydney, celebrating the life of Oscar winning actor, filmmaker and civil rights activist Sidney Poitier.

Filmmaker Reginald Hudlin directed the documentary that was produced

by Oprah Winfrey and features appearances by Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand, Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, civil rights leader/former Ambassador Andrew Young and Winfrey.

The film was made in close collaboration with the Poitier family and will make its debut September 23 in theaters and on Apple TV+.

Briefly: It’s only been 28 years in the making but it appears that production on the long-awaited fourth installment of the Beverly Hills Cop franchise is underway. Eddie Murphy will produce as well as return in the starring role of Axel Foley.

Footnotes Sterling K. Brown Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri Age: 48 Big Break: “The People v. O.J. Simpson” Latest projects: “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul” Sterling K. Brown gave up on his business degree and decided to dedicate his life to his acting craft after his freshman year at Stanford University.

Brown performed in theater in New York, and later Los Angeles where he moved to get into acting for the small screen. He appeared in a string of T.V. shows before getting more extended roles on shows such as “Supernatural”, “Person of Interest”, and “Army Wives”. His portrayal of Christopher Darden in “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” earned him an Emmy. He also became the first Black to win a Golden Globe for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in the “This Is Us”.

On the end of “This is Us”: After six years of being with people, they become your family. But when you see [them] pursuing opportunities and God opening up other doors for folks to pursue, you realize life goes on. You’re going to be alright. To quote the one and only William Hill, “You’ll see that endings aren’t sad…They’re just the start of the next incredibly beautiful thing”.

On what he liked most about Randall?

I feel as if he was always giving 100 percent. I strive to be the kind of person who always gives 100%. I think sometimes when I’m sloughing off, it could fall down to about 89.2 percent or something like that, but I love his desire to give,–his desire to make his family first and foremost.

On “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul”: Being someone who grew up in the Black church, who has an affinity, and love and also a critique, there was an opportunity to show love and also say is the status quo something that needs to be reexamined? The way in which we deal with the LGBTQ community...prosperity preaching. Is this something we should accept as is or is it okay for us to take a more fine-tooth comb approach and look at it and say maybe some of these things are up for discussion and or change?

The best advice he’s received in his career: A teacher of mine in grad school said, “Be very careful about how you use your time. It’s the one thing you can never get back.” I find that invaluable.

When you’re an actor there are a lot of people who are trying to have your time and innocuously so– like not even in a malicious sort of way. So every once in a while, you have to politely excuse yourself so you can go do your work and then come back and be a gracious human being.

When he first “caught the acting bug”: I discovered that I loved being on stage in high school. My first play was Godspell–I was a member of the ensemble. One night in particular, people were standing up and applauding. My buddy and I got up onstage and bowed, and we’re like, “We gotta keep doing this sh*t.” It was the first time I’d experienced a high outside of athletics... and this high was so pure–you get bit, and you just keep chasing that.

RedCarpet Style

REGINA HALL dazzled in this yellow creation from Aliette at “Me Time” premiere

JURNEE SMOLLETT sported a black lace flower patterned mini at “Dayshift” premiere

The stars turned up the red carpet last month while attending premieres for Jamie Foxx’s new release, “Dayshift”; Netflix’s “Me Time” and Focus Features’ “Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul.”

MEAGAN GOOD stunned in a flesh-colored Dolce & Gabbana dress at Dayshift premiere

GARCELLE BEAUVAIS paired a white silk blouse with black slacks and suspenders for “Dayshift”

MARSAI MARTIN sparkled in this animal print Dolce/Gabbana and feather heels for “Honk for Jesus”

Eye On Gospel Maverick City Music, CeCe Winans Among Top Nominees for Dove Awards Atlanta-based music collective, Maverick City Music, and Cece Winans were among top nominations for the 53rd Annual GMA Dove Awards, which will recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry when they are held October 18 in Nashville.

Maverick City Music earned seven nominations including “Song of the Year” (“Jireh”), Artist of the Year, Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year and Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year.

CeCe Winans, who earned five nominations, could become just the second Black solo artist – and the first Black female artist – to win artist of the year should she prevail in the category, which includes Maverick City Music. Winans also earned nods in the “Song of the Year”, “Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year” and “Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year category”.

“Congratulations to this year’s impressive list of Dove Awards nominees,” says GMA President, Jackie Patillo. “For the past few years, we’ve chosen a theme for each show that represents our community and why we celebrate. Today we announced this year’s theme, Sound of Heaven.

Although our musical styles may be different, our mission is the same. Together we lift one voice — the sound of heaven.”

Others up for awards include Travis Green, Doe, Koryn Hawthorne, Trip Lee, Lecrae, Ricky Dillard, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Jonathan McReynolds.

Erica Campbell Gets Positive About New Release Last month, Erica celebrated her first #1 single at gospel radio as a solo artist. Her latest offering, “Positive,” which was released in March,

currently sits atop both Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart and the Mediabase Gospel Radio chart. "Positive" is the first single from the highly anticipated full length album scheduled for a Spring 2023 release through My Block Inc. “I’m so excited because I really wanted this song to shift people’s mood,” the singer said in a video thanking fans for their support. “I wanted them to speak life over themselves and expect the great and know that there’s greatness inside of you. And you helped me do that! So thank you for helping me get positive to #1!” Erica’s intent for the song is quite clear in its lyrics, which she wrote alongside Juan Winans and Warryn Campbell (who also produced the song). “Positive” encourages listeners to lean into the assurance that comes from knowing that God is in control, even in uncertain times.

While “Positive” is her first bow at #1 on Gospel radio as a solo artist, Erica is no stranger to that #1 spot. Her 2015 single “I Luh God” featuring Big Shiz topped Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart - a hybrid chart that includes radio, streaming and digital downloads.

“Positive” entered that very same chart 12 weeks ago and remains in the Top 20. The song is also Erica’s latest single to crack the Top 10 on Billboard’s US Gospel Chart.

In addition to her continued success as an art-

ist, Erica Campbell also touches fans’ lives as the host of the nationally syndicated morning show Get Up! Mornings With Erica Campbell, which is heard in over 30 markets nationwide.

CeCe Winans Hits the Road CeCe Winans recently announced that she will be hitting the road with her first national tour in over a decade. Sponsored by Compassion International, the tour will stop in 21 cities beginning in Indianapolis on September 21 and Winans promises to bring together church, community, and friends for an amazing, highly anticipated night of worship.

“This tour is going to be amazing,” says the 15 time Grammy award-winning Winans. “I can’t wait to share this experience LIVE with everyone across the country who has supported my career for all of these years, and those who will be hearing the new album for the first time.”

