McKenzie Jackson California Black Media The Golden State is doing more than just praying for rain amidst the historic drought that is battering the stateand the western United States. Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a plan that would increase California’s water supply and combat the extreme weather patterns caused by climate change. The initiative, its scope captured in the 19-page “California’s Water Supply Strategy, Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future” document released by Newsom’s administration, will invest $8 billion in water recycling, storage, and desalination. The plan, Newsom said, is in response to a deeper understanding of how dire California’s water crisis is. “The hydrology in the state has begun to change pretty significantly,” he said. “The aridification that we are experiencing leads us now, the science and data leads us now, to understand we will lose 10 % of our water supply by 2040.”Thegovernor made his remarks at an Aug. 11 pressconference held in front of the $110 million Antioch Brackish Desalination Project facility, currently under construction at the city of Antioch’s wastewater treatment plant. When completed within the next two years. the first surface-water desalination plant in the Bay Area will use large reverse-osmosis filters to create six million gallons of fresh water per day. Antioch mayor Lamar Thorpe said the facility is one of the innovative solutions Californians need to in response to climate change and the current drought, which began in 2020.Assemblymember Lori Wison (D - Suisun) said, “We are experiencing the worst drought the Western United States has seen in 1,200 years. We must find innovative solutions to climate challenges like this if we are to move forward successfully...... Under the Governor’s leadership, California is investing in technology, solutions, and people to build a more resilient, even as California leads the charge to combat climate change.” Newsom said constructions like Antioch project are part of the plan. “We are focused on creating more supply. We are focused on creating more water,” he said. “We need to be more creative and more aggressive in not just promoting this technology but delivering on its promise and more over its Thepotential.”“WaterSupply Strategy” includes creating storage space for up to four million acre-feet of water, so that rain water from big storms can be captured and stored for dry periods and recycling and reusing at a minimum 800,000 acre-feet of water per year by 2030, reducing wastewater discharged to the ocean. Employing more efficient water conservation the state will free up 500,000 acre-feet of water to make up for water lost because of climate change. Additionally, new water captured by stormwater and desalinating ocean water and salty water in groundwaterbasins will be available for use. Officials across the state applauded plan. San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Sandra L. Kerl said the “Water Supply Strategy” is an important step to protect California’s economy and quality of life.“The governor’s approach aligns closely with the Water Authority’s 30-year strategy that combines new supplies, infrastructure upgrades, and conservation,” she said. There were some that disagreed with some of Newsom’s plan. Kate Poole, senior director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s nature program, told the LA Times some of the initiative was good. Poole said, “It’s really the things that aren’t in there that are most concerning,” she said. “Agriculture obviously uses 80 percent of our developed water supply in California. So you can’t really deal effectively with water use without dealing with Big Ag. And Newsom does not seem very willing to do Californiathat.”isexperiencing its second drought in the last decade. The sense of urgency is real, said Newsom. “The hots are getting a lot hotter and the dries are getting a lot drier,” he said. “We have to adapt.”
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Kobe Bryant was one of the most photogenic sports figures in Los Angeles and images of him seen by millions around the world _ smiling in victory, grimacing in agony _ keep his memory alive. But some photos of him should never be seen, his widow says, and she’s seeking unspecified millions in compensation for snapshots taken of the NBA star’s corpse that were circulated after he was killed in a helicopter crash with their daughter and seven others in 2020. Vanessa Bryant’s invasion of privacy trial against the Los Angeles County sheriff’s and fire departments begins Wednesday in a U.S. District Court just over a mile from where Kobe Bryant played most of his career with the Lakers. Vanessa Bryant claims deputies did not take the photos for investigative purposes and shared them with firefighters who responded to the crash scene. The lawsuit said a deputy showed the photos to bar patrons and a firefighter showed them off-duty colleagues. “Mrs. Bryant feels ill at the thought that sheriff’s deputies, firefighters, and members of the public have gawked at gratuitous images of her deceased husband and child,” according to the lawsuit. “She lives in fear that she or her children will one day confront horrific images of their lovedones online.”KobeBryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and other parents and players were flying to a girls basketball tournament when their chartered helicopter crashed in the Calabasas hills west of Los Angeles in fog. Federal safety officials blamed pilot error for the wreck. Vanessa Bryant has also sued the helicopter charter company and the deceased pilot’s estate. The county has argued that Bryant has suffered emotional distress from the deaths, not the photos, which were ordered deleted by Sheriff Alex Villanueva. They said the photos have never been in the media, on the internet or otherwise publicly disseminated and that the lawsuit is speculative about harm she may suffer. A law prompted by the crash makes it a crime for first responders to take unauthorized photos of deceased people at the scene of an accident or crime. The county already agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle a similar case brought by two families whose relatives died in the Jan. 26, 2020, crash. Vanessa Bryant did not settle her case, indicating she’s seekingThemore.litigation has at times been ugly. When the county sought a psychiatric evaluation of Bryant to determine if she suffered emotional distress because of the photos, her lawyers criticized the “scorched-earth discovery tactics” to bully her and other family members of victims to abandon their lawsuits. The county responded by saying they were sympathetic to Bryant’s losses and dismissed her case as a “money grab.”
The arrest report said investigators found markings suggesting the vehicle “hit sidewalk areas” before stopping in an industrial section of downtown Las Vegas not far from Main“TheStreet.driver was asleep behind the wheel with the driver’s door open leaning back in the seat,” the report said, “with bloodshot, watery eyes and had one shoe on and one shoe off.”
Chas Alamo, LAO’s Principal Fiscal & Policy Analyst, the report’s author links the UI program’s issues to its basic design which hasn’t changed much since the 1930’s. UI benefits are funded by employers. Over time, this has created a relationship with the EDD that employees don’t have. While an employee may apply for benefits once or twice during their entire career, employers have become the EDD’s primary customer because they’re interactingwith them on a consistent basis. “There’s no ongoing relationship between workers and EDD in the same way that there is with business and EDD,” said Alamo. “We think this partnership or orientation towards the business community has sort of encouraged the state and the department to prioritize policies that would tend to favor minimizing business costs and eliminating fraud rather than prioritizing gettingbenefits to workers.”
Report Recommendation to Cal EDD: Focus Less on Fraud, More on
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By KEN RITTER Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) – Former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch was asleep and smelled of alcohol when Las Vegas police found him in his damaged sports car and arrested him on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, according to an arrest report made public Thursday. Lynch’s attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, responded in a statement that Lynch’s car “was safely parked and not in operation” when police arrived early Tuesday and a driving while intoxicated charge won’t stick. “Marshawn was not pulled over for a DUI,” the statement said. “We are confident that when all evidence is presented, this will not be a DUI under Nevada law.” The arresting officer, Kevin Barker, reported that Lynch’s black 2020 Shelby GT500 was “undriveable,” with one missing front wheel and the rear driver’s side and front passenger wheels badly damaged.
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Edward Henderson California Black Media A new report by California’s Legislative Analysist Office (LAO) offers recommendations for the state’s Employment Development Department (EDD) to improve their functionality and timeliness of their Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program. The UI program provides temporary wage replacement to unemployed workers to help alleviate their economic challenges and bolster the state economy during downturns. The increased volume of unemployment claims (both valid and fraudulent) and challenges out of work people faced caused by the pandemic highlighted the need to rebalance the program. Lengthy review processes and holds on valid claims caused hardship for workers and their families, hindered the state’s economic recovery, and spurred frustration among unemployed Californians with theirDuringgovernment.the COVID-19 pandemic, EDD delayed payments to nearly 5 million workers and improperly denied payments to an estimated 1 million people.
The LAO’s report features 12 targeted changes for the EDD to make to improve their operations and relationships with employees seeking benefits. The changes acknowledged unemployment workers experience in 3 key areas:Improper Claim Denials Were Numerous More than half of the UI claims the EDD denies are overturned on appeal. Overturned denials cause lengthy delays for workers who appeal and raise concern that the state denies many eligible workers. Likely between $500 million and $1 billion in UI payments annually go unpaid each year due to improper denials. Claim Delays Need to be Reduced More than half of UI claims were delayed during the peak of the pandemic, for many workers by several months. Between 15% and 20% of workers who apply for UI during normal economic times experience delays. The UI Application Needs to be Simplified The state’s UI application and ongoing requirements are difficult to understand and unnecessarily lengthy. Answers to many of the questions asked of employees are already on file in the EDD. Many of IU’s problem areas were magnified during the pandemic. An estimated $20 billion has been lost to
The 7:30 a.m. Tuesday arrest came the morning after the Seattle Seahawks _ the team for which Lynch played most of his 12 NFL seasons _ announced that Lynch had been hired as a broadcast special correspondent. Lynch also played for the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders.The arrest report said Lynch, 36, was uncooperative with officers and fell asleep several times during questioning. Jail officers “had to use a restraint chair to force a blood draw” after a judge issued a warrant, the report said. Lynch was later released from Las Vegas City Jail pending a Dec. 7 court date in Las Vegas Municipal Court. Results of his blood test were not immediately made public. Nevada law bans driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% or Courtmore.records show that Lynch entered a no-contest plea to a misdemeanor vehicle parking charge and fined $750 in April in a case that saw charges of failing to report or remain at the scene of an accident dismissed. Schonfeld, who represented Lynch in that case, declined Thursday to comment about it. Lynch’s attorneys said in their statement that he “appreciates and is thankful for everyone’s concern and support.”Lynch had 10,413 career rushing yards and 85 rushing touchdowns from 2007-19 and was chosen for the Pro Bowl five times. He won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks in 2014.
Newsom’s “Water Supply Strategy” Geared to Combat Drought, Climate Change
Assemblymember and Black Caucus Member Lori Wilson ( D-Suisun) speaks at press conference August 12 Antioch CA. L to R: Governor Newsom tours the Antioch Brackish Desalination Project and stands with new Infrastructure Advisor, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Antioch Lamar Thorpe, Karla Nemeth, Director of the California of Water Resources and Wade Crowfoot, CA Natural Resources Secretary.
