Valley's News Observer 3.30.23

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News Observer

Meet the Black Women Legislators

Shaping California Policy

Mark Hedin California Black Media

Since Yvonne Braithwaite Burke became the first Black woman elected to serve in the California State Assembly in 1966, 20 other African women have represented their constituents in both houses of the California State Legislature with distinction. Many of them have gone on to make their marks in various political arenas at the state, local and national levels.

Take U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), who represented Oakland and adjacent communities in the State Assembly and Senate for eight years before winning the first of 13 terms she has now served in the U.S. House of Representatives. Or Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass, also a California Assembly alumna, who became Speaker of the body in 2008. and served six terms in the U.S. Congress. Or U.S.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-29) represented South LA in the Assembly is serving her 17th term in the U.S. Congress.

Other Black alumnae of the California Assembly and Senate are: California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber (2012-2021, Assembly); Theresa P. Hughes (1975-1992, Assembly, and 19922000, Senate); Gwen Moore (1978-1994, Assembly); former U.S. Congressmember Diane E. Watson (1978-1998, Assembly); Marguerite Archie-Hudson (1990-1996, Assembly); former U.S. Congressmember Juanita Millender-McDonald (1992-1996, Assembly); former U.S. Congressmember Laura Richardson (2006-2007, Assembly); Wilmer Amina Carter (2006-2012, Assembly); California State Commissioner on Aging Cheryl Brown (2012-2016, Assembly); Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell (2010-2013, Assembly, and 2013-2020,

Traffic Officer Says He Was Told to Target Minorities

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Kansas City Police

Department leaders encouraged officers to meet illegal ticket quotas by targeting drivers in Black and other minority neighborhoods, a lawsuit filed by an officer contends.

Senate), Autumn Burke (2014-2022, Assembly), and U.S. Congressmember Syndey Kamlager ( 2018-2021 Assembly, 2021-2022, Senate).

In 2023, five of the California’s Black Legislative Caucus’ (CBLC) 12 members are women. They are: Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D – Ladera Heights)

The only Black woman in the California State Senate, Lola Smallwood-Cuevas represents state Senate District 28, a small, densely populated section of Los Angeles County that includes Culver City and parts of mid-city Los Angeles and unincorporated Los Angeles County.

She began her career as a journalist in Oakland, Chicago and Long Beach, where she became active as a newspaper union organizer before joining the labor movement on a broader scale, starting with the SEIU.

She worked in the successful Justice for Janitors campaign of the 1990s, and during 15 years working at UCLA, she founded the Center for Advancement of Racial Equity at Work and cofounded the Los Angeles Black Worker Center, which became a model for similar organizations across the country, recognized by President Barack Obama.

In her first months as a state senator, Smallwood-Cuevas has introduced a package of worker and civil rights measures.

Among them is SB 627, legislation that would help workers laid off by a chain business to find work at other locations nearby. Another, SB 497, would offer workers whistleblower protection in cases of alleged wage theft or unequal pay.

Lori Wilson (D – Suisun City)

When she was elected mayor of Suisun City in 2018, Lori Wilson became the first-ever Black woman to serve as mayor anywhere in Solano County. She’d been vice-mayor for six years.

Now, she’s chair of the CBLC after her election in April last year to represent the 11th Assembly district, which straddles Solano and Contra Costa counties.

She earned a degree from CSU Sacramento in Business Administration and in a 20-year career in finance and accounting worked with homebuilders, fair housing agencies and as Solano County’s auditor. In Suisun City, she brought these skills to bear in helping house fire refugees and addressing COVID challenges.

She serves on the Appropriations, Banking and Finance, and the Accountability and Administrative Review standing committees.

Akilah Weber (D – San Diego)

From the 79th Assembly district is Akilah Weber, representing parts of San Diego, her hometown, and El Cajon, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley/La Presa and La Mesa.

After becoming first Black person ever elected to the La Mesa city council in 2018, Weber left in early 2021 to run for the Assembly seat in a special election to replace her mother, Dr. Shirley Weber, who’d been named secretary of state. She won, and her mother swore her in. Akilah Weber was re-elected in 2022.

Weber is a doctor who founded San Diego’s Rady Children’s Hospital Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division, heads the adolescent gynecology program at UC San Diego Health, and is an assistant clinical professor at UCSD.

Looking back at her time on the La Mesa City Council, she told the San Diego Union Tribune her “most important vote” had been to form the city’s Community Police Oversight Board. She also supported creating its homelessness task force and implementing its Climate Action Plan.

In the state Assembly, she serves on six standing committees: Health, Higher Education Appropriations, Communications and Conveyance, and Water, Parks and Wildlife, Legislative Ethics Committee (co-chair) and Social Determinants of Health select committee (chair).

Tina McKinnor (D – Inglewood)

Tina McKinnor’s 61st Assembly district spans communities in western Los Angeles County including Inglewood, Gardena, Hawthorne, Marina del Rey, Venice, Westchester, Westmont,

Continued on page A2

Equity Report Reveals Statistics on Black Women Compared to Other Races

McKenzie Jackson

California Black Media

Black women in the Golden State trail behind their counterparts from other ethnic groups in median wealth and a lower percentage of them have obtained higher education degrees. Black mothers and their babies have mortality rates that surpass women from other racial and ethnic backgrounds.

California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute (CBWCEI) President and CEO Kellie Todd Griffin said the state of Black women in California is troubling.

“There is so much work to do,” she explained. “There is a gap with Black women. Without immediate interventions from a policy and practice transformation standpoint, we’re not going to be able to change the trajectory.”

Griffin’s remarks came a day after the Center for the Advancement of Women at Mount Saint Mary’s University released its 12th annual “The Report on the Status of Women and Girls in California” on March 22.

The 40-page report, with the tagline “Advancing Equity: Leading With Meaning and Purpose,” is the Los Angeles university’s assessment of the state of women in California based on a number of social and economic indicators.

It is “what women need in order to attain agency for themselves, add meaning to their lives, and contribute fully to their families, communities, and businesses,” wrote Mount Saint Mary’s University President Ann McElaney-Johnson in the document’s opening pages.

The report highlights issues affecting women and girls in California post-COVID-19 pandemic. The trends documented pertain to women’s education, economic security, health, household labor, and wage and wealth divisions.

The paper’s authors and staff at Mount Saint Mary’s Center

Edward Williams, a white traffic officer who said he’s been with the department for 21 years, filed the discrimination lawsuit Monday, the Kansas City Star reported.

Racial profiling is a violation of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964. Ticket quotas are also illegal under a Missouri state law passed in 2016.

Kansas City police Chief Stacey Graves said in a written statement that the department “is dedicated to policing that is both equitable and fair in all aspects of our duties.” She said officers do not direct enforcement activities based on demographics but instead on high crash areas and citizen traffic complaint locations.

Williams was reprimanded after he reported the violations to his superiors, Williams’ attorney, Gerald Gray II, said.

“Officers have received unsatisfactory marks on their evaluations and had duties and benefits stripped for low ticket writing numbers,’’ the lawsuit states. “This continues to this date.”

It comes several months after the U.S. Department of Justice announced an investigation into the department’s employment practices to determine if it engaged in any racial discrimination.