Winans will be sharing classics like “Alabaster Box,” “More Than What I Wanted,” and many other hits that have made her the best-selling and most awarded female gospel artist of all time. She is scheduled to be in Los Angeles on September 23rd. For more information, visit: www.cecewinans.com.

Briefly: Last month, Atlanta megapreacher E. Dewey Smith was named the Stellar Awards’ “New Artist of the Year”, last month he was nominated for a Dove Award in the same category. It was one of two nominations Smith earned with with his chart-topping single, “Your Presence is a Gift” from his debut album, “God Period”.

Though widely known as an incredible preacher, his success in music shows that it is possible to be both an artist as well as preacher and there’s no slowing him down yet!

“God continues to manifest Ephesians 3:20 in my life,” Smith said. “He exceeds my wildest dreams! My prayer is that people will see my story and then passionately pursue everything that God has ordained for them.”

ThroughThe Storm

KEITH DELAWDER Contributor

“Pastor Back At Work Following Brutal, Near Deadly Attack”

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L.A. Focus/September 2022

ittle did Pastor Ivan Pitts know on the morning of February 24, 2022, that the events of the day would forever alter his life and what begin like every other day would end up with him in the hospital fighting for his very life.

Roughly an hour after leaving his home, the senior pastor of Second Baptist Church in Santa Ana was brutally attacked by a stranger in an act of senseless random violence.

Pitts, who is an avid runner and was training for an upcoming marathon, had just finished an eight mile morning run and was talking on the phone outside his home in Long Beach when— according to police reports— a man approached Pitts and allegedly attacked him.

Pitts was able to fight the man off but not before receiving seven stab wounds— twice in the eye, four times in the back, and once in both the neck and shoulder area.

Though bloodied and gravely wounded the pastor was able to seek help from a group of construction workers congregating in a lot across the street who were able to take a picture of the alleged attackers' license plates and report it to police. The suspect’s car was found later in Huntington Beach and a man was arrested for the attempted murder of Pitts along with being connected to two other alleged stabbings that occurred earlier that morning.

Because it is an on-going criminal case, Pastor Pitts could not comment directly about the details of the incident, but was able to share with L.A. Focus his fourmonth long journey back to health along with the emotional toll the incident took on him.

“The doctors told me one knife wound missed my brain by less than a millimeter, and another stab wound missed my spine by less than an inch,” Pitts said. “They kept telling me that because I was in such great physical shape, I was going to heal fine and kept repeating how lucky I was— but I didn’t feel so lucky at that moment.”

A l o n g with the s e v e n s t a b

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wounds, Pitts incurred two punctured lungs, two broken bones and his eye required reconstructive surgery because the tendon which allows you to blink was completely severed. He says his vision came back slowly and now is at about 85% of what it was but he’s unsure of how much better it will get.

He spent just under a week in the hospital, between the ICU and the surgery floor, then another six weeks in recovery from his home. Despite all the trauma, Pitts says he never let the situation bring him down or question his faith— in fact, his faith was strengthened.

“I was never depressed, and I never once asked, ‘why me?’”, says Pitts. “I felt this uncontrollable sense of gratitude and grace. Preachers and church folk talk about unspeakable joy— where the world doesn't give me the joy that I have so it can’t take it away— well, I experienced that. It was not something that came externally, it was something I felt and heard directly from God, and for me it just became clear.”

Pitts was even able to see the serendipitous circumstances of the attack as a blessing, something that his son helped put in perspective for him “My son said something very powerful to me,” Pitts recalled. “Typically it’s my wife who runs on Thursday mornings, but on that particular Thursday she slept in because her running partner was out of town. So, my son says, ‘Dad, you were the right one to get attacked because you could fight this guy off. I don’t think Mom and her friend would have been able to.”

Pitts says it was the comfort of his immediate family that kept his optimism and faith sustainable in those tough first days home from the hospital.

“All three of my girls are in different parts of the world, but within 48 hours they were all home,” says Pitts. “And it was just being around my wife and my four kids at home that made me feel complete. And they were all talking about how incredible the support was that we were getting from everyone.”

Pitts says the outpouring of love and support was overwhelming.

“I started getting cards, emails, texts and gifts from literally all over the world, including Jerusalem and Africa,” says Pitts. “I got cards from people I haven’t seen in years! And everyone knows how big of a Lakers fan I am, even the Lakers sent me a care package. It was crazy!”

After seven weeks of recovery at home, Pitts was slowly able to make his way back to the pulpit.

“People are saying that I sound different, like my voice sounds the same but there’s something internally that's different— a different inspiration,” says Pitts. “I think my motivation is different.

There’s more urgency, more resolve. I’m more committed to evangelism.

“I’m usually not one of those pastors who go out and profess the visions the Lord has given him, but I do believe God spoke to me. He has reaffirmed my purpose and I trust God more.”

Though many would be existentially burdened by the randomness of this kind of attack, Pitts sees his lack of knowledge of his attacker as by design.

“I don’t know what happened to this young man— I don’t know what his childhood was like, what he’s been exposed to, if he has mental illness,” Pitt observed. “I don’t know anything about him and that’s by design. That way my testimony is pure. But if we lived in a world that was genuinely love-bound, where we genuinely walk like Christ, this may not have happened to me and it may not have happened to others.”

Pitts also believes in forgiveness and refuses to hold a grudge against the man.

“Forgiveness helps me in several ways. One is that it breaks my ties to him. He’s not going to hold me hostage,” says the Pastor. “I was hell bent on recovery, get-

“

I was a little jumpy after I started going out and about because there's homeless people all around. I don’t know if this man is homeless or not, but when random people approach, it still creates a knee-jerk reaction. My head is much more on a swivel than it has been in years and I don’t like that. For the last few months, I’ve been on high alert and I don’t want to go through the world constantly looking over my shoulder. Right now, I’m in the process of learning how to balance my fear with my peace. And I’m in a good place right now.

ting back to running, getting back to church, and getting back to what I need to do because I’m not going to let anybody stop me from being me.

“If I don’t forgive him then I don’t have my humor anymore or my outgoingness, and I’m not going to love in church the same way. I still want to be able to give five dollars to someone on the street without fear or serve down in Skid Row and not be overwhelmed and consumed with fear. I want to be able to run in my neighborhood and not be so overwhelmed I can’t function. Forgiveness gives me my life back.”

Pitts also highlights another main point.

“Secondly, he didn’t know me. There’s no connection to me or anyone else he may have hurt— so that means there’s something seriously wrong with him.”

Pitts sees the possibility of jail time for this man as a way for him to get help and sincerely hopes he can be reformed.

