Valley's News Observer 3.25.21

“Tina” Review

Blaney Shakes it Up in Atlanta

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News Observer The Valley’s

Volume 36 Number 19

Serving the San Fernando Valley for Over 36 Years

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Laker Great Elgin Baylor Passes

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer One of the NBA’s All-Time greats Elgin Baylor passed away this week at the age of 86. The Hall of Famer passed away of natural causes surrounded by his wife Elaine and daughter Krystal.

Baylor was born September 16, 1934 in Washington D.C. We all know him as a talented athlete but he was a good family man, husband and great human being.

“Elgin was the love of my life and my best friend,” said Elaine. “And like everyone else I was in awe of his immense courage, dignity and the time he gave all fans. At this time we ask that I and our family be allowed to mourn his passing in privacy.”

Baylor was drafted twice by the Minneapolis Lakers. The first time in 1956 in the 14th round, but he decided to stay in school.

He collegiately played at the College of Idaho before transferring to University Seattle Chieftian’s (now known as the Redhawks). In his inaugural season he averaged 29 points and 20 rebounds a game. The following year he averaged 32 points a game and led them to their first and only appearance to the NCAA title game where they fell to Kentucky.

In 1958 he was selected again by the Minneapolis Lakers in the first round. The team had a 19-53 record before Elgin came aboard. After his arrival they soared from last place to the NBA finals. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year. After a second season in Minneapolis the team moved to Los Angeles.

“He was the first Laker superstar when the team moved to Los Angeles. When we first played home games people cheered for the visiting team,” said Laker great Jerry West. “The more he played and showed his athletic ability the fans began to cheer for us.” West and Baylor were Laker teammates for 11 years. They played in several finals together.

At 6-5 he had more moves than a moving van. He had more moves than ex lax. He could jump over you and jump around you.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Elgin Baylor (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

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Women Leading California’s COVID-19 Response Quinci LeGarye California Black Media This Women’s History Month, California Black Media is profiling three Black women on the leading edge of California’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Surgeon General Nadine Burke Harris, California Gov Operations Secretary Yolanda Richardson and Kimberly Goode, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at Blue Shield of California. The profiles explore how these exceptional women have brought their experience, knowledge and leadership abilities to driving California’s COVID-19 recovery efforts. It also looks at the challenges they have faced, the successes they have won and how they balance the rigors of their public roles with the responsibilities of their private lives.

Profile: Nadine Burke Harris, the Equity Advocate Nadine Burke Harris is California’s first Surgeon General, a role that consists of a number of high-level internal governmental obligations as well as a significant amount of public-facing responsibility. In addition to advising the governor on health matters, she is also the state’s “public health spokesperson,” Burke Harris told California Black Media.

“Probably the biggest part of my job is that I translate science into information that people can use to help keep themselves healthy. That’s probably my favorite part of the job,” she says.

When asked what her biggest success has been regarding California’s pandemic-related public-health efforts, Burke-Harris focused on the state’s equity measures. They include equity metrics within the state’s reopening blueprints for counties as well as an equity strategy within COVID-19 vaccine allocation that reserves 40 % of vaccines for socio-economically disadvantaged

communities. She also mentioned her role as co-chair of the Community Vaccine Advisory Committee, which is part of the process of determining how California allocates and distributes its vaccines.

“I think our reopening blueprint really demonstrates how seriously California is taking the issue of equity because our whole notion is that we recognize that this pandemic is disproportionately hard on Black communities, and we really want to make sure that when we are reopening that we are doing an equitable reopening,” said Burke-Harris.

Prior to becoming California’s Surgeon General, BurkeHarris treated children as a pediatrician. She is the founder of the Center for Youth Wellness in the Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco. In her decade and a half working in the community, Burke-Harris saw how certain equity and accessibility issues would impact her patients’ ability to receive care.

Burke-Harris says, “There are a lot of little things that you realize. For example, I was just on a conversation where we were talking about how close a vaccine site has to be in order to be considered accessible. One of the things that I highlighted is that I live in San Francisco, and I have a car, so for me, something that’s five miles away is perfectly acceptable. But for the patients that I cared for, I had the experience of seeing how hard it is for someone who’s got two or three kids to take three buses across town to get where they have to go. Five miles away may not be accessible. That has certainly informed my role in the state and how I advise the governor.”

In addition to her work on the COVID-19 response, BurkeHarris has also continued her previous work on raising awareness

Dr. Nadine Burk (Courtesy Photo)

about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how toxic stress affects children. A training initiative, which she began in January 2020, has now educated almost 20,000 doctors about how to identify and improve healthcare outcomes for people who Continued on page A4

Two Women Support State’s 3.9 Million Small Businesses Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he had appointed Tara Lynn Gray, 57, of Fresno, as Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate

(CalOSBA).

In that role, Gray, who is African American, replaces Isabel Guzman, who President Biden appointed the 27th Administrator of the Small Business Administration in January. Last week in Washington, with an 81-17 vote,

Left to Right: Isabell Guzman SBA Director (photo) Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the Office of the Small Business Advocate.

the United States Senate confirmed Guzman’s nomination.

She is Latina.

In California, Gray is expected to begin working immediately since the Director of the Office of the Small Business Advocate position does not require State Senate confirmation.

Now, working with similar mandates -- one in a federal Cabinet position and the other at the top-level of state government -- Guzman and Gray have become the de facto leading advocates for the almost four million small businesses in California, which, in aggregate, hire more than 7 million people and account for more than 99 % of all Golden State businesses. Together, the women will be responsible for directing tens of billions of dollars in emergency and ongoing budgetary funding to California small businesses.

CalOSBA is part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), which serves as the states’ main apparatus leading economic development programs designed to boost job growth and business assistance efforts.

Ashley Swearengin, CEO of the Central Valley Community Foundation and former Republican mayor of Fresno, praised Gray’s appointment.

“Tara is a tireless and effective leader in California’s small business community and the right choice at this pivotal time,” she said. “As the State of California continues its recovery, Tara will turn advocacy into action, get results for small businesses, and ensure our diverse small business owners and entrepreneurs are at the table driving towards an equitable and inclusive economic recovery.”

GO-Biz offers a range of growth and support services to California business owners, including permit streamlining, clearing of regulatory hurdles, international trade development assistance, and more, according to the governor’s office. The governor has also charged the office to manage more than $2 billion in COVID-19 relief funding targeted to small businesses, non-profits and cultural institutions across California.

Guzman earned her bachelor’s at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. As SBA Continued on page A2

Free!

Thursday, March 25, 2021

White Headmaster Made Black Student Kneel During Apology UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) – The white headmaster of a New York Catholic school forced an 11-year-old Black student to kneel while apologizing to a teacher and later explained that the punishment was an “African way,” the boy’s mother said.

Headmaster John Holian of St. Martin de Porres Marianist school on Long Island was placed on temporary leave after details of the Feb. 25 incident came to light, the Daily News reports.

The student’s mother, Trisha Paul, told the newspaper that her son, Trayson, finished his reading early that day and took out another assignment.

Paul said the boy’s English teacher reprimanded Trayson for working on the wrong assignment, ripped up the paper and marched him to Holian’s office, where the headmaster told the sixth-grader to get on his knees and apologize to the teacher.

Paul said she called the school on March 1 and asked Holian if forcing students to kneel was standard disciplinary practice.

Holian said it was not but added that he’d learned the approach from a Nigerian father who said it was an “African way” of apologizing, Paul said.

“Once he started mentioning this African family, that’s when it just clicked,” Paul, who is Haitian American, told the newspaper. “Like, this is not normal procedure. I felt there was no relevance at all.

Is he generalizing that everyone who is Black is African?

That’s when I realized something is not right with this situation.”

The newspaper said that after it made inquiries about the forced kneeling, school officials sent an email to parents saying Holian had been placed on temporary leave pending an investigation.

“I want to assure you that St. Martin’s neither condones nor accepts the actions of our headmaster,” acting headmaster James Conway wrote in the email Friday. “The incident does not reflect our long, established values or the established protocols regarding student related issues.”

The newspaper said Holian himself declined to comment on the specifics of Paul’s complaint, saying only that “we love our students here” and noting that the “vast majority” are students of color.

Paul said her normally outgoing son has been reserved since the incident.

