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Volume 36 Number 10

Serving Los Angeles County for Over 36 Years

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

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Thursday, January 21, 2021

America Honors MLK

Oprah Winfrey Documentary on Apple TV+

While parades and other festive gatherings for the heroic civil rights leader will not occur this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, national and local organizations throughout the country still will honor Dr. King’s legacy.

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Media mogul Oprah Winfrey will have a biographical documentary released on Apple TV+.

The streaming platform announced Thursday a twopart documentary focusing on Winfrey’s life. The project will chronicle 25 years of American history through the lens of Winfrey “who rose from humble roots to become a billionaire, philanthropist, actress, media executive, and agent of social change.’’

Winfrey’s documentary will be headed by Oscarwinning director Kevin MacDonald and Emmynominated producer Lisa Erspamer, who is known for her work on “The Oprah Winfrey Show’’ and “Whitney.’’

In 2018, Apple and Winfrey reached a multiyear deal to create original programs. Some shows released on the streaming service include “The Oprah Conversation,’’ “Oprah Talks COVID-19’’ and “Oprah’s Book Club.’’

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Fifty-three years after Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination, and 38 years after his birth date became a national federal holiday, America is now facing another pivotal moment of national racial reckoning.

While parades and other festive gatherings for the heroic civil rights leader will not occur this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, national and local organizations throughout the country still will honor Dr. King’s legacy.

In Maryland, the nonprofit Civic Works plans to welcome groups of volunteers to participate in its annual MLK Day of Service.

SC’s King Day at the Dome Rally Going Virtual

Continued on page A3

This Aug. 28, 1963, file photo shows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. acknowledging the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial for his “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington. (Courtesy Photo)

Harris Set to Be First Woman Vice President in American History

Speaking from Delaware on Saturday, Nov. 7, Vice president-elect Kamala Harris paid tribute to Black women who “so often prove they are the backbone of our democracy.” (Photo: abc7.com)

Manny Otiko California Black Media This Wednesday, when Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor swears in former California Sen. Kamala Harris as vice president, she will make history for several reasons.

Harris – who was born in Oakland and spent part of her childhood in Berkeley -- will become the first woman and the first person both of Black and Asian descent to assume the second-highest political office in the United States.

“With just a few days left, I am anticipating seeing Kamala raise her hand and take the oath to become the most powerful woman in American history. I am so honored.

She is ready and able. And she is a sister, a good friend and an inspiration to so many people here in California and to so many more Americans,” said Amelia Ashley-Ward, the publisher of the San Francisco Sun Reporter, the city’s largest and oldest African American newspaper.

Ward, who has been friends with Harris for decades now, says it seems “like yesterday” when Harris began running for district attorney 18 years ago. At that time, people in San Francisco told her to drop out because she

was not prepared.

“It was unheard of in this city for a Black woman to challenge the status quo and win. She did it and remained true to who she is,” said Ward. “From district attorney to attorney general to United States senator, to running for the presidency, then becoming vice president. I will be watching, inspired, and in tears, with a heart full of joy.”

As Harris, who has represented California in the Senate for four years now, prepares to ascend to the vice presidency, she enters the White House at a time when the country is fraught with division and uncertainty. A raging pandemic has been sending shocks through the economy over the past 11 months. And the country is unsettled in the throes of an ongoing reckoning on race expressed partially by riots that erupted last summer after a Minnesota police officer violently killed George Floyd, an unarmed Black man. On top of those crises, far right-wing groups, which have been resurging across the country for more than a decade now, have been organizing protests with threats of violence opposing the election of Vice President-elect Joe Continued on page A3

Black Lawmakers Dig Into History of Inequality in Criminal Justice System Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media Two Black lawmakers, Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena) and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), made history last month when they were both appointed Public Safety Committee chairpersons in their respective chambers of the California legislature.

This is the first time in California history that two Black elected officials have simultaneously led the powerful committees responsible for legislation regarding criminal justice and oversight of law enforcement and other public safety services across the state.

On Jan. 5, Bradford and Jones-Sawyer held a virtual news conference to preview their priorities for the 2021 legislative session. During the event, the men traced the long and documented history of racism and racial discrimination that has long influenced and characterized the American criminal justice system.

Bradford, the chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), said this year government should renew its focus on communities of color in California.

“We don’t want to look in retrospect at how we got here but a lot of criminal justice laws, policies, and practices were based on slavery,” Bradford said. “The use of deadly force, implemented in 1872, was a direct result of this: how do you kill -- legally kill -- Black people in the state of California? So, Mr. Jones-Sawyer and I will be able to bring it to the forefront. We hate to make it about race, but it is about race in this country.”

In a rare public conversation, the pair addressed with unusual frankness the historical roots of racism in law enforcement and criminal justice. This is a topic frequently discussed within the Black community but can be thorny for politicians. It is typically discussed -- at least with that level of candor -- outside of the halls of government, within trusted circles or among activists.

“We can now focus like a laser to make sure that our communities are not continually oppressed,” Jones-Sawyer said.

“Many of these laws, African Americans will tell you, were based on slavery to catch runaway slaves. Many of those procedures, that we are trying to outlaw now, were created under those laws.”

Highlighting racial profiling, excessive force, the killing of African Americans by police officers and vigilantes over the years, the conversation delved into how some law enforcement agencies operate in communities of color in California and across the nation. About 40 journalists as well as some of Bradford’s and Jones-Sawyer’s consituents participated in the virtual meeting.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – For the first time in more than 20 years, a South Carolina civil rights organization isn’t holding a Martin Luther King Jr. Day rally at the Statehouse.

The South Carolina NAACP will hold its annual King Day at the Dome celebration online Monday instead.

The decision was made because of COVID-19 and before security officials closed the Statehouse because of national threats of violence in the days leading up to the presidential inauguration.

The NAACP is holding an event on Zoom starting at 10 a.m. Monday. Guests include U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn and state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell.

The event plans to discuss what the NAACP and others can do to improve racial inequality in the justice system, education, economics and health care.

The NAACP held its first King Day at the Dome rally in 2000 to call for the removal of the Confederate flag from the top of the Statehouse dome.

Over the past 20 years the rally has become both a rallying point for racial equality and a place for presidential candidates and others to talk to AfricanAmerican voters.

Officer Behind Social Media Post Out of Job PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (AP) – A Northern California police officer who posted obscenity-laden comments against Black Lives Matter on a right-wing social media platform is no longer with the department, the police chief said.

Pacific Grove Police Chief Cathy Madalone said in a video posted Wednesday on the department’s YouTube channel the officer is no longer employed by the department but that legal constraints prevented her from commenting on a personnel matter.

Madalone said the department received a report in November that the officer, who has not been identified, may have been posted disparaging remarks against Black Lives Matter movement on his Parler account.

She said the department also investigated the officer last year after it was made aware in May of controversial decals affixed to his vehicle.

The decals on the officer’s pickup included one mocking the LGBT movement and silhouettes of automatic weapons. Another decal named a group called the Three Percenters, a group that’s part of the militia movement and that was among who assaulted the Capitol on Jan. 6, the Monterey Herald reported.

The officer was investigated but exonerated when he claimed he didn’t know what the Three Percenters were, the newspaper reported.

The LA Forum Serve as L.A. County COVI-19 Vaccination Site Los Angeles County recently announced that the LA Forum presented by Chase will serve as a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination site starting Tuesday, January 19. The Forum will continue to serve as a COVID-19 testing site.

Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena)

Assemblymember Angeles)

Reggie

Bradford drew parallels between recent incidents of law enforcement misconduct and the historical atrocities of “slave patrols.”

Slave patrols, widely organized in Southern states during the 1800s, were squadrons made up of non-Black volunteers, empowered to use vigilante tactics to enforce laws related to slavery. Bradford said those actions have a “historical standpoint

in criminal justice” and historical ties to some law enforcement practices.

Overall, Bradford and Jones-Sawyer told members of the press, mainly from southern California, that they will concentrate on legislation that emphasizes rehabilitation, economics and education over incarceration, the closure of private prisons, and Continued from Page A1

Jones-Sawyer

(D-Los

Los Angeles County has launched a new “Know Your Tier” public information campaign that highlights the County’s new vaccination website, VaccinateLACounty. com, and explains how residents can find out when they will be eligible to be vaccinated. Only priority groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with additional guidance provided by the state, are receiving the vaccine. Currently, only frontline healthcare workers, residents and staff in skilled nursing facilities and other long-term care facilities are eligible for vaccination.