“I really don’t want him to be the way he is,” says Pitts of his attacker. “When I face him, will my mind race? Of course, it will— and I don’t fully know how I will respond, but what I’m praying in my mind and heart to do now is be prepared to try to see beyond what he’s done and see that he is a child of God.” While Pitts feels like he is in a good place spiritually and emotionally, the mental process of feeling safe in public spaces is something that will naturally take some time.

“I was a little jumpy after I started going out and about because there's homeless people all around. I don’t know if this man is homeless or not, but when random people approach, it still creates a knee-jerk reaction,” says Pitts. “My head is much more on a swivel than it has been in years and I don’t like that. For the last few months, I’ve been on high alert and I don’t want to go through the world constantly looking over my shoulder. Right now, I’m in the process of learning how to balance my fear with my peace. And I’m in a good place right now.”

To truly achieve peace Pitts advocates forgiveness to anyone who has been hurt by another person.

“Forgiveness means to wipe the slate clean,” says Pitts. “It does not mean that the person should not serve time or be let off the hook. It means that you owe me nothing. I’m free from trying to collect from you because what that guy tried to take from me, he can’t give it back. Only I can take it back.”

ChurchNews ECM Ministries Hosts 4th Annual Church in the Park, Bethel AME Breaks Ground on New Housing Development

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fter a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Church at the Park returned bigger & better last month, attracting hundreds to a free concert at South Park hosted by Pastor Shep Crawford and Co-Pastor, Dr. Shalonda "Sunshine" Crawford of the Experience Christian Ministries (ECM) in partnership with AHF (AIDS Healthcare Foundation) and 9th District Councilman Curren Price Jr. Grammy award winning singer Faith Evans headlined the event along with Latin singer/actor Frankie J, singer/actor & WeTV personality James Wright Chanel and Bay Area rapper Kamaiyah. The festival style event also featured free food, entertainment, clothing, shoes, essentials, job resources, housing and utility resources, Games and prizes for the kids, a money machine, a dunking booth and more.

With a motto that reads, “Out of the box, but in the world”, Pastors Shep and Shalonda say their goal is to “turn the Holy Scriptures into

L-R: AHF Rep Laura Morales, Shalonda Crawford, Frankie J., Shep Crawford and AHF Rep Brittany Swan a modern day script through drama, music, dance, and most of all, current day language, so that the congregation may understand how each biblical story and lesson applies specifically to their lives.”

“The objective for Church at the park was to get people who don’t normally go to church to have them experience church in a unique setting,” said Pastor Shep. “This is our fourth year. We had just under 1,000 people and we were successful in that the event did exactly what we wanted it to do in bringing together the surrounding communities–particularly Black and Brown. We had the DJ mix soul music and Latin music to intentionally reflect the crowd.”

Crawford says that he church usually sees an increase in attendance after the event, but for the Crawfords, the goal is simply to reach beyond the four walls of the church in spreading the gospel.

Bethel AME Breaks Ground on New Housing Development

L.A. Focus/September 2022

LOGOS Faith Development LLC celebrated the groundbreaking of a permanent supportive housing project at Bethel AME Church which would house 53 single units located on 79th Street and Western Avenue in South Los Angeles.

Those on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking included L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson, funders, Bishop Clement W. Fugh, presiding prelate of the AME Church 5th Episcopal District and Presiding Elder Roosevelt Lindsey.

The project grew out of the response to L.A.’s homelessness crisis after being made aware, firsthand, of the number of persons who were homeless and the problems they faced.

“I believe that the public/private model that we have developed in addressing this crisis is one that can be replicated by and beneficial to other churches in addressing community needs as well as providing financial stability and resources for other church ministries,” Calloway said.

“I advise other churches and nonprofits to consider housing developments because homes are the answer to homelessness. Additionally, supportive services of life skills, career guidance, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and case management help persons to remain in permanent housing.”

Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson commended Bethel AME for stepping up while thanking the church for being an anchor in the community.

“It isn’t just a building, it isn’t just a church, or a place where people go,” said Harris-Dawson of Bethel AME. “It’s a place where

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Mayor Eric Garcetti, Pastor Kelvin Calloway, Congresswoman Karen Bass and Bishop Clement Fugh were on hand to celebrate the groundbreaking.

every single time there’s a big fight, or a big struggle, or a big problem to be solved in the Community, Bethel is the first to raise their hand.”

Duel Celebration for Bishop Blake

Agape Church of Los Angeles Worship Center: Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center 4305 Degnan Blvd, 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 Bethesda Temple Apostolic Faith 4909 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 299-2591 • thevoice4904@att.net Pastor Kyron S. Shorter Sunday Morning Prayer: 9:00am Sunday School: 9:30am Morning Worship: 11:00am Children’s Church: 11:00am Sunday Evening Service: 6:00pm

It was a duel celebration last month at West Angeles Church of God In Christ for Bishop Charles Blake, who was not only being feted on the occasion of his 82nd birthday, but was formally receiving the medallion signifying his being named as one of eight inaugural nominees for the prestigious “Blessing of the Elders” tribute honoring– past and present–Black pastors who have impacted America with their significant ministries. Seven of the eight awardees–including Bishop T.D. Jakes, Dr. Tony Evans and Dr. A.R. Bernard–rank among America’s most well-known pastors.

The remarkable history of the Black Church in America demonstrates a biblical faith under pressure that should inspire people of any generation,” remarked Dr. A.R. Bernard. “We are elated that the indelible mark of our community on the fabric of American society is finally being acknowledged.”

An inaugural gala was held in June at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. but Blake was unable to attend, so with the help of Denzel Washington, Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, Museum of the Bible CEO Harry Hargrave (pictured above)and Pastor A.R. Bernard, a special presentation was made last month in Los Angeles in front of his own congregation.

Brooklyn-Based Mega Pastor A.R. Bernard to Build $1.2 Billion Urban Village Rev. Dr. A.R. Bernard, founder/pastor of the 20,000-plus member strong Christian Cultural Center has announced plans to build a $1.2 billion urban communal living development to help revitalize the area surrounding his 11.5 acre campus.

“If I’ve got land, and it’s valuable, I’m going to leverage that land to partner in its future, not surrender it. … What can we do to better the quality of life?” Bernard told Christianity Today.

In what he hopes can be a model to other cities and large congregations, Bernard’s urban development would include affordable housing, a supermarket, 24/7 childcare, senior living facilities, recreational and athletic facilities, and accessible open green spaces.

Bernard tentatively plans to break ground next year on the project which he hopes will stem the tide of gentrification and will create a real sense of community given that all the amenities would be in a 1,000-foot walking distance. The housing program focuses on intergenerational income-based affordable housing for income bands ranging from extremely low to moderate income, with approximately 2,050 income-based residences.

Plans also include a brand-new Performing Arts Center for theatre, dance, music, film, lectures and panel discussions reflecting the local community.

