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African Am ere it was dthe ble e.101. but they issue thathe is treading carefu’sll decision in theatC ” ericans, His the age of iagnose C o y o al per case Dr. Kriturned panics and watching. ifornia voters acro on a potentially pMore sti Krauout than 700 people for Saturday’s other mino sh se He is keep e , o ss a ex la v th ri p et ec zi e er n p rities liv- C ts inarian, tell g batacthe Hampton oliti spec the 11University ing his focu service Convoca-pound (5-k ontinued trum ar k into the w s on fairncaesl memorial e ilogram) cas th on page A tion il d s andCenter. af te t r 2 M it ju cG re st ic g u ai e ir nsnow,” e strength. to visitshe’s “I think about that on thatthe ed thgoing if journey e h b e o se b es ca t othe astronaut Leland Melvin said.it“We againcan’t n Friday , he’ calculate speed that she’s traveling to get to heaven.”ll issue a ticket for ja.

Melvin was joined by fellow astronauts Yvonne Cagle and Mae Jemison, the first black woman in space.

Johnson was remembered not just as a pioneering researcher, but as a faithful church leader and family matriarch.

“Grandma, because of you, our world will forever be unlimited,” grandson Michael Moore said. “And beWillie Bobo wall display (Ricky Richardson Photo) cause of you, I have no bounds.”

Her family received an outpouring of tributes,

By Ricky Richardson Contributing Sports Writer some of which were read during the service.

Los Angeles- A large, diverse, exuberant crowd Former President Barack Obama, who awarded her assembled inside the William Grant Still Arts Center, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015, called her Saturday, March 7, 2020. The threat of rain couldn’t a “hero to millions” in a letter to her family. First Lady dampen their resolve to attend this important event.

Melania Trump said she “took our nation to remarkable William Grant Still Arts Center’s 12th Annual heights.”

African American Composer Series present Spanish Clayton Turner, director of NASA’s Langley ReGrease: The Life and Sounds of Willie Bobo. The exhibit search Center, spoke at the service and presented Johnis currently on display until June 13, 2020. The exhibit son’s family with the flag that was flying over the center began with an Opening Reception, from 3:00PMwhen she died.

6:00PM. Special mention to Amitis Montevelli and her U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., said during the certeam for this wonderful exhibit and AISEBORN for his emony that he knew Johnson and her second husband, awesome artwork.

James Johnson, for years before he ever read Margot Lee This is an original exhibition featuring never before Shetterly’s book “Hidden Figures’’ about Johnson and release look into Willie Bobo’s life, his family and friends her colleagues’ work as “human computers.” such as Mongo Santamaria, Armando Peraza, Tito Puente, “There are few people who fought as good a fight, Herbie Hancock, Santana, Richard Pryor, Cal Tjader and finished as difficult a course and all along kept the faith many more. We were Blessed to be in the presence of Alicia as Katherine Johnson,” Scott said.

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Willie Bobo Celebrated

Marcus L. Miller (Ricky Richardson Photo)

Eric Bobo and Alicia Bobo (Ricky Richardson Photo)

Bobo (Willie Bobo’s wife) and sons, Gil and Eric Bobo.

The exhibit offered visitors an intimate archival experience featuring family photos, documents, ephemera and discography of the work and life of Willie Bobo with the continuation of his legacy through his son, Eric Bobo.

Attendees enjoyed the exhibition as it lays out the influence and inspiration of Willie Bobo in Latin music as well as contemporary American music, with roots in African rhythms from Puerto Rico and New York, to later contributions in California.

The exhibition is in collaboration with an extensive free education program teaching music and the arts through the work of Willie Bobo.

DJ Ern Medina (Soul Assassins Radio) complimented, enhanced the Opening Reception with rotating tracks from Willie Bobo’s catalog.

The Opening Reception featured a live concert of a very special set of Willie Bobo’s music, with Marcus L. Miller with Project World Drum. This tight band consisted of Marcus L. Miller-trap drum set, Angel Figueroatimbales, Derf Reklaw-vocals/flute/percussion, Eric Garcia-guitar, Bobby Pierce-keyboards, Carlitos Cubabass, David Gotler-trumpet, David Leach-percussion and Alan Lighter-percussion.

Their crowd pleasing set consisted of the tunes by Willie Bobo or tunes that he enjoyed. Their set consisted of “Trinidad,” “Evil Ways,” “Fried Neckbones and Some Home Fries,” “Guajira,” “Look of Love” featuring the vocal

stylings of Derf Reklaw,”Spanish Grease,” “Rise,” and concluded their set with “Almost There.” The band played with plenty of fuego, picante and soul.

Marcus L. Miller Project World Drum returned for another set after a short intermission. The group took it up a notch during the 2nd half of the program. They performed an explosive descarga of Afro-beat rhythms with guest percussionist Munyungo Jackson and Turntablist Rhettmatic (Beat Junkies) and Eric Bobo sitting in for a tune, to the delight of the crowd.

The free Education Program filled up very fast with a waitlist. Don’t fret, Save the Dates! Upcoming event of note: Master Drum Class, March 28, 1:00pm-4:00PM (FREE, RSVP REQUIRED), Panel Discussion-Latin Music, then and Now, April 11, 2PM-4PM, (FREE, No RSVP Necessary). Finally, Taking it to the Streets: Do That Thing! Drums and DJ’s for Bobo, April 26, 3PM6PM (Bring your drums, or your Willie Bobo, or Bobo inspired records. Please note that this event will take place in Leimert Park in front of Sika and Harun, 4330-4336 Degnan Blvd.