Autism Now More Common Among Black & Hispanic Kids in US

By MIKE STOBBE

AP Medical Writer

NEW YORK (AP) – For the first time, autism is being diagnosed more frequently in Black and Hispanic children than in white kids in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday. Among all U.S. 8-year-olds, 1 in 36 had autism in 2020, the CDC estimated. That’s up from 1 in 44 two years earlier. But the rate rose faster for children of color than for white kids. The new estimates suggest that about 3% of Black, Hispanic and Asian or Pacific Islander children have an autism diagnosis, compared with about 2% of white kids.

That’s a contrast to the past, when autism was most commonly diagnosed in white kids - usually in middleor upper-income families with the means to go to autism specialists. As recently as 2010, white kids were deemed 30% more likely to be diagnosed with autism than Black children and 50% more likely than Hispanic children. Experts attributed the change to improved screening and autism services for all kids, and to increased awareness and advocacy for Black and Hispanic families.

The increase is from “this rush to catch up,” said David Mandell, a University of Pennsylvania psychiatry professor.

Still, it’s not clear that Black and Hispanic children with autism are being helped as much as their white counterparts. A study published in January found Black and Hispanic kids had less access to autism services than white children during the 2017-2018 academic year.

Autism is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. There are many possible symptoms, many of which overlap with other diagnoses. They can include delays in language and learning, social and emotional withdrawal, and an unusual need for routine. Scientists believe genetics can play a role, but there is no known biological reason why it would be more common in one racial or ethnic group than another. For decades, the diagnosis was given only to kids with severe problems communicating or socializing and those with unusual, repetitive behaviors. But around 30 years ago, the term became shorthand for a group of milder, related conditions known as ?autism spectrum disorders.’’

There are no blood or biologic tests for it. It’s diagnosed by making judgments about a child’s behavior.

To estimate how common autism is, the CDC checks health and school records in 11 states and focuses on 8-year-olds, because most cases are diagnosed by that age. Other researchers have their own estimates, but experts say the CDC’s estimate is the most rigorous and is considered the gold standard.

The overall autism rate has been rising for decades and it remains far more common among boys than girls. But the latest study also found, for the first time, that more than 1% of 8-year-old girls had been diagnosed with it.

A second CDC report issued Thursday looked at how common autism was in 4-year- olds. That research is important because diagnoses are increasingly happening at younger ages, said Kelly Shaw, who oversees the CDC autism tracking project.

Black children with autism have historically been diagnosed at later ages than their white peers, said Rose Donohue, a psychiatrist at Washington University. But the study of 4-year-olds likewise found that autism was less common in white kids in 2020 than it was among Black, Hispanic and Asian and Pacific Islander children.

Asm.Dr. Akilah Weber (D- San Diego), Asm. Mia Bonta (D- Oakland) Asm. Tina Mickinnor ( D-Los Angeles) Senator Lola Smallwood Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) Asm. Lori Wilson ( D- Solano)

Trump Ramps Up Attack on Manhattan DA with Violent Imagery and Call for ‘Death’ and ‘Destruction’

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Former President Donald Trump has ramped up the rhetoric and the threats as potential criminal charges loom in New York, Georgia, and Washington.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform and posted a photo of him swinging a bat to the head of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

He also threatened that his anticipated arrest would lead to “death and destruction.”

“What kind of person can charge another person, in this case a former President of the United States, who got more votes than any sitting President in history, and leading candidate (by far!) for the Republican Party nomination, with a Crime, when it is known by all that NO Crime has been committed, & also known that potential death & destruction in such a false charge could be catastrophic for our Country? Why & who would do such a thing? Only a degenerate psychopath that truly hates the USA!” Trump wrote.

Then in all capital letters, Trump continued his tirade:

“EVERYBODY KNOWS I’M 100% INNOCENT, INCLUDING BRAGG, BUT HE DOESN’T CARE. HE IS JUST CARRYING OUT THE PLANS OF THE RADICAL LEFT LUNATICS. OUR COUNTRY IS

BEING DESTROYED, AS THEY TELL US TO BE PEACEFUL!”

A week before, Trump predicted that authorities from New York would arrest him, however, that never happened.

Bragg’s office said Trump simply misled the public about an imminent arrest.

“We will not be intimidated by attempts to undermine the justice process, nor will we let baseless accusations deter us from fairly applying the law,” Bragg said through a spokesperson.

Bragg, 49, maintained that no one is above the law, and everyone receives equal treatment.

“In every prosecution, we follow the law without fear or favor to uncover the truth,” his statement continued.

“Our skilled, honest, and dedicated lawyers remain hard at work.”

Trump’s social media attack on Bragg could reveal the frustrations and even the concern he might possess over all of the legal problems he currently faces.

Bragg’s case, in which the former President allegedly paid hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and committed campaign finance crimes, is just the tip of the iceberg for the bombastic Trump.

Most legal experts believe Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis might have a more serious

case.

A special grand jury disbanded in January after reportedly recommending charges that include obstruction, bribery, and interfering with a presidential election.

Additionally, a Special Counsel’s investigation into Trump allegedly mishandling classified documents at his Florida home has amped up with a federal judge ordering the former President’s lawyer to testify.

Finally, the Congressional committee that investigated the January 6 insurrection has recommended serious charges against Trump to the U.S. Department of Justice. Those charges could include treason.

“It would be a travesty of justice,” Mississippi Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson said if Trump isn’t prosecuted by federal authorities for his role in the insurrection.

“Nobody is above the law, not even the President of the United States,” said Thompson, who chaired the commission.

“What we saw after interviewing more than 1,000 people – the majority of who identify with the Republican Party – we are convinced that whatever happened, happened because of one person. So, we are clear in our recommendation.”

Consumer Rage Reaches All-Time High and Businesses Feeling it in Bottom Line

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

According to a new study, second-rate customer service efforts have led to more consumer rage than ever, and patrons have become more belligerent when complaining.

Customer Care Measurement & Consulting (CCMC) and the Center for Services Leadership, a research center at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, conducted the National Consumer Rage Survey.

It found that “the alarmingly high rate of rudeness by customers was linked to things that have become normal in business settings.”

The survey found that businesses risk losing $887 billion in future sales because they handle customer

complaints poorly.

That figure is up from $494 billion in 2020.

In addition to charting the trend of customer satisfaction with complaint handling over the past two decades, the study authors said the latest release of the rage survey breaks new ground by exploring the alarming incidence of customer incivility tied to what has become commonplace in everyday business settings.

“Customer rage explores the experience of complaining about a product or service problem,” the authors wrote in a news release.

They said that customer incivility looks at the growing problem of rude, disrespectful, and violent behavior in the marketplace that comes from social and political conflicts between customers and businesses, such as disagreements about politics, sexuality, culture, and faith.

revenge for their hassles has tripled since 2020.

The authors found that complaining is increasingly becoming a digital phenomenon.

Digital channels such as e-mail, chat, and social media have unseated the telephone as the primary complaint channel at 50%, increasing from a mere 5% in 2013.

Complainants are also doubling down on social media shaming about their problems.

In addition to complaining directly to the company, 32% of complainants posted information about their most serious problem on social media sites — more than double those who posted in 2020.

Top customer incivility highlights of the study include nearly one in five Americans (17%) who have personally behaved uncivilly during the past year.

and can be downright scary,” he noted.