Austin Gage California Black Media As students and parents contemplate how best to be prepared for school after the summer break, engaging in summer education offers a way to recover from the trauma and learning loss caused by the pandemic. To address this vitally important issue, the U.S. Department of Education held a virtual roundtable on July 27th titled “Summer F.U.N. for Black Students: Families Understanding and Nurturing Learning at Home”. Hosted by Alexis Holmes, Policy Manager at the National Education Association, the virtual panel focused on how Black families can support and provide rich summer learning experiences for their children. The roundtable participants were Dr. Rosiline Floyd, Chief of Staff at Normandy Schools Collaborative; Kier Gaines, licensed therapist and Job Placement Specialist at District of Columbia Public Schools; Frances Frost, education advocate and the first Family Ambassador at the Department of Education; and Josh Davis, vice president of policy and partnerships at StriveTogether. The advice provided by the panel stressed engagement of Black students during the summer as valuable toacademic success in the fall and for the students’ futures. Speaking to the roundtable audience, Holmes shared her appreciation with everyone present for understanding the importance of the topic. “We appreciate you taking the time to be here today to talk about something so important, and that is making sure thatour students continue to have the out-of-school/summer experiences that they need to support them and to get them ready for a very successful and rich fall and back to school season,” Holmes said. The panel maintained that Black families must provide support to their children due to its lasting impact
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Biden continued: “This bill tackles inflation by lowering the deficit and lowering costs for regular families. This bill also makes the largest investment ever in combatting the existential crisis of climate change. “It addresses the climate crisis and strengthens our energy security, creating jobs manufacturing solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles in America with American workers. In addition, it lowers families’ energy costs by hundreds of dollars each year. “Finally, it pays for all this by establishing a minimum corporate tax so that our richest corporations start to pay their fair share. It does not raise taxes on those making under $400,000 a year – not one cent.”
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President Joe Biden said he ran for president promising to make government work for working families again, and that is what this bill does.
fraudulent California claims, according to EDDestimates. All but $1.3 billion of that total involved claims from federally-funded COVID relief programs, which ended last year. The response to this has made it even more difficult for valid claims to be processed. “During the pandemic the state was under incredible pressure to cut down on fraud so the department ramped up some of its already high levels of fraud detection efforts. They took several steps that measurably and meaningfully reduced fraud in the federal program. And they should be commended for those steps. But they also took steps that really slowed down the process for otherwise eligible workers and led to these delays.” In response to the report, the EDD released a statement where they acknowledged changes needed to be made.“EDD appreciates and will carefully review the LAO’s ideas for further simplifying processes and speeding up the delivery of services to Californians. Many of these ideas, such as limiting improper claim denials and minimizing delays, have been incorporated into EDD actions over the past year. As part of California’s commitment to improving EDD’s customer service, the recently-enacted state budget includes $136 million for EDDnext, a major effort to modernize EDD and further improve the customer experience … We agree with the LAO that “EDD must balance the need to prevent fraud … with the priority to deliver payments in a timely and easy manner.” While Alamo concedes that some of the reported changes the EDD plans to make will help, he also believes that a large number of the recommendations made in the report go beyond the steps the department has proposedto take.“The pressure really is on now to begin those efforts so that some of these improvements are in place the next time millions of workers turn to EDD for UI benefits during the next downturn. And if historical precedent tells us anything that’s going to be within 10 years. The clock starts ticking and there really is not a lot of time that the state or the legislature can wait before undertaking some of these improvements,” Alamo said.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Senate Democrats took a critical step toward reducing inflation and the cost of living by passing the Inflation ReductionProponentsAct. said the measure would make a big difference for many Americans by locking in savings on health insurance premiums and reducing the cost of prescription drugs by allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prices.The bill, when signed by President Joe Biden, should also lead to creating family-sustaining jobs and cutting energy costs by making the most significant investment in history in combating climate change, Democrats have claimed.The country will pay the bill’s $739 billion price tag by making corporations pay their fair share. Those making less than $400,000 annually won’t see tax increases. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote in a deadlock Senate to ensure passage. “I’m thrilled we were finally able to pass this historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our country’s future that will lower costs for Georgians, create clean energy jobs and reduce the deficit all at the same time,” said Georgia Democratic Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock. “I’m especially proud the legislation includes two provisions I introduced to cap insulin costs for Medicare patients at $35 a month and to limit the cost of prescription drugs for seniors. This bill will strengthen health care access and lower health care costs for people across Georgia.” Warnock said the legislation would make a real change in people’s“Fromlives.saving seniors money by allowing Medicare to directly negotiate drug prices, to expanding vital health care subsidies, to greening the economy, this legislation will make a lasting impact on Georgians’ lives,” Warnock stated.Experts and economists said the Inflation Reduction Act would save American households thousands of dollars. “This bill will reduce the cost of prescription drugs, make health insurance more affordable, cap out-of-pocket costs, reduce your energy bill, reduce the federal deficit, and bring down inflation,” Florida Democratic Rep. Val Demings said. “As the daughter of a maid and a janitor, every dollar mattered in our household, and I’ll always fight to protect workingDemingsfamilies.”said the deal builds on work she did in the House to allow Medicare to negotiate the cost of prescription drugs, bring down energy costs, and create significant new jobs by fighting climate change. “Senate Republicans tried and failed to block this legislation because it takes on their biggest backers: prescription drug companies, fossil fuel companies, and billionaire tax cheats,” Demings remarked. “I’m going to put Florida families first and support policies to bring down costs for working people even if it cuts into the profit margins of these special interests.” Senate Republicans, all of whom opposed the package, lashed“Thisout.is not about inflation reduction. This is all about Democrats spending on things they want to spend money on,” Utah GOP Sen. Mitt Romney asserted. “It’s another taxing and spending bill,” he insisted. Biden said he ran for president promising to make government work for working families again, and that is what this bill does. “This bill caps seniors’ out-of-pocket spending for prescription drugs at $2000 per year – no matter what their drug bills would otherwise be, seniors will not have to spend more than $2,000,” Biden stated “Additionally, 13 million Americans, covered under the Affordable Care Act, will see their health insurance premiums reduced by $800.”
Summer F.U.N. for Black Students Dept. of Education Roundtable Encourages on their educational future. Emphasizing this point, Floyd and Davis both agreed that because Black and other marginalized students face steeper challenges in their journeys for higher education, these obstacles must be dealt with efficiently and effectively. “I started out as an engineer at Purdue, and I noticedthat students of color didn’t have the resources that I had to make it to a Division I university, so I started researching why and a lot of what I found was the education level that they were getting inside the schools. They changed the standards to get into universities, but schools didn’t evenoffer some of the classes that students needed to be able to enroll in universities,” said Floyd. When asked to identify resources and what they can mean to Black communities, Davis said “When I think about resources, it is the non-financial but oftentimes more important social and political capital that Black families and children do not have with equitable or equal access to those things other communities have that allow themto thrive.”
Understanding the obstacles standing in the way of Black students’ academic potential success was the first step the panelists explored. Next, they discussed strategies to academically engage the students during the summer. “Try to find that sweet spot in between what some of the children are naturally good at and what they like to do, help them understand that those two things sometimes are two completely different things and then just allow an exploratory nature in introducing them to different options that they might not have had otherwise. Putting kids in the driver’s seat seems to be a really remarkable strategy,”GainesRegardingsaid. specific teaching strategies, Gaines shared that, “What has been the most effective for me in the program that I’ve been in charge of is finding ways to integrate social media and technology into what you’ve already been doing. Also allow time for breaks. ‘Hey y’all, we are going to work for an hour and then we’ll take a 15-minute break; you can be on your phone, you can go chill, you can do whatever you want but promptly I want us to be back in and back ready.’” Frost shared a specific strategy of her own regarding making a summer education system effective. “Make sure that your program is a welcoming environment. That’s one of the standards that we have as National PTA [National Parent Teacher Association]. It is summertime, they have been in school for 180 days, they want to do everything but be in school so make it something that they want to come to and things they want to learn,” said Frost. The main message the roundtable panelists conveyed to the audience was Black families supporting their children was key to academic success. “Our research shows that children who have parents who are engaged are more likely to show up to school, they are more likely to graduate, they are more likely to be successful in school because you are encouraging your child, you are in contact with their teacher, you understand what’s going on,” Frost said.