The LA Forum also served as a Vote Center for the 2020 Presidential General Election.

A2

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, January 21, 2021

World & Nation

U.S. Attorney Seeking Sedition and Conspiracy Charges in Aftermath of Capitol Riot y Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Sedition and conspiracy are among the most severe

charges federal prosecutors said they were looking into in the aftermath of the domestic terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

On Tuesday, U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin said while some misdemeanor charges are only acting as placeholders until more information is gathered, some involved in the

insurrection – directly or indirectly – may well face severe counts of sedition and conspiracy.

According to Findlaw.com, sedition is defined as an act of revolt or violence against a lawful authority to destroy or overthrow it.

A conviction on sedition charges can result in a 20year prison sentence.

The general conspiracy statute provides a maximum punishment of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

“We are resolutely committed to upholding the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment, including speech, peaceful assembly, and press, and we will investigate, prosecute, and hold accountable anyone who attempts to obstruct or curtail these freedoms through violence or intimidation,” Sherwin pronounced.

The prosecutor said the Department of Justice had created a specialized task force that “will look at everything from travel to movement” of the individuals involved.

“The range of criminal conduct is unmatched,” he declared.

The FBI has warned government officials of plans for armed protests at most state Capitols and Washington, D.C., leading up to the inauguration.

Authorities also released photos of a suspect wanted in connection to the death of U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick.

Another officer Howard Liebengood committed suicide.

At the same time, Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said preparation is underway for an unprecedented military presence during the Jan. 21 inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

Milley said a message had been sent to the entire military force ahead of the inauguration.

The message was intended to remind military personnel of their responsibility to defend the Constitution.

“Homeland Security must adjust its approach to the inauguration in several specific ways,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote in a letter this week to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf.

“There must be a federal force deployment [plan] for all U.S. government property,” Bowser demanded.

Senate Passes Bill to Create African American Burial Grounds Network “We know that for too long in too many parts of our country, Black families were blocked from burying their loved ones in white cemeteries,” said Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). “These men and women were freed slaves, civil rights champions, veterans, mothers, fathers, workers in communities. We need to act now before these sites are lost to the ravages of time or development,” Brown concluded.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation that would better protect historic African American cemeteries.

The measure also paves the way for the creation of an African American Burial Grounds Network.

“We know that for too long in too many parts of our country, Black families were blocked from burying their loved ones in white cemeteries,” Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) remarked.

“These men and women were freed slaves, civil rights champions, veterans, mothers, fathers, workers in communities. We need to act now before these sites are lost to the ravages of time or development,” Brown concluded.

Initially introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2019 by Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) and Congressman Donald McEachin (D-Va.), the bill primarily addresses at-risk Black cemeteries in South Carolina.

Still, it authorizes the Department of the Interior to conduct a thorough investigation of African American burial grounds across the country.

According to a Smithsonian Magazine report, the study would “lay the groundwork for the network, allowing experts to coordinate research efforts, create a nationwide database of Black cemeteries, and receive grant funding.”

Sen. Brown and now ex-Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) later introduced the measure in the Senate. It now heads back to the House for a formal vote.

The action is yet another recent legislative attempt to honor and preserve Black burial grounds.

In 2019, then-Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), along with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), were joined by Reps. Gregory Meeks, Yvette Clarke, and Adriano Espaillat (all of New York), and announced the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Education Center Act’s reintroduction.

That legislation would establish a museum and

education center at the African Burial Ground in Lower Manhattan.

This site currently holds the remains of an estimated 15,000 free and enslaved Africans and early-generation African Americans from the colonial era.

The National Park Service would manage the museum in consultation with the African Burial Ground Advisory Council, which would be established by the legislation.

“The African Burial Ground is culturally and

historically significant to New York and the nation. The establishment of a museum and an education center at this cemetery will illuminate the plight, courage, and humanity of the free and enslaved Africans who helped create New York,” Sen. Schumer told NNPA Newswire in 2019.

“As a nation, we must always remember the tremendous burdens and afflictions experienced by those who were brought here in bondage, and who fought – for generations – against impossible odds to achieve the full

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Associated Press, Better Business Bureau, GLAAACC President: Ellen Coley Operations Manager: Jon Coley Editor: James Luckey The African American Burial Grounds initiative would provide grant opportunities and technical assistance to local communities as they work to recover and preserve those historic sites.

Biden Admin to Appoint Kristen Clarke to Key Civil Rights Post

Kristen Clarke has extensive civil rights experience, starting her career as an attorney in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

measure of dignity and equality and justice that they were due. I am proud to cosponsor this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to pass this bill and for the president to sign it into law.”

The African American Burial Grounds initiative would provide grant opportunities and technical assistance to local communities as they work to recover and preserve those historic sites.

According to the letter signed by more than 60 organizations dedicated to cultural heritage and preservation, cemeteries are places of tribute and memory, connecting communities with their past.

“Unfortunately, many African-American burial grounds from both before and after the Civil War are in a state of disarray or inaccessibility,” the letter stated.

“By creating a national network, the African American Burial Grounds Network Act would help re-discover the existence of burial grounds ahead of commercial development, helping to avoid disturbances that create distress and heartache in communities. Preserving and protecting these sacred sites, and the stories they tell is an integral part of our American heritage.”

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Kristen Clarke, the president of the Lawyer’s Committee Civil Rights Under Law, will serve as assistant attorney general for civil rights under the new Biden Administration.

Clarke’s appointment adds even more diversity to an incoming administration that has kept its campaign promise to ensure that top staff and cabinet members reflect all of America.

“Our first-rate nominees to lead the Justice Department are eminently qualified, embody character and judgment that is beyond reproach, and have devoted their careers to serving the American people with honor and integrity,” Biden said in a statement.

“They will restore the independence of the department, so it serves the interests of the people, not a presidency, rebuild public trust in the rule of law, and work tirelessly to ensure a more fair and equitable justice system.”

Clarke has extensive civil rights experience, starting

her career as an attorney in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

While at the DOJ, the Brooklyn-born attorney served as a federal prosecutor in the Criminal Section Division, responsible for police misconduct, hate crimes, and human trafficking.

Through the Division’s Voting Section, she also worked on voting rights and redistricting cases.

The current president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Clarke has also served as the head of the Civil Rights Bureau for the New York State Attorney General’s Office, where she successfully led landmark efforts to address discrimination in housing, the school-to-prison pipeline, and reforming practices and policies of police departments.

Clarke previously served at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, focusing on voting rights and election law.

Clarke received her A.B. from Harvard University and her J.D. from Columbia Law School.

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News

Thursday, January 21, 2021

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A3

Harris Set to Be First Woman Vice President in American History Continued from Page A1

Biden and Harris.

On Jan. 6, a violent mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters, including some trained military personnel and law enforcement officers, stormed the U.S. Capitol. The violent riot resulted in five deaths, including the murder of a police officer, the evacuation of members of the U.S. Congress and significant damage to the historic building.

As a result of the mayhem at the site where Biden and Harris will be sworn in, the inauguration is being held under tight security. Some 20,000 national guard troops have descended on Washington, D.C., to harden the city and the Capitol building against potential attacks. Much of the National Mall will be closed on Inauguration Day. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has told people to stay away from the inauguration because of COVID-19. She also asked federal authorities to cancel demonstration permits for security reasons.

Harris, who has said she supports having the swearingin ceremony outside of the Capitol despite security

concerns, says Americans should not be defeated by the people who attacked the building that symbolizes American democracy around the world.

“No matter what challenges we face, democracy will always win,” Harris tweeted last week.

This year’s scaled-back inauguration will be broadcast on TV and online and includes a number of events leading up to the main ceremony, including a virtual “We The People” concert hosted by actors Keegan-Michael Key and Debra Messing that was held Sunday night. On Martin Luther King Day, a “National Day of Service” featuring speakers and encouraging people to volunteer across America was held. On the day before Harris and Biden are sworn in, a lighting ceremony is being held in Washington, D.C., and across the country to honor Americans who have died of COVID-19.