Broetzmann continued:

“Perhaps of growing concern now is that customer hostility appears to be mutating like a virus. The expressions of malice and aggression triggered by differences in the value systems of companies and customers — so-called customer incivility — only fuel the fire.”

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“This first foray into customer incivility reveals that unseemly customer behavior tied to clashes in values between businesses and their customers may be the new normal, as nearly one of every two Americans encountered two or more acts of customer incivility in the past year,” the authors found.

According to the survey, the top customer rage highlighted in the study included:

• Seventy-four percent of customers reported experiencing a product or service problem in the past year, more than doubling since 1976.

• Product and service problems can be disappointing, costly, and distressing.

• Fifty-six percent of customers felt that the problem wasted their time (an average of one to two days of lost time), 43% cited a loss of money (an average loss of $1,261), and 31% suffered emotional distress.

• The level of “customer rage” is holding steady — 63% of customers experiencing a problem feel rage about the experience.

• Customers are becoming increasingly aggressive in their efforts to solve their problems with businesses.

• Forty-three percent raised their voice to show displeasure about their most serious problem, up from 35% in 2015.

Additionally, the percentage of customers seeking

The authors concluded that Americans see this kind of value-based aggression toward businesses as a sign of bigger societal problems.

Twenty-two percent cited the moral decay of society as the primary reason customer incivility is on the rise.

The social contract about the norms for individually protesting businesses’ belief systems and values appears to be in flux.

Americans disagree with “civil” and “uncivil” behaviors for expressing their value differences with a business, the authors found.

While 50% of Americans view less aggressive forms of behavior (such as yelling, ranting, arguing, giving ultimatums, and social media character assassination) as uncivil, the remaining 50% see these behaviors as either “civil” or as “depends on the circumstances.”

Similarly, 25% view more hostile behaviors — like threats, humiliation, foul language, and lying — as civil or circumstantially acceptable.

“Even after 20 years of intensively researching customer rage, I remain astonished that — when sorting out ordinary product and service problems — acts of simple kindness and a sense of kinship are, all too often, in short supply,” said CCMC President and CEO Scott Broetzmann.

“The incidence and public displays of customers and companies misbehaving are commonplace, on the increase,

Broetzmann said defusing customer rage is not rocket science.

Thomas Hollmann, executive director of the Center for Services Leadership at ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business, said many customers are looking for repairs or refunds. Still, they also hope for a sincere apology and acknowledgment of their complaints.

“These no-cost actions show that the company cares, is listening to the customer, and values them,” Hollman stated.

“It’s up to brands to communicate as humans with their customers. A sincere “I’m sorry this happened,” can turn a potential blowup into a lifelong customer.”

Meet the Black Women Legislators

Shaping California Policy

Continued from page A1

West Athens and parts of Los Angeles.

She was elected to the state Assembly in July last year in a special election after the sudden resignation of Autumn Burke, herself a former CBLC vice-chair and the daughter of California Assembly alum and three-term U.S. Congresswoman Yvonne Brathwaite Burke. Burke cited COVID impacts on her family at the time for her resignation.

McKinnor, who had worked in the Assembly for years as Burke’s chief of staff, is now chair of the Assembly’s Public Employment and Retirement Committee, chair of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Select Committee, and a member of the Business and Professions and the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials committees. Before serving in the Assembly, McKinnor worked for the nonprofit LAVoice developing affordable housing in coordination with faith-based organizations. McKinnor has also been active in advancing reproductive rights, health care and police reforms.

Mia Bonta (D – Oakland)

Mia Bonta ran for and won the 18th Assembly district seat in Alameda County in a 2021 special election called atter her husband, Rob Bonta, who’d held the seat since 2012, was named California Attorney General.

Bonta describes herself as a “proud Black Latina, raised by activists who protested outside the halls of power so that people like her could one day have a seat at the table inside.”

She earned her law degree at Yale, after studying there as an undergraduate. She earned her Ed.M from the Harvard Graduate

School of Education.

Prior to being elected to the state Assembly, Bonta work revolved around improving educational outcomes for low-income students as CEO of Oakland Promise, a district-wide Oakland college and career prep program, and board president of the Alameda Unified School District. She serves on six Assembly committees: Joint Legislative Budget, Public Safety, Human Services, Communications and Conveyance, Business and Professions and the Budget Committee, including two of its subcommittees No. 5 -- Public Safety -- and No. 6 -- Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation.

West Athens and parts of Los Angeles.

She was elected to the state Assembly in July last year in a special election after the sudden resignation of Autumn Burke, herself a former CBLC vice-chair and the daughter of California Assembly alum and three-term U.S. Congresswoman Yvonne Brathwaite Burke. Burke cited COVID impacts on her family at the time for her resignation.

McKinnor, who had worked in the Assembly for years as Burke’s chief of staff, is now chair of the Assembly’s Public Employment and Retirement Committee, chair of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games Select Committee, and a member of the Business and Professions and the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials committees.

Before serving in the Assembly, McKinnor worked for the

nonprofit LAVoice developing affordable housing in coordination with faith-based organizations.

McKinnor has also been active in advancing reproductive rights, health care and police reforms.

Mia Bonta (D – Oakland)

Mia Bonta ran for and won the 18th Assembly district seat in Alameda County in a 2021 special election called atter her husband, Rob Bonta, who’d held the seat since 2012, was named California Attorney General.

Bonta describes herself as a “proud Black Latina, raised by activists who protested outside the halls of power so that people like her could one day have a seat at the table inside.”

She earned her law degree at Yale, after studying there as an undergraduate. She earned her Ed.M from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Prior to being elected to the state Assembly, Bonta work revolved around improving educational outcomes for low-income students as CEO of Oakland Promise, a district-wide Oakland college and career prep program, and board president of the Alameda Unified School District.

She serves on six Assembly committees: Joint Legislative Budget, Public Safety, Human Services, Communications and Conveyance, Business and Professions and the Budget Committee, including two of its subcommittees No. 5 -- Public Safety -- and No. 6 -- Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation.

Q&A: Chuck D Talks Rap’s Rise Through ‘Fight the Power’ Doc

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.

AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Hip-hop became a cultural phenomenon against the backdrop of American history, and now Public Enemy's Chuck D has committed himself to explore the artform's origins.

Chuck D rounded up several rap greats - including Ice-T, Run DMC and MC Lyte - who offered their firsthand accounts ahead of this year's 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Their reflections are explored in the four-part docuseries "Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World," that aired on PBS and is available to stream on its platforms and YouTube with a premium subscription.

The series delves into the history of hip-hop including the genre's radical rise from the New York City streets, creating a platform for political expression and being a leading voice for social justice

"Fight the Power" touches on how the hip-hop has played an impactful role in speaking up against injustice in the aftermath of America's racial and political reckoning in 2020 after George Floyd's killing by Minneapolis police. The series, executive produced by Chuck D, features archival footage and insightful interviews from of rap's most integral figures including Fat Joe, Lupe Fiasco, Grandmaster Caz, B-Real of Cypress Hill, Melle Mel, will.i.am, John Forte, Roxanne Shanté and Abiodun Oyewole of The Last Poets.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Chuck D talked about hip-hop's cultural growth in 50 years, the genre being the backbone for Black men's voices and how rap could last for another half century.