William Grant Still Arts Center, (323)7341165, Gallery Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, Noon-5:00PM. The Gallery is located at 2520 South West View Street, Los Angeles, California, 90016 Connect with William Grant Still Arts Center online www.WGSAC.wordpress. com Facebook-William Grant Still ArtsCenter or Instagram-WGSARTS.

Black California Has a Chance to Rewrite History in 2020 Special to California Black Media Partners Throughout the history of the United States, the Black community’s consistent fight for recognition has been an unfortunate and inescapable reality.

History is not a precise science, nor an impartial one.

Take a glance at a history textbook from past decades, and you will quickly understand that American history was written from the viewpoint of white men.

In so many ways, the history of Black Americans IS the history of America. Slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, and, in the modern era, the preeminence of Black popular culture, have all shaped and still define this country.

This year we have an opportunity to set a positive trajectory for the future of Black communities in the nation’s most economically and socially powerful state. A chance to be counted, to ensure our voices are heard, and to secure the resources we deserve for the next generation – through participating in the 2020 Census.

History hasn’t been kind or accurate when it comes to counting Black neighborhoods. In Census after Census, the supposedly straightforward act of counting everyone in America has dismissed and disregarded millions across the country.

Nationally, the last Census in 2010 undercounted Black people by 2.1 percent — a total of 800,000 people missing from the record, rendered invisible. Black children were twice as likely to be missed as white children, affecting federal funding allocations to programs to provide support to children in schools.

The reasons many in the Black community wind up overlooked by the count are complex and pervasive. Complex housing issues, including renting, instability and living in unique arrangements make them even more likely to be missed in the Census.

There are also strong cultural and political headwinds.

Decades of segregation, legal discrimination, and police brutality mean that many Black communities understandably reject the federal government as an agent for positive change. Wary of providing information, many fear it will be used against them.

California is leading a collaborative effort to educate and motivate the hardest-to-count Californians to fill out

the Census form. We have the power to change the course of our history.

Across California, which has the fifth largest Black population in the country, Black activists and organizations are once again stepping up. This time to partner with the state to conduct the most comprehensive and diverse outreach campaign in state history.

As such, California Calls, a growing alliance of 31 grassroots, community-based organizations spanning urban, rural and suburban counties across the state, is reaching out to communities in California to make the case for being counted. As one of California’s outreach partners for the 2020 Census, California Calls has done outreach to Black populations throughout the State using door-todoor canvassing, phone banking, and digital communication strategies.

My Black Counts is an education and awareness initiative convened by California Calls as part of The California Black Census and Redistricting Hub Project. This is our chance in California to right historical wrongs and for communities to claim what is rightfully theirs.

We hope –– no, we will make certain – this time around there will be a difference. We are telling communities that the Census is safe and secure. Not only is the U.S. Census Bureau required by law to keep any personal information it collects confidential, but that information also cannot be used for law enforcement purposes or to determine eligibility for government benefits.

Starting in mid-March, the U.S. Census Bureau will invite all Californians to complete the Census. It’s a short form – 9 questions per person – and households can participate by phone, mail or online. In May, Census enumerators will visit homes in person to count those who don’t respond.

The 2020 Census is an opportunity for Black Californians to correct the record and chart a better way forward. But for that to happen, we must all stand up and be counted.

We have a big task ahead, but we know Black Californians are up to meeting the challenge. It’s our time to show we aren’t invisible.

Anthony Thigpenn is the Convener, Black Census and Redistricting Hub; President, California Calls.

(Courtesy Photo)

BoAttend bcat Reco Hundreds ve A f t e r Being Hi Service for NASA olice Car PioneerPKatherine Johnson

Sesame’s Count Wants to Get Young Children Counted in Census

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – No other age group was under-counted more during the last once-a-decade census than children under age 5, researchers say. Sesame Street is hoping to use Count von Count to change that.

The Muppet best known as the Count is joining Elmo, Rosita and her mom, Rosa, in public service announcements filmed on the set of the long-running educational television show. The spots encourage parents of young children to make sure they and their children are counted in the 2020 census.

The public service announcements in English and Spanish started airing Monday. The head count starts for most people this Thursday.

In the ad, the Count plays a census taker. Casting for the spots was purposeful, Sesame Workshop officials said.

“Rosita is a bilingual Muppet. Elmo is popular and connected to young children and families, and the Count is so logical when it comes to being counted,” said Jeanette Betancourt, Sesame Workshop’s senior vice president of U.S. Social Impact.

The Sesame Street characters are joining a growing group of celebrities using their influence to encourage people to be counted. Morgan Freeman made a public service announcement for census outreach efforts in Mississippi. “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez cut one for New York City.

Sesame Workshop also is offering on its website fliers and information about the census that can be downloaded and distributed.

Demographers estimate that 4.6% percent of children under 5, or 1 million children, weren’t counted in the 2010 census. The under-counting was worst in minority communities, with under-counting for Hispanic children estimated at 7.5% and for black children at 6.3%, according to researchers.

The consequences of overlooking young children in a community can be harmful since the decennial census helps determine the distribution of $1.5 trillion in federal spending, including money for schools, Head Start and family nutrition programs.

Researchers who have examined the under-count say young children are more likely to be living in multi-generational households, living in foster care, in more than one household because of parental custody arrangements, or living in multi-unit buildings like apartments that are difficult to access.