Our vision is to enliven the neighborhood’s streetscapes with necessary shops, dining options, and destinations that the community relies on and small-format, walkable, and easily accessible retail.

“When you have lights, activity, shopkeepers, people, you have eyes on the street,” Bernard added. “So, there’s less of a need for strong policing, because you have so many eyes, and so many stakeholders.

That’s what community is about.

In addition to permanent job creation, the vision calls for enhanced economic opportunity through education. The Urban Village will offer primary and secondary education, vocational training and career counseling.

Welcome To L.A. Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, the newly appointed presiding prelate of the CME (Christian Methodist Episcopal) Ninth District, was officially welcomed to Los Angeles with his wife, Lady Michelle J. Gaskill-Hames, during a reception at Philips Temple CME last month. The couple, formerly of Oakland– where Hames pastored Beebe Memorial Cathedral, will be making their home in Los Angeles. Lady Michelle serves as Senior Vice President for Hospital and Health Plan Operations with Kaiser Permanente. They are the proud parents of three children..

Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church 3719 West Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90043 (323) 296-5610 • www.bkcamechurchla.org Rev. Mary S. Minor, DMin,Pastor Worship virtually: Facebook Live at Brookins-KirklandCommunity AME Church For prayer: Call or email to be added to the prayer list Bible Study Thursdays: 6pm Via Zoom call or email office:bkcamechurchla@gmail.com

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

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!

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. 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 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 Sunday LiveStream: 10:00am (facebook.com/christianfellowshipla) Sunday Conference Call: 10:00am (310-372-7549 / code: 342408) Tue/Thurs Morning Word & Prayer: 7:00am Wed. Bible Study w/ Elder Stephen Brown (701-802-5001 / code: 825252#

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 I. Cottle, Ph.D., Pastor/Teacher Services every Friday: 7:00pm We meeet at: St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church 3901 W. Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, Ca 90018 Watch Dr. Cottle on HBN TV Wed’s 7:30am Channel 886 Dish,Smart TV Local Channel 35.2 Listen to Dr. Cottle Sundays on KJLH at 5:00am

Grant AME Church 10435 S. Central Avenue • Los Angeles, CA 90002 (323) 564-1151 • F: (323) 564-5027

ONE LA Potter’s House Church 614 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90036 (818) 763-4521 • hello@one.online Pastor Touré and Sarah Roberts

Rev. Dr. J. Arthur Rumph, Pastor

The ONE Experience Online: Sundays: 7A |9A |11A |1P |6P Thursdays: 5P |8P (PST) @toureroberts @sarahjakesroberts @one.online ONE.ONLINE

Reappointed to Grant AME Church Los Angeles Rev. Dr. James A. Rumph

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

Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church 5300 S. Denker Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323) 759-4996 Rev. DeNon Porter 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 Holman United Methodist Church 3320 W. Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 703-5868 • www.holmanumc.com Email: holman@holmanumc.com Rev. Dr. Ken Walden, Senior Pastor Sunday Worship: 8:00am & 11:00am Sunday Radio: KJLH 102.3FM at 11am Sunday School: 9:30am (Children/Youth) & 9:45am (Adults) Bible Study: Every Thursday @ Noon We Gather,Grow,Go and Live the Gospel of Jesus Christ McCarty Memorial Christian Church 4103 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 731-4131 • www.mccartychurch.org Senior Pastor Edward Anderson Sunday Worship: 10:45am Bible Study: Tues @12:30pm/Wed @6pm Zoom Call: (605) 472-5454 Access:188857 Online Stream Live: Sundays@10:45am to www.mccartychurch.org Give: Text 77977 Instagram@mccartyconnect Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Inc. 4269 South Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90037 (323) 846-1950 •Fax: (323) 846-1964 Rev. Johnteris Tate-Pastor Sunday Church School: 8:00am Worship Service: 9:15am Baptist Training Union: 7:00am Tues. Bible Study/Prayer: Noon & 7:00pm

Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist 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: 8am,10am,Noon Tuesday Night in the Truth: 7:15pm Radio: KKLA 99.5 FM (Sun): 6:00pm All services stream live on our website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.

During the pandemic, pre-registration is requested to attend in-person services.

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1300 E. 50th Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 235-2103 • Rev. Joshua Daniels, Pastor Morning Worship: 10am (In Service and Online Live Stream Worship) Sunday School: 8:45am Wed. Bible Study: 7:00pm www.mtzionla.org New Antioch Church of God in Christ 7826 So. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90044 (323) 778-7965 • www.newantiochcogic.org Superintendent Jeffrey M. Lewis Sunday Early Worship: 8am Sunday Morning Worship: 11am Sunday School: 9:30am Tuesday Bible Study: 11am Wednesday In The Word: 7pm All services streamed: Facebook and YouTube @New Antioch Church of God In Christ

FIRST LADY FILES

KAREN A. BROWN Contributor

Arianna Daniels Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

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he is the sweet songbird from the South making new strides in the Southland at the historic Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the newly elected leader- ship of her husband, Pastor Joshua M. Daniels.

Lady Arianna Daniels, originally from Beaumont, Texas, has only lived in Los An-gelesfor a short time and yet has found familiarity with her new home.

“Texas and L.A. are vastly different, but it has been an easy transition because the people have the same hospitality that we get in Texas,” said Daniels.

This middle child of three to a single mother was destined to be the showstopper. “If you let them tell it, I was the one always craving the most attention, putting up a fuss. I don’t remember it that way,” Lady Arianna laughingly says.

A teacher by profession, Daniels, is multi-gifted and foresees working in the youth ministry at her new church. She is a praise and worship leader and Bible school teacher both ministries she served, in previous years. Beyond all of that, she is a servant.

“My mantra is to just love God and love the people”.

Arianna met her husband while they were youth on an outing with their home church in Beaumont, Texas. She was singing with the praise team and he was lead- ing the College Ministry. “He told me, you are going to be my girlfriend. I said, you are funny sir,” said Arianna. And now they have been married for nearly ten years.

This expectant mother of two (a son and daughter) will be bringing home a newborn baby girl this month to complete her family of five. They have learned to balance their home life and min- istry very well keeping things separate.

“We all love to serve together but we are intentional about having time when we go to the waterpark, go bowling or catch a movie.”