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RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. (AP) – Teddy Ray, a comedian and actor who appeared on the HBO Max series “PAUSE with Sam Jay,” has died, authorities confirmed on Saturday. He was 32. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office and the county's coroner's office confirmed that the death of the comedian, whose legal name was Theadore Brown, was reported Friday morning in the desert community of Rancho Mirage, the Los Angeles Times reported. Sheriff's Sgt. Brandi Swan, who said deputies responded to a call about the death at a private residence, said that the cause of death was unknown.Entertainment companies and some of Ray's fellow comedians reacted with sadness to the news of Ray's death. “Teddy Ray was a hilarious and beloved performer,” TV network Comedy Central said in a Twitter statement. “He'll be deeply missed by the entire comedy community.” All Def Digital, a multi-platform media company that Ray had collaborated with, tweeted that it was “heartbroken” about the news of Ray's death. “We will miss him every day but we know he will have Heaven laughing,” the tweet read. Ray appeared as the bailiff on “PAUSE with Sam Jay,” appeared in the digital series Cancel Court, and was a stand-up comedian
By JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer NEW YORK (AP) – Serena Williams said it plainly: It isn't really fair. A male athlete would never have to make the same choice. But after a trailblazing career that both transformed and transcended her sport, Williams, who turns 41 next month, has told the world she'll soon step away from tennis to focus on having a second child and making her daughter, Olympia, a big sister. Her explanation in a lengthy Vogue essay resonated with women in sports and well beyond, many of whom could relate only too well to her words, “Something's got to give.” And to the idea that, no, you really can't have it all _ at least, not all at the same time.Many noted that Williams' achievements, which included winning a major when two months pregnant, had made her seem superhuman. But, said Sherie Randolph, even ordinary women are expected to seamlessly combine work and “Societymotherhood.makeswomen think they can have everything all at once _ be the best hands-on-mom and at the top of the field,” said Randolph, a history professor at GeorgiaTech and founder of a Black feminist think tank who's working on a book about African American mothers. “But that just is not borne out in reality for most women,” she said. “What ends up happening is that working mothers are just worn out and overworked trying to labor at the highest level of two demanding jobs _ motherhood and their profession.” As if to prove her point, Randolph's 4-year-old son constantly interrupted her thoughts about Williams' decision as she tried to discuss them in a phone call. In explaining how her daughter yearned to be a big sister, Williams noted she didn't want to be pregnant againas an athlete: “I need to be two feet into tennis or two feet out.”“Believe me,” the 23-time Grand Slam champion also wrote, “I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don't think it's fair. If I were a guy I wouldn't be writing this because I'd be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family.” “Maybe I'd be more of a Tom Brady if I had that opportunity,” she added, a reference to the 45-year-old superstar quarterback who recently retired, then reversed his decision 40 days later. Many women, discussing Williams' announcement, reflected on their own agonizing choices in the name of “having it “Evenall.”as a woman who sits at a desk, whose body is not taxed by the work at hand, I have felt that searing pulling apart of myself _ towards my career, and towards my family,” said Jo McKinney, 57, a New York advertising executive.“Now, looking back, I wish that every time I chose my family over my job ... it didn't label me as unambitious,” she said. “I got goosebumps as I read Serena's piece because she said what many of us feel and are afraid to voice: It's not fair, and something's got to give.” Such dilemmas are exacerbated in sports, said Lisa Banks, a prominent Washington employment attorney specializing in both gender and sports cases. “Having it all is a subjective thing,” she said. “You can have it all, but can you have it at the same time and the same level, if you're going through pregnancies? No, you miss some time, you miss training. You're necessarily at a disadvantage.”Theissuehas been illustrated vividly in track and field. U.S. sprinters Allyson Felix and Alysia Montano became advocates for mothers when they split with Nike over contract clauses that reduced salaries when they became pregnant.Four-time Olympic champion sprinter Sanya Richards-Ross retired after the 2016 Olympics before starting a family with her husband, former NFL defensiveback Aaron Ross. “I always knew I didn't want to start a family while I was still competing,” she said. “I feel being an athlete is the most selfish role you could have because it's always all about you. Resting, recovering, training. Everything is so hyper-focused on the athlete. And being a parent is the opposite of that.” Of Williams' decision, she said, “I don't want to say it's unfair, but it's a harsh reality and harsh truth that as an elite female athlete, we definitely have to consider a lot of things our male counterparts don't.” Distance runner Kara Goucher, who also fought battles over pregnancy pay, said people are starting to acknowledge the issue, and careers are lasting longer. But she added: “You see the dad at the Super Bowl holding hiskids. The reason he's able to do that ... is because someone else is there taking care of their children. That's not how itis forLikemothers.”Williams when she won the Australian Open in 2017, beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings was newly pregnant when she won a gold medal in London in 2012.“Ithink at some point, you gotta make that choice,” she said. “Ultimately it's very clear that that clock is ticking. Usually, being a mama wins out.” But Walsh Jennings expects Williams to keep building her legacy. (Williams has become a venture capitalist with her Serena Ventures, and is a fashion designer, among other things.) “She has earned the right to stop and breathe, and to grow her family,” she said. Tennis legend Chris Evert, who won 18 Grand Slam singles titles, retired at 34 and started a family two years later. “The motherhood/tennis career subject is not one I experienced,” she said in an email message. “I wanted and chose to spend every second with my children. That was my choice but doesn't mean it's the right choice for everyone. “As far as Serena, I think this is the right time,” Evert said. “She's squeezed everything she could out of her game. ... She's transcended tennis and become a leader on many important cultural, social and gender issues. She has lived an extraordinary life and will undoubtedly continue to crash the glass ceiling.” One thing is clear: The U.S. Open, after which Williams strongly hinted she'll retire, will be a huge draw. Ticket sales were sharply up on Tuesday, said Kirsten Corio, chief commercial officer for the U.S. Tennis Association. A mother of two herself, Corio said of Williams' announcement that “the realization is a little bit crushing, that as a woman you can't do both as an athlete at the top of your“It'sgame.”alot of emotions to process, both as a fan of sports and of working moms,” she said. “The one emotion that I can boil it down to, really, is just gratitude.” Dearica Hamby was also feeling gratitude. Williams, said the WNBA player for the Las Vegas Aces, has been “an example for a lot of us, especially mothers being able to compete at such a high level.” Still, Hamby, who like Williams has a daughter, 5-year-old Amaya, said the tennis star's call was a hard one _ and it's a discussion she's been having a lot lately with coaches and players. “You're almost forced to choose,” she said of motherhood and pro sports. “It's the reality of the world we live in. I mean, are men gonna start having kids? It's the hard reality of the world.”
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Kenan Thompsonof ‘SNL’ to Host Awards
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Veteran “Saturday Night Live” cast member Kenan Thompson will host next month's Emmy“BeingAwards.apart of this incredible evening where we honor the best of the television community is ridiculously exciting, and to do it on NBC - my longtime network family - makes it even more special,” Thompson said in a statementThompsonTuesday.has been with NBC's late-night sketch show since 2003 and returns for his 20th season this fall. His work on “SNL” has earned him a trio of Emmy supporting acting nominations, and he won a trophy in 2018 as lyrics co-writer of the song “Come Back, Barack,” which was featured on the show. He earned a lead acting nomination last year for his sitcom “Kenan,” which NBC canceled in May after two seasons.Thompson was an original cast member of Nickelodeon's children's sketch comedy series “All That” and starred with Kel Mitchell on the spinoff “Kenan and Kel.” His film credits include “Clifford the Big Red Dog” and “Barbershop 2: Back in Business.” The Sept. 12 Emmy ceremony will air live on NBC and be carried on its streaming sibling Peacock. Top nominees include the dramas “Succession” and “Squid Game” and comedies “Ted Lasso,” “Hacks” and “Only Murders in the Building.”
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The National Black Farmers Association is worried that the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 will roll back debt relief provided Black, indigenous, and other farmers of color in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. When President Joe Biden signs the law, which just passed both houses of Congress, approximately 15,000 farmers of color across the country -- including over 400 in California -- will be affected, according to the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA). Of the 70,000 farms in California, less than 1% are Black-owned or managed, while more than 90% are White-owned or managed. In 2012, California had 722 Black farmers according to an agriculture census report released that year. By 2017, the number had decreased to 429. Nationally, 45,508 Black farmers (1.3% of all farmers) were counted in the 2017 agriculture census, making up 0.5% of the country’s farmlands.