“Our youngest Americans need and deserve the resources that are vital to get an accurate count,” U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark of Massachusetts said last week.0

A2

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, March 12, 2020

World & Nation

Exposed as a 400 Year Old Business and It’s Toll on Black Humanity News Observer “The American Audit ” Caption: Donney Rose performs excerpts from ”The American Audit ”. (Photo by Josh Hamzehee)

By Candice Semien The DRUM Newspaper Baton Rouge spoken-word artist and activist Donney Rose has amassed more than 2,000 travel miles conducting hours of interviews and days of research in order to create an epic narrative that unravels 400 years of American History.

It is an ambitious presentation called “The America Audit” where Rose explores America as a business and exposes its toll on Black citizens fiscally, spiritually, judicially, emotionally, and socially.

To do so, Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellow committed up to 15 hours a week for a year to complete this “audit.”

“I am going all in,” Rose said, “The poem is one epic poem broken into nine different parts which all begin with a technical term used in an audit.”

Last year, he performed excerpts of The American Audit at the 2019 Arts Summit of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the University of Northern Iowa, and Festival of Words in Grand Coteau.

To pull together photographs, videos, and audio records he collected for this performance, Rose interviewed researchers and activists including Michael ‘Quess’ Moore, who co-founded Take ‘Em Down NOLA; Maxine Crump, CEO of Dialogue on Race-Louisiana; Chris Tyson, president of Build Baton Rouge, Jason Perkins, Ph.D., professors Eva Baham and Lori Martin; LSU history chairman Aaron Sheehan-Dean, Ph.D.; Southern University law professor Angela Allen-Bell; historian Thomas Durant, and many others, he said.

The Jozef Syndicate asked Rose to share more on The American Audit which will showcase 7pm on Feb 28 at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge.

JS: American Audit is described as a multimedia, spoken word project that chronicles 400 years of Black American life using the extended metaphor of America as a business audited by African Americans (today). How else do you describe it to others?

ROSE: This has been my general explanation but I additionally add that it’s not just an exploration of financial/

fiscal aspects of Black labor and humanity being audited, it’s also an exploration of the social, emotional, physical and psychological toll of the African-American experience and what findings come up when doing a deep dive into all of those layers JS: How did you decide on this topic and why multimedia?

ROSE: In late 2018, I began thinking about the pending 400-year anniversary of the first documented enslaved Africans being brought to Jamestown. I knew that there would be several writings, discussions etc. about this historical milestone and wanted to find an artistic lens to approach it. Seeing that enslaved Africans were brought to this land under the guise of economics, I figured what better way to approach the topic than by writing about a fictional audit being done. The multimedia aspect of it was to expand my presentation. After 20 years of performing poetry, I didn’t want to just get behind a mic and perform this content. I wanted to do a deeper dive that would allow me to talk to history and cultural experts and display those discussions interwoven with the performative text.

JS: Why this topic now?

ROSE: The plan was to have the project finished for 2019 to be in accordance with the commemorative year.

There were a few setbacks that did not allow that to manifest, but I knew there would still be relevance going into this year. I have previewed excerpts of the project in various settings and the consensus is that is timely and very relevant to the times we are in.

JS: Is this a stand-alone project of Donney Rose or connected to Black Out Loud?

ROSE: The project is a stand-alone, however, components of it are likely to be incorporated in future Black Out Loud programming.

JS: How did you know you wanted to do this work?

ROSE: What I really knew was that I wanted to push my artistry beyond the confines I had set for myself. Over the last few years, I have become a much more avid reader and cultural observer of politics and social behavior and how we, as Black Americans, respond to structural and systemic facets of our lives that were created beyond our

control.

JS: Before performing your poem “New Definitions,” you said a continuum of one conversation of Blackness is vital and necessary. What is that conversation and does this project contribute to it?

ROSE: I believe that the continuum of the conversation referenced is a continual deep dive into our humanity.

So much of Black oppression has been rooted in dehumanization. Which is to say if you can convince African Americans that somehow their existence is less than, you can continue to marginalize them is a variety of ways. The American Audit absolutely gets to the root of dehumanization and explores the why and how.

JS: What was the most interesting place (physically) that this project has taken you? How would you describe it?

ROSE: Very early I visited the Whitney Plantation and that was a fascinating visit because of our tour guide.

It was interesting to see just how vital sugar cane was to the area, because typically when we think slave labor we default to the idea of cotton being picked. I would say one of the other more interesting places I visited was the Federal Reserve of Philadelphia. It’s an interesting museum that details the how and why of currency production. There weren’t explicit displays about slavery there but it was easy to connect certain dots when you saw information about the origins of American currency.

JS: What was the most provocative discovery you made? How is it presented in the project?

ROSE: Some of the most striking imagery comes by way of two visits to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC. It’s such a visually stunning museum to visit and it allowed me to gain access to gripping images I would not have gotten anywhere else. The writing, in general, is pretty provocative as I am more or less trying to make a case for America as a metaphorical business to undergo an audit for its treatment of Black people.

JS: Have you experienced frustration in creating this project? How do you work through the harder parts?

ROSE: I have had moments in which I have wondered if I am being complete and exact in the writing, but I’ve had to understand that this one project will not be the answer to generations of inequity or dehumanization. That there will always be interrogations of this country by various people who are curious or bold enough to question it for what it is.

JS: Who’s helped produce this and to what capacity?

ROSE: My main co-creator is Steven Baham. He is doing videography work filming all the interviews and assisting with storyboarding/editing the final product. Leslie Rose has also been instrumental in doing photography work for a lion share of the images.