Remarks have been edited for clarity and bravery. ___

AP: You mentioned in your docuseries that hip-hop was a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement. How so?

CHUCK D: It's a collective where people felt the same way. It spoke politically to the injustice regarding George Floyd and was a spark that connected around the world. Hip-hop has done the same thing. Hip-hop ties human beings for their similarities and knocks the differences to the side. It's a movement, when you talk about collective people feeling similar, enact upon something and still even stay within the constraints of the law. Younger people say, "OK, listen, we're going to speak truth to power right now. We're going to protest march. We're going to show you numbers that you ain't seen in a long time about something you probably didn't care about.'' That's hip-hop, right?

AP: During the birth of hip-hop, how do it help encourage Black voices?

CHUCK D: Black men didn't have a voice. You might've sung records for people who were fortunate to become recording artists. Our music has always been code. Hip- hop is the term for our creativity, maybe for

the last 50 years. But before that, we always was creative and musicianship, vocalization, arts and craft, and also the movement of dance. Just that the elements had gotten refined in another period in the '70s out of another Big Bang Theory of socio political environments. That's where that voice came out and it came out culturally. It still speaks loudly, culturally.

AP: How does your documentary amplify that notion?

CHUCK D: Some people like to deal with hip-hop where they first started. I think what this documentary series says is "Nah, this is where it started." You might have picked up on it after you were born in the 1990s and picked up maybe 2000, but it started before you.

AP: What do you want people to take away from your documentary?

CHUCK D: I don't want people to do what they don't want to do. If you say you love hip-hop, then you should be able to know about what you love. You don't have to love hip-hop. I used to ask people straight out, "Do you love hip-hop?" They would respond "Oh yeah. I love it." Then I was ask, "Do you love Black people?" They would say "What's that got to do with it?" I'm here to tell you that the culture and the music comes out of the people. Sometimes your love of it got to infuse and give something back to the people. That's the cycle.

AP: How do you feel about hip-hop being misinterpreted at times?

CHUCK D: I'm 12 years older than hip-hop, so I'm not in awe of it. I've seen the trajectory and my involvement in it was to see if I can make it go head-to-head, stand shoulders and shoulders next to everything else that gets bragged and talked about. I'm a big sports fan. You know, a lot of people in New York broke up because the Giants lost. That's how they tied into their loyalty for something that they say that they love. Well, people love music, too. They seem to know less about it than they know about sports, because sports make sure you're not stupid. Stephen

A. Smith now is a superstar journalist who makes sure that if you come in the room, you're not stupid about sports. You can't go off the top of your head and freestyle what you think when it's fact. This four-part series at least deals with facts, especially in this misinformation age. Facts are important. Facts is not opinion, bro.

AP: How have you seen hip-hop transcend?

CHUCK D: Africa is the future of hip-hop. It's 54 African nations. Not only are they spitting like crazy, but they're also braiding languages. Hip-hop is going to like 3.0 when you talk about Africa. Hip-hop is there. So that's the sustaining power if you want to pay attention to it.

AP: Do you feel like rappers can still be commercially successful while being socially conscious?

CHUCK D: Depends on where they are and who they're talking to. If you're in France, it might work for you. Each level that you get into it, you got to go deeper because you build a fan base that's three times harder than you. If you're an activist, you're going to bring on activists that's really doing this. You as an artist could engage on it and group them together.

Now, as far as what's going to make that artists keep a light on or go out and get the Lamborghini, that's a personal thing. Money is relative. There's pressure put on the arts. That's an illusion. It's a little unfair to any art - which is not supposed to bring you an industry. It's supposed to be able to bring a canvas to the world.

AP: What's it going to take for hip-hop to live for another 50 years?

CHUCK D: Commitment collective, people recognizing that this is a part of us and recognizing more parts of us that have been part of our cultural history around the world. We got to recognize the world too.

Jonathan Majors Arrested on Assault Charge in New York

By The Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) - The actor Jonathan Majors was arrested Saturday in New York on charges of strangulation, assault and harassment, authorities said. On Sunday, an attorney for Majors said there's evidence that he is "entirely innocent.''

New York City police said that Majors, star of the recently released "Creed III'' and "Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania," was involved in a domestic dispute with a 30-year-old woman. Police responded around 11 a.m. Saturday to a 911 call inside an apartment in the Manhattan neighborhood of Chelsea.

"The victim informed police she was assaulted,'' a spokesperson for the NYPD said in a statement. ''Officers placed the 33-year-old male into custody without incident. The victim sustained minor injuries to her head and neck and was removed to an area hospital in stable condition."

A representative for Majors denied any wrongdoing by the actor.

"He has done nothing wrong,'' the representative said in an email to the AP on Saturday. ''We look forward to clearing his name and clearing this up."

On Sunday, an attorney for Majors, Priya Chaudhry, came out more forcefully, saying Majors "is provably the victim of an altercation with a woman he knows'' and blamed the incident on the woman having "an emotional crisis."

Chaudhry said there was evidence clearing Majors, including "video footage from the vehicle where this

episode took place, witness testimony from the driver and others who both saw and heard the episode, and most importantly, two written statements from the woman recanting these allegations."

An email seeking additional comment from the NYPD based on Chaudhry's assertions was not immediately returned Sunday.

Majors was arraigned Sunday on a complaint involving misdemeanor charges for assault and aggravated harassment, the Manhattan district attorney's office said. A judge ordered Majors released on his own recognizance on Saturday night with a limited order of protection. He was scheduled to appear in court on May 8.

In the meantime, the U.S. Army suspended its TV ad campaign featuring Majors that was intended to target younger audiences. The Army Enterprise Marketing Office said in a statement Sunday that the U.S. Army is "deeply concerned by the allegations surrounding his arrest."

"While Mr. Majors is innocent until proven guilty, prudence dictates that we pull our ads until the investigation into these allegations is complete," the office said in a statement.

Majors is one of the fastest rising stars in Hollywood.

After breaking through in 2019's "The Last Black Man in San Francisco," Majors has starred in "Da 5 Bloods," "The Harder They Fall'' and last year's "Devotion." He also stars in the recent Sundance Film Festival entry "Magazine Dreams," which Searchlight Pictures is to release in December.7

One of the pioneers of hip-hop Public Enemy’s Chuck D is giving you the origins of hip-hop in his new PBS documentary.

The four-part docuseries has guests and hip-hop royalty such as Fat Joe, will.i.am, Ice-T, Melle Mel, Run DMC and MC Lyte.

without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements.

You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.

NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación.

Hill

CA 90012

en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): STANLEY MOSK COURTHOUSE Telephone: (888) 333-0192 Fax: Date (Fecha): January 22, 2020 Sherri R. Carter, Clerk of Court (Secretario), by Lillian Castillejo, Deputy (Adjunto) (SEAL) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED You are served. LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER PUB: Mar 16, 23, 30, Apr 6, 2023 SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) CASE NUMBER (Número del Caso): 21PSCV00778 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO): James Stewart, an individual; and Does 1-100, inclusive YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE) Persolve Legal Group, LLP NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days, Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/ selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to

¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www. sucorte.ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro.

Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, www.sucorte.ca.gov o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court

is: (El nombre y dirección de la corte es): LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es): Teresa Straley/SBN 248299; Luis Duenas/SBN 271873 Persolve Legal Group, LLP 9301 Corbin Ave Ste 1600, Northridge, CA 91324 Telephone: (818) 534-3100 Fax: Date (Fecha): September 24, 2021 Sherri R. Carter Clerk of Court (Secretario), by J Gonzalez, Deputy (Adjunto) (SEAL) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served. LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER PUB: Mar 23, 30, Apr 6, 13, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 23SMCP00068 Superior Court of the State of California, for the county of LOS ANGELES 1725 Main St., Ste 102, Santa Monica 90401 Branch name: Santa Monica Courthouse PETITION OF: COURTNEY SLOAN BRIN FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: COURTNEY SLOAN BRIN for a decree changing names as follows: Present name COURTNEY SLOAN BRIN Filed a petition with this court Proposed name ELLE MADISON 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: April 14, 2023 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 The Valley’s News Observer Date: February 8, 2023 David W. Slayton Court Commissioner I. Valencia Deputy Petitioner: Courtney Sloan Brin 200 Baroda Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90077 Telephone: (917) 628-7429 LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER PUB: Mar 23, 30, Apr 6, 13, 2023 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 23CHCP00123 Superior Court of the State of California, for the county of LOS ANGELES 9425 Penfield Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311 Branch name: Chatsworth Courthouse PETITION OF: ARTUR YEGORYAN FOR CHANGE OF NAME TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: ARTUR YEGORYAN for a decree changing names as follows: Present name ARTUR YEGORYAN Filed a petition with this court Proposed name ARTHUR YEGORYA 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: May 24, 2023 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: F49 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 OBSERVER Date: March 22, 2023 David W. Slayton Executive Officer/Clerk of the Court C. Castellanos Deputy Petitioner: Artur Yegoryan 16843 Citronia St, Northridge, CA 91343 Telephone: (424) 999-0999 LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER PUB: Mar 30, Apr 6, 13, 20, 2023 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2023-060627 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: MS. WARREN PRODUCTIONS at 1370 N St., Andrews Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Mailing: same REGISTERED OWNERS(S): ASHLEY DOUGLAS 1370 N St., Andrews Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90028 The business is conducted by: an Individual SIGNED: ASHLEY DOUGLAS, Owner The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: January 2023 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: March 20, 2023 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: Isaura Correa Deputy NOTICE: IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISION (a) OF SECTION 17920, A FICTITIOUS NAME STATEMENT 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 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 March 20, 2028 LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER PUB: Mar 30, Apr 6, 13, 20, 2023 NOTICE AND SUMMONS OF PUBLICATION (DEPENDENCY) CASE NUMBER): 22-7-00239-06 In re the Interest of: Hadassah Ester Chandra DOB: 11/22/2008 Minor Child A Dependency Petition was filed on December 21,2022, and a Fact-Finding hearing will be held on this matter on April 11th, 2023, at 8:30 am at: Clark County Superior Court Family Law Annex 601 West Evergreen Blvd. Vancouver, WA 98660 YOU SHOULD BE PRESENT AT THIS HEARING. THIS HEARING WILL DETERMINE IF YOUR CHILD IS DEPENDENT AS DEFINED IN RCW 13.34.050(5). THIS BEGINS A JUDICIAL PROCESS WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERMANENT LOSS OF YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS. IF YOU DO NOT APPEAR AT THE HEARING, THE COURT MAY ENTER A DEPENDENCY ORDER IN YOUR ABSENCE. To request a copy of the Notice, Summons and Dependency Petition, call DCYF at 360-993-7900. To view information about your rights in this proceeding, go to www.atg.wa.gov/DPY DATED: March 6, 2023, by Scott G. Weber, Clark County Clerk. LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Mar 9, 16, 23, 30, 2023 Order to Show Cause Hearing is set for 04/26/2023 at 8:30 A.M. in Department 0. LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER PUB: Mar 23, 30, Apr 6, 13, 2023

Equity Report Reveals Statistics on Black Women Compared to Other Races

Continued from page A1

for the Advancement of Women are advocates who push for changes in legislation to help women and girls in the state.

Robin L. Owens, Interim Director, Center for the Advancement of Women and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Mount Saint Mary’s University, said all of study’s findings need to be addressed.

“My personal opinion, wealth impacts everything, so that is the one that struck me the most,” she emphasized. “The differences in the wealth gap between men and women, but also between African American women and other races. That was striking.”

The wealth gap among women is vast, according to the study. For every $100 owned by a White woman, Latinas own $10, and Black women own $9. Twenty-four percent of households led by single Black women and 25% of Latina households are more likely to live in poverty than single White (14%) and single Asian (15%) women households.

In corporate leadership, 5% of the women in management positions and CEO chairs are African American. In comparison, 46% of women in management positions are White and 86% of women CEOs are White.

Black women hold 4% of the bachelor’s degrees obtained by California women, while White women have 47%. Among women holding graduate and professional degrees, 52% are White women, whereas African American women make up only 5%. There is a connection, Griffin stated, between Black women’s trailing in education and wealth figures.

“We’re the smallest population amongst the groups that were assessed, however we shouldn’t be 4% of the bachelor’s degree holders,” she noted. “It’s disheartening. How do you get into corporate leadership if a majority of good paying jobs require a degree? We can’t get in the door to be able to accelerate up.”

Black women are more than four times more likely to die

from pregnancy-related causes then White women, and Black babies are more than twice as likely to die within one year than White babies.

The maternal death rates African American women and their babies have are still comparable to numbers from decades ago despite funds and efforts put into improving that rate for all women, Griffin said.

“That is not an improvement,” she deemed.

CBWCEI is focused on using the numbers from the report and other statistics they have gathered to shine a light on the challenges Black women in the state have and to uplift their voices.

The group advocated for and received state funds to create the California Black Women’s Think Tank at Cal State Dominguez Hills, which focuses solely on Black women and girls through research and leadership development. The nonprofit organization is also conducting other African American womengeared initiatives.

“We are focused on Black women, Black girls, Black joy, Black advancement,” Griffin stated. “We understand if we invest in Black women, then we invest in Black communities. We are investing in Black California.”

Owens hopes readers of the report take actions like the CBWCEI.

“I hope people read the report and really give some thoughtful consideration to how they can add to the advancement of women in general and African American women in particular,” she said. “Even if it is in a small way. Sometimes we tend to think we have to fix the whole problem. If we could just find out in our own corner of the world, how we could make a small increase in helping African American women and women in general that would make a difference.”

for the Advancement of Women are advocates who push for changes in legislation to help women and girls in the state.

Robin L. Owens, Interim Director, Center for the Advancement of Women and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Mount Saint Mary’s University, said all of study’s findings need to be addressed.

“My personal opinion, wealth impacts everything, so that is the one that struck me the most,” she emphasized. “The differences in the wealth gap between men and women, but also between African American women and other races. That was striking.”

The wealth gap among women is vast, according to the study. For every $100 owned by a White woman, Latinas own $10, and Black women own $9. Twenty-four percent of households led by single Black women and 25% of Latina households are more likely to live in poverty than single White (14%) and single Asian (15%) women households.

In corporate leadership, 5% of the women in management positions and CEO chairs are African American. In comparison, 46% of women in management positions are White and 86% of women CEOs are White.