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

Phillips Temple CME Church 973 East 43rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 233-4783 Rev. Dr. Darrell Wesley, Pastor Sunday Worship: 10am Bible Study: Wednesdays at Noon Online: Facebook.com/ PhillipsTempleCME.LosAngeles

St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church 5017 S. Compton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90011 (323) 231-1040 • stmarkmbcofla.org Reverend Dr. Lovely Haynes, Pastor Sunday Worship: 8:30am Sunday classes follow morning service Tues Eve Family Prayer Line: 6:30pm Wednesday Noon: Hour of Power Prayer line Wednesday Bible Study: 6:00pm (Zoom & Facebook) Sunday Exposition of Sunday School Lesson:10am Trinity Baptist Church 2040 W. Jefferson Blvd., L.A., CA 90018 • (323) 735-0044 F: (323) 735-0219• trinitybaptistchurchofla.org Rev. Alvin Tunstill, Jr Sunday Worship Services: 10:30am YouTube: tv.trinitybaptist.cloud Sunday Radio Broadcast KJLH-FM: 9am Wed. Night Virtual Bible Study: 7pm (Meeting ID: 480-271-5449.

Or call 1-699-900-6833; give zoom ID Sign-in at 6:55pmrchofla.org

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

West Angeles Church of God In Christ 3600 W. Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016 (323) 733-8300 • www.westa.org Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:30pm Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., Senior Pastor Charles E. Blake II Co-Pastor Sunday Service: 10:00am Sunday Radio Broadcast: KJLH 102.3 FM: 10:00am

In Compton Citizens of Zion Missionary Baptist Church 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) Service Time: 10:45 Virtual Worship: Youtube Greater Zion Church Family 2408 North Wilmington Avenue, Compton, CA 90222 (310) 639-5535 • (Tues - Thurs 10am -4pm) Dr. Michael J. Fisher, Senior Pastor Sunday Worship: 9:00am Online Wednesday Bible Study: 7:00pm FB: GreaterZionChurchFamily IG: GZCFamily www.gzcfamily.com

Holy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church 1016 E. Rosecrans Avenue, Compton, CA 90220 (310) 537-3149 • F: (310) 537-3149 Rev. Dr. George L. Thomas Sunday School: 9:45am & 10:15am Early Morning Worship: 7:30am Mid-Morning Worship: 11:15am New Members’ Class: 9:45am Communion/1st Sunday: 7:30am/11:15am Mid-Week Prayer/Bible Study (Wed)- 7pm Broadcast (KALI 900AM - Sun:2-3:00pm Love and Unity Christian Fellowship 1840 S. Wilmington Ave, Compton 90220 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5449, Compton, CA 90224 Apostle Ronald C. Hill Sr., Founder/Pastor Live Stream Sunday Worship:10am/6:30pm Live Stream Bible Studies: Wed 7:30am & 9:00am Live Stream Prayer w /Apostle Hill: Fri: 9am Food For Your Soul TV Ministry Impact TV Network: Mon-Fri PST 6:30am The Word Network Fridays @ 12:30pm

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

Blessed Family Covenant Church 325 North Hillcrest Blvd, Inglewood, CA, 90301 (310)-674-0303 • F: (310)-674-0303

The Liberty Church 4725 S. Gramercy Place, Gardena, CA 90249 (310) 715-8400 Pastor David W. Cross Morning Worship/Livestream:10:00 am Hispanic Ministry Worship/Livestream:12Noon Word Power Wednesday/Livestream: 7:00pm The CROSSWORD with Pastor Cross: YouTube

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

Bible Enrichment Fellowship International In Inglewood 400 E. Kelso, Inglewood, CA 90301 (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

In Hawthorne

Sunday Morning Worship: 8:00 & 11:00 am Sunday Bible Enrichment Class: 9:45am Mon.-Thurs. Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday Bible Study: 12:30pm & 7:00pm

Pastor Wendy Howlett Sunday Morning Worship & Word: 9:30am Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study: 7:00pm View Sunday Worship: www.youtube.com (Under Blessed Family Covenant Church) www.blessedfamilycovenant.org

Center of Hope LA 9550 Crenshaw Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90305 #centerofhope•#cohla•Info@GO2HOPE.com Give: Text COHLA to (833) 246-7144 Pastor Geremy L. Dixon Service Times: 8:00am & 10:00am Watch Via: Facebook|YouTube|Live Stream Closer To People...Closer To God! www.GO2Hope.com

Faithful Central Bible Church 333 W. Florence Ave. Inglewood, CA 90301 (310) 330-8000 • F: (310) 330-8035 Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer, Ph.D. Senior Pastor/Teacher Sunday Services: 7:00 am & 9:30am 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

True Friendship Missionary Baptist Church 7901 South Van Ness Ave. Inglewood, CA 90305 (323) 750-7304 Rev. James A. Perkins Sunday School: 9:30am Early Worship: 8am Morning Worship: 10:45am Bible Adventure Hour (Tues): 6pm Bible Study (Tues): 7pm Bible Study (Thurs): Noon

Pastor Profile: Todd Clease Church: New Life LA How Long at church: 5 years (20 years in service) Hometown: Los Angeles Family: Wife Michelle, two adult children Where were your roots in ministry?

Our roots were at Crenshaw Christian Center with Apostle Fred Price. I started going with my mom when I was in high school, but my real church experience began with [the late] Billy Ingram at Maranatha. I graduated high school in ‘80 and right around ‘81, I started pursuing the Lord with purpose and seeking getting filled with the spirit. Billy had a ton of young people and it was very dynamic. There were a lot of people getting filled with the spirit and a lot of enthusiasm around the Lord and the word, and that just drew us in. I got filled with the spirit and that's when I got called into ministry. I heard the voice of the Lord in my spirit and I knew I was called, even though it was going to be years before I would actually pastor.

How did you come to be at New Life LA? Bishop McClendon was leaving Church of the Harvest and my good friend, Pastor Lamont took over in 2000.

My wife and I left Crenshaw to come and support Pastor Leonard. That was really the beginning of our ministry experience in Foursquare and we did everything.

Counted the offerings. Ushered. Served on the church council. We just served everywhere the Lord had us to serve. Within five or six years I became one of Pastor Leonard’s assistant pastors and served him until 2010 and continued on as an assistant with Pastor Keith Jenkins. We served with him for seven years and ended up taking over in 2017.

Was there anything you felt you needed to change about yourself before taking over as pastor?

I knew I needed to grow up into this thing, but I didn't doubt I had the goods because I looked more at God's ability in me than in my own ability.

What were you doing at the time?

Getting married so early, I had to look at a career to feed my

family and I ended up on the LAPD. I remember having a conversation with Apostle Price, because I had struggle in my heart about if I should leave law enforcement to do ministry earlier than I did and Pastor Price said, "Well, why don't you finish your years, secure your pension and do it after find a place to serve and that's what I did.

Were you kind of officer who gave out second chances?

I spent most of my 32 years in Southwest division and went to the rank of senior lead officer. A lead officer is the community guy. That means I'm the liaison between citizens and the police. I’d go to the block club meetings, meet with citizens, find out what their concerns were and connect them to resources for whatever they needed to solve their problems.