JS: Is there a call to action with this work?

ROSE: There’s not necessarily a ‘call to action’ per se.

The project is mostly a creative analysis of what this nation has been to and for Black people. Framed through the lens of economics because money, finance, and wealth are universal in the sense that this country consists of people who either have it or who are striving for prosperity.

JS: Where does The American Audit go from here?

ROSE: Hopefully the performance goes to other parts of the country. After the February 28th debut, a few more interviews will be conducted, ideally with scholars, experts, and activists out of state.

JS: Audre Lorde wrote, “We must wake up knowing we have work to do and go to bed knowing we’ve done it.”

With the work you’ve desired for the American Audit, do you get to point of being “done”?

ROSE: For this particular project, yes.

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Thursday, March 12, 2020

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A3

Features

What Menthol Cigarettes Have Taken From Me By: SixFootah The Poet Letter To The Editor I am a mother and a daughter, and I will not be silent because my pain can be someone else’s voice. The makers of menthol cigarettes have taken my heart, and ripped it out, with no remorse. They are the creators of a cancer-causing, lung-collapsing, aging-in-a-box of a disease that is a cancer in a stick that caused my mother to get hooked. It’s funny how they say cancer doesn’t kill, all so they can make a dollar bill. But they created her lover, and since she got in bed with it, her life has been over.

My mother was raised by loving parents in an affluent home. I need you to understand that my mother was not a smoker. But when she began working at a See’s Candy store in one of Oakland’s wealthiest neighborhoods, she was the first African American manager ever to work there and during their 15-minute breaks, some of the Caucasian women would smoke. One of them handed her one and it was history, she was addicted. My mother said that if she had known all about the side effects of smoking and the damage that it can cause she would have never started smoking. She wishes she would have known ahead of time.

My mother raised us in Oakland. While I was growing up, she tried to quit smoking several times, but she was never successful. Looking back, we remember she spent so much time smoking that we would have to wait to be around her or figure out another way to breathe. She would go through two packs a day and put the cigarettes before a bill. But little did we know that the menthol in cigarettes makes them easier to start, harder to quit and more damaging.

Thanks to menthol cigarettes, I have been losing my mother a little at a time for years. My mother became sick on December 26, 2013, spending her life in and out of hospitals and care facilities due to the damage menthol cigarettes had done to her. Two strokes and two heart attacks,

I knew my mother and our lives would never be the same.

I spent many nights beside her hospital bed where I cried, all because the tobacco industry lied.

It’s funny that they say tobacco doesn’t kill and it is our freewill, but in my neighborhood I seem to find more marketing toward my kind where it seems like there are 10 times more signs. The Tobacco Industry has been advertising menthol cigarettes to our community for decades stacking the deck against us, making sure the menthol playing field isn’t level or fair.

I wish my story was unique, but I know it’s not. In California, more than half of African American smokers use menthol cigarettes, but less than one in five Caucasian smokers use them. That’s not an accident. The Tobacco Industry has altered people’s way of thinking, that they need menthol cigarettes as a coping mechanism for life. And it’s why our community bears the greatest mortality due to tobacco.

But I won’t let her story, my story, our story, stay quiet.

On November 2, 2019, my family and I lost our beloved mother. She passed away after suffering serious and debilitating health issues from smoking menthol cigarettes for most of her life. I’ve lost time with my mother, space with my mother, and memories with my mother.

But my mother was a fighter, and because of her, so am I. With my mother’s blessing, over the past few years I began to educate and speak up for my people. Through my poetry, that I perform throughout my community, including at the Black Repertory Theater in Berkeley, I want people to know what menthol cigarettes have taken from me -- my biggest supporter, holidays, birthdays, too many things for me to even count. All gone.

But the one thing they can’t take is my voice, and I will continue to use it until no more of our families bear this loss. To hear more about our story, please visit www. wearenotprofit.org.

Six Footha The Poet (Courtesy Photo)

A Louisiana Girl with California Wine Six Footha The Poet & her daughter. (Courtesy Photo)

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF EARL L. REAMS CASE NUMBER: 20AVPB00052 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of EARL L. REAMS A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by MYRTICE BRUTON in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES 42011 4th Street West Lancaster, Ca. 93534 Branch Name: Micheal Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that MYRTICE BRUTON be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: Apr 30, 2020 Time: 10:30 a.m. Dept: A12 Room: located at 42011 4th Street West Lancaster, Ca. 93534 IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided on Probate Code section 9100. The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. IF you are a person interested in the estate,

you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (for DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate code section 1250. A request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner: William Edwards 237587 168 H Street Bakersfield, Ca. 93304 Telephone: (661) 324-0111 Fax: (661) 326-8984 E-Mail: weejlaw@yahoo.com LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (WE) PUB: Feb 27, Mar 5, 12, 2020 �������������������������������

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020026232 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: IMAGO DEI at 9521 5th Ave., Inglewood, Ca. 90305 Mailing Address: Same County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): DOMONIQUE DENE REDMOND, 9521 5th Ave., Inglewood, Ca. 90305 The business is conducted by: an Individual SIGNED: DOMONIQUE DENE REDMOND, Owner The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious

PUBLIC NOTICE business name or names listed above: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Jan 31, 2020 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: CATRICE DANIELS, 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 Jan 31, 2025 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Feb 27, Mar 5, 12, 19, 2020 �������������������������������

Dawna Jones, vintner and plant scientist, poses with her Darjean Jones Wines which were featured in Tyler Perry’s “Nobody’s Fool”

By Candace J. Semien Jozef Syndicate reporter Dawna Jones, Ph.D., remembers having an amazing childhood in Opelousas with her parents, Randolph and Priscilla Darjean, and three siblings. But one distinct memory may have unintentionally guided the 43-year-old plant pathologist into the winemaking business.