A4 Los Angeles News Observer Thursday, August 18, 2022
By Aneri Pattani California Healthline If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, help is available. Various resources are listed at the bottom of this article. When the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline launched last month, many mental health providers, researchers, and advocates celebrated. Although a national suicide hotline had existed for years, finally there was an easy-to-remember three-digit number for people to call, they said. The shorter number would serve as an alternative to 911 for mental health emergencies. But not everyone felt the same way. Some advocates and people who had experiences with the mental health system took to social media to voice concerns about 988 and warn people not to callOneit. Instagram post said, “988 is not friendly. Don’t call it, don’t post it, don’t share it, without knowing the risks.” The post, which had garnered nearly a quarter of a million likes as of early August, went on to list the risks as police involvement, involuntary treatment at emergency rooms or psychiatric hospitals, and the emotional and financial toll of those experiences. Other posts on Instagram and Twitter conveyed similar concerns, saying that the hotline sends law enforcement officers to check on people at risk of suicide without their consent and that people, especially from LGBTQ+ communities and communities of color, may be forced into treatment. So is 988 a critical mental health resource or a cause for concern? We decided to dig into these questions, figure out how 988 works, and explain what you need to know before dialing. Why Are Some People Saying Not to Call 988? We reached out to the creators of some of the social media posts to ask them directly. Liz Winston, who authored the Instagram post calling 988 “not friendly,” said she wanted people to understand all the potential outcomes of calling so they wouldn’t be blindsided by the “traumatizing system” that she experienced. Last summer, Winston was having suicidal thoughts and visited a hospital in New York. She hoped to speak with a psychiatrist but instead was involuntarily detained in the psychiatric wing of the emergency room. She said that she did not receive any counseling during the 24 hours she spent there and that the experience was “extremely traumatic.” Winston hadn’t called the hotline, but she said those who do can end up in a similar situation. It’s true that when police respond to calls about people in mental health crises, they often take them to an emergency room or psychiatric hospital. “I realize there is an urge to rescue people in crisis, but the reality is the services that exist make the problem much, much worse,” said Winston, who works in mental health peer support and has started an online support group for people recovering from involuntary treatment. Research shows suicide rates increase drastically in the months after people are discharged from psychiatric hospitals. Those who were sent involuntarily are more likely to attempt suicide than those who chose to go, and involuntary commitments can make young people less likely to disclose their suicidal feelings in the future. Some people also get stuck with large bills for treatment they didn’t want. Emily Krebs, a suicide researcher and assistant professor joining Fordham University this fall, said that in the U.S. involuntary treatment is viewed as a necessary part of suicide prevention but that other countries don’t see it that way. The United Nations has called forced mental health treatment a human rights abuse and asked countries to ban it. Like Winston, Krebs wanted people to be fully informed before deciding to call 988. That’s why she wrote on Twitter that 988 can and will “send police if they deem it necessary.” That can be dangerous, she said, given that 1 in 5 fatal police shootings in 2019 involved a person with mental illness. Some years, the share has been even higher. What Does 988 Say About How It Handles Crisis Situations? Officials from 988 say they recognize the risks of having law enforcement officers involved in mental health emergencies. That’s why 988 was created as an alternative to 911, said John Draper, executive director of the hotline and a vice president at Vibrant Emotional Health, the company tasked with administering it. “We know the best way for a person to remain safe from harm is for them to be empowered and to choose to be safe from harm,” Draper said. Dispatching police is a last resort, he said. Counselors who answer the phones or respond to texts and online chats for 988 are supposed to be trained to actively listen, discuss the callers’ concerns and wishes, and collaborate with them to find solutions. Most calls about suicide are de-escalated without law enforcement, Draper said. Instead, counselors talk through people’s reasons for dying and reasons for living; have callers connect with supportive family, friends, religious leaders, or others in their community; refer callers to outpatient treatment; or set up follow-up calls with 988. Only when the caller cannot or will not collaborate on a safety plan and the counselor feels the caller will harm themselves imminently should emergency services be called, according to the hotline’s policy. At that point, Draper said, “we have the choice of just letting [harm] happen or doing whatever we can to keep them safe.” In previous years, before the 988 number launched, emergency services were dispatched in 2% of the hotline’s interactions, the service reported. With about 2.4 million calls a year, that means emergency services were initiated for roughly 48,000 calls. Those services can be mobile crisis teams, consisting of people trained in mental health and de-escalation, but in many rural and suburban communities, it is often police. Contrary to some information circulating on social media, 988 cannot geolocate callers, Draper said. When emergency services are called, 988 call centers share with 911 operators information they have about the location of the person who contacted the hotline — typically a caller’s phone number, with area code, or a chat user’s IP address — to help first responders find theStartingindividual.thisfall, Draper said, 988 will update its policies to require supervisors to review all calls that result in the use of emergency services. Counselors for 988 nationwide will also receive additional training on the alternatives to involving law enforcement and the consequences callers can face when police respond.SoShould I Use 988 or Not? We know it’s not satisfying, but the honest answer is: It depends.The 988 hotline is the nation’s most comprehensive mental health crisis service and can provide crucial help to those in emotional distress. If you’re thinking about suicide but not taking steps to act on it, 988 is unlikely to call law enforcement without your consent. Instead, 988 counselors can provide resources, referrals, and a kind ear. However, if you’re at imminent risk and could act on a plan to kill yourself, police may be called, and you could be taken to a hospital involuntarily. Sonyia Richardson, a licensed clinical social worker who owns a counseling agency that serves mostly Black and brown clients in Charlotte, North Carolina, said she didn’t immediately tell her clients about 988 when it launched. Even though she’s a member of her state’s 988 planning committee, she said she needed time to develop trust in the service herself. When she learned at a recent committee meeting that fewer than 5% of 988 calls in North Carolina led to a law enforcement response, she felt reassured.“Thereare going to be issues perhaps with 988, but it might be one of the safer options for us,” Richardson said. With suicide rates increasing among Black Americans, the community needs more ways to save lives, she added. If I Don’t Want to Call 988, Do I Have Other Options? Although the U.S. doesn’t have a national, governmentrun mental health hotline that pledges not to call police without callers’ consent, several alternatives that are smaller than 988 aim to decrease law enforcement involvement. “Warm” lines are one option. They’re typically staffed by “peers,” people who have experienced mental health challenges. They focus less on crisis intervention and more on emotional support to prevent crises. You can find a directory of warm lines by stateBelowhere.are other hotlines and resources. This is not a comprehensive list, and some resources may limit their services geographically. BlackLine is a hotline geared toward the Black, Black LGBTQ+, brown, Native, and Muslim communities Kiva Centers offers daily online peer support groups M.H. First Oakland and M.H. First Sacramento operate during select weekend hours in the California cities of Oakland andPeerSacramentoSupport Space hosts virtual peer support groups twice a day Monday through Saturday Project LETS provides support by text for urgent issues that involve involuntary hospitalization Samaritans of New York is a hotline based in New York City Trans Lifeline is a hotline for trans and questioning individualsWildflower Alliance has a peer support line and online support groups focused on suicide prevention Our AmericanSourcesJournal of Psychiatry, “Involuntary Commitments: Billing Patients for Forced Psychiatric Care,” Dec. 1, 2020 Harvard Review of Psychiatry, “Suicidal Risk Following Hospital Discharge: A Review,” July/August 2019 Instagram post by Liz Winston, July 16, 2022 JAMA Psychiatry, “Suicide Rates After Discharge From Psychiatric Facilities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” July 2017KHN, “The Part of the ‘Free Britney’ Saga That Could Happen to Anyone,” Sept. 29, 2021 KHN, “The US Mental Health Hotline Network Is Expanding, but Rural Areas Still Face Care Shortages,” July 28, 2022National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, “Policy for Helping Callers at Imminent Risk of Suicide,” December 2010 Phone interview with Emily Krebs, suicide researcher and assistant professor soon joining Fordham University, July 27, 2022Phone interview with John Draper, executive director of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and executive vice president of national networks at Vibrant Emotional Health, Aug. 2, 2022 Phone interview with Liz Winston, peer support worker in New York City, July 26, 2022 Phone interview with Sonyia Richardson, social worker, suicide researcher, and owner of counseling agency in Charlotte, North Carolina, July 28, 2022 Slate, “Who’s Listening When You Call a Crisis Hotline?,” April 1, Social2022Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, “Investigating the Impact of Involuntary Psychiatric Hospitalization on Youth and Young Adult Trust and Help-Seeking in Pathways to Care,” March 9, Suicide2021and Life-Threatening Behavior, “Perceived Coercion During Admission Into Psychiatric Hospitalization Increases Risk of Suicide Attempts After Discharge,” June 4, 2019 Treatment Advocacy Center, “Overlooked in the Undercounted,” December 2015 The Trevor Project, “What 988 Means for LGBTQ Young People,” July 16, 2022 Twitter thread by Emily Krebs, July 17, 2022 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Frequently Asked Questions, accessed Aug. 3, 2022 This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.
KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.
Social Media Posts Criticize 988 Suicide Hotline for Calling Police. Here’s What You Need to Know.
Black Farmers Concerned Inflation Reduction Act
Will Roll Back Promised Debt Relief
Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
(Moment / Getty Images)
NOTICE OF HEARING Date: SEPT 16, 2022 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: Room:A510 The address of the court is: Same as noted above. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once a week for four successive weeks pri or to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county LOS ANGELES NEWS OB Date:SERVERAugust 2, 2022 VIRGINIA KEENY JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT SHERRI R. EXECUTIVECARTEROFFICER/CLERK OF COURT ERIN Petitioner:DEPUTYMONTAGNADean O’Hayon-Fadida 5440 Van Noord Ave. Sherman Oaks, Ca. 91401 Phone: (818) 966-2076 E-Mail Address: osherohayon2@gmail. com Attorney For: Self Represented LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 11, 18, 25, Sept 1, 2022
PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICELegal Notices Features
The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan which included $4 billion to help Black and other “socially disadvantaged” farmers will be replaced with a plan that makes relief funds available to all United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) farmers suffering hardships. “I’m very, very disappointed in this legislative action,” John Wesley Boyd, Jr., NBFA’s founder and president, said in an Aug. 9 statement. “I’m prepared to fight for debt relief for Black, Native American, and other farmers of color all the way to the Supreme Court. I’m not going to stop fighting this.” The NBFA is a non-profit organization representing African American farmers and their families. It serves tens of thousands of members nationwide. NBFA’s education and advocacy efforts are focused on civil rights, land retention, access to public and private loans, education and agricultural training, and rural economic development for Black and other small farmers. The American Rescue Plan debt relief program was expected to pay off USDA loans held by 15,000 Black, Native American, Alaskan Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic and Latino farmers, Kara BrewerBoyd, NBFA’s Program and Event Coordinator, told California Black Media in a telephone interview on Aug. 12. “Socially disadvantaged Black, Native Americans, and people of color were automatically approved for 120% debt relief. They were to be paid in full,” said Kara Brewer-Boyd. “Now they won’t get that money at all. It’s horrible. Those farmers were already identified and sent letters that their debt had been paid. These farmers are in a bad situation. Congress put them in a worse situation by telling them ‘You’re gonna get it.’ Now they are telling them ‘You’re not going to get Objectionsit.’” raised by non-Black farmers to the debt relief the federal government pledged to Black farmers has put the program in limbo. Those opponents have filed a dozen lawsuits against the American Rescue Plan Act, including one class action case. The courts are currently hearing the cases. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the USDA is authorized to provide $3.1 billion to distressed borrowers. Another fund has been established to supply farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who faced discrimination before 2021 with a package of $2.2 billion. “What they replaced (the American Rescue Plan Act 2021) with is Section 22006 that now states that any farmer can apply to see if they are economically distressed, get their loans written down, or have them restructured,” Brewer-Boyd said. “Now, can you tell me that’s not a big difference? You took $4 billion in debt relief at $120%, put it in a fund of $3 billion, taking $1 billion away, and you opened it up to every farmer.” Brewer-Boyd said Black farmers from California were approved under the original debt relief program. “Discrimination at USDA against Black farmers was rampant and severe. Section 1005 Loan Repayment program was a necessary step towards fixing those harms. To acknowledge and correct racism is not unconstitutional or racist,” James Wesley Boyd, Jr., stated. Last year, Lawrence Lucus, who founded the USDA Coalition of Minority Employees, told the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans that racism is prevalent in agriculture, and it is the primary reason why there are just a little over 400 Black farmers in California. “I’m sorry to say that it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any better under the times we are faced with,” Lucus said. “You have White farmers, who own most of the land and get all the benefits from the land, they are the ones now bringing court cases around the country. They are saying that it’s discriminatory to have debt-relief for Black farmers.”
LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: A. DeputyGUTIERREZ
NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATE MENT GENERALLY EXPIRES AT THE END OF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE ON 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 STATE MENT 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 BE FORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Jul 26, 2027 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Aug 4, 11, 18, 25, 2022 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 22VECP00411 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFOR NIA-LOS ANGELES 6230 Sylmar Avenue Van Nuys, Ca. 91401 Branch Name: Northwest District PETITION OF: DEAN O’HAYON-FADIDA TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: DEAN O’HAYON-FADIDA for a decree changing names as fol Presentlows: name DEAN O’HAYON-FADIDA Filed a petition with this court Proposed name OSHER O’HAYON THE COURT ORDERS: that all per sons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indi cated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes de scribed above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the pe tition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2022 166046 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: TCM WELLNESS SPA at 1145 Foothill Blvd., La Verne, Ca. 91750 County: Los Angeles Mailing REGISTEREDSame OWNERS(S): SHAOXIA ZHANG, 1145 Foothill Blvd, La Verne, Ca. 91750 The business is conducted by: an SIGNED:IndividualSHAOXIA ZHANG, Owner The date registrant started to trans act business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 7/2022 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Jul 26, DEAN2022C.
Thursday, August 18, 2022 Los Angeles News Observer A5 Features
A6 Los Angeles News Observer Thursday, August 18, 2022 Features
Congratulations, Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men and Dr. Crook on establishing an over 10-year stellar reputation as a beacon for young men with bright minds. By Jeffrey L. Boney Houston Forward Times The new school year is already upon us, and with it comes the task of teachers and administrators preparing to welcome new and returning students to their campuses. After celebrating over ten (10) years of exemplary growth and accomplishments, the leadership at the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men (MLCPA) is excited about returning to in-person learning and continuing their trend of being one of the most highly respected 6th through 12th grade magnet school campuses in the country. Originally named the Young Men’s College Preparatory Academy, MLCPA is proudly named after Mickey Leland— former U.S. Congressman and anti-poverty activist who proudly represented the 18th Congressional District before his untimely death in a plane crash. Leland grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward community and graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School—the very spot where MLCPA’s new campus now sits. Located in the Fifth Ward community, MLCPA isn’t the new kid on the block, and not only develops students academically, but also fosters leadership skills and helps them with the ability to make healthy and responsible decisions. Upon taking on the role as the founding principal, Dameion J. Crook knew exactly what he wanted this school to be for the Fifth Ward community, and beyond. Dr. Crook helped get the school off the ground after serving as the principal of the historic E.O. Smith Education Center before the launch of MLCPA. Originally from Baton Rouge, LA, and born in New Orleans, LA, Dr. Crook is a lifelong educator. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Biology from Texas Southern University. In 2016, he earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston. This is his 24th year with Houston Independent School District (HISD) and his twelfth year as a principal. “I am deeply invested in improving the lives of young people in the Houston community,” says Dr. Crook. “Education is the most impactful way to improve our community and our young people.”Since the founding of MLCPA in 2011, the school has dedicated itself to Dr. Crook’s vision of having a single-gender secondary school that academically prepares young men for college, while building their leadership skills and moral character. MLCPA proudly boasts that they serve a population that is 74% economically disadvantaged but are able to offer their deserving students a top-notch, rigorous education that is usually only afforded to students who receive a private education. As stated, Dr. Crook has been at the helm since the school’s founding and is seeking to address the biggest challenge he believes the school is facing in the community they are located in. “We really want more African American kids to attend our school, especially those who live near our school,” Dr. Crook states. “We are challenged with exposing families in the Fifth Ward to our program, mostly because many families assume they can’t attend our school because we are not considered a neighborhood zoned school. That is a myth we want to change.” There have been many accomplishments at MLCPA and some challenges as well—one of the primary challenges has been dealing with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that every school has had to deal with and navigate through. Dr. Crook states that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the overall educational landscape at MLCPA and the community in so many ways, but they have remained resilient, while working hard to adjust to the new normal. If you ask any teacher at MLCPA, they will probably know and tell you exactly where they were on March 12, 2020—the day HISD announced that Spring Break would begin early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul Laforet, MLCPA’s robotics coach, remembers that day, and how it impacted the school. “The robotics team was in our workshop preparing for our second First Robotics Competition event, Mr. Laforet recalls. “After the announcement over the intercom, I saw them drop their tools to cheer and high-five. What kid wouldn’t be excited to start their Spring Break early? But then, we never returned to school.”That moment marked the beginning of the global COVID-19 pandemic for MLCPA, and other schools just like them. No one could have predicted that students would not return for in-person learning until the following school year, and even then, most students elected to learn from home, virtually.
Over 10 Years of Success in AcademicallyPreparing Young Men for the Future
Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men Celebrates
Nicole Walker Laforet, MLCPA’s high school English teacher acknowledged that everyone—students, teachers, and staff—all felt lost during those lonely months that they spent in their homes away from school, trying to make sense of our new normal.“No one was immune to the shock,” says Mrs. Laforet. “We adopted the whole-child philosophy as the cornerstone of our program. We envisioned a boy-friendly learning environment that would foster the healthy development of every young man we served, as well as a principled approach to the competitive spirit. Committing to this approach has set us apart from other all-male schools across the country, bringing our visions to fruition: our school has paid dividends upon dividends for the young men and families we serve.” Even after mask protocols and vaccines allowed students to return to in-person learning, MLCPA and schools across America continued to grapple with the emotional, mental, and spiritual consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic. “We came back together as new people,” Mrs. Laforet reflects.To put things into context, the entire incoming 2021 sixth grade class at MLCPA had last been in a normal, pre-pandemic classroom, as fourth graders. The freshman class had spent most of their middle school careers at home or in a virtual classroom. Mrs. Laforet recalls her shock when discussing this year’s high school awards ceremony with a junior, with the student asking if that was really a thing. “We have those?” marveled student Joaquin Castaneda. Due to the safety protocols, typical high school events such as award ceremonies, field trips, and school dances, hadn’t happened in the last few school years—a lifetime for any adolescent boy. Though there will be many traditional hallmarks lost to the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MLCPA community has been committed to pushing past any obstacles to get back to work, and return to celebrating student accomplishments, no matter what the world’s new normal might look like. It isn’t just the COVID-19 pandemic that MLCPA is charging against. The school is also seeking to navigate through a national and global community that is heavy with political disunity, pervasive racial inequity, and all the physical and cultural violence that stems from that. MLCPA’s teachers and staff take their mission of fostering tomorrow’s world innovators and leaders seriously, holding their duty like a radiant torch each day they walk into the school. MLCPA’s academics maintain a rigorously high bar. Middle school scholars take exclusively HISD Advanced courses, which prepare them for the AP courses they’ll take in high school. While other schools offer a tiered selection of courses to choose from, juniors at MLCPA, for example, don’t have the option to take an “on-level” English III option. Every student takes AP Language & Composition. Consequently, graduates face the rigors of college and the workforce with agility and grace. MLCPA has sent graduates to MIT, University of Virginia, UT Austin, A&M, Oklahoma State, Northeastern University, Vanderbilt University—the list could roll on for an entire article in and of itself. As an established institution, each school year promises a predictable rhythm with a clear intention for both the students and staff—focus on both individual and collective success, stay driven, and keep growing. Important dates—both academic and extra-curricular—serve as goal posts throughout the year. Athletic tournaments and championships, midterm exams, STAAR and AP testing—but the cycle of the school year in the midst of a global pandemic has proven to be unpredictable and at the whim of forces out of the control of anyone within the perimeter of the school.MLCPA’s Athletics—a program that was only reserved exclusively for the middle school in the beginning, has since exploded, now serving middle through high school. Over the years, MLCPA athletes have brought home a plethora of awards, including but not limited to cross-country district championships, basketball district championships, and track and field district championships. Head of MLCPA Athletics Coach Byron Shelton has marveled at the rapid growth and athletic accomplishments at MLCPA.“Inthe five years since we’ve added high school athletics to our program, our varsity basketball team has qualified for the UIL state playoffs two years running,” Coach Shelton reflects. “Our track and field team has produced multiple regional qualifiers and our cross-country team has claimed two district championships. Our baseball team has qualified for UIL state playoffs twice, and our soccer team is growing more competitive and is becoming quite the force to be reckoned with.” As a college-preparatory magnet school, the union between academics and extracurricular activities provides the opportunity to teach students the importance of balance and focus. “Here at MLCPA we have worked hard to build our athletes up on a foundation of character, commitment, compassion, and growth,” Coach Shelton states. “We look forward to making our school district and community proud for years to come.” MLCPA’s highly competitive robotics program is also no stranger to success, qualifying for state tournaments yearly and even hosting robotics competitions on campus. Mr. Laforet, computer science teacher and robotics coach talked about the growth of the program on the MLCPA campus. “When I stepped in to lead the robotics program several years pre-pandemic, we went into a full rebuild, as I wanted to cultivate a culture of excellence through a program that met the needs of the students while remaining competitive on a regional and state level,” Mr. Laforet states. “We did that. Now, as we emerge from the pandemic, we find ourselves rebuilding again, but with more confidence than ever in our future success. We have a large group of dedicated and passionate students ready to exceedMLCPAexpectations.”alsofosters the competitive spirit in countless ways. Christina Frascino, social studies teacher extraordinaire, who is also known as Mrs. Fresh by students, has dedicated herself to growing MLCPA’s up-and-coming debate team. “Debate provides a challenging opportunity for students to develop their higher-order thinking and research skills to build a formidable case,” says Ms. Frascino. “But more than that, each student develops confidence in their unique perspectives and voice, taking that powerful energy into debate tournaments. There’s nothing like the moment when a student witnesses the fruits of their labor come to life while competing against other schools from a variety of different backgrounds.” When young men come to MLCPA, they don’t just become a student on campus, they become a part of a thriving and lifelong family and community. Graduates remain members of the MLCPA family and legacy. “Graduates come back to campus all the time during their college vacation periods to visit us,” Mrs. Laforet shares. “I love the look of confidence and pride they have when walking into my classroom and seeing current students in the same chairs they once sat in. Anyone who sits in those blue chairs becomes my son, and to see them years later, thriving and now honoring where they came from, is a feeling absolutely unmatched. It makes everything we do as a staff and community feel that much more crucial and necessary.” The mission and legacy of the Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy community continues to persevere and prosper despite any obstacles that come their way. This year, that legacy comes full circle. Nahome Mekonnen, graduate of MLCPA’s Class of 2016, received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from John Hopkins University, and knew exactly what he wanted to do next. He wanted to become a teacher at MLCPA, the school who grew his mind and commitment to excellence. This month, Mekonnen will step into his middle school social studies classroom at MLCPA and carry forth everything he learned, growing each new MLCPA scholar with commitment, passion, and the certainty that each student in his classroom can and will thrive and succeed in the world, no matter what that new world looks MLCPAlike.has been ranked as high as second on The Washington Post’s prestigious annual “America’s Most Challenging High Schools” list, which ranks schools by the number of AP classes they offer and the number of seniors who graduate. Dr. Crook wants the community to help them continue growing.“We are looking for community partners to support our campus mission of creating a High performing boy-friendly environment,” states Dr. Crook. Congratulations, Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men and Dr. Crook on establishing an over 10-year stellar reputation as a beacon for young men with bright minds.The post A Beacon of Light for Young Men appeared first on Houston Forward Times.