Becoming vice president of the United States is the culmination of a long political journey for Harris, whose father immigrated from Jamaica. Her mother, who is now

deceased, was an immigrant from India. After completing two terms as district attorney of San Francisco in 2011, Harris was elected California attorney general in 2010, becoming the first African American and first woman to serve in the role. Harris was also the first person of South Asian descent to be elected to the United States Senate when she was sworn in as the junior United States Senator for California in 2017. At the time, she also made history as the second African American woman to serve in the Senate after Carol Moseley Braun, who represented Illinois from 1993 to 1999.

In the U.S. Senate, Harris served on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on the Budget.

Harris is married to attorney Doug Emhoff, who is based in the Los Angeles area and will become a law professor at Georgetown University when he moves to Washington with Harris this week. Emhoff, who is Jewish,

has two children from a previous marriage.

Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA-37), who was chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) until this month, looked at Harris’s record. She said Harris has “fought long and hard on behalf of Californians everywhere both in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento.”

Harris will be a member of the CBC until Wednesday.

“Congratulations on becoming this nation’s first woman of color to be elected to serve as vice president,” Bass said in a statement. “Your tenacious pursuit of justice and relentless advocacy for the people is exactly what this country needs right now. California is better because of your work as attorney general and stronger because of your work as a senator. Now, all Americans will benefit from your work as vice president. We know you will make us proud as you always have.”

Black Lawmakers Dig Into History of Inequality in Criminal Justice System Continued from Page A1

establishing a police culture that is transparent.

Serving the 59th District in the State Assembly, JonesSawyer was elected to the state legislature in November 2012 and re-elected in 2014, 2016 and 2020.

During his reelection bid, the California Correctional Peace Officer Association (CCPOA) posted a video displaying an image of a “crosshair” symbol over Jones-Sawyer’s face. The political video, roughly two-and-a-half minutes, was circulated on social media before it was deleted.

“It is unconscionable that the president of a peace officer’s association would use such a scare tactic that could incite someone to take action and cause harm,” said Jones-Sawyer after the incident.

Jones-Sawyer has authored or co-authored several bills focused on criminal justice reform and restorative justice, such as Assembly Bill 672. That legislation provides re-entry assistance such as housing and job training for persons that have been wrongfully convicted and consequently released from prison.

Jones-Sawyer says as chair he will introduce “more bills in the Assembly” proposing criminal justice reforms than other public safety committees have done during past legislative sessions. He says closing more private prisons and providing some financial security for inmates once they are released are also some of his top priorities.

“Giving them $200, a bus ticket, dropping them off, and then saying, ‘good luck to you’ just starts the process all over again,” Jones-Sawyer said, summarizing how prisoners are

currently released back into society. “We have to provide wraparound services and institute them to ensure they don’t go back to prison. We have to help make them productive citizens.”

Bradford won the race to represent the 51st State Assembly District in a special election in 2009. He was reelected in 2010.

In 2012, he was elected to represent the newly created 62nd Assembly District Then, in 2016, voters elected him to represent the 35th District in the State Senate, which covers areas in and around Los Angeles. In 2018, he introduced 11 bills signed into law, including Senate Bill 1294, the “California Cannabis Equity Act.” SB 1294 is a first-in-the-nation bill that encourages equitable participation in the cannabis industry and fosters business opportunities for individuals who have been negatively impacted by the War on Drugs.

Bradford, who replaced Nancy Skinner (D-Oakland) as the chair of the Senate’s Public Safety Committee, also authored Senate Bill 203, which requires that children under age 17 have an opportunity to consult with legal counsel before interrogation.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation into law on Sept. 30, 2020.

“Many of us don’t even fully understand our legal rights when interacting with members of law enforcement,” Bradford said. “This law will protect all of California’s youth and build trust in our criminal justice system. Young people must know their rights and they should not be alone when being interrogated.”

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020 225699 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: AIIT SYSTEMS / AI IMPEX at 3546 Canehill Ave., Long Beach, Ca. 90808 Mailing Address: Same County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): TRUSEVYCH, LLC., CA, 14345 Pioneer Blvd, Norwalk, Ca. 90650 The business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company SIGNED: LUELLA VIEGAS, CEO The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 10/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Dec 28, 2020 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: T. IBARRA, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Dec 28, 2025 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, 2021

business as: AWCWORD LLC / AWCWORD / AWCWORD APPAREL / AWCWORD CLOTHING / AWCWORD EVENTS / AWCWORD MAGAZINE / AWCWORD MEDIA / AWCWORD.COM / AWCWORD.ORG at 11301 Wilshire Blvd Bldg 209 Unit 011, Los Angeles, Ca. 90073 Mailing Address: 5407 Colfax Avenue Unit 307, North Hollywood, Ca. 91601 County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): AWCWORD, LLC., CA, 11301 Wilshire Blvd Bldg 209 Unit 011, Los Angeles, Ca. 90073 The business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company SIGNED: WALTER CHOLMONDELEY, Managing Member The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 04/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Dec 9, 2020 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: TODD TRAN, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Dec 9, 2025 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 7, 14, 21, 28, 2021

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020 215233 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: EPIQ LENDING at 123 N. Lake Ave. Suite 102, Pasadena, Ca. 91101 Mailing Address: 3160 Crow Canyon Rd. Suite 400, San Ramon, Ca. 94583 County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): EVO HOME LOANS, LLC, CA, 123 N. Lake Ave. Suite 102, Pasadena, Ca. 91101 The business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company SIGNED: KIM CALLAS, Manager The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 11/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Dec 9, 2020 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: A. TORRES, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Dec 14, 2025 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 2021

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020 215705 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: HOYLE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, LLC. / HGS at 3362 Puma Avenue, Rosamond, Ca. 93560 Mailing Address: Same County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): HOYLE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, LLC, CA, 3362 Puma Avenue, Rosamond, Ca. 93560 The business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company SIGNED: SHENITA HOYLE, CEO The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 09/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Dec 14, 2020 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: L. MCCOY, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Dec 14, 2025 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 2021

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Please wear a mask and socially distance youself.

Do your part to end COVID-19

Martin Luther King Jr and Bernice King (Courtesy Bernice King via King Center)

America Honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Continued from page A1

The 9 a.m. plans include 150 volunteers banding together across nine sites [both physically with Covid-19 safety precautions, and virtually] to help green a vacant lot in Baltimore, landscape urban farms, sort clothes for AmeriCorps members, writing cards to seniors, and clean public spaces.

The Brooklyn Academy of Music – or BAM – hosts an 11 a.m. tribute that includes a keynote address from Black Lives Matter Global Network founder Alicia Garza. The event will stream on bam.org and also BAM’s YouTube and Vimeo channels.

In Florida, the Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration Committee of St. Johns County will host the 36th annual Commemorative Event in the Lewis Auditorium in St. Augustine, FL and online as a virtual event in a celebration of the memory of Dr. King and the influence he had in the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.

NNPA President and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., is the featured speaker.

Dr. Chavis will address the theme, “Our Lives Begin to End the Day We Become Silent about Things That Matter.” Chavis stated, “Dr. King’s dream and courage for freedom, justice and equality for all must reaffirmed and practiced in 2021 across America and throughout the world.”

The Presidential Inaugural Committee is hosting “United We Serve: A Celebration of the National MLK Day of Service.”

Participants include the Rev. Dr. Bernice King; Martin Luther King III; Chesca; Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan.; Rosario Dawson; Andra Day; Yo-Yo Ma; the Rev. Al Sharpton; Sean Patrick Thomas; Diane Warren; Lynn Whitfield; and Bebe Winans.

The event will be streamed live on at bideninaugural. org and on PIC social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook from 8:00–9:00 p.m.

Eastern on Jan. 18.

“This year’s inauguration will look different amid the pandemic, so we’re committed to providing dynamic programming that will engage more Americans than ever before, all from the safety of their homes,” said PIC CEO Tony Allen in a news release.

“With the help of popular musicians and artists, rising stars, national, state and local leaders, and everyday Americans, we’re going to celebrate our diversity, honor those who are committed to service, and reflect on our history. We will come together as one nation, America

united.”

In Houston, the 43rd Annual Original MLK Day Virtual Experience & Live Parade of Giving occurs at MacGregor Park at 5225 Calhoun Road. There, residents are asked to drop-off donations to be distributed to those in need.

In Pennsylvania, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with its “Food justice is social justice” campaign.