“My mother dabbled in making various fruit wines when I was very young, but I do not remember assisting in the process aside from picking the fruit, usually pears, from the trees that grew in our backyard. I do distinctly remember the smell of the fermenting fruit. I loved that smell,” she said.

That fermentation science would fascinate Jones who “loves science deeply” and has been interested in agriculture since she was a teenager in public school.

Today, Jones is a first-generation winemaker and owner of Darjean Jones Wines.

As a student, she researched plants and plant diseases at Southern University and A&M College, University of California – Davis, and the US Department of Agriculture. Her dissertation research focused on Pierce’s Disease of grapevine, requiring her to spend countless hours in California vineyards.

“I kind of fell into wine gradually,” she told HelloWoodlands. “I do remember tasting a Merlot grape one day while walking through the research vineyards and thinking that if wine tasted half this good, it must be fantastic.”

Dawna Jones researcher Dawna Jones studied plant science at the University of California Davis Following graduate school, she worked as a diagnostic plant bacteriologist for the government while her husband, Chauncey, completed fellowships in anesthesiology. (Dr. Chauncey Jones is also an SU grad who studied animal science.)

While in Maryland, she tested plant material brought into the country, developed testing methods, and investigated outbreaks of plant disease. For seven years, she was a national security analyst. Then, his career required them to settle in Texas. That move nearly 10 years ago was the

impetus for her career shift back to grapevines and a new adventure in winemaking. It was then that her husband asked, “What would you do if you could do anything you want?” and she answered, “I’d make wine!”

“Winemaking, for me, seemed a natural progression,” said Jones who is now a mother of two with an international WSET Level 3 Certification for grape growing and winemaking. Through partnerships with six California vineyards, she has created and produced eight boutique Darjean Jones Wines that are “spirited, adventurous and possess a charisma that will seduce wine lovers of all kinds.”

Since 2010, her wines have won 34 competition metals and debuted in Tyler Perry’s “Nobody’s Fool.” Darjean Jones Wines are served at top restaurants in Texas, sold at wine cellars in California, and have a national wine club following. The website features wines that are available for direct order and recipes perfect for pairing with her wines.

“The love of good food and drink is coded in my DNA,” Jones said.

When asked about the future of agriculture, Jones said, “I would like others to understand the limitless number of careers that fall under agriculture, including economics and technology. I would like more children to consider careers in agriculture. From organic farming to high tech laboratories, there is a place for all of us to assist in feeding our growing world.”

“It is so important for our youth, SU students and alumni to see the homegrown talent and successes of Dawna and Chauncey who share their racial identity and are both graduates of the Southern University College of Agricultural, Family, and Consumer Science,” said Renita Marshall, DVM, associate dean of the College. “Having Dawna as a role model is vital to signaling a sense of belonging for women of color. Her continued pursuit of excellence in ag research and business are definitely not going unnoticed in the African American community nor the Southern University Ag community. ” Jones said, “I hope that people remember me as a good friend. I am not looking for a spot in anyone’s history book.”

A4

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Entertainment

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Sing Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday “

2X for Clean Hands

COVID-19 Safety Update:

California Black Media Staff Experts say you should wash your hands with water and soap for about 20 seconds to prevent spread of the Coronavirus.

How do you keep track of hand sud time without risking water damage to your smartphone-slash-timer?

Easy. Let’s start with a song every Black person in America knows.

Now, getting through it will take about enough time (you’ll go a little bit over in fact to about 26 seconds) to get in the standard three-line “Happy Birthday” repetition in Stevie Wonder’s version of the birthday song — at least two times. So, a total of six lines after which you’ll be good.

And safe. And fresh. And clean. And protected.

”

Your hard end can come right after you hit that last ‘happy birthday” – the one unpunctuated with the standard “to you” at the end. Yes, you can cut before you get to the bridge and go all out with the dragged out haaaaaaaaaa peeeeeeeeee birth … day … haaaaaaaaaa peeeeeeeeee birth … day …you know the part.

Thank us, later. We appreciate you, too.

In other COVID-19 related information: As the he US Census Bureau sends out forms this week to homes across the country asking people to participate in the 2020 Census, the agency is assuring workers, officials and the general public that it is taking necessary safety precautions to conduct a safe and successful national count.

“The safety of the American public and our employees is job one,” said Steven Dillingham, director of the US

Census Bureau, in a statement released last week.

Although the Census Bureau did not yet share the details of its safety plans, Dillingham says his team is working with national health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the President’s Task Force, as well as state and local health departments “to ensure all of their guidance is incorporated into our operations.”

“Operations for the 2020 Census and our ongoing household surveys have procedures built in that specifically anticipate epidemics and pandemics, and we will continue to work with the relevant authorities to keep those up to date,” his statement continued.

California is among the four states that are most likely to be undercounted. Our state is also, sadly, one of the

state’s hit hardest by COVID-19 cases.

So far, with 124 confirmed Coronavirus cases in California, the state has just under one-fourth of the roughly 566 total confirmed cases in the United States.