How did that experience impact your ministry?

It was like training because some of the positions I held were problem solving positions. And we've been able to impact lives in that way at New Life, just being with people, problem solving, sharing the love of God and watching God impact lives. Our greatest success with ministry is seeing marriages get put back together and individuals put their lives back together.

Most people know little about the Foursquare Church, which New Life LA is part of. What are the differences?

One of the big differences is that Foursquare was started by a woman–Aimee Semple McPherson. She was a pioneer on fire for the Lord evangelizing up and down the east and west coast and when the Lord had her settle in Los Angeles, she built Angeles Temple, probably one of the largest religious facilities in the country at that time. She was the first to have a radio station and the Lord gave her the vision of Foursquare–Jesus the healer, Jesus, the baptizer with the Holy Spirit, Jesus the soon coming king and Jesus, the savior.

That is what the

Foursquare Gospel was established on and the churches grew out of that vision. Now it's in over 150 countries.

They own $4 billion worth of property and there are a couple of million believers worldwide–all started from a woman. What God is done through Aimee might point to how God likes to use women as much as men.

What were the challenges in taking over at New Life LA? Pastor Keith had done a great job with laying down foundation and systems. I think the hardest part for me was getting out of my own insecurities and figuring out that it really wasn't about me, but about the leadership God would do through me to help others find their position in the body of Christ. Once I got that understanding, COVID hit and people stopped going to church. It was wild. You're on social media affecting lives in ways you're just not comfortable with. So, it's been a growth process, more of learning just to trust the Lord along the way.

What do you think drives folk to your church and keeps them there?

A lot of time when you talk about church growth, it’s not necessarily new converts, but people leaving one church for another? I don't really consider that to be church growth. Our vision is connecting people to God, so we really want to go into the community so that we can introduce people to God. That's real church growth. That's why we're partnering with the Department of Children and Family Services. We help the kids who are timing out of that situation so that they can have resources for housing, books, and food. And our vision for New Life is family. So that you can come and connect to the family wherever you are,–whether you're fresh out of high school and need a place or an older widower in need comfort and support and desire to grow in the body of Christ. That's what we want for New Life LA. What’s the best advice you received?

I left the police department and worked for Apostle Price for two years. He was preaching a series called “Race, Religion and Racism” and there were some threats on his life. So I worked for him full-time, protecting his life, and we were just part of that ministry in that way. When he’d meet with other ministers, they’d always wanted to hear how he was so successful and he always told them the same thing: ‘Find out what

Pastor continued to page19

From the Pulpit: Atherton Baptist Church “Dedicated Service”—Romans 12: 1-11

A

nd so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and a holy sacrifice–the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourself by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body.

We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.”

“So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.

And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.”–Romans 12:1-11 With this profound teaching about what God has given believers, Paul now charges them with what they need to give God. See, the key to spiritual victory and true happiness is not trying to get all you can from God, but in giving all you have and all you are to Him. Thousands of people flock to churches and conferences daily with the hope of changing their lives. What they fail to understand is that this is the very opposite of what Paul teaches in this compassionate exhortation.

What the text reveals is that the key to a productive, satisfied, sanctified life is not getting more, but in giving all. Too many believers have their mind locked in receiving position and have forgotten that there is also a serving and giving position. They have great expectations of God, but think God has no expectations of them. They come to church looking for a blessing. What about being

Antioch Church of Long Beach 350 Pine Ave. ,Long Beach, CA 90802 (562) 591-8778 •www.antiochlb.com Senior Pastor Wayne Chaney, Jr.

In Long Beach

Online Services Stream live: Sun 10:00am at antiochlb.com Give: text antiochib to 77977 Social Media: facebook.com/antiochlb instagram.com/antiochlb youtube.com/antiochlongbeach 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: 7pm

Grant AME Church of Long Beach 1129 Alamitos Av. Long Beach, CA 90813 • (562) 437-1567 grantamelb@aol.com Rev. Dr. Michael W. Eagle, Sr. Sunday Worship: 10:45am Wednesday Food Bank: 9:00am-Noon Mothers of Murdered Youth/Children: Thurs by Appt.; (B.U.S) Blankets, Underwear, Shoes: Thursdays Facebook Live•YouTube•Free Conf Call

shaped by worldly standards, but instead be shaped and molded by Godly character.

It's easy for folks when they get to church. You got all your Godly paraphernalia and your holy vocabulary.

But what about when somebody cuts in front of you in the grocery line? Do you move from consecration to cursing? Are you the one when a car cuts you off, you chasing them down with “God is my Lord” on your license plate.

You’ve got to be what God says you are wherever you’re at.

Romans 12:2 not only reveals what godly servants are not to copy, but also what we are to characterize. Paul said, “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

We ought to be growing daily into the likeness of Jesus Christ. See, I'm not what I used to be.

Make no mistake, the key to a changed life is godly service, and because the mind and heart are the control center of one's thoughts, feelings and action, change must begin there. As one's mind and heart is changed by the spiritual input of God's word, prayer and fellowship of the saints, one's lifestyle, character, actions, and attitude also begin to change.

Some of us have to change who we hang out with. Some people don't curse, but they get around people that curse and they say oh it just slipped out.

No, it didn't. You’re trying to fit in.

We don't fit, folks!

Some people have moved from a fifth to a pint–from the bottle to the Bible.

And you ought to be glad of God's change. It’s at this point we discover the will of God– that which is good, perfect and acceptable. But only by being renewed spiritually can we determine, decide and dedicate ourselves

Pastor Larry Weaver

Continued to page 27

Walking In The Spirit Ministries In Double Tree (Sonoma Grill) 12623 Norwalk Blvd, Norwalk CA 90650 (213) 248-6343 P.O Box 1597 Norwalk CA,90651 Tim & Leshia Brooks

Norwalk

Morning Worship: 11:00am Services Held Every 2nd & 4th Sunday and Free Breakfast Is Served Bible Study: 8:30am (Every 5th Friday)

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

Call 310.677.6011 Ask for Kisha

L.A. Focus/September 2022

Pastor Profile continued from page 14 God has called you to do and be faithful to that’. That's what my wife and I are trying to be. When we compare ourselves to others, we do ourselves a disservice, because God broke the mold when He made each one of us.

What role do you think pastors should play in a greater society–going beyond the four walls of the church?

Well, we should definitely be in the community because Christ was in the community. Jesus was right there with the rankest sinners. He was at parties people didn't think he should be at with tax collectors and people who weren't thought well of. And we are the light of the world so we should be affecting outside centers for righteousness. But I think where pastors lose sight in this day and age is getting too caught up and losing sight of what Christ called us to do. The first thing we've been called to do is to love people and introduce them to Christ.