The food bank will open one of its warehouses to 30 volunteers to prepare food for distribution across the organization’s 11-county service area from 9 a.m. to noon.

In Atlanta, the Beloved Community Commemorative Service caps a weeklong celebration of Dr. King’s life that features a keynote address by Bishop T.D. Jakes. The event occurs online and features remarks from Grammy-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin and U.N. Deputy SecretaryGeneral Amina J. Mohammed.

The event will stream on Facebook and The King Center website.

In California, Stanford University’s four-day online festival honoring Dr. King’s life and legacy culminates on the holiday with musical performances, documentary films, and conversations inspired by the question, Where do we go from here?

“I hope the King Holiday can become an occasion for informing people about King’s legacy and how it relates to the King Institute, but more broadly, how it relates to the San Francisco Bay Area,” Clayborne Carson, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Centennial Professor of History, Emeritus, at Stanford, and director of the King Institute, told the university’s news service.

“One of the things that will be made clear is that the King family has had a very special relationship with this area and with Stanford.”

In Detroit, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History hosts film screenings and other programming that includes a museum-wide live stream of the keynote speech by PBS White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor.

The Rev. Dr. Bernice King posted a heartfelt thank you on Twitter to all those observing her late father’s holiday.

“Thank you for the loving, sincere ways that you honored and celebrated my father on his birthday,” Bernice King wrote in the post that included a photo of her, her father, and her mother.

Entertainment

A4

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Bowl Games Look to Future After Weathering Challenging Year

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) – Even after canceling the Tournament of Roses parade during the summer and scaling back the pregame festivities normally associated with the Rose Bowl, David Eads and his staff were still preparing for a College Football Playoff semifinal on New Year’s Day to be played at the picturesque stadium in Pasadena, California.

That was until the day before the CFP pairings were announced and the game was moved to Dallas due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Even though the Rose Bowl was still played at another location for the first time since 1942, the ever-evolving changes highlight what was an extremely challenging bowl season. Of the 45 bowl games that were scheduled, concluding with Monday’s College Football Playoff championship game, 19 were canceled, including three after the participating teams were announced.

The Rose and New Mexico bowls shared one thing in common _ they were played at different sites, both in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Nick Carparelli, the executive director of Bowl Season, attributed some of the late cancellations to it being the end of the season.

“The regular season had a lot more flexibility built in to postpone. When it came to the bowls, we were kind of at the end of the line. There really was no solution,’’ he said.

David Eads, executive director for the Tournament of Roses committee, and his staff had been working with an evolving schedule since April. The annual Tournament of Roses Parade wasn’t held for the first time since 1944 after it was call off in July. Eads said the decision was made during the summer because of the many logistics involved in arranging travel.

The game was a different matter. Media and production areas were mostly set up at the Rose Bowl when the game was moved. Teams were leery of traveling across the country and a waiver that would have allowed players’ families to watch the game in stands was denied.

“We were all set to host the game in Pasadena until it wasn’t feasible anymore. The team did a great job in less than two weeks getting everything to Dallas and putting the game on there,’’ Eads said.

In a year during which college athletic programs are seeing huge decreases in revenue, the cancellation or relocation of bowl games carried a huge economic impact as well. Eads said the Rose Bowl brings in $200 million to Southern California, including $40 to $60 million to

Pasadena.

The Fiesta Bowl committee, which runs two games, averages $175 million in economic impact to the Phoenix area in years when the Fiesta Bowl isn’t one of the CFP semifinal games. Oregon and Iowa State, which played in this year’s game, are known for bringing fervent fan bases, but couldn’t this year due to the reduced capacity.

The Fiesta Bowl also runs the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, but that game was canceled when there were not enough teams to fill available bowl spots. Many schools announced in early December that they would decline invitations so players could celebrate Christmas with their families after a long, stressful season.

“Going into the last weekend of the regular season we are planning on playing. It was a little frustrating but when you step back and see how tough it was for the players and coaches, it speaks to how much they went through and the toll it took to play the season,’’ said Mike Nealy, the executive director for the Fiesta and Guaranteed Rate bowls.

Nealy and his staff stayed flexible throughout last year.

They had to find a new title sponsor for the Phoenix game as well as coming up with new events that would benefit area charities.

Nealy said there still were some companies interested in corporate sponsorships. The Fiesta Bowl also donated $3 million last year to area charities as well as an additional $1 million last March for emergency COVID relief. With some fundraising events having to be canceled, they came up with new ones, including an additional golf tournament.

“We were a pretty strong proponent of focusing on what you can control. We are in a unique situation because we have a New Year’s Six game and operate another one (a mid-level game),’’ Nealy said. “No one knew in March how hard the impact was going to be. We originally thought we would get through the summer and soon after that the Big Ten and Pac-12 initially said they weren’t going to have a season.’’

Tag Garson, Wasserman’s senior vice president of properties, noted some games canceled early because the lost money from empty stadiums would have had a longterm effect on whether some would be able to survive.

“There is an economic equation that bowls were taking into consideration,’’ he said. “I think the unfortunate part is there is a lot of good that bowl games do, but unfortunately that couldn’t be highlighted as much.’’

The canceled bowl games not only had an economic impact on host cities and the charities they benefit, but it also meant lost advertising revenue for the networks that

broadcast them. According to Kantar Media, which tracks media spending, $28.86 million was spent by companies on the 2019 games that were not played this bowl season.

The total advertising spending on all games during the 2019-20 bowl season was $303.24 million.

Most of that loss revenue would have gone to ESPN. The network, along with ABC, broadcast all but one of the bowl games this season but also had arrangements with all but three of the canceled games. ESPN Events owns and operates 17 games, but nine were canceled.

ESPN declined requests to discuss the financial impact from the truncated bowl season.

“Could not have been a better partner throughout this season. It is important to them just like all of us,’’ Carparelli said. “I honestly think to look back and second guess what we did over the past six months, everyone did the best they could.’’

All the bowls are in the planning mode for the

upcoming season. Eads noted that the time they had after the parade was canceled has allowed them to go through all their events and come up with new ideas that they are hoping to utilize over the next 12 months.

A bigger question is whether all 45 games will be back, especially if businesses reassess corporate sponsorships due to the condition of the economy.

“I love bowl games. I’m just concerned about the economics to be sustained with the inventory,’’ Garson said.

Carparelli said a huge focus for the upcoming year will be for all the bowls to work together, but that some are better equipped than others. Bowl Season was launched as a brand this year to promote the games leading up to the College Football Playoff.

“One of our primary functions is to connect the dots with everyone,’’ he said. “The entire bowl system feels confident that whatever the future of the playoff is that it will continue to be a part of it.’’

On it.

Ending racial injustice requires all of us to work together and take real action.

What can you do to help?

Educate yourself about the history of American racism, privilege and what it means to be anti-racist. Educate yourself

about the history of American racism, privilege and what it means to be anti-racist.

A warrant has been issued for Rapper YFN Lucci who was the driver in a fatal shooting.

Warrant: Rapper YFN Lucci Was Driver in Fatal Shooting ATLANTA (AP) – Atlanta rapper YFN Lucci is accused of being the driver in a gang-related drive-by shooting that left one man dead and another wounded, authorities said.

The 29-year-old rapper turned himself in Wednesday, a day after Atlanta police announced murder charges against Lucci, whose real name is Rayshawn Bennett.

Police said Bennett and other “gang members'' drove through rival gang territory on Dec. 10 and two people inside the car opened fire, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported citing an arrest warrant.

The rivals returned fire, hitting James Adams, 28, in the head, police said. Adams was “manually ejected'' from the car and police later found his body lying in the road.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Later that day, Kevin Wright, 32, arrived at a fire station with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He survived.

Police said Ra'von Boyd, 23, was also in the vehicle during the shooting. Boyd and a 17-year-old juvenile were charged in the incident and were both arrested in Miami.

A warrant was put out for Bennett's arrest Tuesday, charging him with murder, aggravated assault, participating in criminal street gang activity and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Before he surrendered to authorities Wednesday night, he released his latest music video on his Twitter and Instagram pages.

Bennett's attorney Drew Findling said a “review of the initial evidence'' provided “no basis for any criminal charges.''

Lucci is best known for his 2016 song “Key to the Streets'' featuring the Atlanta-area-based rap group Migos.

Commit to actions that challenge injustice and make everyone feel like they belong, such as challenging biased or racist language when you hear it.