There has been one death in the state, a Placer county man who had been on a Princess cruise ship authorities have been holding off the northern coast of California, and is expected to dock in Oakland this week. The 2,500 passengers on board have been confined to their cabins.

On Sunday, Gov. Newsom announced plans to isolate all passengers when they disembark and provide immediate medical attention to the 11 passengers and 10 crew members who have exhibited symptoms of the mysterious virus.

Another 10,250 Californians across the state have self-quarantined.

Last week, 17 U.S. Senators sent a letter dated March 3 to the Census Bureau asking it to develop a plan that addresses the Coronavirus’ potential impact on worker safety and public participation.

“We urge the Census Bureau to be prepared to assess whether public health concerns about novel coronavirus are depressing census response rates, and develop contingency plans for mitigating measures to help ensure a full and accurate population count,” the senators wrote.

Across California, in big cities and small towns, there are growing concerns, too, about safety.

Stanford University has moved all classes online, and several school districts have temporarily cancelled classes, including Elk Grove Unified School District in Sacramento, where a student’s family has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

“The State of California is deploying every level of government to help identify cases and slow the spread of this coronavirus,” Gov. Newsom said last Wednesday when he declared a State of Emergency. “ This emergency proclamation will help the state further prepare our communities and our health care system in the event it spreads more broadly.”

FILM REVIEW:

Burden

‘Hollywood Hernandez Live’

Overview of SoFi Stadium (Photo Credit: Chargers Wire)

The Spectacular SoFi Stadium

Burden takes place in 1996 in Laurens, South Carolina, a place where blacks were treated as second class citizens and racism was commonplace in the small town. The movie is a “no holds barred” true story about race that shows the ugliness of hatred toward our fellow man.

By Michael Hernandez Entertainment Reporter & Texas Metro News Columnist Burden is the true story about the life of Mike Burden, played by Garrett Hedlund. He is a Grand Dragon in the Ku Klux Klan and his life takes a turn for the worse when he decides to leave the KKK. He loses his job and his home after his evil, racist boss seeks revenge on him for leaving the Klan. Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson) does everything in his power to make Mike regret leaving the Ku Klux Klan.

Wilkerson does an excellent job of playing someone who is pure evil.

Forest Whitaker’s character, Reverend Kennedy, gets involved when the Klan opens up a KKK museum right in the middle of town. Reverend Kennedy fights back not with hate or violence. His weapon is love and through protests by his church members, he hopes to show the Klan the error of their ways.

Burden takes place in 1996 in Laurens, South Carolina, a place where blacks were treated as second class citizens and racism was commonplace in the small town.

The movie is a “no holds barred” true story about race that

shows the ugliness of hatred toward our fellow man. Meanwhile, Mike falls in love with a single mother and when the two become homeless, against the wishes of his family, Reverend Kennedy takes them in.

To see the evolution of Garrett Hedlund’s character is like watching a drug addict go through recovery. He has his moments of kindness where he treats black people with respect and then he’ll sometimes slip back into being the old Mike, using the “N-word” when talking to blacks and showing them total disrespect. It’s the Reverend Kennedy who convinces him that all men are brothers. Burden is a real story about love winning over hate and the subject matter is just as relevant now as it was then. It’s an important movie for the times we are living in now. It reminds us not to forget what happened in the past or we’ll be doomed to repeat it.

The movie is rated R for harsh language, including frequent use of “The N-Word,” and runs for 2 hours and 9 minutes. On my “Hollywood Popcorn Scale” I rate Burden a JUMBO.

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com Just blocks away from the Great Western Forum, the new SoFi Stadium, will redefine the Inglewood neighborhood along with the imagination of what new stadiums can be. Nestled on the Hollywood Park on 298-acres, this will boast a world-class sports and entertainment facilities. As the centerpiece of the development, Sofi Stadium is being built by Los Angeles Rams Owner/ Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke.

Sofi Stadium will host Super Bowl LVI in February 2022, the 2023 National College Football National Championship along with the 2028 Olympics Games Opening and Closing ceremonies along with multiple concerts and events. Beginning with Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney and Guns N’ Roses. Followed by Tim McGraw, Motley Crue and Def Leppard’s tour coming up in September. Additionally, they will host the new LA Bowl to wrap up the inaugural season in operation.

Over 80,000 cubic yards of structural steel has been poured on this site to date. By the time the stadium is complete nearly 100,000 tons of steel and cable will have been installed. Uniquely, over 7 million cubic yards of dirt were excavated from the stadiums’ bowl and redistributed among the project to support the 20 acres of parks. Therefore, the stadiums’ event-level sits 100 feet below grade.

The future home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers boasts a seating capacity of 70,000, expandable to 100,000. The open-air SoFi stadium is the only indoor-outdoor stadium to be constructed in such fashion. This venue will also feature 260 luxury suites, over 13,000 premium seats in addition to 3.1 million square feet of useable space.

This Hollywood Park development is a privately

funded development that is twice the size of the Vatican City as well as 3- and one-half times the size of Disneyland Park. Adjacent, yet under the same canopy will be American Airlines 2.5 open-air plaza next to a 6,000-seat performance venue. This new state of the art campus will also feature 1.5 million square feet of retail and office space initially. Upon completion, a hotel and 2,500 residences will also be added to the project.

Over 3200 construction workers have worked on the site daily in addition to many Inglewood residents given priority job placement. more than 12 million manhours have been completed since the date construction began to bring the impressive rendition to reality. Visit www.sofistdium.com to learn more about the project or to find seating options for the Rams or Chargers or follow SoFi Stadium on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to preview the new stadium before the actual completion of the project. Click on the link below to take the walk with me and hear SoFi Managing Director Jason Gannon elaborate on the renowned Oculus and the other amenities of the new stadium.