“My son was humiliated, hurt, embarrassed, sad and confused,” she said. “He reads about things happening because of your skin color. To experience it. ... he’s just trying to process it in his 11-year-old brain.”

Woman Sentenced for Role in White Supremacist Kidnapping LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – A Russellville woman has been sentenced to nearly 22 years in prison for her role in two kidnappings connected to the white supremacist group New Aryan Empire, according to court records.

Amanda Rapp, 40, was sentenced Friday to 262 months in prison after pleading guilty in October to two counts of kidnapping two people who were suspected by the New Aryan Empire of cooperating with law enforcement. She had faced a potential sentence of life in prison.

As part of a plea agreement two additional counts of kidnapping were dismissed.

An attorney for Rapp did not immediately return a phone call for comment on Sunday.

Prosecutors say New Aryan Empire began as a prison gang in the 1990s and later became involved in narcotics trafficking, witness intimidation and violent acts.

Rapp is one of dozens of the gang’s members who were indicted in 2017 and 2019 on kidnapping, drug, racketeering and weapons charges. Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ross said 49 of defendants have now pleaded guilty, including gang leader Wesley Gullett.

Tennessee State University Scholarships Available This message from Dr. Glenda Glover, President of Tennessee State University and her Community Affairs Liaison, Mrs. Barbara Murrell. There is a program between TSU and Meharry Medical College where the student would go to TSU for three years and then on to Meharry and finish to become an MD or DDS in 7 years instead of the traditional 8 years.

They have enough females already signed up for the program and no black males. If you know any black males who are high school seniors that want to become a medical doctor, have a 28 on the ACT and a 3.5 GPA, I have a possible free ride for them at Tennessee State University. You can send prospective candidates information to: Gussie.fuller@gmail.com.

The information will be forwarded to President Glover and Mrs. Barbara Murrell.

The student’s info needs to be submitted ASAP.

World & Nation

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THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, March 25, 2021

The American Rescue Plan Provides Relief for Small Businesses

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The White House on Tuesday released a fact sheet on President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, noting that millions of main street small businesses are struggling to make ends meet in the wake of the

COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis.

The White House “especially noted” the struggles of Black- and Brown-owned businesses. Without additional government assistance, these challenges could worsen in the months ahead and the national vaccination program would be hobbled, administration officials noted.

The American Rescue Plan will change the course of the pandemic, deliver immediate relief for small businesses and American workers, and build a bridge towards economic recovery.

The American Rescue Plan will change the course of the pandemic, deliver immediate relief for small businesses and American workers, and build a bridge towards economic recovery.

Many Americans already have received a $1,400 stimulus check, making good on President Biden’s preinaugural promise of $2,000 payments – Americans received $600 in the weeks prior to the new administration.

The White House fact sheet noted full support for small businesses through the current crisis. “Since the beginning of this pandemic, 400,000 small businesses have closed and millions more are hanging by a thread,” the administration offered in the fact sheet.

“President Biden’s plan will provide emergency grants, lending, and investment to hard-hit small businesses so they can rehire and retain workers and purchase the health and sanitation equipment they need to keep workers safe,” the statement continued.

Further, the American Rescue Plan will: • Deploy community navigators to increase awareness of the participation in COVID-19 relief programs for small business owners who currently lack access, especially underserved entrepreneurs without banking relationships, lawyers, accountants, and consultants.

• Allocate $15 billion in flexible grants to help the smallest, most severely impacted businesses persevere through the pandemic.

• Provide $28 billion for a new grant program to support hard-hit small restaurants and other food and drinking establishments.

• Bolster the Paycheck Protection Program with

an additional $7.25 billion in funding to support small businesses and nonprofits that were previously excluded.

• Devote an additional $1.25 billion in funding to support live venue operators, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theatre operators, and talent representatives that are struggling to make ends meet.

• Invest $10 billion in successful state, local, and tribal small business financing programs to help small businesses innovate, create and maintain jobs, and provide the essential goods and services that communities depend on.

• Help small businesses rehire and retain workers by extending the employee retention credit through the end of 2021.

In addition to providing direct relief to hard hit small businesses, the American Rescue Plan will bolster a wholeof-government COVID-19 response that will change the course of the public health crisis, administration officials wrote in the fact sheet.

The American Rescue Plan will “devote $1 trillion toward building a bridge to economic recovery for working families, including those who work for small businesses; and provide critical support to communities that are struggling in the wake of the pandemic.”

The White House concluded: “The American Rescue Plan will address the immediate crises facing small businesses. In the coming weeks, President Biden will lay out his economic recovery plan to invest in America, create millions of additional goodpaying jobs, and build back better than before.”

Atlanta Rally Against Hate after Spa Shootings

By KATE BRUMBACK Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) – A diverse crowd gathered Saturday in a park across from the Georgia state Capitol to demand justice for the victims of shootings at massage businesses days earlier and to denounce racism, xenophobia and misogyny.

The hundreds of people of all ages and varied racial and ethnic backgrounds who gathered in Liberty Plaza in Atlanta waved signs and cheered for speakers, including U.S. Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff and Georgia state Rep. Bee Nguyen, the first Vietnamese American to serve in the Georgia House.

“I just wanted to drop by to say to my Asian sisters and brothers, we see you, and, more importantly, we are going to stand with you,” Warnock said to loud cheers and against the backdrop of drivers in passing cars honking their horns in support. “We're all in this thing together.”

Robert Aaron Long, a 21-year-old white man, is accused of killing four people inside two Atlanta spas and four others at a massage business about 30 miles (50 kilometers) away in suburban Cherokee County. Six of the eight people killed on Tuesday were women of Asian descent. Another person also was shot but survived.

Investigators have said Long confessed to the slayings but said they weren't racially motivated. He claimed to have a sex addiction, which caused him to lash out at what he saw as sources of temptation, according to authorities.

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Police have said they're still working to establish a motive, including looking into whether the attacks can be classified as hate crimes.

Georgia lawmakers last year passed a hate crimes law that allows additional penalties to be imposed for certain offenses when motivated by a victim's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender or disability.

A hate crime is not a standalone crime under the law, but it can be used to add time to a sentence once someone is convicted of another crime.

“No matter how you want to spin it, the facts remain the same. This was an attack on the Asian community,” said Nguyen, who has been a frequent advocate for women and communities of color. She noted that the shooter targeted businesses operated by women of Asian descent.

“Let's join hands with our ally community and demand justice for not only these victims but for all victims of white supremacy,” she said.

A couple hundred people gathered in a separate park in the heart of downtown Atlanta and marched together through the streets to join the larger rally, yelling slogans like “Stop Asian hate” and “We are what America looks like.”

Frankie Laguna, 23, who grew up in Atlanta but now lives in Tennessee, was an organizer of that group and told the crowd she was the first person in her family born in the U.S. after her mother came here from Taiwan.

“I'm sick of being belittled and hypersexualized and hated for who I am, for something I can't change,” she said as the group began marching toward the Capitol.

She also participated in protests last summer against racial injustice and police brutality. “I'm tired of having to be out here every year to fight the same fight,” she said.

Bernard Dong, a 24-year-old student from China at Georgia Tech, said he came out to the protest across from the Capitol to demand rights not just for Asians but for all minorities. “Many times Asian people are too silent, but times change,” he said.

Dong said he was “angry and disgusted” about the shootings, and the violence that persists in 2021 against Asians, minorities and women.

Otis Wilson, a 38-year-old photographer who's Black, said people need to pay attention to the discrimination those of Asian descent face. “We went through this last year with the Black community, and we're not the only ones who go through this,” he said.

Camden Hunt, a 28-year-old Black woman, said she first got involved in activism in her native Baltimore. She previously attended protests over the death of Freddie Gray, a Black man who suffered a broken neck in police custody in Baltimore in 2015, triggering riots and protests that year. She moved to Atlanta four years ago and got involved in community organizing, last summer pulling

together an event to support Black women victimized by police violence.

Hunt came out to the rally Saturday to “show Black and Asian solidarity.” She said she was heartened by the

victims and to call for an end to racist and sexist violence against Asian Americans.

The participants waved signs reading “stop Asian hate.”

diverse crowd: “I think it's amazing. I look out and I see people of all shades and ages and backgrounds.”