Vote in national and local elections to ensure your elected officials share your vision of public safety.

Donate to organizations, campaigns and initiatives who are committed to racial justice.

Let’s come together to take action against racism and fight for racial justice for the Black community.

Visit lovehasnolabels.com/fightforfreedom

Dr. Dre Back Home After Brain Aneurysm LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Dr. Dre was back at home Saturday after being treated at a Los Angeles hospital for a reported brain aneurysm.

Peter Paterno, an attorney for the music mogul, said Dre was home but offered no other details in an email exchange Saturday. The rapper and producer reportedly was released Friday from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

In a Jan. 5 social media post, Dre, 55, said he was “doing great and getting excellent care from my medical team.'' TMZ had reported that he suffered a brain aneurysm the day before and was recovering at the medical center.

On Friday, actor and rapper Ice T posted that he had connected with Dre on FaceTime and that he had “just made it home. Safe and looking good.''

Born Andre Young in the Southern California city of Compton, Dre broke out on the music scene as a co-founding member of N.W.A., producing the group's groundbreaking 1988 debut album, “Straight Outta Compton.''

He produced his own hits and multiplatinum albums, along with crafting music for many others including Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent, Jay-Z and Nas. He also found success outside of the rap genre, producing pop hits for Gwen Stefani and Mary J. Blige.

Dre founded Beats Electronics in 2008 with Jimmy Iovine, and six years later they launched a streaming subscription service, Beats Music. Apple acquired both in a $3 billion deal in 2014.

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Sports

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A5

Courtside with Clippers – Week 3

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com 1/13/21 (7-5) New Orleans Pelicans vs (7-4) Los Angeles Clippers Coming into the game leading the league in threepoint shooting percentage the Clippers welcome to town the undermanned Pelicans who would be would be without highflying Zion Williamson and key ball handler Lonzo Ball.

Though they are coming off their historic three-point shooting, by knocking down at least 20 three-pointers for the fifth game this season. Against the Pelicans, they would be challenged by the rebounding prowess, who is led by Stephen Adams who is pulling down 8.8 rebounds a game this season.

Brandon Ingram and Stephen Adams led the Pelicans with 7 and 8 points respectively in the first quarter. As may have been expected the Pelicans also led the Clippers in rebounds during that 1st quarter 14-6. However, the Clippers displayed good ball movement registering a game high 7 assists leading to 6 made three-pointers in the 1st Q. Allowing 7 out of the 9 Clippers that got in the game to gets some points on the board in that 1st quarter.

After being tied 28 all at the end of the 1st quarter, Paul George hit a last second 3 pointer at the buzzer, for his 18th point, to give the Clippers a 61-43 lead at halftime. In that half, the Clippers knocked down 11 of 20 three points shots, which is more than half way to another record of 20 three pointers for the sixth time in this young season. Additionally, they registered another 8 assists in that quarter, giving them 15 for the half.

Because the Pelicans were down a few keys players, they needed someone to step up in their absence and Nickell AlexanderWalker did just that. Alexander-Walker dropped in 26 points in the second half, while pulling down 8 defensive rebounds for the game. Alexander-Walkers 37 total points would keep the Pelicans with relative striking distance. Though Kawhi Leonard 12 points and 3 assist that led to big three’s down the stretch for them, would essentially ice the game for the Clipper giving them their 8th win of the season.

Ball movement and getting good shot has clearly been a focus of this new Clippers regime, and the players are buying in.

Patrick Beverley credits the coaches for their new found offensive rhythm when he stated in his post-game talk with the media, “When it comes to the offense, you got to give the coaching staff a lot of credit. They instilled a lot of confidence in us.” Kawhi Leonard echoed similar thoughts when their offensive fluidity in his post-game comment stating, “Guys not wanting to take tough

shots, if somebody on the team is open pass them the ball and it will get back to you.”

(8-4) Los Angeles Clippers vs Sacramento Kings (5-7) on 1/14/21 Going for their 3rd straight win they would tip off without Patrick Beverley (personal reasons) and Lou Williams (sore left hip). This gave Reggie Jackson a chance to start and Terence Mann an opportunity to shine minutes. The Clippers haven’t lost in Sacramento since March of 2013 and would be going for their 15th consecutive road games against the Kings in this matchup.

This was an 8-point game coming out of the halftime break when Clippers Head Coach Ty Lue said he “challenged the guys at halftime. They’re not beating us with sets, they’re beating us looking us in our face, lining us up, and driving the basketball.”

The Clippers responded by giving up 16 points in the quarter meanwhile scoring 37 points of their own, led by Kawhi’s 11 points.

Though Kawhi led the team in scoring on Friday night, the play of Paul George has been nothing less spectacular this season, and his hot streak continued against the Kings. As this was George’s 9th game, of their 13 games played, that he’s shot over 50% from the floor and from 3 point range. On the season he is averaging 25.3 points per game career highs in assist at 5.2 effective field goal shooting at 63.3% When asked about why he told his teammates “he’s coming with it this season;” Paul George said, “I’m in a healthier mind state, in healthier place; I’m coming back with vengeance! I didn’t like the fact that people saw weakness and I had to address that.”

Marcus Morris shot 7 of 12 from the floor coming off the bench and registered a season-high 18 points for the Clippers against the Kings. However, in his post-game comments, Morris applauded his fellow role players to the media stating, “T-Mann stepped up and Reggie stepped up. Kudos to them for staying ready and being ready when their number’s called.” After the game, Kings Head Coach Luke Walton told the media, “We have to understand as a group we have to be able to guard people and rebound when we get stops. Right now that’s something we have to figure out. It was evident tonight. They got what they wanted.”

(8-4) Indianapolis Pacers vs Los Angeles Clippers (9-4) on 1/17/21 The Clippers would start Ivica Zubac in place of Serge Ibaka, who would be out due to an undisclosed illness. Lou Williams also sat out his second consecutive game with knee

soreness. However, the Indiana Pacers would be without a few keys players themselves, C Myles Turner, SF TJ Warren, and their recent acquisition G Caris Levert.

Even though the Clippers gave up 15 points to D McDermott in the first quarter, they were able to take a 36-26 lead at the end of the quarter behind Marcus Morris Sr.s’ team-high 7 points, and their dominance on the boards at 16-5. Kawhi pulled down four defensive rebounds to led the team, and he finished with 5 in total in the quarter.

Marcus Morris Sr led the Clippers in scoring in that first half with 17 points. After a big first quarter, they held McDermott down to 3 points in that quarter, scoring a game-high 18 for the half for Doug. Though, Justin Holiday and Domantas Sabonis each had 10 points in that second quarter.

Kawhi Leonard scored on back-to-back driving dunks on nearly every Pacer in the game midway through the 3rd quarter, which forced Nate Bjorkgren to call a timeout and have a talk with his squad. Kawhi also led the team with 11 points and five assists in that all-important 3rd quarter that saw the Clipper jump out to a 100-75 lead at the end of three quarters. I asked Kawhi about his focus coming out of the halftime break he shared with me that his “focus was trying to come out and play defense and keep sharing the ball… and play to win; that is all I did.”

Head Coach Ty Lue emptied the bench early in the fourth quarter, though not before they had a comfortable lead when Marcus Morris complied his most minutes of the season and highest plus/ minus number (35) we have seen in a while. Morris was also one of three players to amass at least seven rebounds in this game, which leads to the team season-high 52 total rebounds.

Morris Sr. was extremely modest when about how he saw the game playout, stating “Sh**, I was wide open!”

Morris was also asked about the dialog between the coaches and players and how that relationship has been developing, Morris responded by saying, “It’s really like… like open. You can say what you want, everyone has a lot of respect for each other, and they listen to the players. We’re just moving forward, the dialog between the coaches and players has too strong if you’re trying to win a championship!”

The comradery and consultative environment that Clippers Head Coach Ty Lue, and his coaching staff, has developed was discussed once again in the player’s post-game press conference, and it’s clear that the players have a sense of comfort with where things are and feel inspired to excel. Kindly share your thoughts on what you’ve noticed about the Clippers team thus far, by reaching out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport or forward any

Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley making a block against Pelicans guard during last Wednesday’s home win.

suggestions on what topics or angles you’d like to see discussed to info@whatsgoodinsports.com.