Kindly share your thoughts on the new stadium, Managing Director Jason Gannon’s thoughts and the impact of the site to the city or the NFL with us by simply commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or by following me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport for immediate engagement. Additionally, 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. As always, we certainly appreciate you for making our voice your choice!

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Sports

LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER A5

Lakers Beat Clippers in Most Recent Battle of LA Clippers were a perfect 10-0 this season.

I attempted to get either Clippers Head Coach Doc Rivers or Lakers Head Coach Frank Vogel to admit that this game would be seen at a “statement game” for either team. Doc Rivers told me, “The best statement is to win the game.” Frank Vogel also evaded my question by simply saying, “This is not a statement game.”

This game became fairly chipy and physical early on in the contest. Clippers Head Coach Doc Rivers admitted as much when he said Avery Bradley, former Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Clippers, set the tone of the game with his competitiveness and scoring early in the game when he stole the ball from Patrick Beverley; then dunked and had some choice words for him afterward.

In his post-game press conference, Doc said, “I thought maybe the biggest play of the game, that rip on Pat; I thought that gave them confidence!” That momentum carried the Lakers to a 2-point lead at the end of the first quarter. The Clippers rebounded to take a 5 point at the end of the first half. Though that second quarter would be the one and only quarter the Clippers would win in the game on Sunday. Doc River summarized the game in his post-game press conference by saying, “I thought they were the more physical team today. I thought they were into their game plan more today, I thought they trusted each other more offensively today, it is a good lesson for us.”

League MVP candidate Lebron James played a great game and did a masterful job to exploit the weaknesses in the Clippers defense in the second half. Patrick Beverly, one of the defensive instigators for the Clippers, was asked post-game about the challenge of defending the Lebron and made his thoughts very clear by saying there’s “no challenge!” When asked about the chippiness of this game Lakers Forward Kyle Kuzma said he thought, “it was more on them (Clippers).” Kuzma was also asked about the message LeBon James’ play sent, he responded with “MVP. Just MVP. That’s [the message] he sent. You see it and everyone sees it.”

The Clippers still hold the season series 2-1 lead with one more game to play. Though the last game of the series will come on the third night of three consecutive games, being that their originally scheduled matchup was postponed due to the unfortunate, untimely death of Laker legend Kobe Bryant.

After spearheading the Lakers win over the Bucks and the Clippers this past weekend, do you have the Lakers as the favorite to win the NBA Championship and Lebron as Anthony Davis (left) and LeBron James (right) lead the Lakers over the cross hall rival Clippers Sunday after- the Favorite for winning league’s MVP? Kindly share your thoughts with us by simply commenting in the comment noon in Staples Center. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com As the National Basketball Association heads down the backstretch of their season. With the (49-12) Los Angeles Lakers leading the Western conference they and the (43-19) Clippers met up for the third edition of their matchup this season. With the Clippers winning both of the previous, highly anticipated, meetings the Lakers were out to show themselves and their fans that they can win a game against their cross-hallway rivals.

By dispatching the Eastern Conference-leading (53-

11) Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. The Lakers were also seeking to wrap up their most competitive weekend of the season by beating the Clippers, who are arguably the deepest in the NBA. A win against their hallway rivals would provide them some much confidence heading into this stretch of the season.

While the Lakers came into this past Sunday afternoon’s game with the best record in the NBA, the Clippers came into the game with the hottest winning streak of any team in the league by winning 6 games in a row. Furthermore, when they have had the full complement of their team, the

Lakers star Anthony Davis warming up before Sundays big showdown against the Los Angeles Clippers. (Photo Credit: @ClutchClipsHoop)

section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or by following me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport for immediate engagement. Additionally, 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. As always, we certainly appreciate you for making our voice your choice!

Former MVP Mookie Betts will help Dodgers run to the World Series. (Rick Scuteri/USA TODAY Sports)

Dodgers Prep for Opening Day

USC’s Jonah Mathews ends his career at the Galen Center with a game winning jumper over hated Bruins. (Photo Credit: USC Athletics)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The Dodgers are preparing for another pennant run with several newcomers, the top ones being Luke Riley (From Minnesota), Mookie Betts and David Price (From Boston).

With Betts on board they have one of the best outfields anywhere with the versatile Kiki Hernandez , and Cody Bellinger joining Betts.

Bellinger is coming off a 47 homer, 115 RBI year.

Betts, a League MVP, had 29 homers and knocked in 80 runs. He also scored 120 last season for the Red Sox. The infield will have Corey Seager, Max Muncy, and Justin Turner.

The starting pitchers rotation will be Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buhler, David Price, Julio Urius, and Alex Wood.

Buhler is the only right hander in the rotation.

Opening day is Thursday March 26 when they host the San Francisco Giants.

USC Senior Jonah Mathews Hits Buzzer Beater to Beat UCLA

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com In front of a sold-out crowd at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California, the 1911 UCLA Bruins Men’s Basketball team came across town to take on the 21-9 USC Trojans in a Saturday afternoon matinee. In this the final game of the regular season, the Bruins came in with a Conference record of 12-5 and winning 8 of their last 10 games while the Trojans boast a conference record of 10-7 and 5-5 in their final 10 games.