In San Francisco, hundreds gathered in Portsmouth Square, the park in the middle of Chinatown, to grieve the

One person wrote “We pray for peace, justice & safety for the AAPI community,” while another stated, “We are ALL Americans.”

Two Women are Now Leading Efforts to Support State’s 3.9 Million Small Businesses Continued from page A1

Administrator, she will lead the federal agency with 9,000 employees and represent the interests of the country’s estimated 30 million small businesses. In addition, she will oversee key parts of the Biden-Harris administration’s $1.9 trillion stimulus American Rescue Plan, including relief funding for small businesses like the Paycheck Protection Program and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program.

“Throughout my public and private sector career, I have been dedicated to helping small businesses grow and succeed,” Guzman said during her Senate confirmation hearing. “Now more than ever, our impacted small businesses need our support, and the SBA stands ready to help them reopen and thrive.”

Before Gov. Newsom appointed Guzman to serve as CalOSBA director in 2019, she served as the SBA’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor during the Obama-Biden Administration.

“I have every confidence that under Ms. Guzman’s leadership, the SBA will help small business owners hold on to their dreams until the economy comes roaring back,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said before voting to confirm the Burbank native’s nomination.

Before Gray accepted the top role at CalOSBA last week, she had been serving as the Chief Executive Officer of YADARI Enterprises for the last 16 years. YADARI is a

tech consulting firm with headquarters in Vallejo.

Currently, Gray is also president and Chief Executive Officer of Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce (FMBCC), a position she has held since 2017. FMBCC is a community-based organization that advances the interests of African American entrepreneurs in the Central Valley with programs that focus on advocacy and economic development.

Before that, Gray held a number of leadership positions at technology firms, including president of Ecopia Information Technology Consulting from 2000 to 2002 and Senior Telecommunications and Project Manager and Network Engineer for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan from 1995 to 1999. She has also served in top management roles at Lotus Development Corporation and Ross-Dove Company Auctioneers.

Gray holds a master’s degree in Christian Studies from Grand Canyon University in Arizona and a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Saint Mary’s College in Contra Costa County. “(Gray’s) announcement is yet another proof point of Gov. Newsom’s ongoing commitment to equity and inclusivity as we recover together,” said Mark Herbert, managing director at the California office of the Small Business Majority, an organization that works with entrepreneurs and policymakers.

In addition to her many professional accomplishments, Gray is actively involved in the social, civic and religious life of Fresno as well as the broader African American community across California. She is member of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), Abundant Life Worship Center, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, the California Black Chamber of Commerce and Chamber Foundation, and the California Small Business Employer Advisory Council.

Gray, a Democrat, will earn an annual salary of $175,644.

Betty Jo Toccoli, president of the California Small Business Association, said Gray is qualified for the job. (Not a big endorsement) “Small business has always been integral to the success of California’s economy, which is why today is a very special day for small business owners and entrepreneurs across the state,” she said.

As for Guzman, working with the SBA’s hardworking employees to create an “ecosystem” that ensures small businesses across the United States are strong is a motivating factor.

“I am excited to return to the SBA and serve as the voice of small business in the Biden-Harris Administration.

I am committed to championing the agency’s mission and helping equitably build back the economy,” she said.

Entertainment

Thursday, March 25, 2021

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

“Tina” Review

Tina and Ikettes performing (January 1976). (Courtesy of Rhonda Graam/HBO)

By Dwight Brown NNPA News Wire Film Critic She’s like an eternal flame. Can’t remember when she wasn’t around. Can’t imagine life without her.

That’s the magic that some music legends can create.

They get people to think about them in the past, present and future. The here, now and always.

Tina Turner’s journey into the world of professional music began in 1957 when she, as Anna Mae Bullock, became the star singer with the Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm band. The 1960 hit song “A Fool in Love” and a name change to Tina Turner kickstarted her on the road to fame and formed her persona as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” In this fairly comprehensive 118-minute tribute by directors Dan Lindsay and T.J. Martin, Turner, in her own words, describes various pivotal epochs in her life and career.

Confessions, revelations, setbacks and breakthroughs.

Yes, Angela Bassett, Oprah Winfrey, MTV’s Kurt Loder and her manager Roger Davies appear and recollect their interactions too. Rare footage, audio tapes (a pivotal 1981 interview with People magazine), personal photos and new interviews abound. But no one and nothing leaves a stronger impression than the reflective 79-year-old Turner reminiscing and explaining the pitfalls and rewards of her stardom: “The goodness did not balance out the bad.”

Measured, thoughtful and determined to tell her story, she goes back to that fateful time, meeting the brilliant, troubled musician/showman Ike Turner and being enthralled then dismayed: “ I was 17-years-old. I was young, naïve.” Once the floodgates open, it all comes back to her. The live shows, recording studios, Ikettes and physical and emotional trauma. Then fleeing her husband, reviving her career, working in nightclubs and dreaming of filling rock stadiums one day. The hardest memories to express are the times with Ike. Though, once the world could see how much she’d suffered and transcended, that scenario became part of her branding, like it or not. A blessing and a curse.

The good part is that music fans and everyday people related to her courageous story. The trouble is that mentioning the bad times retraumatized her. She thought she could abolish that part of her PTSD by revealing it all in her 1986 bestseller I, Tina: My Life Story, co-written with Loder. It had the opposite effect. The bio fueled even more attention towards the nightmarish parts of her life.

The 1993 film What’s Love Got to Do With It, which earned Oscar noms and $56M at the box office, continued to hold that same spotlight on her.

In 2019 as she sits in a chateau in Zurich, Switzerland, with her attentive husband Erwin Bach never far away,

The series, which was released on February 12, revolves around the lives of the Bernards, a family who owns a funeral home in Memphis called R. Bernard Funeral Services. Together, Kevin, Debbie, Deja, Raegan, and Ryan give us an inside look at their day-to-day operations as well as their oh-so relatable family dynamics.

While watching the show, many viewers are finding themselves Googling more and more about the Bernards' Tennessee-based funeral home. Others, meanwhile, are asking lots of questions about filming the series and whether or not the show is scripted. To help clear up any confusion, we're laying out what we know about Buried by the Bernards below: Is Buried by the Bernards real?

Yes, the Netflix reality series is real and non-scripted.

Ryan Bernard founded the funeral home in 2017 by and the show wrapped filming the first season in early 2020.

“This is definitely reality, this is us every day,” Ryan told Local 24 Memphis news ahead of the series release on Netflix.

The history of R. Bernard Funeral Services is fascinating. According to CommercialAppeal.com, Ryan bought an old bank building and was inspired to use the drive-thru window as way for those grieving to say goodbye to their loved ones from their car.

“I got the idea a couple of years back when I was out in California. It caught my attention. I thought it was neat and thought I could bring it back to Memphis and this

area,” Ryan said to the publication. “Being in Memphis, we are surrounded by a lot of big-name funeral homes that have been around for 100 years, so being the new kid on the block, so to speak, I needed something unique to make me stand apart.”

Though Deja believes many saw the drive-thru feature as a “joke” when it was first introduced, the accessibility provided has since become crucial amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

“Now, everyone is able to use that drive-thru window and practice social distancing while still being together,” Deja told Oprah Magazine.

Not too long after R. Bernard Funeral Services home opened, producers of The Steve Harvey Show caught wind of the funeral home's humor-filled commercials and invited Ryan to be on the show. The attention from the Steve Harvey show, combined with Ryan's drive-thru window concept and the home's viral commercials, all led to the Bernard family being approached about a reality series.

And the rest is what you see playing out in Buried by the Bernards season 1. Now, four years after Ryan first opened the funeral home, sisters Deja and Raegan continue to work for the family business and hope to keep their father's dream alive in the years to come.

“My dad is very proud. He's like, 'This is my family legacy. This is something I created,'” Deja told Oprah Magazine. “It's a proud dad moment for him.”

Tina Turner. (Courtesy of HBO)

she displays a calm and wisdom that people reach as they face life’s last chapter. Proud about the Grammys and huge stadium performances, like the 1988 concert at Rio de Janeiro’s ginormous Maracanã soccer stadium for 180,000+ fans. Satisfied with her 1985 performance in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, which shows her dexterity as an artist.