Lastly, be sure to subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast” which is available for you on most podcasting platforms; Apple and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and, iHeart Radio to name a few. On our Podcast, we have passionate banter about various NFL storylines, while addressing the multitude of NBA topics.

Smith, Hufanga Head Walter Camp All-Americans

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer A pair of superstars head this years Walter Camp AllAmerican Team. Davonta Smith WR of Alabama heads the offense and Tolalona Hufunga safety from USC leads the defense.

Smith is the 54th recipient of the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. He is the third Alabama player to receive the honor in the last five years, he was preceded by Derrick Henry (2015) and Tua Tagoviolaga (2018).

He’s the sixth wide receiver to earn this award and the first since Larry Fitzgerald of Pittsburg in 2003.

The Amite, La. (population 4,401) native had a career year with 118 receptions for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also was an electrifying punt returner with 11 returns for 236 including a 52 yarder for a TD. That gives him a monster 21-yard average.

The humble senior was also named SEC Offensive Player of The Year while having over 100 yards receiving in 9 of 13 games.

In the National Championship game win over Ohio State he had 215 yards on 12 catches and three touchdowns in the first half alone.

“I want to thank my family, my mom, my dad just everything ya’ll taught me and molded me into today,” said smith after receiving the Heisman Trophy. “I want to thank my mentor Vincent Sanders without you I wouldn’t be here today. Just the rides and taking me places I want to visit-just doing things and helping me get to where I am to- day.”

Hufunga had 62 tackles in a COVID shortened six game season. The junior from Corvallis, Oregon had big games on his way to becoming the PAC-12 Defensive Player of The Year. He had 17 tackles in the PAC-12 title Game and 12 against crosstown rival UCLA. He’s the first Trojan since 1996 to have an interception in four consecutive games. He has decided to enter the NFL draft.

“To my Trojan Brothers past, present and future. The bond we share is unbreakable and I can’t thank you enough for your

support and experiences,” said Hufanga on his twitter page.

Wyatt Davis (St. John Bosco High) of Ohio State is a repeat honoree on the O-Line. The 6-4, 315 pounder helped the Buckeyes average 519 total yards per game. He was one of seven BIG-10 players selected this season.

Avery Williams (Serra High) of Boise State had a sensational collegiate career In 2020 he averaged 12 yard a punt return.

While blocking two punts returned one for a touchdown, ran back a kick for 99 yards. Averaged 24 yards on three punt returns including a 36-yarder against Hawaii. He’s the only player in MWC history with multiple special teams touchdowns. The Pasadena native was named six-time conference Special teams Player of The Week from 2017 to 2020. He was also named time MWC All-Academic team.

He announced recently he’s putting his name in the NFL draft.

“All glory be to God without him I would not be where I am today,” Williams said on social media. “I would like to thank

coach Harsin all coaches and staff for current and past guidance.”

The WCAA team at 131 years is the oldest All-American team in the nation founded by Camp himself. The Players are selected by 130 college Football Bowl Subdivision coaches and SID’s.

The Walter Camp Foundation is an all-volunteer organization Based in New Haven Connecticut. The mission is to preserve and promote the tradition of selecting an All-American team started by Camp.

New Haven native Floyd Little passed away on Jan.1. The Hall of Famer spent several years assisting on Walter Camp weekend. Many youth activities were held at the Floyd Little Athletic Center on the campus of Hillhouse High Little’s alma mater in New Haven. He will be sorely missed.

Krys Barnes Growing With the Game Davonta Smith WR of Alabama is the 54th recipient of the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.

(Courtesy Photo)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Krys Barnes pro football start with Green Bay wasn’t a good one. Before the season began he was released, then later returned to the team.

The former Liberty high standout stuck with it. He kept practicing hard and acting like a professional. He eventually worked his way on special teams then saw game action. He became a back-up linebacker.

The former UCLA Bruin is also teammate of another Bakersfield native quarterback Jordan Love who backs up Aaron Rodgers.

His play has become more and more noticeable against the Rams in last weeks playoff game he had four tackles on the first drive. He had to leave the game because of a thumb injury.

By seasons end the undrafted free agent was a starter for the final three games was second on the team in tackles with 80 behind safety Adrian Amos.

“When you get into training camp and put on the pads for the first time you get to see people’s instincts,” said Amos. “Once he got on the field for a couple of games he showed he could play.

He’s got a great feel for defense.”

Now Barnes is one game from the Super Bowl. He has shown in his rookie year he’s grown with the game.

Lakers Get on Hot Streak Avery Williams (Serra High) is Walter Camp All-American kick returner and All-Academic MWC. (Photo: Bosie State athletics)

Tolalona Hufunga is a first team WCAA and PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year. (Courtesy Photo)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The Lakers continued on an early season roll as they have started with a team record 7-0 road record. They ran away from the Thunder with a 128-99 giving them their fifth win in a row.

LeBron led the way with 26 points and 7 assists as the Lakers had 7 players in double figures. Montrezl Harrell added 21 and Anthony Davis chipped in with 18. They continue to share the ball as they had 25 assists as a team.

The Lake Show returned to Staples and took on the Pelicans and old friend Brandon Ingram. He was on fire against his former team scoring 17 in the first half giving the visitors a one point lead at the break.

The defense showed up and forced 20 turnovers and had 11 steals while holding the Pelicans to 37 points in the second half.

In coming away with a 112-95 win, they haven’t lost a game while holding a team under 100 points since April 2018, that’s a streak of 28 consecutive games.

Kentavious Caldwell -Pope had 16 including hitting a season high 4 of 6 from 3-point land.

Kyle Kuzma had 11 points and a season high 13 rebounds.

Because of lope sided wins the James had only been averaging 30 minutes a game.

“I’m thirty -six years old my body can go as much as it needs to,” said James.

The streak ended on MLK day as Steph Curry scored 26 and added 7 assists as the Warriors came back from 18 down to edge the Lakers 115 -113.

Dennis Schroder dropped a season high 25 points and had 5 boards. Harrell had 18-7 and 2. Anthony Davis had 17,17 and 8 almost nabbing a triple double.

The Lakers are 7-0 on the road and 4-4 at Staples (at press Lakers huddle up before the game vs the Warriors on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. (Photo: Rohan Ali/ time).

Adam Pantozzi/Andrew D. Berstein/Harry How/NBA E)

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Thursday, January 21, 2021

FBI Vetting Troops Before Inauguration Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told The Associated Press that officials are conscious of the potential threat, and he warned commanders to be on the lookout for any problems within their ranks as the inauguration approaches. “We’re continually going through the process, and taking second, third looks at every one of the individuals assigned to this operation,” McCarthy said in an interview after he and other military leaders went through an exhaustive, three-hour security drill in preparation for Wednesday’s inauguration.

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The planning and push to secure President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ inauguration includes the vetting of those employed to keep them safe.

U.S. defense officials have expressed deep concerns about a possible insider attack and threat from service members, according to a report from the Associated Press.

The report claimed that the FBI has vetted all of the 25,000 National Guard troops expected in the nation’s capital for the inauguration.

The news wire service cited concerns that “gripped Washington following the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump insurrectionists.

“And it underscores fears that some of the very people assigned to protect the city over the next several days could present a threat to the incoming president and other VIPs in attendance,” the Associated Press noted.

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy told The Associated Press that officials are conscious of the potential threat, and he warned commanders to be on the lookout for any problems within their ranks as the inauguration approaches.

“We’re continually going through the process, and taking

second, third looks at every one of the individuals assigned to this operation,” McCarthy said in an interview after he and other military leaders went through an exhaustive, three-hour security drill in preparation for Wednesday’s inauguration.

He told the Associated Press that Guard members are also getting training on how to identify potential insider threats.

About 25,000 members of the National Guard are expected in Washington from across the country — at least two and a half times the number for previous inaugurals.

The report further noted that while the military routinely reviews service members for extremist connections, the FBI screening is in addition to any previous monitoring.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had urged law enforcement to vigilantly work to sniff out potential violent plots by insurrectionists and other nefarious actors.

The had also expressed concern over whether some would attempt to disrupt the inauguration. Bowser has demanded unprecedented protection for the event.

“Homeland Security must adjust its approach to the inauguration in several specific ways,” Bowser wrote in a letter this month to Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf.

“There must be a federal force deployment [plan] for all U.S. government property,” Bowser demanded.