What is your unique strength or talent in ministry?

Learning to build relationships in ministry that change lives. There's a lot of pastors that give great words, but many times they fall on deaf ears because people don't trust the pastor. The pastor didn’t have any equity or value with those people. God is giving me equity and value because I'm a part of their lives. I'm walking out with them for promotions, emotions, divorces, all that kind of thing.

So, you're showing up…

Yeah. Being there for them gives me permission to give them a word of faith–to give them encouragement. So being the kind of pastor you can touch– being accessible and in our heart, just loving and caring for the people

a blessing?

Every one of us has a call on our life.

Throughout Romans, Paul has emphasized the world's need for God's righteousness. It's a desperate need. Paul says, ‘I plead with you give your bodies to God.’ In calling them brothers and sisters, Paul is saying I'm connected with you in more ways than one and I'm concerned about your life and service.

In essence, God already has our soul and He's given us salvation. Therefore, we need to use what God saved us for. To present our body to Him as a living and holy sacrifice for His service.

God already has our inner man, but he wants our outer man. He has your spirit, but he wants your hands, your feet–He wants some work. It's not about lip service, it’s about life service.

Why? Because of all He has done for you. Think about every situation He's brought you through–every time He's made a way when it seemed like no way and everybody else turned their back on you.

We're in positions God has put us in and it's only because of His grace. With that in mind, Paul calls them to rededicate their lives to worship and making God a priority.

With all God has done for you, what are you doing for God? Paul commands these believers to give God his rightful place in their lives. It is a challenge to reprioritize their time, restructure their plans, readjust their attitude, reposition their commitment and totally rededicate themselves unto God. So, who's on your schedule? Why are you rushing out of church today? You need all the Jesus you can get with the condition the world is in and the battles you’re fighting every day.

However, the text not only reveals God's servant, but there's a call that we walk in the character God has endowed us with. He’s poured His spirit into us.

In order to serve the Lord properly, we must think like the Lord and not like the world. The implication of a believer's offering of their life to God as a living sacrifice represents a complete lifestyle change. We can no longer live according to the lifestyle of this present evil age. The servant’s character must line up with the servant's call. This means we cannot be

19

Larry Elder continued from page 8 mentum -- and since legal authority doesn't seem to matter -- let's tackle forgiving credit card debt, car loans, rent, cellphone and cable TV payments, health insurance premiums, vision and dental payments, utility bills, private and parochial K-12 tuition, tattoos and nose rings.

Will O.J. Simpson write a letter to Biden requesting that his administration forgive the $96 million, which includes interest, that Simpson owes the Browns and the Goldmans for murdering their loved ones? Thinking outside the box here.

Finally, a quick question. If one's mortgage "identifies" as student debt, will Biden forgive it? Asking for a friend.

Larry Elder is a best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. To find out more about Larry Elder, or become an "Elderado," visit www.LarryElder.com. Follow Larry on Twitter @larryelder.

Stacy Brown continued from page 11 “My house provides shelter. The White House provides shade.”

Singer and actress Malynda Hale tweeted, “The @WhiteHouse putting Republicans on blast that had PPP loans forgiven is the kind of petty I want to see more of. Drag them. DRAG. THEM.” Rep. Eric Swalwell of California chimed in: “Dear GOP colleagues, before you offer your hot takes on student debt relief, please make sure you or your colleagues didn’t have one of your government loans forgiven. Otherwise, I will absolutely scorch you.”

Biden also offered his own hot take.

“To those Republicans in Congress who believe student debt shouldn’t be forgiven: I will never apologize for helping America’s middle class — especially not to the same folks who voted for a $2 trillion tax cut for the wealthy and giant corporations that racked up the deficit,” Biden wrote.

Stacy Brown is the senior national correspondent of the National Newspaper Publishers Association with more than 25 years of experience as a journalist. He is the author of “Celebrity Trials: Legacies Lost, Lives Shattered, So What’s the Real Truth.”

Pulpit continued from page 19 to do the will of God. The text not only gives the servant's call and character, but reveals the servant's contribution. The church is likened to a body of many believers who perform different services. Therefore, we must recognize our partnership with each other. God gives every believer a gift, so he or she can build up His church. The success of the church depends on that.

Everybody's not going to be the quarterback. God has us working different ministries with different gifts. We may not see the results of our ministry, but God does, and it is He who blesses our contributions. Church, hear me: it is our role to be faithful in serving others with our gifts and it is God's part to empower us to use them.

Don't think you're so smart that you can get accomplish what you want to accomplish in life by yourself? That you have so many degrees you think you can leave God out of the equation? God saved us to serve in some capacity. No honorary positions here.

A Lifeway study revealed that just 45% of church members actually attend church on a regular basis and a smaller percentage serve.

Do you realize that God's gifts are given so that grace may be expressed?

Every act of kindness, generosity, mercy and loving leadership is a demonstration of God's grace!

Paul lists all these gifts and in describing them, he stresses one main purpose and that is whatever your gift, use it well, use it faithfully, use it responsibly, use it gladly, and most of all, use it to the glory of God. Using God's gifts to serve others is a privilege. It is an honor for me to serve you. He could have gone down on Crenshaw, got a drunk and cleaned him up to preach me up under the pew. God can use whoever he wants.

Paul closes the text –after moving us from the servant’s call and character to the servant’s contribution– with the servant's commitment.”

Paul says, “Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and

serve the Lord enthusiastically.”

This is a picture of dedicated service. Don't be a parttime Christian. You need to be all in. I'm trying to call you from sitting to serving. To tell you there's a contribution in you that nobody can give except you, because God has uniquely equipped and designed you in a way that nobody else can do what He wants you to do.

Money Matters continued from page 14 worst debt levels in the country, so that students registering for the next academic year can steer clear of programs with poor outcomes.

“Today’s announcement opens the door for a long overdue conversation about building wealth,” said Ebonie Riley, Senior Vice President of Policy & Strategic Partnerships at the National Action Network. “Canceling student debt is a cornerstone of a comprehensive vision that helps everyone. Not acting would have kept another generation from reaching their full potential because of the crushing debt they took on in hopes of greater opportunity.”

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced that it has approved more than $10 billion in debt relief for over 175,000 borrowers in 10 months through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

“For far too long, teachers, nurses, veterans, government employees, and countless others dedicated to serving our country found Public Service Loan Forgiveness to be nothing more than an empty promise, and before President Biden took office, only 7,000 borrowers ever managed to qualify,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “We’re committed to helping borrowers who choose to pursue careers in education, public health, social work, law enforcement, and other critical fields receive the benefits to which they’re entitled for leading lives of service.”

The Department is encouraging individuals to take action before the October 31 deadline. Federal student loan borrowers who are eligible can receive credit for payments that would otherwise not qualify for the program.