Black women hold 4% of the bachelor’s degrees obtained by California women, while White women have 47%. Among women holding graduate and professional degrees, 52% are White women, whereas African American women make up only 5%. There is a connection, Griffin stated, between Black women’s trailing in education and wealth figures.

“We’re the smallest population amongst the groups that were assessed, however we shouldn’t be 4% of the bachelor’s degree holders,” she noted. “It’s disheartening. How do you get into corporate leadership if a majority of good paying jobs require a degree? We can’t get in the door to be able to accelerate up.”

Black women are more than four times more likely to die

from pregnancy-related causes then White women, and Black babies are more than twice as likely to die within one year than White babies.

The maternal death rates African American women and their babies have are still comparable to numbers from decades ago despite funds and efforts put into improving that rate for all women, Griffin said.

“That is not an improvement,” she deemed.

CBWCEI is focused on using the numbers from the report and other statistics they have gathered to shine a light on the challenges Black women in the state have and to uplift their voices.

The group advocated for and received state funds to create the California Black Women’s Think Tank at Cal State Dominguez Hills, which focuses solely on Black women and girls through research and leadership development. The nonprofit organization is also conducting other African American womengeared initiatives. “We are focused on Black women, Black girls, Black joy, Black advancement,” Griffin stated. “We understand if we invest in Black women, then we invest in Black communities. We are investing in Black California.”

Owens hopes readers of the report take actions like the CBWCEI.

“I hope people read the report and really give some thoughtful consideration to how they can add to the advancement of women in general and African American women in particular,” she said. “Even if it is in a small way. Sometimes we tend to think we have to fix the whole problem. If we could just find out in our own corner of the world, how we could make a small increase in helping African American women and women in general that would make a difference.”

Black Professionals’ Ability to Focus Disproportionately Affected by Rising Cost of Living, Health Concerns

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Black workers prioritize their mental well-being more than any other racial group, according to a survey by the employment platform Oyster. The platform surveyed more than 2,500 desk-based – or so-called knowledge – employees and found that more than 58 % of Black workers globally chose their mental well-being as their top priority. Asian respondents came in second at 37.7 %. “Bearing the brunt of systemic racism, prejudice, and societal injustice, perhaps Black knowledge workers must put more energy into protecting their mental health and can less afford to spend it elsewhere,” the report stated. Study authors found the ability of Black knowledge workers to focus has suffered because of external factors like the rising cost of living and health concern, particularly in America, Western Europe, and Canada. For instance, 60.1 % of Black workers struggle with the cost of living, the survey found. About 9.5% of respondents were Black knowledge workers, and the authors called it disheartening to see that

they’re disproportionately affected by the ever-rising costs of living. “In fact, Black workers are more affected by pretty much every category than other racial groups, notably by global health concerns – 41.6% of Black workers (compared to 14.8% of white workers) were very concerned about this, compared office in many cases, against their will,” the authors wrote. But nothing came close to spiraling living costs and personal concerns when factoring in the top external stressors, which the authors said was true across genders and geographies. White workers reported being least affected in nearly every category – an example of privilege in practice, the authors concluded. “What privilege does do is protect certain populations from being as negatively affected when taken as a group,” the authors noted. They said the racial wage disparity present at many companies (and in society in general) means it’s logical that Black workers are more affected by rising costs of living. Systemic racism in healthcare and legislative environments means it’s logical that Black workers are more affected by health concerns and political

instability. Additional findings of the report:

• 55% of Black workers see a safe, inclusive work environment as very important, almost 14 %age points higher than their white colleagues. • 63 % of Black employees indicated that regular raises affect their well-being at work, compared to 48.3% of white workers. • Black employees value access to mental health support (64%) more than their white colleagues (22%).

Across all genders and geographies, the rising cost of living (75%) and personal worries or concerns (74%) are the top stressors impacting employees’ ability to focus on work, followed by:

• Global health concerns (61%)

• Economic downturn (55%) • War and conflict (35%) • Political instability (34%) • Climate change (23%) Black knowledge workers’ ability to focus on work is disproportionately affected by these external factors, more than any other racial group. Most critically: • 60% of Black employees report struggling with the rising costs of living, compared to their Hispanic (46%), Asian (39%), and white (30%) colleagues. • Global health concerns

impact 42% of Black workers, compared to 15% of white workers. • Younger generations are almost twice as affected by rising living costs and personal concerns than their Gen X colleagues.

“Our data broken down by race was also very revealing. Black employees valued a safe working environment almost 14 percentage points more than their white colleagues and were 20 percentage points more in favor of check-ins with their manager,” the study revealed. “These employees also placed far more emphasis on regular raises (63.0% compared to 48.3% of white workers), which tracks given that our data also found Black workers were the most concerned with rising costs of living.” The authors concluded: “What we’re seeing is a greater need to support, include, and create equitable work environments so all employees can thrive. At the very least, managers should be aware that Black employees on their team may appreciate more face time and encouragement and be ready to provide this support as needed.”

Remembering Kenneth Brown, Educator, Engineer, CSU Prof., and El Camino College Trustee President

Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media

The El Camino Community College District, California State University Dominguez Hills, and the aerospace industry have lost a great leader and advocate with the passing of Kenneth Brown on March 23, 2023.

Brown was a pioneer in his fields, and his work as an educator, scientist, engineer, and trustee impacted countless lives.

Born and raised in Carson, CA, Brown attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, where he earned his B.S. in Computer Science and B.S. in Physics. He later went on to earn his M.S. in Applied Physics from Clark Atlanta University.

“As a Morehouse alum, Ken upheld the tradition of striving to make a positive difference in the world, especially for the Black community. He had a keen analytical mind and he eagerly engaged in discussions in a variety of subjects, including politics and social issues that challenged you to think critically,” said Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rupert Byrdsong, a friend and college classmate.

Brown’s career in aerospace spanned over three decades. He worked for over 20 years at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, where, as a System Engineering Analyst for the Mars Science Laboratory, he worked on some of the most groundbreaking missions in the history of space exploration.

He was last employed as Operations Manager for Northrop Grumman Missions Systems Engineering & Sciences (E&S) Maritime Land Sensors and Systems/Field Engineering, at Space Park, Redondo Beach. where he was the lead for a major new enhancement to the program, driving technical integration to meet performance and functional requirements.

In recognition of his contributions, Brown received the Black Engineer of the Year Modern Day Technology Leader Award in 2019. Brown’s passion for teaching led him to serve as an adjunct professor of Physics at Cal State University Dominguez Hills. For more than 20 years he taught undergraduate physics, physical science, and math courses. Because of his exceptional ability to connect with his students, his dedication to teaching, and his caring nature, he had a reputation for being a devoted and well-admired instructor.

For the California Department of Education, Brown served as a Content Review Panel expert and helped author “Next Generation Science Standards,” which is being used in K-12 classrooms in over 40 states.

In addition to his work in aerospace and as an education practitioner, Brown was President of the Governing Board of Trustees at El Camino Community College in Torrance. He had been a Board member since 2010.

“He never stopped advocating for students’ needs to ensure they found success in higher education, their chosen career fields, and in their personal lives. He inspired us to become extraordinary,” Brenda Thames, Ph.D., El Camino College Superintendent/President reflected on her connection with Brown. “He led as an unapologetic advocate for equity and the expansion of educational opportunities for all students. The legacy of his work will impact millions of students for decades to come.”