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Inflation for Many Patients — Maybe a about a
Meanwhile, those corporations are collectively sitting “Companies may have raised these funds during the era of easy money and low-interest rates over the past decade,” Vishesh Raisinghani wrote for Yahoo Finance. “Now, this cash is acting as a buffer and could allow companies to retain staff despite the economic slowdown.”
Recession, Many Express Misgivings
“The United States currently has certain interim policies and tools, such as automatic stabilizers like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Unemployment Insurance that are automatically triggered to inject funds into the economy and don’t require any government action to take hold in the event of a downturn,” said Mila Garcia, a finance expert, and the founder of iPaydayLoans. “And while such programs have proven effective, they should have an even stronger effect with congressional action being taken alongside them. So, if a downturn does
“Congress has a historic chance to do that by passing the CHIPS and Science Act and Inflation Reduction Act Still, corporations have experienced a decline in sales and earnings during recessions and continue to fear what According to reports, the average U.S. corporation’s In traditional recessions, the rate drops down to single
Reduction Act Contains Important Cost-Saving Changes
Thursday, August 18, 2022 Los Angeles News Observer A7 Features
Looming Downturn
By Michael McAuliff California Healthline The giant health care, climate, and tax bill expected to pass the House on Friday and be sent to the president for his signature won’t be as sweeping as the Democrats who wrote it had hoped, but it would help millions of Americans better afford their prescription drugs and health insurance.TheInflation Reduction Act is estimated to spend about $485 billion over 10 years on health and alternative energy programs while raising about $790 billion through tax revenue and savings. The difference would be used to help reduce the deficit. On the health front, the legislation achieves two key goals of congressional Democrats. First, it would give the federal government the ability to negotiate prices of some drugs purchased by Medicare beneficiaries, a tool that has long been opposed by the drug industry. Second, it would extend the enhanced premium subsidies for people who buy insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplaces that Congress put in place last year to help confront the covid-19 pandemic. “It’s historic. Never before have we been able to negotiate prescription drug prices. This is something we’ve been fighting for [for] decades,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said this week. “I want more, of course — we always want more. But this is a great deal.” The bill extends the enhanced subsidies, which will expire this year if they are not continued, through 2025.The 2021 covid relief bill boosted subsidies for those people who had already qualified for the aid and provided subsidies to some middle-income people who had found coverage to be too expensive. According to an analysis by KFF, about 13 million people will see their premiums jump by more than half, on average, if the enhanced subsidies are not continued. And people who earn more than four times the poverty level will not be eligible for subsidies anymore, on top of seeing their premiums spike. The subsidies’ extension is expected to cost about $64 billion.The bill will also have a major impact on Medicare, including by allowing the program to negotiate prices for some of the most expensive drugs, capping beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket payments for drugs, limiting their insulin cost sharing to $35 a month, and barring drug companies from raising prices faster than inflation. The drug pricing provision, estimated to save the government nearly $100 billion over 10 years, would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to identify Medicare’s 100 most expensive drugs and then pick 10 for price negotiations starting in 2023. Those prices would take effect in 2026. Another 10 drugs would be added over the next two years, with the savings fully in effect by 2028. The negotiations would apply first to drugs people get at the pharmacy, but in the later two years, drugs that people get in doctors’ offices could also be covered. Some of the Medicare changes would kick in next year. One is the cap on price hikes. Under the bill, companies that raise the price of drugs sold to Medicare faster than inflation must pay rebates back to Medicare, generating an estimated $101 billion in savings for the government. The inflation protections will also apply to certain drugs, such as biologicals, that patients get in a doctor’s office. New vaccine and insulin cost caps would also take effect in 2023. Under the bill, all vaccines recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will be fully covered by Medicare, as well as by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. For Medicare beneficiaries who need insulin, out-ofpocket costs would be capped at $35, and starting in 2026, the cap would be $35 or 25% of the negotiated price ifthat is Anotherlower. big saver for Americans enrolled in Medicare would be a $2,000 cap on out-of-pocket drug costs, which would begin in 2025. According to KFF, 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries paid more than $2,000 for their drugs in 2019. According to an analysis by the Council for Informed Drug Spending Analysis based on data from 2012, about 3.5 million beneficiaries would likely save more than $1,500 a year. Starting sooner, in 2024, people whose out-of-pocket drug costs reach the “catastrophic” threshold of $7,050 won’t have to pay any additional money on drugs that year. Currently, there is no cap, and people must pay 5% of the cost of extremely expensive drugs after hitting the threshold.Alsostarting in 2024, Medicare would extend lowincome subsidies to about 500,000 beneficiaries who earn between 135% and 150% of the poverty level ($18,347 to $20,385 for a single person). Premium hikes on drug planswould also be limited in 2024 to 6% for all beneficiaries through 2029. The bill could have reached far more people, but Democrats’ attempts to slow the increase in drug prices and cap insulin copays outside of Medicare were blocked. Because the bill is being passed on expedited procedures known as budget reconciliation, all the provisions must have a direct impact on federal spending or revenue. The Senate parliamentarian, who vets such measures, ruled that the insulin and inflation measures targeting the private insurance market were out of bounds. Democrats tried to add back the broader-market insulin cost caps but fell three votes shy of the 60 needed to do so, with only seven Republicans joining them. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer pledged to hold another vote on expanding the insulin cost cap in thefall. Still, some analysts see reasons to believe that most Americans not directly affected by the bill will see some benefits, particularly from the limits on drug price increases and the Medicare drug price negotiations. In a conference call with reporters Thursday, Sean Dickson of the nonprofit West Health Policy Center pointed to the government’s 340B program, in which drug companies are required to provide discounts to certain care providers and in which there are inflation penalties. He estimated that Medicare alone saved $7 billion over five years indirectly because of those inflation restraints. “There was a spillover effect from the subsection of a government program that had an inflation penalty,” Dickson said. “That resulted in lower costs for everyone who used those drugs and slower price growth.” This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information onhealth issues to the nation. KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.
for You Fearing
In the past, it hasn’t always been clear when a recession loomed, let alone when it had already begun. However, the silver lining now is that unlike in previous downturns, the Federal Reserve and the U.S. government have already taken action by making critical adjustments to fiscal and monetary policies to regulate economic activity.
Some of the Crenshaw District favorite musical acts were on the line-up. These stellar musicians help to cement the area as a cultural hub of the African American community. DJ Nameless was on deck of the ones and twos, playing a soulful soundtrack that had the party people dancing in the parking lot throughout the afternoon. Medusa and Verbs, are two respected and highly regarded hip-hop artists in their own right. They served as Master of Ceremonies for the festival both days. Medusa gifted the crowd with some freestyle lyrics on both days of the festivities. Congresswomen Diane E. Watson (Retired) was also in attendance to enjoy both days of the festival. S.H.I.N.E. Muwasi blessed the Earth and the four directions, and led the crowd in honoring our ances tors and our beloved relatives, friends and icons from the community who have transitioned. The group cranked it up to entertain the crowd with a high-octane drumming and dancing of West Africa. Shelley Bruce performed several relevant and timely spoken word pieces “I’m Not a Ghost,” “Life Study #44,” and “Light Seed.” Lula Washington Youth Dance Ensemble en thralled the crowd as they brilliantly performed dance routines to “Life Every Voice and Sing” choreographed by Lula Washington, “Nature Boy” choreographed by Tamica Washington Miller, Self-Personal Work, choreographed by Danny Guerrero, Mask (Etude), choreographed by Lula Washington, performed by Vuong Nguyen, ‘1619” cho reographed and performed by Zeri, and The Global Vil lage, choreographed by Lula Washington. A captivated set was performed by Hugh Augus tine as he entertained with a fluid flow of lyrics “Untouch able,” “Roll a Blunt,” “Rap Money,” “Programmed,” “Taste of It,” and “Party Flavors.” A colorful, somber and celebratory “Remember Our Ancestors: Procession of Masks, circled the perimeter of the festival grounds. Utopia presents; DJ Adé B2B KG Superstar to lay down a global soundtrack of beats from the diaspora to propel the crowd to move and groove. Ashley Wilkerson shared a coupled of won derful spoken pieces entitled “Brown Hands,” and “Brown Hands,” with music, “He,” and “Good.”