Listening to her personal anecdotes and seeing how she has gracefully aged is like sitting at the feet of a great aunt waiting breathlessly for her to retell her life stories.

She may tire of the exercise, but her fans will not. And hearing one more time how the denial of love from her mom, dad and Ike made her look for love as a performing artist never gets old.

As a life album, the choices in timing, content and emphasis by editors Taryn Gould and Carter Gunn with T.J. Martin are beyond question. Their pacing is so rhythmic two hours+ go by in a flash. The musical score

by Danny Bensi and Saunder Jurriaans (The White Tiger) adds the right amount of verve to the playlist of Turner’s hits. Credit cinematographers Dimitri Karakatsanis and Megan Stacey for filming Turner with a regal lighting that makes her look like a queen on a throne. Kudos to directors Lindsay and Martin for showing a certain reverence for their subject. They may not ask the hardest questions, or

delve into the subject of Ike enough for audiences to figure out why he was so abusive and if he had regrets. Yet they find ways to get their heroine to open up just enough about her troubles, achievements and her peace of mind.

In-between the memories and testimonies, a parade of songs and extraordinary performances keep the footage vibrant. “Proud Mary,” “River Deep Mountain High” and “Nutbush City Limits.” “Let’s Stay Together,” “Private Dancer,” “We Don’t Need Another Hero.” It’s all on her jukebox. If there is one song/performance that is missing, it’s her obscure but brilliant, moody interpretation of Joni Mitchell’s classic “Edith and the Kingpin.” Her jazzy, earthy rendition is on Herbie Hancock’s 2007 Grammywinning album “River: The Joni Letters.” Turner’s smokey, raspy voice was made for jazz, though she used it for rock, pop, R&B and soul. Listening to this particular vocal makes you wonder why she didn’t record a jazz album as a fitting coda to a wondrous career.

If Tina Turner needs any further proof that she is truly loved—besides records sales, bestselling books and throngs of concert goers—she will likely get more verification on Saturday Night March 27 th. That’s when her fans and curiosity seekers will tune in by the droves to HBO for this retrospective. A touching evocative diary that chronicles Turners’ past and present and cements her legacy.

Netflix’s Buried by the Bernards

Netflix’s reality show “Buried by the Bernards” The family behind Memphis’ R Bernard Funeral Services – Kevin Miller, Ryan Bernard, Debbie Bernard, Deja Bernard and Raegan Bernard – star in a Netflix series that debuted in February.

Lawsuit Filed Over Hit-and-Run Death of Nicki Minaj’s Father Nicki Minaj’s father Robert, 64, was killed by a hit and run driver while walking along the side of a road in Long Island.

MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) – Rapper Nicki Minaj's mother, Carol Maraj, has filed a $150 million lawsuit against the man who is accused of killing Minaj's father in a hit-and-run crash last month, an attorney for Maraj said.

Charles Polevich, 70, is accused of striking Robert Maraj, 64, on Long Island on Feb. 12 and then driving off without calling 911. Maraj died at a hospital the next day.

Polevich was arrested on Feb. 17 on charges of leaving the scene of an incident and tampering with physical evidence. He pleaded not guilty and was freed on bail and ordered not to leave New York state.

Newsday reports that Carol Maraj's lawsuit, filed in Nassau County state Supreme Court earlier this month, claims that Polevich was negligent, reckless and careless when he hit Maraj with his car and allegedly left him at

the scene.

“He was not only irresponsible and negligent, but more concerned about running away and hiding than seeking help,” Benjamin Crump, one of the attorneys representing Carol Maraj, said in an Instagram post Friday.

A telephone message was left Sunday with Polevich's attorney, listed in online court records as Marc Gann of Mineola.

Nicki Minaj, who was born Onika Tanya Maraj, has not made any public statement on her father's death.

Carol Maraj, the victim's estranged wife, told Newsday last month that she was “very, very, very happy” about Polevich's arrest and said all of Maraj's children “are pleased” that the alleged culprit was caught.

A4

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Features

Several Bills Aim to Level the Playing Field

The Lookout:

Aldon Thomas Stiles California Black Media Watching your tax dollars, elected officials and legislation that affects you.

A pitcher throws a perfect game against a hitter without a bat, a tennis player aces a racket-less opponent, and the crowd elates. For many in California, that is their reality. The receiving end of a bad hand. A game most foul.

In Sacramento, there are a few bills being proposed that aim to level the playing field in California, particularly for disadvantaged Californians.

Senate Bill (SB)17, which is scheduled for an Assembly committee hearing March 23, would declare racism as a health crisis in California and develop a state government “Office of Racial Equity in the State Department of Public Health for purposes of aligning state resources, decisionmaking, and programs to accomplish certain goals related to health equity and protecting vulnerable communities.”

The language in the text of SB 17 makes a distinction between this legislation and AB 3121, the “Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans,” which Gov. Newsom signed into law last Summer.

“Existing law establishes the Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans, with a Special Consideration for African Americans Who are Descendants of Persons Enslaved in the United States

to, among other things, identify, compile, and synthesize the relevant corpus of evidentiary documentation of the institution of slavery that existed within the United States and the colonies,” the bill language reads. “Existing law requires the task force to submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature.”

“This bill would establish in state government an Office of Racial Equity, an independent public entity not affiliated with an agency or department, that shall be governed by a Racial Equity Advisory and Accountability Council,” SB 17’s authors continue. “The bill would authorize the council to hire an executive director to organize, administer, and manage the operations of the office. The bill would task the office with coordinating, analyzing, developing, evaluating, and recommending strategies for advancing racial equity across state agencies, departments, and the office of the governor.”

As issues of racial inequity gain more traction in the U.S., bills like SB 17 are being introduced in legislatures around the country, proposing creative ways to uproot longstanding systems of inequality and discrimination.

During a global pandemic the racial disparities in the healthcare system have become harder to ignore, according to Sen. Richard Pan (D- Sacramento), a medical doctor who is the author of SB 17.

“Extensive research has identified racism as a public health crisis leading to significant health disparities, including infant and maternal mortality, chronic disease’s prevalence, life expectancy and now COVID mortality,” Pan said. “The state needs an independent body to hold us accountable by examining California’s policies and budget with the goal of achieving racial equity and ending systemic racism.”

People like John Kim, Executive Director of Advancement Project California, believe that the structures that hinder people of color were designed to do so and the solution should be to redesign these structures.

“All of the racial inequities we’ve seen in this pandemic have been decades in the making. We can no longer react to the symptoms of systematic racism or nibble around the policy edges,” Kim said. “Passing SB 17 and establishing a State level Office of Racial Equity is crucial to excavating the intersectional nature of structural racism baked into this state’s public systems and policies. A fully resourced and appropriately authorized office is a powerful mechanism not only to stem the tide of bad, racist policies but also to generate new pathways to close the opportunity gap for communities of color throughout the state.”

Another equity-focused piece of legislation making its way through the legislature is Senate Bill 2, which is essentially identical to last year’s Senate Bill 731. It is meant to bar police officers who have been fired for misconduct or charged with one of a set of specific crimes from serving and protecting in another precinct in California.

As it stands currently, officers that fit into this category can still serve in other counties in the state.

SB 2 is also known as the Kenneth Ross Jr. Police Decertification Act of 2021, as it was named after the unarmed 25-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by police in Gardena in 2018.

“Only one police officer in the history of California has been charged, convicted and sent to jail [for police brutality] and that is Johannes Mehserle who only did 11 months for the fatal shooting of my nephew Oscar Grant,” Cephus “Uncle Bobby” X Johnson said during a virtual press conference for SB 2 in reference to the 2009 shooting of Oscar Grant III in Oakland.

Senator Steven Bradford, who introduced SB 2, noted that other professions are held to a certain standard and law enforcement shouldn’t be any different.

“If last summer’s nationwide protests and calls for police reform have shown us anything, it’s that Californians want more than just a superficial change,” Bradford said.

“If many professionals licensed in the state of California can have their certification revoked for committing serious misconduct or abusing their authority, then why not police officers?”

Assembly Bill 675 and Senate Bill 424 would create a “homeless hiring tax credit” as an effort to provide homeless people in California “access to meaningful employment.”