About 25,000 members of the National Guard are expected in Washington from across the country — at least two and a half times the number for previous inaugurals.

Apple Launches Racial Equity/Justice Initiative

Projects to Challenge Systemic Racism Advance Racial Equity Nationwide

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Cupertino, Calif. – Apple has announced a set of major new projects as part of its $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative (REJI) to help dismantle systemic barriers to opportunity and combat injustices faced by communities of color.

These forward-looking and comprehensive efforts include the Propel Center, a first-of-its-kind global innovation and learning hub for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); an Apple Developer Academy to support coding and tech education for students in Detroit; and venture capital funding for Black and Brown entrepreneurs.

Together, Apple’s REJI commitments aim to expand opportunities for communities of color across the country and to help build the next generation of diverse leaders, the tech giant said in a news release.

“We are all accountable to the urgent work of building a more just, more equitable world — and these new projects send a clear signal of Apple’s enduring commitment,” Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, said in the release.

“We’re launching REJI’s latest initiatives with partners across a broad range of industries and backgrounds — from students to teachers, developers to entrepreneurs, and community organizers to justice advocates — working together to empower communities that have borne the brunt of racism and discrimination for far too long. We are honored to help bring this vision to bear, and to match our words and actions to the values of equity and inclusion we have always prized at Apple.”

Last June, Apple announced REJI in the wake of protests around the world following the killings of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others.

The initiative builds on Apple’s work to advance racial equity in education, the economy, and the criminal justice system, and is led by Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, Lisa Jackson. REJI complements Apple’s internal efforts to improve diversity and inclusion at every level of the company.

“Every individual deserves equal access to opportunity regardless of skin color or zip code,” said Jackson.

“For too long, communities of color have faced gross injustices and institutional barriers to their pursuit of the American dream, and we are proud to lend our voices and resources to build new engines of opportunity that empower, inspire, and create meaningful change.”

Apple is working with Southern Company and a range of community stakeholders to support the launch of the Propel Center, a first-of-its-kind innovation and learning hub for the HBCU community.

Apple’s $25 million contribution will enable the Propel Center to support HBCU students and faculty through a robust virtual platform, a physical campus in the historic Atlanta University Center, as well as on-campus activations at partner institutions.

The center is designed to support the next generation of diverse leaders, providing innovative curricula, technology support, career opportunities, and fellowship programs.

The Propel Center will offer a wide range of educational tracks, including AI and machine learning, agricultural technologies, social justice, entertainment arts, app development, augmented reality, design and creative arts, career preparation,

and entrepreneurship.

Experts from Apple will help develop curricula and provide ongoing mentorship and learning support, along with offering internship opportunities.

The Propel Center was imagined and designed by Ed Farm, a groundbreaking organization that works to promote innovation and educational equity.

The initiative builds upon Apple’s partnership with Ed Farm and the company’s work with three dozen HBCUs, bringing coding, creativity, and career opportunities to campuses and communities across the US. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Apple on this extraordinary project,” said Anthony Oni, Ed Farm’s founder and chairman of the board, and a vice president at Southern Company.

“The Propel Center will help cultivate leadership and drive innovation in tech and beyond, acting as a springboard for change in communities across America.”

As part of Apple’s ongoing partnerships with HBCUs, the company is also establishing two new grants to support HBCU engineering programs.

Apple’s new Innovation Grants will help HBCU Colleges of Engineering develop their silicon and hardware engineering curriculum in partnership with Apple’s experts.

The new Faculty Fellows Program will support HBCU educators pursuing R&D with mentorship programs, curriculum development assistance, and funds to equip their lab spaces.

Building on its longstanding scholarship program with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Apple is also now offering scholarships to 100 new Apple Scholars from underrepresented communities. In addition to financial support, the Apple Scholars program includes mentorship and career development experience at Apple.

Later this year, Apple will open an Apple Developer Academy in Detroit — the first of its kind in the US. Detroit has a vibrant Black entrepreneur and developer community, with over 50,000 Black-owned businesses, according to US Census data.

The academy is designed to empower young Black entrepreneurs, creators, and coders, helping them cultivate the skills necessary for jobs in the rapidly growing iOS app economy.

Launched in collaboration with Michigan State University, Apple Developer Academy courses will be open to all learners across Detroit, regardless of their academic background or whether they have any previous coding experience.

The Apple Developer Academy will offer two programs in Detroit.

A 30-day introductory program is designed for learners who are considering app economy careers and looking to better understand what it means to be a developer.

The full academy program is an intensive 10- to 12-month program that will help aspiring developers build the skills needed to participate in the iOS app economy, and even start their own businesses.

Apple expects the academy’s programming to reach close to 1,000 students each year with a curriculum that covers coding, design, marketing, and professional skills.

And next month, Apple will host the inaugural cohort of its Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders and Developers for a virtual experience, offering one-on-one code-level guidance from Apple experts and engineers, as well as mentorship, inspiration,

Together, Apple’s REJI commitments aim to expand opportunities for communities of color across the country and to help build the next generation of diverse leaders, the tech giant said in a news release.

and insights from top Apple leaders.

To address systemic barriers to access and funding faced

by Black and Brown entrepreneurs, Apple is today announcing two new investments in the venture capital and banking spaces, with both projects designed to provide capital to minority-owned businesses.

The company will invest $10 million with Harlem Capital — an early-stage venture capital firm based in New York — to support its investments in 1,000 companies with diverse founders over the next 20 years.

In addition to providing capital to entrepreneurs of color, Harlem Capital will also lend its expertise to Apple’s broader efforts to advance access to economic opportunity.

The firm will offer guidance and mentorship to students at the Detroit Developer Academy and participants in Apple’s Entrepreneur Camp for Black Founders and Developers.

Apple will also support Harlem Capital’s internship program, focused on opening doors for aspiring women and minority investors.

The company will also invest $25 million in Siebert Williams Shank’s Clear Vision Impact Fund, which provides capital to small and medium-size businesses, with an emphasis on minority-

owned companies. The fund looks to support businesses that operate in or serve underserved markets, and that foster inclusive growth initiatives.

As part of its REJI work, Apple continues to build on its contributions toward community colleges, nonprofit advocates, and local organizations working to empower and expand opportunity for the next generation.

Apple is making a contribution to The King Center, a living memorial to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to share his teachings and inspire new generations to carry forward his unfinished work. Next week, Dr. King’s daughter and the CEO of The King Center, Dr. Bernice A. King, will issue a call to action encouraging young people to give back to their communities as part of Apple’s “Challenge for Change” series — a set of conversation guides and learning-based challenges on issues related to race and inequality.

Apple’s contribution to The King Center joins the company’s previous donations to nonprofit organizations that advance equity and justice, including the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama.

75 % of COVID Vaccines in U.S. Sitting in Freezers Sunita Sohrabji Ethnic Media Services The U.S. has obtained more than 31 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, but has administered only about 12 million vaccinations nationwide, according to Jan. 14 data from the Centers for Disease Control.

About 10.5 million people have received at least one dose of the vaccination — representing about 3 % of the U.S. population.

Only 1.6 million people have received the recommended two doses of the vaccine.

California, which is currently facing the highest number of new infections and an average of 584 deaths per day with 10,000 deaths overall over the past 30 days, has distributed less than 25 % of the 3.4 million doses it has on hand. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Jan. 12 that 1 million more vaccinations will be administered by Jan. 17; he also announced that anyone over the age of 65 can now get a vaccine.

“I don’t think we have treated this as the emergency that it is,” said Dr. Robert Wachter, professor and chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, at a Jan. 13 roundtable briefing organized by Ethnic Media Services.

He compared the death rates from COVID as the equivalent of a daily 9/11 terrorist attack, with about 5,000 people dying from the virus each day in the U.S. “75 percent of the vaccines are sitting in refrigerators and freezers right now. And that’s scandalous,” he said.

“We attacked the development of the vaccine as an emergency, but we’ve attacked the distribution of the vaccine as a relatively routine process that we will kind of stumble around until we figure out the right answer. That clearly is not working very well,” said Wachter.

The lack of a comprehensive national plan has greatly contributed to a bottleneck in administering the vaccine, said Wachter, noting that states have received little guidance from federal agencies and have had to create their own processes, resulting in a piecemeal approach across the country.