Medusa and Congresswomen Diane E. Watson (Retired), (Photo: Ricky Richardson)
Georgia Anne Muldrow (Photo: Ricky Richardson)
Artists, advisors, builders, and cultural strategist joined forces to form Crenshaw Creative® and partnered with the Getty for Crenshaw Remembers in celebration of the Getty Center’s 25th Anniversary.
These two-day festivals featured curated experi ences reflective of each community including interactive workshops, live music and performances, an artisan mar ketplace, food trucks, giveaways, photo booth, and more. Getty was on-site with an immersive digital experience of its collections, hands-on library, gift shop, and resources for Getty’s job, volunteer and internship opportunities.
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By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer (Los Angeles, Ca.)- A lot of community love wasin the air as it hovered over the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza upper parking lot. The occasion was the 9th itera tion of outdoor community arts festivals in celebration of the Getty Center’s 25th Anniversary, Saturday and Sunday, August 13-14, 2022, at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, Southeast Upper Deck. Throughout the summer, across Los Angeles, the Getty Center’s 25th Anniversary celebrations featured festival that consisted of community arts workshops, live music, food trucks, and much more that engages the whole family.
DJ Nameless (Photo: Ricky Richardson)
A large diverse, multicultural crowd from vari ous ethnic communities, that make Los Angeles a vibrant, thriving melting pot, participated in the non-ticketed pub lic festivals held in various neighborhoods.
The ninth stop of the celebration allowed attend ees to immerse themselves in the rich culture, art, and his tory of LA’s Black Arts District at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza with program direction by Crenshaw Creative®, pow ered by Getty 25 and produced by CARS. Attendees heard stories of elders, participated in hands-on workshops, and discovered a rapidly growing community of artists. Crenshaw Remembers (How to Love) a free arts and wellness family festival celebrated the memories of the Crenshaw District while providing its memory keepers thetools to heal from within.
The show concluded on Saturday with a phenom enal experience, a performance of jazz by the Pan African People Arkestra. This tight community band thrilled the crowd with superb compositions by Jesse Sharp “Mac ramé,” “The Goat & The RamJam,” “Desert Fairy Prin cess,” and concluded their set with “Mike’s Tune.” Sunday, day two of the celebration featured DJ Smiley manning the ones and twos. Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center Jazz Band got the live perfor mances underway with wonderful arrangements of “R U Chicken,” “Red Clay,” “Too High,” “Human Nature,” and“Before I Let Go.” Ronnie Heard III lead the band on this particular gig.Dwight Trible, a jazz legend of Leimert Park, is keeping the jazz torch lit as Executive Director of The World Stage. He performed “Afro Blue,” “Little Sunflow er,” “Backlash Blues,” and “You Gotta Have Freedom.” The band consisted of Dwight Trible-vocals, Jamael Dean-key boards, Jillian Lopez-harp, Jeffrey Littleton-bass, and Greg Paul-drums. Linafornia & the Prizmatics lit up the proceedings with an awesome sampling of beats (jazz, hip-hop, funk, soul, afrobeat, and house), as The Prizmatics improvised along with the beats. The Prizmatics featured Sammy Pe rez-guitar, David Otis-saxophones, and Greg Paul-drums. Funmilola Fagbamila recited a wonderful spoken word piece entitled “Woke Black Folk” that can be viewed on YouTube at your leisure. Fandangobon featuring Le Ballet Dembaya, Quetzal & Great Leap. This was a very exciting collabora tion as they took the crowd on a fantastic musical journey through Africa, Mexico and Japan. Jahana Blunt opened the set with instructions and performance of dances from Mali, accompanied by drumming to the rhythms of Djen sa. Martha Gonzalez led the attendees through Veracruz, with a popular Son Jarocho, “La Bamba” while perform ing on a tarima for Fandango, the tradition context of Son Jarocho. Nobuku Miyamoto led the audience to Japan as they learned the dance and lyrics to “Mattainai,” and “Bambutsu,” aided by musicians playing traditional instru ments from Japan.
Back by popular demand, Utopia presents: DJ Adé B2B RG Superstar. DJ Battlecat & The GFunk AllStars with Georgia Anne Muldrow capped of the celebra tion with an explosion of musical fireworks. Ricky Richardson)
It’s All About Love-Getty @ 25 Celebrates Crenshaw Funmiola Fagbamila (Photo:
Members of the Los Angeles Chargers say a prayer before the opening pre season game vs the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. (Photo: Mike Now/Los Angeles Chargers)
Battle of Los Angeles- Pre-Season Style
Rams CrosstownTake Game
By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer This week the Dodgers announced Walker Bue hler will undergo season-ending elbow surgery next week. The two-time All-Star, who finished fourth in NL Cy Young Award voting last season, hasn’t pitched for Los An geles since June 10. They were hopeful that he could return for the end of the season and, more importantly, the post season. The 28-year-old appeared in 12 games this year, finishing with a 4/02 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 65 innings. Buehler had been looking for a late September return after the Dodgers initially diagnosed him with a grade 2 right flexor tendon strain. However, that clearly changed at some point and now his season is done. The results of the MRI were not clear. Dr EIAtrace the team head physician determined was the sector. “Whatever Dr.ElAtrace saw he felt that was the best course of action was to go back in to get surgery go back in and figure out what the problem is and really fix it,” said Skipper Dave Robert’s. The NL West-leading Dodgers will have to move for ward as-is as they attempt to rebound after a 4-0 loss to Kansas City which ended ending their 12-game winning streak in the process. That stretch, which saw the Dodgers win each game by multiple runs, had served as the longest in franchise history since 1976. The Dodgers were one win away from tying the franchise’s longest winning streak since the club relocated from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958. In 1924 the team won 15 straight games. The team had scored eight or more runs in eight of the 12 wins. The 80 wins (at press time puts them on a pace to win 114 Whilegames. inKC the team visited the Negro League Base ball Museum. They all came away with unique thoughts. “A lot of history in the Negro Leagues isn’t talked about which is sad but I also think that its really cool that the museum is here, “ said Clayton Kershaw. “I was grate ful I got to learn a lot of the history because I didn’t know hardly any of it.”
Three of the PAC-12 in Preseason Poll
Hot;
Walker Buehler last pitched on June 10th, and had posted a 6-3 record with a 4.02 ERA this season. (Photo: D. Ross Cameron/USA Today Sports)Dodgers Also Receive Bad News
preseason No. 1 ranking is the seventh in 15 years under coach Nick Saban. Since the preseason rankings started in 1950, only Oklahoma with 10 has been No. 1 in the initial poll more often than Alabama.
Thursday, August 18, 2022 Los Angeles News Observer A9 Sports
As for their inside linebacker position, Kenneth Mur ray, their number one draft pick from 2020, didn’t play as he is healing from surgery, he had over the summer that kept him out of 6 games last season. Nor did veteran line backer Kyle Van Noy, who they picked up in the off-sea son, or 2019 fourth-round pick Drue Tranquill play in this game. Van Noy and Tranquill have been penciled in as the Chargers starters at linebackers. A concern that arose from this pre-season game was the inability of the Chargers to get the ball carrier on the ground! Whether in the open field, in traffic, or at the point of contact, that game Saturday night gave credence to this growing concern. Understand that they want to pre serve the players’ bodies, and the pounding these players’ bodies will go through. “It’s that modern-day question that every coach has to go through, every organization has to go through, because it’s a big part of the game, getting guys on the ground. But the way it is now, it’s just a topic that is always going to be up for debate,” Staley says about the quandary he, and other NFL coaches, are in regards to improving tackling on their teams. “The games give you that chance to get out there live and experience it. Certainly, our guys felt that tonight, what it is like the truly finish live. There is a difference.”“That’s why training camp, there’s a month of it, month-plus of it, three games. You take a lot of pride in teaching the best you can, but until they do it live to the ground; you have to learn your lessons. We learned some tonight,” Staley said in support of the need for pre-season games to prepare for the season. What are your thoughts on the Chargers initial pre-season game? Is there a player or position group that you are focused on? Let us know your thoughts on these Chargers by reaching out to me on Twitter @_voiceofthe fans, or email me at voiceofthefans@outlook.com.
By Cameron Buford Whatsgoodinsports.com The Los Angeles Chargers would kick off their pre-sea son games by facing the other team that calls SoFi stadium home, just as they did a season ago. The Rams and the Chargers will meet late in the season, likely much more on the line than we saw on Saturday night. Although, we knew going into the game that many starters on either team would not be playing. Though the Rams pulled out a narrow 29-22 win over the Chargers, the score was largely inconsequential as the goal for both teams was to get a better look at some of their young talent. I wanted to see Chargers rookie Isaiah Spiller get some carries in the NFL. I wanted to see how the offen sive line plays in the running game specifically. Lastly, I am concerned with the inside linebacker position. “I thought that they all got some good work,” Staley said about how their running backs performed on Saturday night. “I thought that Isaiah [Spiller] had a couple of good runs in traffic, where it was crowded.” The Charger’s offensive line only allowed two sacks on the night, enabling their quarterbacks to throw for 226 yards and 2 touchdowns on a 67.5 completion percentage. However, minus a Chase Daniels scramble for 22 yards, their running backs rushed for a combined 64 yards for an average of 3.2 yards per carry. It would seem to be challeng ing for the coaches to evaluate their offensive line and the running backs considering the lineup changes. “We have two very-good offensive lines that played to day. We think that the quality of the line gave us the chance to move the ball in both phases,” said Staley in support of his offensive line and their ability to get an accurate assess ment of the running backs group. “We’re going to get a very accurate evaluation of those backs.”