“I’ve been unhoused, I’ve gone through a bout of

homelessness and I know what it’s like to want to get a job. To want to better yourself, but there weren’t a lot of resources out there, but thanks to [Los Angeles] county and this bill-- we’re going to be able to bridge a gap between the business community and the homeless community,” said Lavena Lewis, the Black business owner of Vena Vena Handcrafted. “With being homeless, finding employment is key.”

And in Washington, Reps. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) along with Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) proposed a bill coined the “Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act” that set out to put a cap on the pay CEOs receive in relation to the working-class people who work for them.

“Americans across the political spectrum are outraged by the extreme gaps between CEO and worker pay,” it read on Lee’s press release. “According to a nationwide survey, the typical American would limit CEO pay to no more than 6 times that of the average worker. About 62% of all Americans – 52% of Republicans and 66% of Democrats – favor capping CEO pay relative to worker pay.”

This sounds like the first in a slew of equity based legislative pushes so batter up, America. Maybe we’ll all be getting a swing soon.

Women Leading California’s COVID-19 Response Continued from page A1

have experienced ACEs. As for her biggest challenge during the pandemic, she acknowledged a feeling of exhaustion. Such exhaustion, she says, is common among health care providers and others on the frontline of the COVID-19 response and relief efforts, after a full year of the pandemic.

“It’s been a real sprint. My colleagues in government, and especially in health and human services, have been working around the clock responding to this emergency. It’s a lot, it’s late at night, on the weekends, my family not seeing enough of me. I think that for all of us, just the endurance has been pretty intense,” Burke Harris says.

To help recover from the daily pressures of work, Burke

Harris values self-care and family time. She makes an intentional effort to practice meditation as selfcare when life gets hectic. As for family time, she enjoys game nights and snuggles from her children to cultivate joy. Also, her kids are quick to tell her when she seems stressed.

Burke Harris says, “I remember there was one point during the January surge that was really intense. I was having dinner with my family and my eight-year-old said, “Oh no, it looks like Mama lost her giggle.” In that moment, he just held up a mirror for me, and how much the intensity and the pressure of my work was coming into our family life. It just reinforced for me that no matter what I’ve got to keep that sense of playfulness with my kids.”

Laker Great Elgin Baylor Passes Continued from page A1

He was the NBA’s first ankle breaker. In 1961-62 he averaged 38 points a game as a while playing only 48 games as he was serving as an Army reservist. Only on weekend leave he played with the Lakers. He scored over 1,800 points still. In game five of the finals that season he had 22 rebounds and scored a record 61 points which is still a record today.

“Elgin was the ‘Superstar’ of the era,” said Lakers Governor Jeanie Buss. “He was one of the few Lakers whose career spanned from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. But more importantly he was a man of great integrity. Even serving his country as a Army reservist. He will always be part of the Laker legacy. On behalf of the entire Laker Family I’d like to send my thoughts prayers and condolences to the Baylor family “ In the 1971-72 season due to a lingering Achilles injury he retired after just nine games . the team set a Pro sports team record by winning 33 straight games. Then went on to win the NBA title.

“I really believe he was the first Showtime, he was before

Showtime,” Magic Johnson told Broderick Turner of the L.A. Times. “He deserved more respect on hoe dominant he was as an NBA player and Hall of Famer and a guy that just couldn’t be stopped.”

He led the Lakers to eight finals. He was named All-NBA First team10 times and was an 11-time All-Star.

In 1977 he was elected to the Hall of Fame. He was Named All-NBA 35th Team and All-NBA 50 Anniversary Team.

Baylor worked for the Clippers and Donald Sterling for 22 years beginning in 1986. He was the first to speak out on Sterling racism in the sport. that later led to him being band from the NBA for life. He was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2006.

His number 22 jersey was retired by the Lakers in 1983 and a Bronze statue of Baylor was unveiled at STAPLES Center on April 6,2018.

Baylor is survived by his wife Elaine, daughter Krystal, son and daughter Allen and Allison from a previous marriage and sister Gladys Baylor Barrett.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2021 037060 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: JAZZOGRAPHY at 6277 Ivarene Ave, Los Angeles, Ca. 90068 Mailing Address: Same County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): ROBERT L. BARRY, 6277 Ivarene Ave, Los Angeles, Ca. 90068 REGISTERED OWNERS(S): SHARON CANNON, 6277 Ivarene Ave, Los Angeles, Ca. 90068 The business is conducted by: a General Partnership SIGNED: LUELLA VIEGAS, CEO The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 09/1997 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Feb 10, 2021 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: ROBERT L. BARRY, General Partner Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40

DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Feb 10, 2026 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Feb 25, Mar 4, 11, 18, 2021

THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described 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 petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: Apr 23, 2021 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: K 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 prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER Date: February 22, 2021 Joshua D. Castaneda 5854 Ernest Ave Los Angeles, Ca. 90034 (310) 367-7495 In Pro Per LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 11, 18, 25, Apr 1, 2021

������������������������������� ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 21SMCP00065 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES SANTA MONICA COURTHOUSE 1725 Main Street Santa Monica, Ca. 90401 PETITION OF: JOSHUA D. CASTANEDA TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: JOSHUA D. CASTANEDA for a decree changing names as follows: Present name JOSHUA DENNIS CASTANEDA Filed a petition with this court Proposed name JOSHUA MINATO LUCATERO

Legal Notices

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������������������������������� ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 21STCP00698 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT 111 North Hill Street Los Angeles, Ca. 90012 PETITION OF: ADRIAN AGUILAR RODRIGUEZ TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: ADRIAN AGUILAR RODRIGUEZ for a decree changing names as follows: Present name ADRIAN AGUILAR RODRIGUEZ Filed a petition with this court Proposed name ADRIAN AGUILAR THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described 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

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: May 10, 2021 Time: 10:00 a.m.

Dept: 74 Room: 735 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 prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER Date: March 4, 2021 ADRIAN AGUILAR RODRIGUEZ 347 W. 74th St. Los Angeles, Ca. 90003 (323) 884-9768 In Pro Per LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 11, 18, 25, Apr 1, 2021

PETITION OF: ANGELA KZYLYAN TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: ANGELA KZYLYAN for a decree changing names as follows: Present name DANIEL JOHN DZHANSYAN Filed a petition with this court Proposed name DANIEL JOHN JANSYAN THE COURT ORDERS: that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described 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 petition should not be granted if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: Apr 26, 2021 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: T Room: 600 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 prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspa-

������������������������������� ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 21VECP00112 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES VAN NUYS COURTHOUSE EAST 6230 Sylmar Ave Van Nuys, Ca. 91401

PUBLIC NOTICE per of general circulation, printed in this county LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER Date: March 10, 2021 VIRGINIA KEENY Judge of the Superior Court Sherri R. Carter, Executive Officer/Clerk of Court Michael J. Estorga DEPUTY Petitioner: Angela Kzylyan 6847 Mammoth Ave. Van Nuys, Ca. 91405 Phone: (818) 438-7574 LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 18, 25, Apr 1, 8, 2021 �������������������������������

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2020 215233 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: EPIQ LENDING at 123 N. Lake Ave. Suite 102, Pasadena, Ca. 91101 Mailing Address: 3160 Crow Canyon Rd. Suite 400, San Ramon, Ca. 94583 County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): EVO HOME LOANS, LLC, CA, 123 N. Lake Ave. Suite 102, Pasadena, Ca. 91101 The business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company

PUBLIC NOTICE SIGNED: KIM CALLAS, Manager The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 11/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Dec 14, 2020 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: A. TORRES, Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT GENERALLY EXPIRES ST THE END IOF FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF WHICH IT WAS FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY CLERK EXCEPT, AS PROVIDED IN SUBDIVISION (b) OF SECTION 17920, WHERE IT EXPIRES 40 DAYS AFTER ANY CHANGE IN THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 17913 OTHER THAN A CHANGE IN THE RESIDENCE ADDRESS OF A REGISTERED OWNER. A NEW FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE FILED BEFORE THE EXPIRATION. EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2014, THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY FORM. This statement expires on Dec 14, 2025 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Jan 14, 21, 28, Feb 4, 2021

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Features

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Women Leading California’s COVID-19 Response Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media This Women’s History Month, California Black Media is profiling three Black women on the leading edge of California’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Surgeon General Nadine Burke Harris, California Gov Operations Secretary Yolanda Richardson and Kimberly Goode, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at Blue Shield of California. The profiles explore how these exceptional women have brought their experience,

knowledge and leadership abilities to driving California’s COVID-19 recovery efforts. It also looks at the challenges they have faced, the successes they have won and how they balance the rigors of their public roles with the responsibilities of their private lives.