Vice President of the Board of Trustees Trisha Murakawa told The Union, El Camino College’s student paper, that she and Brown “‘were making good trouble, to truly help’ with education and equity at the statewide level and at El Camino.”

“Brown was a champion for students in everything he did …. and his legacy and commitment will empower generations of leaders to come,” Daisy Gonzales, the interim chancellor of California’s community college system, said in a statement.

Brown was elected to the California Community College Trustees Board in 2016, and in 2020 was elected to serve as President of the CCCT Board. He served as President of CCCT’s Board Financial Aid Implementation Committee as well as the Institutional Effectiveness Partnership Initiative Change Leadership Committee.

“I don’t think he had “no” in his vocabulary,” said

Pam Haynes, President Emerita, California Community College Trustees Board and Los Rios Community College District Trustee. “He was unwavering in his steadfast advocacy for students of color, especially Black and Brown students within our community college system.”

On a national level, Brown served on the Association of Community College Trustees Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.

Brown also served on the Da Vinci Schools Board of Trustees from 2019-20 in the Wiseburn Unified School District, El Segundo and on the Da Vinci Schools Fund Board.

A true renaissance man, Brown’s accomplishments extended beyond his professional life. He was an accomplished athlete, twice named All-American in Track & Field at Morehouse College and he played in the NCAA Div. II Basketball Final Four. He qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials and Pan AM Games in the high jump. Brown, 54, lived in Inglewood with his wife of 25 years, Dr. Karla Harness Brown, a teacher, counselor, and child welfare and attendance advisor for 30 years at the Inglewood Unified School District. He is survived by two sons, Kenneth II, a Morehouse graduate who is now attending UCLA and Kaleb, a freshman at Howard University. He is also survived by his mother, Dr. Martha Brown, a retired professor of music and his mother-in-law, Gloria Armstrong, a retired Inglewood city employee. His father Keith Brown (deceased) was a Probation Officer.

From the outpouring of condolence messages and personalized tributes Brown’s family is receiving from the Inglewood community and beyond, it is certain that he will be deeply missed by his family, colleagues, and the countless students whose lives he touched through his work in education.

The San Francisco Branch of the NAACP is engaged in a public information blitz to clarify a press release it sent out urging the San Francisco city government to reject a proposal to pay each qualifying Black city resident a onetime lump sum reparation payment of $5 million.

The Rev. Amos Brown, a member of the San Francisco reparations board, pastor of Third Baptist Church, and the president of the San Francisco NAACP, released a March 14 statement before the recommendations were presented to the supervisors rejecting the $5 million payout.

Reparations should focus on investments and opportunities” in five areas: education, employment, housing, healthcare, and a culture center for San Francisco’s Black residents, the prepared statement reads.

“We strongly believe that creating and funding programs that can improve the lives of those who have been impacted by racism and discrimination is the best path forward toward equality and justice,” Brown stated. Brown is the vice-chairperson of the California Reparation Task Force, which is proposing recommendations for two million Black residents in California.

The NAACP’s press release was met with immediate backlash by supporters in the movement for reparations across the country who have, for decades now, invested time, energy and money in bringing the issue to national attention. In 2020, California became the first state to set up a task force to investigate the state’s involvement in slavery, state-sanctioned atrocities against African Americans and all other forms of discrimination and discriminatory policy that excluded Black Californians from state benefits or protections or that prevented them from gaining social or economic power.

“This is reprehensible. It is a betrayal to Black Americans, tweeted Bishop Talbert Swan on March 17 reacting to the press release.

“As a life member of the NAACP and the longest serving president in the history of my branch, I am ashamed by the position taken by the San Francisco branch.

Brown has since clarified in several public appearances that he is not against the idea of a cash payout but only wants the recommendation to be a reasonable compromise – one, he says, that does not give the city’s Black residents “false hope.”

“We don’t want to get set up for another study or for them to put this up on a shelf to collect dust,” said Brown in an interview with Roland Martin. We must have action. We believe in cash-plus - not either or.”

Eric McDowell, chairperson of the African American Reparations Advisory Committee (AARAC) -- a task force set up by San Francisco city government -- said that recommendations presented to the Board of Supervisors is an “appraisal” and he is “hopeful” that the city will deliver much needed compensation for Black community.

McDowell made the statements in an interview with San Francisco’s KRON 4 News on March 24. AARAC presented recommendations on March 14 to address the harms and struggles Black Americans have endured since they began migrating west after the Civil War.

“What the city will decide to do is fully in the hands of the supervisors, mayor’s office, and full leadership of the city,” McDowell said in the six-minute segment. “We’re hopeful as a committee that they will take up the charge and do what they believe both is right to do and have the capacity to do.”

The recommendations, McDowell said, are only in “draft” form at this stage. They cover economic empowerment, education, generational

wealth building, and public policies for the benefit of Black San Franciscans. McDowell referred to the recommendation as an estimation of value.

“Our task (AARAC) was to do the appraisal and it’s the city’s task to determine, based upon recommendations, what they decide to adopt,” McDowell said.

“Once again, that conversation is yet to come: the determination of how it will get financed and made possible,” McDowell continued, talking about reparations payments to San Franciscans who are Black American descendants of enslaved people.

The 14-person reparations committee advises the Board of Supervisors, Mayor London Breed, the Human Rights Commission, and the public on the development of a San Francisco Reparations Plan. The plan features ways that San Francisco’s policies have harmed Black lives.

Paying qualifying Black residents individual payments of $5 million, the elimination of personal debt and tax liabilities of African American

Kenneth Brown (Courtesy Photo)

Eric McDowell, right, the chairperson for San Francisco’s  African

American Reparations Advisory Committee (AARAC), said the committee presented 111 recommendations of reparations to the city’s Board of Supervisors. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey. December 2022.

Antonio Ray Harvey and Manny Otiko California Black Media

Actress and Grammy-Nominated Singer Halle Bailey Helping Make Disney Dreams Come True

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

During a press junket held in a roped-off lawn area near the famous Walt Disney World Parade, a little girl named Mila experienced a dream moment.

“The Little Mermaid” star and Grammy-nominated singer Halle Bailey spotted Mila in a crowd of onlookers as Bailey spoke to the media during an event that kicked off the Disney Dreamers Academy, where 100 students receive mentorship during a four-day educational and entertainment excursion.

Mila wouldn’t let the star go, and Bailey reacted in the most superstar way: she held on and even shed a tear.

“You’re so pretty,” Bailey told Mila. “You’re so beautiful and sweet.”

Those unscripted moments helped to underscore why the Disney Dreamers Academy has meant so much to so many children for 16 years.

Bailey, like the 2022 celebrity ambassador, singer Kelly Rowland, found time not only to mentor the 100 Academy students, but step from behind the parade ropes to embrace fans.

This year, Bailey is joined by other celebrities like H.E.R., Quest Love, and Marsai Martin.

But clearly, Bailey has won over the high school students, their parents, and others with gawkers surrounding Disney Coronado Springs Resort where cast and crew gather for the daily events taking place in the large ballrooms.

On Day 2 of the Academy, Bailey left two aspiring teen filmmakers speechless when she surprised them with a personal invitation to join her on the red carpet at the movie’s world premiere in Hollywood.