Current member of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans and former Trojan Adoree Jackson was chosen to ring the bell, to kick off the game and get the Trojans home crowd excited about this game. The Bruins took an early lead, though the Trojans came back in short order to grab the lead modest lead.

As the exchanged hands a few times, just past the midpoint in the game the Trojans maintain a 4 lead. On the back of Forward Oneyeka Okongwu 3 for 4 shooting, 2 rebounds, and 1 block. Redshirt Freshmen Guard Tyger Campbell The Bruins were able to tie the game up on a three-pointer. Though Okongwu gave the Trojans the lead 24-22 going into the Half on their final score of the half.

Wisely the Trojans continue to feed Okongwu as he scores 6 points on their straight buckets to start the second half. The refs have removed themselves from this game and allowed the teams to play through a lot of contact in this game. Turnovers and missed shots have permeated this low scoring game midway through the second half as the Trojans lead by four 33-38.

Senior Jonah Matthews hits his tenth, eleventh, and twelfth point on a three-pointer, to give the Trojans a 5-point lead 43-38. This also gave him the record for most three-pointers made in Trojans basketball history at 246. with just over 6:00 minutes remaining in the game.

As points remained a premium in this game, Nick Rakocevic was issued a flagrant 1 foul, giving the Bruins two free throws and the ball with a chance to narrow the Trojans lead. Bruins Jaime Jaquez Jr. Hit the two free throws before the Bruins turning the ball over.

51-48 Trojans heading into the final two minutes of the game. Matthews misses two free throws the keep the Bruins in this game. Bruins Junior Guard Chris Smith

made a layup to make it a one-point game with 1:14 remaining. After a questionable charging call, the Bruins had a chance to take the lead before throwing the ball away with 30 seconds on the clock.

This gave the Trojans has a chance to close this game out after that Bruin turnover. However, Okongwu has a chance to extend the Trojans lead at the free-throw line but missed both free throws, once again giving the Bruins a chance to take the lead, this time with under 23 seconds on the clock.

Although the refs did a great job of staying out of the game, they would get busy in the final minute of the game as they called a holding call on the Trojans that sent the Bruins to the free-throw line. Cody Riley calmly went to the line to tie the game up on his first throw.

In an attempt to ice the shooter, Trojans Coach Enfield called a timeout between free throws. During the timeout, he designed a play to put the ball in the hands of their Senior Guard Jonah Mathews. After Cody Riley gave the Bruins a 1-point lead on his second free throw with 9 seconds remaining on the clock. just as he designed it up, the Trojans got the ball in the hands of Jonah who could only think about, “I’m going to make this shot!”

Sure enough, the Bruins tried to switch giving Mathews just enough room to knock down another three leaving one second on the clock. Not only did that threepointer give the Trojans a 2-point lead, but it also extended his three-point record of the most three-pointers made as a USC Trojan to 247. While at the same time sending their cross-town rivals’ home with a loss before heading into the PAC 12 Championship in addition to capturing the 5 points in the annual Crosstown Cup, All-Sports competition between USC and UCLA. Which of the local college teams do you follow USC or UCLA? Kindly share your selection with us by simply commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or by following me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport for immediate engagement.

Additionally, 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. As always, we certainly appreciate you for making our voice your choice!

Freshman Taylor Edwards of Carson High had a big game vs. Cal Poly. (UCLA Athletics Courtesy Photo)

Delanie Wisz was named Pac-12 Player of the Week.

(UCLA Athletics Courtesy Photo)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The UCLA softball team remain hotter than July as they went undefeated throughout the weekend. They had wins against the BIG-10 in Michigan and Minnesota. The American Athletic Conference in U of Central Florida, and the Patriot Conference in Boston University.

The Bruins took on Michigan and got all the runs they needed in the fourth as Brianna Perez reached on a bunt and stole second. After Aaliah Jordan went down swinging Maya Brady punched a single to right field scoring Perez. Delanie Wisz stepped up and hit a double to right center scoring Brady giving UCLA a 2-0 lead. That’s all “Super Sophomore” Megan Fariaimo needed. She held the Wolverines (14-7) in check all day limiting them to 5 hits while striking out 11.

In Fridays game vs. UCF Wisz got things going in the bottom of the first with a three run homer after a Kinsley Washington single and Aaliah Jordan walk. The Bruins prevailed with a 4-2 win over the Lady Knights (174). Holly Azevedo (7-0) struck out six and got the win.

Boston University was up next at Easton Field. Aaliah Jordan got things started in the first with a double scoring Brady giving UCLA a 1-0 lead.

In the second Freshman Lexi Sosa kept things homered to right giving the Bruins a 3-1 lead. In the third singled to right center scoring Wisz and Brady. The Mater Dei product finished the day with 4 RBI’s in helping lead the Bruins to a 10-0 win. She also struck out 6 in a 5 inning mercy shortened game running her record to 4-0.

Against Minnesota, the Bruins did all the damage in the 4th inning. Washington and Brianna Perez singled Jordan then reached on a error by first baseman Emily Hansen. Then a Delanie Wisz went “Uptown” with a grand slam to give the Bruins a 4-0 win. Fariaimo (13-1) struck out 13. She totaled 24 strikeouts in the two games vs Big Ten schools.

In the weekend finale freshman Taylor Edwards hit a 3 run homer scoring Jacqui Prober and Maya Brady. with a 8-0 win against Cal Poly (10-13).

The win was the 10 straight for the Bruins now 25-1.

They had 4 shutouts in the 5 games.

Lady Bruins Stay On a Roll

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LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, March 12, 2020