Profile: Kimberly Goode, the Implementer During a time when an all-out effort is underway to get Californians vaccinated, a few women leaders in California are leading the charge to reach the communities hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, including Black families in “hard-toreach” areas across the state.

Kimberley Goode, the Senior Vice President of External Affairs for Blue Shield of California) is one of those Black women in on the frontlines.

Blue Shield of California is the state’s “third-party administrator” as California ramps up its push to get its 40 million residents vaccinated. Goode says the company, with headquarters in Oakland, has taken a number of steps to support the state’s goal to get vaccines to all Californians – particularly those who have been disproportionately impacted -- in a way that is safe, equitable and swift. Blue Shield’s provider network boasts more than 1,200 vaccination sites in California, including community clinics, multi-county entities, hospital systems, medical groups, pharmacies and others.

“The state makes final allocation decisions. The state makes all decisions around eligibility,” says Goode. “Our job is to make sure that the robust network that we’ve built is able to get that vaccine to the providers who are throughout every community in the state of California – to reach every zip code.”

Goode says their distribution efforts target areas in the state where data shows there are higher incidents of infection and death. “Those are the places we really want to double down on and make sure that we have more vaccines there, more quickly,” she said. “We make sure we partner with local community clinics, trust “Our goal is two reach 3 million doses per week by March,” Goode added.

A public-relations specialist, Goode’s position with Blue Shield of California puts her in charge of communication and outreach on behalf of the nonprofit that generates more than $20 billion in annual revenue and serves more than 4 million members in commercial, individual, and government markets.

“There is a lot of concern about the impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and, in particular, the African American community,” says Goode. “One of the things that should give comfort to people in this process is that there are a lot of people who care about equity, and two state leaders I work with, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris and Secretary Yolanda Richardson – they are two very important voices that are ensuring that equity is at the forefront of the decision-making process, and the implementation

of the vaccine distribution.”

She has more than 25 years of communications experience with several global companies, including Kellogg’s, Prudential Financial, American Express, and Allstate. She also spent time as the vice president of Corporate Communications and Corporate Affairs at Northwestern Mutual, where she was responsible for leading the company’s internal and external communications strategy.

In the summer of May 2017, Goode joined Blue Shield of California to provide strategic leadership in corporate communications, government affairs, and corporate citizenship.

She is also responsible for building relationships that help advance the nonprofit health plan’s mission.

“If that’s not enough titles, I get to work on the communication, education, and equity workstream for the thirdparty administration work that we’re doing on the behalf of the state for the vaccination program,” said Goode, who chairs Blue Shield of California’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Council.

Goode is active professionally and in the community with a number of organizations, including the Executive Leadership

Council, the Bay Area Council, Children Now Leadership Council and California Women Lead Advisory Council, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and The Links, Inc. At home, Goode says she has been working from home and sheltering in a “four-generation family bubble” with her husband, her two daughters, her 75-year-old mother and her 95-year-old grandmother.

“The silver lining of this pandemic has been that it has really helped me to reflect on what matters most and prioritize my time with my family – to focus on the things that are meaningful.

We engage in some old fun activities. We play “Black Panther Monopoly.” It’s a board game that is a ton of fun. Just having fun with family in ways that we used to take for granted.”

But the greatest reward of her work right now, Goode says, is working for a “mission-driven company.”

“This is work that enables us to help every Californian,” she said. It is very gratifying to know that when I wake up and come to work every day (even though it is in my living room), it is not focused on ‘how I can help Blue Shield today.” It is focused on “how can Blue Shield help Californians across the state.’”

Kimberley Goode (Courtesy Photo)

[The guitar] will be placed temporarily in the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville, where visitors can view this smashed guitar – with its neck and fretboard still intact – for themselves.

National Museum of African American Music Opens in Nashville

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent From the hymns of slaves in the 17th and 18th centuries to hip-hop artists’ powerful message in the 20th and 21st centuries, African American artists have created and influenced generations of music lovers.

When Elvis Presley sang “Hound Dog,” he knew he had to pay homage to the African American Blues Legend Big Mama Thornton, who did it first – and better.

“A lot of people seem to think I started this business,” Elvis famously remarked.

“But rock ‘n’ roll was here a long time before I came along. Nobody can sing that kind of music like colored people. Let’s face it: I can’t sing like Fats Domino can. I know that.”

From rock and roll to blues, jazz, and hip-hop, music is as much the African American way of life as the afro was Black people’s style in the 1970s.

Finally honoring that history, the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) has opened in Nashville, Tenn.

According to a news release, it’s the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans.

The 56,000-square-foot institution contains more than 1,500 artifacts, objects, memorabilia, and clothing from Black artists.

Complete with state-of-the-art technology, the museum contains seven galleries.

Each is designed to share a different narrative and a unique perspective on Black music and history.

“NMAAM is complete,” NMAAM President and CEO H. Beecher Hicks III declared in a news release.

On Feb. 23, Hicks appeared on the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s “Let It Be Known, Breaking News” broadcast to share insights on the new mixed-use downtown development at Fifth and Broadway.

“We have been preparing for this day for more than 20 years, but this museum has actually been more than 400 years in the making,” Hicks remarked.

“We look forward to welcoming music lovers from around the world to this magnificent cultural experience.”

Because of Covid-19, a limited number of visitors currently are allowed inside the museum.

Masks or face coverings are required for entrance, and guests are requested to remain socially distant, officials said.

Once the pandemic ends, tickets will be made available for purchase on the museum’s website for designated timeslots that allow for new tours to start every 30 minutes, museum officials determined.

Displays at the museum include interactive exhibits and such iconic items as “Lucille,” the guitar played by B.B. King, and a kimono worn by Alicia Keys.

Captured in a film overview at the museum’s “Roots Theater,” are the traditions of West and Central African cultures before slavery.

The Rivers of Rhythm Pathways, the “central spine of the museum experience that features touch panel interactives and an animated timeline that links American history and American music history,” officials described on the museum’s website.

A “Wade in the Water” gallery may prove popular among visitors as it explores African hymns.

The gallery connects African cultures’ religious music and later African American spirituals and hymns, including highlighting Mahalia Jackson, Shirley Caesar, Thomas Dorsey, and others.

The “Love Supreme” gallery dives deep into the history of jazz and explores the careers of legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, John Coltrane, and others.

The “One Nation Under a Grove” gallery relays Motown Records and Soul Train’s stories, while “The Message” gallery explains the origins of hip hop.

“We hope visitors will enjoy learning about the expansive roster of ground-breaking artists who have influenced some of today’s biggest hit-makers,” said Allen Schrott, senior director of Music Products for TiVo/Xperi, a museum partner.

For more details about the museum, visit http://www. nmaam.org.

Please wear a mask and socially distance youself.

Do your part to end COVID-19

A6

Sports

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Blaney Shakes it up in Atlanta

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer NASCAR’s weekly races are becoming a pick’em as Ryan Blaney became the sixth different driver to win a race in the Cup Series this season. With nine laps to go Blaney zipped past Kyle Larsen in the warning lap and never relinquished the lead.

Blaney won by2.83 seconds for the number 12 car of Team Penske.

Larson won at Las Vegas two weeks ago and missed on an opportunity to become this season’s first two-race winner.

“We couldn’t have done it without everyone,” said Blaney.

Everyone involved did their job and this is what we can away with.”

Larson won the first two stages at the Atlanta Motor Speedway and led 269 of the 325 laps of the 1.54mile tri oval.

But after his final pit stop it was his tires that didn’t hold on to the brutal track.

It was Blaney’s fifth Cup Series win.

Alex Bowman 48 -Chevrolet Hendricks Motor Sports finished 3rd. “It was a good day ,” said Bowman. “ The team brings good cars to the race-track. We had really good pit stops all day. Our Camaro was pretty fast and we had

decent restarts.”