By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer USC football has opened the 2022 season as the 14th ranked team in the country in the Associated Press col lege football preseason poll. The Trojans are one of five ranked schools with a new head coach (Lincoln Riley). They are one of three schools from t6he PAC-12 confer ence that are ranked in the top 25. Utah 7, Oregon 11 are the others. UCLA only received only 2 votes. With two of the best players in the country leading the way — and a championship game loss as motivation — Alabama is No. 1 in the AP for the second straight seasonand ninth time overall. With Heisman Trophy winner and Pasadena native Bryce Young and national defensive player of year Will An derson Jr. and the Crimson Tide and 1,566 points in the Top 25 presented by Regions Bank released on Monday. Ohio State is No. 2 with six first-place vote (1,506 points) from the media panel and defending nation al Champion Georgia is 4th with three first-place votes (1,455 points).Clemson is No. 4. Notre Dame rounds out the top 5. setting up a tantalizing opener at Ohio State on Sept.The3rd. Tide’s
Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Bryce Perkins (16) throws the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium. (Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer Quarterbacks Bryce Perkins had a productive night in the preseason opener for the Rams at So-Fi Stadium. The third stringer got busy right away leading the team on a 13 play 47 yard drive. The drive took 8:39 and was finished with a one yard burst by AJ Rose. That help lead to a 29-22 win over the Chargers. Later in the quarter Perkins hit rookie Lance Mc Cutcheon down the left sideline where it appeared he was being held by a Charger defender, he pulled the ball away then scampered the rest of the way for a 60-yard touch down. Perkins finished the day completing 10 of 17 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns and the one big thing - no interceptions. He also ran the ball eight times for 39 yards and a score. He has quick feet and an elusiveness that can’t be taught. It was both Rams coach Sean McVay and Chargers coach Brandon Staley were impressed. “I was really pleased with Bryce Perkins, his ability to be able to make plays off schedule, be able to get in and out of the huddle,” McVay said. “How the heck did he get out of a couple of those? He’s a playmaker. Being able to allow guys to play within their skillset when things do break down, that’s an elite trait that he has – an ability to be able to break tackles.” Perkins has never played in the regular season but has been on the Rams roster since 2020-- at that time Staley was the team’s defensive coordinator. Staley said he has al ways thought highly of Perkins’ skill set, and thought Per kins gave the Chargers’ defense a great look at what chang es they need to do when facing a duel threat like Perkins. Perkins played the entire game as starter Mathew Staf ford and John Wolford looked on in street clothes. Meanwhile McCutcheon from Montana State made a name for himself. . The 6-2 202 pounder is an undraft ed free-agent who appeared comfortable during game ac tion. He finished with five catches for 87 yards and he also caught a two-point conversion. The Rams’ top five receivers are essentially set, and you can make it six if you include Brandon Powell, but Sean McVay isn’t ruling out the possibility of keeping McCutch eon as No. 7. “I think certainly,” he said of whether McCutcheon has a shot to make the team. “A lot of that is predicated on, you look at the 53, but I’m really interested in the 48. How do these guys get up on game day and that’s a big part of it to be able to help Joe D and Jeremy Springer? Especial ly when you send your starting 11 out, whether it’s in 12 personnel, 11 personnel, if you’re not on the field, for you to have a jersey and dress with the 48, you better be willing to help on special teams. That all weighs into it. If you said anywhere between six and eight, but ideally, you’re saying you’ve got five guys up and sometimes we used to carry six because Mike Thomas was such a unique contributor on special teams. There’s a lot of layers to it.” ADD RAMS: The Rams made moves releasing former Texas Longhorns kicker/punter Cameron Dicker, offensive tackle Adrian Ealy, tight end Jamal Pettigrew and defensive back Caesar Dancy-Williams... The Rams will host Hous ton this Friday August 19 at So-Fi Stadium at 7:30.
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Avery Sunshine Performing (Photo: Philtrina Farquharson) Attendees enjoying the festival (Photo: Philtrina Farquharson) Attendees enjoying the festival (Photo: Philtrina Farquharson)
AWB Performing (Photo: Philtrina Farquharson)
Although the live music was the main attraction, the Long Beach Jazz Festival food vendors made sure to leave their mark on attendees’ minds and bellies. There were more than ten food trucks/ food vendors serving guests including ‘Throwdown Soul Food’ serving hearty mouth watering meals like oxtails. In between sets, there was also an opportunity to support local black businesses that were selling a variety of items from art pieces, clothing, waist beads, to natural body butters. The outpouring of support from the black community supporting local black businesses shined throughout this past weekend.
The festival’s theme this year was ‘A Healthy Taste of Jazz’, which aimed to bring Jazz, health & wellness togeth er, pleasing the senses while nourishing the mind, body, and soul ,and guests confirmed it did just that. “With everything going on in the world now, it feels nice to be here. I am still on a high from this past weekend and will continue to show my support for this wonderful jazz festival in Long Beach,” said attendee, Anthony Grant. Additional performers throughout the weekend in cluded: Robert Glasper, AJ Williams Jazz Society, Sergio Mendes, and Damien Escobar. As for now no 2023 dates have been announced yet, but the Long Beach Jazz Festival but guests are sure to be in for another delightful weekend of delightful music, food and community.
Thursday, August 18, 2022 Los Angeles News Observer A11 Local
Smooth Sounds of Jazz Filled the Air With the Triumphant Return of the 33rd Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival
By: Philtrina Farquharson Contributing Writer After a two year hiatus due to the global pandemic, this past weekend the Long Beach Jazz Festival went on without a hitch for its 33rd annual edition, surely making up for the time lost. Taking place at the picturesque Rainbow Lagoon Park, surrounded by beautiful waterways, the Southern California community came near and far to kickback, re lax, and enjoy the soulful sounds of live music from many talented musicians across many different genres including Jazz, R&B, Latin, and Gospel. Friday night’s highlight was eclectic singer songwriter Avery Sunshine, who kicked off the event with a family affair! Her husband was rocking out with her on the bass guitar while her son held it down on the drums, definitely setting the tone for the rest of the weekend. Saturday’s crowd overwhelmed the space with an outstanding turnout. AWB (Average White Band) best known for their global hit ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ came to the stage and rocked the crowd, attendees of all ages got their groove on while listening to AWB’s series of soul and disco hits that brought festival goers back in time. “It felt great to be on stage performing again. It was a great crowd that loves this kinda music and they were enjoying themselves. It makes it easier and fun to get paid to do this. Something I would do for free but felt so good to do it in front of an audience that appreciated it,” said Brent Carter, lead vocalist of AWB. “My hope was for guests to come here and forget about all of their problems and just have a good time with us and just feel the love because we felt it from the audi ence,” said Carter. “It means the world to us.”
April Johnson, Esq (Photo Courtesy of April/ Happied) By: Philtrina Farquharson Contributing Writer Happied CEO, and Inglewood native April Johnson, Esq. is all smiles after her company has raised over $1.72M in funding to date. Happied is an event planning software platform that uses data to plan corporate, client, and com munity events of all sizes and has had major success in re cent Theyears.journey has not always been joyful, but Johnson is no rookie to entrepreneurship, and always had a desire to succeed.Johnson’s earliest days as a business owner began during her undergraduate years at UCLA when she and her roommate came together to create Westside Student Tutors. The idea was to offer affordable tutoring services, hiring students from UCLA to help younger students throughout Los Angeles, and business was booming! Be fore their website was up and running, they had customers inquiring, over time had hired over 30 tutors, and even had office space in Santa Monica. Eventually, the business subsided as her roommate went on to business school and Johnson went on to law school in hopes of following in her mom’s footsteps of be coming a lawyer. During Johnson’s time at law school, she became President of the Black Law Association where she realized she had a natural knack for curating events worth attending without having any professional experience. She put together about 50 events while in law school and that is when the inspiration for Happied came about in 2011, but at the time it was just an idea. Johnson graduated from law school and began work ing as a successful corporate real estate lawyer making over $200K. During her time as a lawyer, life happened and in 2018 a toll of tragic family events took place. April then realized that life was too short. She quit her well-paying job and stepped into the world of entrepreneurship fulltime. “I would rather try and fail than live with regret,” said Johnson.Fast-forward to 2019, she launched the first version of Happied which initially started as a consumer prod uct connecting individuals to local experiences like happy hours. Johnson wanted to expand and hired a developer but things did not go as planned. “Our product looked good but did not function well at all,” said Johnson. Not too long after trying to expand her business, she learned a hard lesson and failed miserably. Johnson had lost all the money she put in her busi ness and was left with a few hundred dollars in her savings account. “After one big mistake, It was truly humbling to go from being a corporate lawyer safe and secure to abso lutely nothing,” said Johnson. “I had to pick up side hus tles which included doing marketing for companies, I did contract work for my old law firm, and I waited tables,” she said.“Oftentimes people glamourize being an entrepreneur and start-up life and I think it is important for people to know if you are going to do this, you have to be ready to go through the trenches,” said Johnson. Although she had many trials and tribulations, she was focused on the mission to revolutionize the way peo ple plan events and there seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Before she raised a single dollar of outside capital she was able to earn 1 million dollars in revenue in 2021 and became profitable once she changed her business model.She began to work with Fortune 500 companies in cluding Twitter, Google, Disney, and Capital One to name a few. The biggest lesson she learned besides never giving up, was focusing on building a product that people actually need.With grit and determination Johnson has gone far and has high hopes for the future of Happied. “Growing up in Inglewood really made me feel like I could do anything. Seeing Black women like Issa Rae successfully make it, gave me hope and pushed me to continue to make my city proud like they did,” said Johnson. As far as what we can expect from Happied down the line, Johnson hopes to make this a global platform that will serve as the heartbeat of engagement for corporations across the world. Los Angeles News Observer coverage of local news in Los Angeles County is supported by the Ethnic Media Sustainabil ity Initiative, a program created by California Black Media and Ethnic Media Services to support community newspapers across California.
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How A Lawyer Turned CEO Is Shaping The Way
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