Wachter noted the irony: earlier, the U.S. health care community thought it would be hampered by the inability to manufacture sufficient supplies of the vaccine. But, in a twist, the supply is there without the means to effectively distribute it. His

priority would be to get all people over the age of 55 immediately vaccinated, which could reduce up to 92 % of COVID-related deaths.

Dr. William Schaffner, professor of Preventive Medicine in the Department of Health Policy as well as Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tenn., noted at the briefing that the Pfizer vaccine has to be shipped and stored at -70 degrees Celsius, which means that large medical centers who have staff trained to handle deep freeze material.

That issue has been somewhat ameliorated with the Moderna vaccine, which can be shipped and stored at -10 degrees Celsius, allowing community hospitals, local health departments, and long-term care facilities the ability to store and administer vaccinations.

“Quite frankly, some states thought this was going to be just another flu campaign and they didn’t prepare sufficiently. This vaccine is more elaborate to administer in a variety of different ways. That has kind of gummed up the works,” said Schaffner.

He noted that both the Moderna and the Pfizer vaccines are equally effective.

The recommendations for both vaccines are two doses, with the second delivered about three weeks after the first. The incoming Biden administration — bolstered by a team of bluechip health care providers on a new COVID-19 advisory board led by Dr. Vivek Murthy, who has been nominated as Surgeon General, reprising his role in the Obama administration — has announced plans to prioritize the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible.

As manufacturing ramps up, people would then get a second dose.

According to Pfizer data published in December 2020, the company’s vaccine is roughly 52% effective after the first dose.

With the second dose, its efficacy rate soars to 94 %.

Moderna’s vaccine is 80 % effective after the first dose, according to documents the company submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. After the second dose, its efficacy is about 95 %.

Wachter noted that no one is advocating for a single dose only, while Schaffner cautioned that people may not remember to get their second doses. Both physicians said that a vaccinated

person is nonetheless capable of transmitting the virus; therefore safety protections, such as masks and social distancing, should be continued.

Vaccine hesitancy — people unwilling to be vaccinated — is prevalent, especially in ethnic and rural communities. Schaffner noted that in his “big, red state” of Tennessee, there is a lot of skepticism about the virus and a real resistance to getting the shot. Unfortunately, he noted, these are also people who are not wearing masks.

Schaffner addressed vaccine hesitancy in the Black and Latinx population. “We need to extend the benefits of this vaccination to our entire population with its wonderful diversity

in this country.

“We particularly have to reach the Black population, the LatinX population and other minority populations who have historical reasons to mistrust medical care. We need to not only provide them the information but a sense of reassurance and comfort that this is the right thing to do. It’s good for them. It’s good for their neighbors and their family,” he said.

Schaffner noted that advocacy is particularly effective when a member of the community — a clergyman or a sports figure — delivers the information. He added that the Biden administration is developing community-specific outreach plans.

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Keeping Retail Open Best for California’s Struggling Families

By Naomi Mauvais Op-Ed Families everywhere have struggled immensely throughout the pandemic this year. With offices and schools closed for much of the year, parents and children had to recalibrate their daily routines to function from home offices or kitchen tables. Others still had to navigate the challenges of long-term unemployment and found themselves questioning how they will be able to make their next rent payment.

Now, however, with a better understanding of how COVID-19 is being spread, we can keep many businesses both here in California and across the rest of the country open and provide a much-needed spark for local economies while also protecting public health.

This is a fact California’s leaders demonstrated that they recognize with some of their new precautionary COVID-19 rules. Retail businesses and indoor shopping malls, which have taken a host of preventative steps to keep their stores safe, such as requiring anyone in a store to wear a mask, monitoring for social distancing, and more, were allowed to continue operating under a 20 percent capacity limit. Much to the relief of California’s parents like myself, even playgrounds have been reopened after officials realized it was possible to do so safely.

These actions show that prominent leaders in California like Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and others are ready and willing to follow the science on this issue and make sure our families and communities can begin recovering from the unfathomable difficulties they have already faced this year. The retail businesses that have been allowed to remain open play a vital role in local economies across California and will be a key part of our recovery.

When retail businesses were forced to shut down in the spring, it contributed to sky-high unemployment numbers across the state, and projections are anticipating a long road to recovery. By allowing retail stores that are taking the right precautions to keep customers safe to stay open, leaders across California will doubtlessly help facilitate that eventual recovery by alleviating struggles for those who were disproportionately affected by earlier shutdowns, like hourly workers and minority communities.

Beyond this, permitting retail stores to remain open also shows that California’s leaders realize that closures should not be based on what a store sells, but rather what it is doing to protect its customers and employees. With the safety measures that retail stores have implemented since reopening, they have been able to continue serving California families and offering the goods they need.

Small businesses, which were already facing an uncertain future after earlier retail shutdowns, will also be better equipped to face the challenges that still lie ahead. These small businesses are indispensable to California’s communities, and providing an avenue for more of them to remain open is the smart decision.

Of course, retail businesses also provide a large amount of tax revenue both for cities and the state as a whole. With those funds in hand, California can make sure that the social programs responsible for alleviating the harm caused by the pandemic will be fully financed, and the Californians who have been most affected can have a bit more assurance in their ability to provide for their families.

It is important that leaders like Governor Newsom and Mayor Garcetti continue to follow what the science has shown about retail businesses and allow them to remain open. That way, struggling families across our state will be better positioned to get back on their feet and begin recovering from this pandemic. The result will be a stronger economy for the entire state, and our long road to recovery will become shorter.

Naomi Mauvais is a Certified Early Childhood Development Professional in Altadena, CA Naomi Mauvais is a Certified Early Childhood Development Professional (Courtesy Photo)

in

Altadena,

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Representative Maxine Waters Statement on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Washington, D.C. (January 18th, 2021) – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Chairwoman of the Committee on Financial Services, issued the following statement in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. “As I solemnly reflect on this month’s hate-filled attack on our nation’s Capitol, I have come to the conclusion that there are those who will never get beyond their hatred and their racism.

There are those who believe that Black people and other people of color are not equal to them. We must not be stymied by them in our efforts to achieve justice and equality. We must work with those who are willing to work with us. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day serves as a reminder of what we can accomplish if we work in pursuit of those ideals. Dr. King preached a message of equality, justice, and peace, and worked until his very last breath to create a world in which everyone is treated fairly. Today, we honor him and hold dear his fighting spirit, which serves as a guiding force for so many of us.

“In the world we find ourselves in today, there is no doubt that people are frightened, confused, and in pain. Following this month’s violent and deadly attack on the Capitol by white supremacists, many Americans are asking where we, as a country, go from here. In tough times, I remember just how undeterred Dr. King was when he was faced with challenges or obstacles – day or night, he kept on walking – kept on marching. As Dr. King once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” This year, celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day isn’t just important, it is absolutely crucial.

“There is no denying that Dr. King believed fiercely in the power of hope, optimism, and activism, but his journey was not easy. He and many others who were determined to achieve fairness and equality for all people endured harassment and beatings, were jailed for their efforts, and lived under the constant threat of being killed. Dr. King knew that his work did not come

without danger, and still he kept on in an effort to make this country work for all of us.

“His commitment and sense of duty to help lead the civil rights movement resulted in the monumental passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Since then, Black Americans have reached new heights including the election of Barack Obama, a Black man, as President of the United States, and Kamala Harris, a Black woman, as Vice President. Nevertheless, the appalling white supremacist attack on the Capitol is proof that we still have a long way to go.

“Our nation today faces numerous challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic, the struggling economy, racial injustice, civil strife, and a resurgence of white supremacist violence. The coronavirus has tragically killed nearly 400,000 people in the U.S., and – as is often the case – people of color are suffering disproportionately. Many families are food insecure, millions of people are out of a job, and many are doing everything they can

to keep a roof over their heads.

“We have so much work to do in our efforts to achieve a just society. We must focus on reforming our criminal justice system and stopping gun violence in our communities. We must close the racial and gender wealth gap, increase homeownership opportunities for women and people of color, promote inclusive lending, support minority banks in their mission to serve our communities, and of course hold every institution and company accountable for diversity and inclusion. Finally, we must all unite to stop the spread of COVID-19, make healthcare available to all, end the tragedies of poverty and homelessness, and build an economy that works for everyone.

“On this day and every day, may we continue to live up to Dr. King’s legacy and vision by working relentlessly and purposefully to create justice and equality for all.”

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