Rick Hendricks Motor Sports drivers are off the a good start this season as Bowman, Larson, William Byman and Cup series Chase Elliott are all in play-off contention early in the season.

Hamlin finished 4th. It was his fifth top five finish of the season.

Bubba Wallace started in the 13th position and finished 16th. He had gotten as high as 10th. He hung around the 10 to 15 range all race long. He is 19th in points trailing leader Danny Hamlin.

Bill Lester made a return to NASCAR after a 14year absent he was one of the first black drivers to race at this high level in 2006.the 60year-old Washington D.C Native started with a 17 car in 31 first and finished at 36th place.

The Series heads to Bristol for its first Race on dirt since 1970.

Veteran Kurt Bush was out around 8 laps in as he was knocked into the wall during a restart. Bush car couldn’t be fixed so his day was over early.”Im pissed off because it was a restart,” said Bush. “Where you gonna go, just chill man.”

Ryan Blaney celebrates in victory lane after winning Nascar weekly Cup Series race in Atlanta. (Photo: @ Blaney twitter)

Bruins Sweep Away the Weekend

Bruins were all smiles after weekend series against ASU-(L to R) Freshman Thessa Malau’ulu (24), Rachael Garcia (00), Allyssa Garcia. (Photo: Earl Heath)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer It was a solid weekend for Maya Brady as she knocked in a career high six runs in the series finale helping UCLA sweep a four game set from 11th ranked Arizona State at Easton Stadium. The redshirt freshman from Thousand Oaks went to ‘Rip City’ in the first inning of the game giving the host a 4-0 lead on the way to a 9-0 run rule (5 inning) victory. It was the ninth run-rule win of the season for the Bruins (19-1, 3-0 PAC-12).

Brady the Softball America Freshman of the Year in 2020 had a dominant series with 3-homers, 6 hits and 8 RBI’s over the weekend.

Defensively she showed her athleticism game two of the series. While playing centerfield he Oaks Christian graduate came running in full speed to make a diving one-handed grab for the out.

Freshman infielder Thessa Malau’ulu (St. Anthony’s-Long Beach) scored two runs while playing solid defense at third base. “This year we have speed, depth and power,” said Junior Aaliah Jordan. “Like three-prez (Brianna Perez) she can put down a bunt and the next at-bat she can go long.”

Super sophomore Megan Faraimo (Cathedral Catholic high) ran her record to 10-1 with two wins and 18 strikeouts including 10 in one game giving up just five hits in her 15 innings of work.

Rachael Garcia (Highland high, Palmdale )had 16 K’s in 13 innings of work allowing just seven hits.

In the series opener it was scoreless until Garcia helped her cause by leading off the bottom of the 4th with a solo blast over the left field wall giving the Bruins a 1-0 lead.

That stood until the Sun Devils McKenna Harper homered in the top of the seventh helping send the game into extra innings.

Brianna Perez led off the bottom of the eight with a bunt.

She was then scored when Aailah Jordan ripped double to right center giving UCLA a walk off 2-1 win. Jordan finished the weekend with six hits including a career high 4 hits in game two.

Before the game both teams took a knee to recognize social injustice. Jordan is a leader for the cause she states: “Athletes have a platform we can use against social injustices. Luckily, we have a coaching staff that allows us to recognize them. I just want to be a role model for other little girls around the world so they can use their voices.”

Bruins were all smiles after weekend series against ASU-(L to R) Freshman Thessa Malau’ulu (24), Rachael Garcia (00), Allyssa Garcia. (Photo: Earl Heath)

Courtside with Clippers – Week 12

Los Angeles Clippers Guard/Forward Terance Mann shots a baseline jumper vs the Atlanta Hawks Monday night at Staples Center. (Photo Credit: Los Angeles Clippers)

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com 3/17/21 (26-15) Los Angeles Clippers vs (20-18) Dallas Mavericks On the second half of a back-to-back contest with the Mavericks and the Clippers winning the initial matchup, the Clippers appeared to relax while the Mavericks were wanted to avenge their loss from just a couple of nights ago. It appeared the Clipper went to Dallas intent on getting a split, as they came into this game with very little energy and spirit in the game.

After winning the first quarter the Clippers were unable to hold on to their lead, as they went into the second half down by double digits. As Mavericks star guard Luka Doncic dropped 22 points on the Clippers, nearly outscoring Kawhi Leonard and Paul George himself in the first half of this match-up. Together George and Leonard scored 24 in that first half.

In Reggie Jackson’s 600th career game, he shot a dismal 2 for 8 from the field and totaled only one assist in this game.

Already missing Patrick Beverley and Serge Ibaka, the Clippers bench chipped in a measly 11 points which lead to Head Coach Ty Lue stating “For the most part I thought we did a good job defensively other than Luka torched us,” Ty Lue also said. “I thought offensively we didn’t trust, we didn’t continue to share the basketball. We forced a lot of stuff all night.”

Luka had 31 points after 3 quarters which gave the Mavericks a six-point lead going into the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter he scored an additional 11 points giving him 42 for the game prompting Kawhi to say this post-game, “He got comfortable and he made shots,” Leonard said of Doncic, who also had six rebounds and nine assists. “It’s hard to turn off that water once a great player like that gets rolling.”

This was the Clippers’ tenth loss on the road, as well as their sixteenth loss of the season. Over the past 13 games, they now a record of 5-8 over. It’s also been that long since they’ve won backto-back games. Needless to say, this is an ugly trend for a team that has championship aspirations.

3/20/21 (20-20) Charlotte Hornets vs (26-16) Los Angeles Clippers In recent weeks these Clippers have been consistently inconsistent. Having not won two consecutive games since wins on back-to-back nights against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Valentine’s Day and the Miami Heat on February 15th. Since then, the Clippers have a record of 5 wins and 8 losses, including their only 3 games losing streak of the season.

With 30 games remaining in the season, I was interested in what Clippers Head Coach Ty Lue wanted to see from his team during this next stretch of games He said, he wanted to see “an improved defensive mindset.” He also pointed out that he “liked their mindset over the last 2 games against the Mavericks.”

The players hear Coach Ty Lue’s message loud and clear because they came out and jumped all over the Hornets. Not only did they hold the Hornets to 21 points in the first quarter, but they also put up 37 points in that same frame.

Paul George came out balling with a purpose today, 1as he recorded 18 points and 6 assists through the first half. This was George’s sixth career game with at least 20 points and 10 assists.

Impressively, Paul George became the fourth player in franchise history and the first since Chris Paul (12/10/16 vs. NOP) to have at least 20 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds with zero turnovers.

As a team, the Clippers recorded zero turnovers in the third quarter against the Hornets. This was the third time this season that they had zero turnovers in a quarter. Just as impressive was the fact that this was the third time this season, and the 26th time in franchise history, that the Clippers were perfect from the freethrow line as they went 23 for 23 from the stripe.

The Clippers improved to 15-1 when they score at least 120 points. This was a total team effort as they had seven reach double figures tonight with Terance Mann scoring his season-high 16 points in this game.

3/22/21 (22-20) Atlanta Hawks vs (27-16) Los Angeles Clippers This was a heavy day within the Clippers family with the passing of the legendary Elgin Baylor. Clippers Head Coach opened up his pre-game zoom meeting by acknowledging the loss of Elgin Baylor. He also recognized Baylor as a “great pioneer, a Hall of Famer, a gentleman who paved the way for black players like myself to play and black executives as well. So, I just want to send my thoughts out to his family and friends.”

The Atlanta Hawks roll into Staples Center with an 8-game winning streak. When asked about what’s been the difference in his tenure, former Seattle Supersonics and Hawks Head Coach Nate McMillan say “we’ve been doing a better job of finishing games; We are getting stops in the 4th quarter.” The Hawks come into this matchup sitting in the 4th seed on the Eastern Conference being led by Trae Young who is enjoying career highs in nearly every category Points (25.7), Rebounds (4.1), Assists (9.4), 3-point shooting percentage in addition to his free throw shooting percentage.