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L.A. Focus/September 2022

SavingGrace Yvette Nicole Brown

L.A. Focus/September 2022

S

he followed her dreams to Los Angeles to be a singer, but nearly 40 years later, Yvette Nicole Brown is limiting her singing to the shower. Instead, she found success in front of the camera as one of the most sought-after character actresses in Hollywood, thanks to memorable appearances on numerous commercials and TV shows, including "House," "Entourage," "The Office," "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Two and a Half Men," "Malcolm in the Middle," "That’s So Raven," and "That ‘70s Show" as well as recurring roles on “Drake and Josh”, "Girlfriends," and perhaps most notably as costar on NBC’s critically acclaimed cult hit series, Community in a cast that includes comedic great, Chevy Chase, and Donald Glover and a successful TV run that made her a hot Hollywood commodity.

In the seven years since the show’s 2015 finale, Brown has worked non-stop, co-starring in a handful of TV series including “The Mayor”, “Mom” and “The New Edition Story.”

Presently, she stars alongside John Stamos in the Disney+ TV series, Big Shot, about a temperamental basketball coach who is fired from his job at the University at Wisconsin and relocates to California to coach a girls’ basketball team at Westbrook School, an elite high school for girls where Brown serves as the no-nonsense dean.

But Brown–who has four projects in the works– including voicing the role of Rosaleen in the star-studded cast of Disney’s Disenchanted with Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Maya Rudolph and James Marsden, is almost as successful as a voice actor with countless animated TV series to her credit, including DC League of Super-Pets, The Chicken Squad, DC Super Hero Girls and The Loud House.

Work has been so plentiful that she has had to hire an assistant to juggle the work, but that’s exactly the way the 51-year old actress likes it.

“I like working. I like being creative. There is very little I say no to,” says the actress who recently guested on ABC’s The $100,000 Pyramid and has also announced that a “Community” movie is in the works.

“I love everything about entertainment,” the Cleveland, Ohio said. Ironically, acting was not her first choice. Raised on Motown music, Brown initially believed she might be a singer. So just after high school at about 18 years of age, she found herself in the lobby of a hotel singing a cappella for Michael Bivens, New Edition star turned Motown record executive who was at the time riding high on his discovery of Boyz II Men. So impressed was Bivens that he not only signed Brown on the spot, but set out to manage her as well. Ironically, enough she would in 2017 play his Mom in BET’s “The New Edition Story”.

Brown sang for a bit and was even featured on the Motown album, The East Coast Family Vol.1, which included the Top 20 single, "1-4-All-4-1" all the while attending the University of Akron. The plan was to graduate and then move to Los Angeles and pursue music full-time. But things didn’t work out quite that way.

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“In between the time I was first signed to Motown and when I moved out here with the $500 I’d saved, the music industry changed. Everybody was getting naked and singing about stuff my mama would not be happy if I sang, so I ended up working at Motown instead. Singing”, Brown concluded, “was apparently not what the Lord had for me.”

But going home was just not an option for Brown.

Instead, the decision marked the beginning of what she calls “the assistant route”, taking a series of jobs for MGM, MCA and even as a legal secretary for Showtime.

“It was while working as a legal secretary that I had this opportunity to go on the road with a David Talbert play as an actor and I said, ‘Ok, I’ll try it.’ I took a leave of absence for about nine months to a year. My boss at Showtime said ‘If you like it you can quit with our blessing. If you don’t like it, your job will be waiting.’ I was out there two weeks before calling them to say, ‘I love this.’ And I seemed to be good at it.”

Good was an understatement. Brown–who’d taken an acting class while in college– was a natural.

Work in commercials for Pine Sol, Big Lots, Hamburger Helper led to success on episodic TV and before long feature film, where credits include the romantic comedy "Little Black Book" opposite Brittany Murphy and Kathy Bates; "Dreamgirls," "Meet Dave" starring Eddie Murphy, "Tropic Thunder," "Repo Men" with Jude Law and Forest Whitaker and "The Ugly Truth" with Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl.

“I believe when God has something for you, he opens doors for you and I think the purpose of music in my life back then was for me to make it to L.A.” Fact is, Brown has excelled as character actress, fully embracing the term.

“Because that’s the type of actor that works forever. When you’re real pretty, you’ve got a shelf life. If you’re somewhat attractive but chubby, that pushes you into character acting and I’m okay with that,” said Brown. “I like being the funny girl.

And while she will forever be funny, the Emmy-nominated actress whose racked up 150 acting credits, is no longer the chubby one. After being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and told she might lose her feet, the actress adopting a healthier lifestyle, changing her eating habits and exercising.

Over the summer, Brown toured with Queen Latifah’s It’s Bigger Than Me campaign to change the stigma surrounding weight.

“There's this idea that obesity is something that we've done to ourselves instead of it being a health issue, a disease, and it can be caused by your genes or your hormones,” Brown explains. “There's a lot of reasons why you could

be a little bit bigger than other people, and it's important to talk about it to those of us that are dealing with it – to say out loud that we're dealing with it – and then create a safe space for people to come and learn more about it so they can feel better in their own skin.

“When they decided to talk about obesity being a disease, they thought I might be a great person to come on and talk about my experience.”

Unlike many drawn by Hollywood’s bright lights, Brown believes to her core that the light now shining on her is so that she can shine it back on those who need help.

“It’s never just about you,” says Brown, who has served on the board of the Screen Actors Guild and stays politically active. “I’m not one of these people in entertainment that believe I’m special, but I know everything good that has happened in my life is because of Jesus. It’s hard for me to have a conversation and not give God the glory because I see Him in everything.

“I believe people who lose their way get wrapped up into thinking that there’s something about them that makes them worthy of the spotlight,” said Brown.

“I don’t get that. How could you think that you’re worthy of people loving you to this degree? You have to know that there’s a reason for this and if someone wants to hear from me, I have to say something about what gives me this sense of peace or what’s important. What I think about things isn’t important, but what God thinks about things is. I think it’s happened for me because I have a heart for people and I’m an encourager.”

Her saving grace, she says, is her faith.

“The thing about faith is you’re taking a step on ground that you can’t see. It’s foolish because to people on the outside, and maybe even yourself, in hindsight, it’s crazy. But at the moment, you’re right at the place where God needs you.

“I’m a big fan of gospel music so when I’m going through something, I’ll turn on a praise station and that feeds me. Also, I write down quotes that bless me.

Quotes about keeping the faith and God’s goodness. It just grounds me. The Bible even says, ‘Think on these things,’ the things that are pure and wonderful. I feel like what you feed yourself is what comes out of you. So, if you feed yourself good stuff, good stuff will come out.”