Understanding this Clippers Head Coach aptly stated in his Pre-Game Zoomer, “Trae Young is the head of the snake.” Right on queue Trae Young recorded 20 points and 3 assists in the first half of this game leading the Hawks to a 15-point lead over the Clippers at the intermission. Coming out of the half, the Hawks continued their onslaught forcing Clippers HC to call a timeout right 30 seconds into the 3rd quarter.

It was in that 3rd quarter that the Clippers’ second team would battle back to make this a competition. The combination of Terance Mann, who’s in his second year, and Luke Kennard, who’s in his 4th year, would be the catalyst to lead the Clippers back into contention in this game. The Mann/ Kennard duo would combine for 37 points in the second half of this game to lead the comeback back.

Terance Mann scored 11 points in the fourth quarter which is the most points he scored in a single quarter in his career. He also followed up one career scoring night with another seasonhigh 21 points. All the while recording his second career doubledouble, point, and rebounds. Like the team player he has proven to be, Terance Mann said post-game about their play, “I was proud of everybody’s effort to turn the game around!”

Luke Kennard had an amazing career-high + 30 tonight +/He also became the first player in franchise history to have at least 20 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in under 20 minutes.

Only the league’s MVP (Giannis Antetokounmpo on 11/30/19 vs. Charlotte) was the last player to achieve the feat. Additionally, Kennard, who hasn’t seen much playing time recently, joins Jerry Lucas (12/11/71 vs. POR) by becoming one of two players, in the Shot Clock Era (1954), to have at least 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists while shooting 100% from the field in under 20 minutes of play.

Once the lead was narrowed, Kawhi Leonard and Paul were sent back into the game. Kawhi would come into the game and secure the win by knocking down a couple of huge three-point buckets. This would give the Clippers consecutive wins for the first time in over a month.

With the trade deadline coming up quickly it will be interesting to see what additions, if any they make to this roster.

I’ve been a firm believer they need a pass first point guard to aid Kawhi and Paul George easier buckets late in games. Kindly share your thoughts on what moves they should make and let me know what you think their ceiling is if they choose not to make any roster changes. You can reach out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport or forward any suggestions on what additional topics or angles you’d like to see discussed to info@whatsgoodinsports.com.

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

Thursday, March 25, 2021

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A Hopeful Message From Captain Joy Sherman Salt Whistle Bay on the island of Mayreau in the Grenadines is a place visited by Captain Sherman and her crew. (Photo: Captain Joy Sherman)

By Earl Heath Contributing Writer COVID has been a unique experience for all of us. But after a few moments on the phone with Captain Joy Sherman there has been the person that has lifted spirits of so many and excited them when things look dim. Sherman also has been a strong leader, sailing the worlds waterways for more than 20 years. The whitey Sherman has led charters in Europe, Thailand and the Caribbean.

Her leadership once led an all-female sailing crew on an historic venture from the US. to Cuba.

With her heart and inner strength she has the following message for all of us during post COVID: For certain, 2020 was the year to remember. When in your life did you have such

opportunities of isolation, thought and ponder, forcing you to slow down? We humans thrive on social connections, routine and consistency. Covid pulled those foundations out from under us in pretty much the blink of an eye. There was fear and horror of all those who struggled with the thought of getting the virus or actually getting it. We all know of the struggles for those who got sick and sadly of those who didn’t make it. The virus was out of control and we couldn’t make it stop.

We’ve emerged on the other side. No more taking time for granted. The isolation period gave us time to pause, reflect and from what I heard people saying, plan for the future, make good on those lost opportunities. Travel is high on our list. We’ve remained hopeful. We are survivors. We have the strength. We are

seeing a faint light on the horizon. The streets are busier, flowers are blooming, the sun will shine more brightly. The aromas are fragrant.

Some of us emerged from this crisis unscathed and for this we are grateful. There is a collective fierce longing to reconnect with the wider world, to travel and explore again. There is a newfound urgency to do it now. Borders are starting to open, travel bans are slowly lifting. Soon, we’ll be free to head back outside, abroad, over oceans and borders to enjoy the staggering beauty and limitless freedom that only travel can deliver.

So now is the time to make good on those “if only” thoughts.

Those dreams that kept your wanderlust sparked. It’s your choice to turn those dreams and plans into reality.

American Rescue Plan 3 Million People Can Benefit More money for more people equals more and better health insurance coverage for millions of Californians and consumers nationwide -- especially vital during this age of COVID-19.

That’s the upshot of President Joe Biden’s recently passed $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, with health care provisions containing new and expanded financial help to benefit an estimated 3 million Californians, among the 25 million Americans who qualify. The new financial help will greatly reduce monthly health care costs, making health care coverage more affordable and generating savings of hundreds of dollars each month.

Covered California is poised to take a leadership role in ensuring that consumers take full advantage of this unique opportunity that expands the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, and reap the benefits of these new health care funds.

“The new and expanded financial help provided by the American Rescue Plan is a very big deal for millions of Americans,” said Peter V. Lee, executive director of Covered California. “These new subsidies will help more people get covered, lower health care premium costs and put money back into people’s pockets when they sign up for health coverage through the Affordable Care Act.” Additionally, Covered California announced that it’s opening its doors to enroll as many uninsured people as possible into health plans between April and the end of December 2021, because of these American Rescue Plan’s health care provisions.

Major efforts will also launch to recruit consumers who now

have expensive health coverage outside of Covered California and haven’t been able to get financial help in the past. https://youtu. be/WwKVucMr5yA Answers to some common questions about the new health care provisions in the American Rescue Plan are below.

Q. Who benefits from the American Rescue Plan’s health care provisions?

A. There are three key categories of Californians who can benefit from the new health care provisions in the American Rescue Plan. They are: · Individuals who are currently uninsured and are eligible for the new financial help through Covered California, with many qualifying for $1 dollar health plans. · Individuals who are currently have health coverage directly through an insurer outside of Covered California and are now eligible for financial help for the first time. These consumers may be able to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by switching to the same or similar health coverage through Covered California. · Individuals who are currently insured in Covered California health plans and are now eligible for more financial help.

An estimated 1.2 million currently uninsured Californians can get health coverage that is more affordable than ever before.

The American Rescue Plan reduces consumers’ monthly health coverage costs so that no one will have to pay more than 8.5 percent of their household income on health care premiums.

The deals don’t stop there. About 1.4 million consumers who are already enrolled through Covered California will get even more financial assistance. These consumers will see their monthly premiums decrease by an average of $119 per household per month.

Another 430,000 Californians who are insured directly through a health insurance company and are not now getting financial help can see dramatic savings if they switch to Covered California health plans.

Q. When will the new financial help and savings be available?

A. Covered California is opening a new special-enrollment period on April 12 that runs through December 31, 2021, and consumers can see savings reflected on their monthly health care bills as soon as May 1 if they enroll by April 30.

Q. What do I need to do to get these savings?

A. Existing consumers in California do not need to take any action since Covered California will automatically apply the savings to their accounts. They will see lower health care bills starting in May. Those who currently don’t have health coverage through Covered California can enroll through December 31, 2021 to benefit from this round of new financial help. This includes those consumers who currently are insured through an insurer outside of Covered California and are now eligible to get financial assistance for the first time and switch to more affordable plans.

Q. How long will my health care premium costs stay this low?

A. The reduced health care premiums under the American Rescue Plan will remain in place for all of 2021 and all of 2022, unless Congress extends or makes these provisions permanent.

Q. What are some other benefits of having Covered California health plans?

A. Covered California health plans cover all COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, as well as any medical treatment necessary due to COVID-19 at no charge or minimal co-payments.

In addition, all Covered California health plans must offer essential benefits under the Affordable Care Act that range from maternity care and hospitalizations to preventive and mental health care. Free preventive health care includes annual check ups with your doctor and screenings for diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure.

Q. If you have low household income or no income at all, can you still get health coverage?

A. Yes, you can enroll in quality health plans at no cost or very low cost through California’s Medi-Cal program, if you have lower incomes. Medi-Cal enrollment is year-round.

Q. How do you enroll in Covered California or Medi-Cal? A. Covered California will launch a new “Shop and Compare” tool on April 12 on CoveredCA.com that will allow consumers to easily see exactly how they will benefit from the new law. People will be able to see how much new financial help they are eligible for in just a few minutes by entering their ZIP code, household income and the ages of the people in the household.

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Thursday, March 25, 2021