Dylan Jones of Atlanta and Madison Henderson of Los Angeles were in the middle of a movie production training session Friday morning during Disney Dreamers Academy when Bailey, the program’s celebrity ambassador, made a surprise appearance and delivered the personal invitation to come to Hollywood.

For the students it was a truly magical dream come true moment. The movie’s world premiere takes place just before the film officially hits theaters nationwide on May 26.

Bailey is one of several celebrities taking part in the program that runs through Sunday.

This is the 16th year of Disney Dreamers Academy, a four-day, transformational, mentoring program designed to broaden career awareness and create opportunities for 100 Black high school students and teens from underrepresented communities across America each year.

The Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey surprises Disney Dreamers Academy participants with premiere invitations. (Courtesy Photo)

Men’s Final Four “Different” This Year

By Earl Heath

Contributing

Sports Writer

There’s a reason why it’s called March Madness. This year’s Final Four has three schools — Florida Atlantic, Miami and San Diego State making their first-ever appearances, while Connecticut is by far the most experienced with six trips to the Final Four and four national titles.

The No. 4 seeded Huskies rolled through the West Regional, capping this torrid run with an 82-54 destruction of No. 3 Gonzaga. The beat each team by at least 15 points.

The Big EAST power is back in the Final Four for the first time since winning the 2014 national championship.  Florida Atlantic is the Conference USA Champion.

The Owls (35-3) cut at Madison Square Garden and stood on the East Regional Championship podium. Like the Round of 64, 32, and Sweet Sixteen, the No. 9 seed FAU survived and advanced in the Elite Eight, taking down the No. 3 seed Kansas State Wildcats in an instant classic, 79-76.   This season they have an undefeated home record, 100 wins for head coach Dusty May, first ever AP national ranking, first ever Conference USA title, second ever March Madness bid, first since 2002, first, second, third, and fourth tournament victory, first ever Final Four bid, and just two wins away from being national champions.

“It feels amazing” said guard Alijah Martin. “You know, this is a group of guys that just loves to work, loves

to compete. Also we love to serve each other. We love being around each other, and it shows on the court.”

The Owls will take on San Diego State.  LaMont Butler scored 18 points and Darrian Trammell had 12 for the fifth-seeded Aztecs (31-6), who slowed down the highscoring, sixth-seeded Creighton (24-13) and became the first Mountain West Conference team to reach the national semifinals.

“I’ve been dreaming this my whole life,” said Trammell.

“I am grateful to be here and thankful to everyone who believed in me,”

The Aztecs have seven seniors on the squad and are a very physical. That plus coaching and team work are the main reasons they got this far.

Miami defeated Texas to earn spot in the Final Four. Jordan Miller along with Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year Isaiah Wong and March dynamo Nijel Pack together rallied the Hurricanes from a 13-point secondhalf deficit for an 88-81 victory that clinched that longawaited trip to the national semifinals.

“How hard we fought to come back in this game, especially on a stage like this, it’s an amazing feeling,” said Pack, one of Miami’s newcomers. “I know how much these guys wanted to win this game, especially being here last year and losing the Elite Eight, and now being able to take it to the Final Four is something special.”

The CANES face UCONN in Houston Saturday.

Women Hoops: History Makers Against Chasers

By Earl Heath

Contributing

Sports Writer

It’s a bit of a surprise but for the first time since 1995, the women’s Final Four will not have UConn, Tennessee or Stanford, but there will be no lack of star power in Dallas this weekend.

The No. 1 overall seed South Carolina are looking to win back-to-back NCAA Tournaments and they’re riding a 42-game winning streak into the Heart of Texas. However, to reach the championship game they will have to get through Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes -- the best offensive team in the country.

Coach Dawn Staley’s team improved to 36-0. The Gamecocks are now two games away from repeating as champions and completing the 10th undefeated season in the women’s game.   After a 86-75 win vs Maryland the Gamecocks hugged

and jumped when it was over, heading to the schools fifth Final Four since 2015, all under Staley this year’s National Coach of the Year. She’ll try for her third national title next week.

Senior Aliyah Boston, the 6-foot-5, made 10 of 14 shots. The three-time All-American added five assists and blocked two shots.

The Gamecocks will play Iowa and do-it-all star Caitlin Clark.

Meanwhile, Kim Mulkey and the LSU Tigers will look to continue making school history as they take on the Virginia Tech Hokies, another team that is also having a program-best season. Making their debut in the Elite Eight, the Hokies’ (31-4) historic season now continues with their first trip to the Final Four,   Friday at 7 p.m. ET against the Tigers in American Airlines Arena Dallas, Texas.

The 20th Season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center Returns to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer

(Los Angeles, CA)- The Music Center launches its 20th season for of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center with the return of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, one of the most famous dynamic dance ensembles in the world. The residency will include performances in The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and an evening of ideas and conversation open to the public produced in partnership with Zócalo Public Square, among other experiences. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Novak, the company will present two timely and thought-provoking work, Company B and The Green Table, both of which address the impact of war, along with the world premiere of Dreamachine by Lauren Lovette, former principal dancer with New York City Ballet and now Paul Taylor Dance Company’s first resident choreographer.

Patrons for the April 30th matinee performance will be invited to attend a pre-show discussion, beginning at 1 P.M., with Novak and Lovette at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion’s Stern Grand Hall. Additionally, to engage and inspire students and educators with dance and movement. The Music Center will present a special matinee performance and discussion of The Green Table for middle school and high school students on Friday, April, and provide up to 20 high school dancers with the invaluable opportunity to attend a master class on choreography taught by Lovette on Saturday, April 29.

“We are thrilled to kick off Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center’s 20th season of dance residencies with the return of Paul Taylor Dance Company, which debuted at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion more than three decades ago. This time, we have the enviable opportunity to experience the world premiere of a highly anticipated work created by the company’s first resident choreographer,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “In addition, Paul Taylor Dance Company’s performances of two iconic dances that overtly convey and challenge the notions of war will undoubtedly stir high emotions among audience members. We will complement that work by partnering with Zócalo to offer the public a free, dynamic panel of speakers who

will explore the possibilities and the limits of war-inspired art, which is particularly relevant today.”

The Music Center will partner with Zócalo Public Square to host an evening of ideas and conversation, How Is Art a Weapon of War?, on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 7:00 P.M., outdoors on Jeremy Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Moderated by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen, the discussion will address the long and global tradition of artists-visual, performing, literary-who

create arresting, beautiful works that address the horrors of war, and the impact that these artworks have on society.

Panelists will include Paul Taylor Dance Company Artistic Director Michael Novak; artist, filmmaker and writer Gelare Khoshgozaran; Kinsey African Art & History Collection and Foundation COO and Chief Curator Khalil Kinsey; and Pussy Writer creator Nadya Tolokonnokova.

The discussion will also be streamed live online at https://m.youtube.com/zocalopublicsquare. The public is

highly encouraged to RSVP for the evening of ideas and conversation at https://musiccenter.org/zocalopanel.

Tickets to the Paul Taylor Dance Company’s performance are available for purchase now by visiting https://musiccenter.org/paultaylor  or calling (213) 9720711. Follow The Music Center of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @MusicCenterLA.

Governor Newsom Unveils Ambitious Plans for California’s Homelessness Crisis, Prison Reform, and Healthcare

This past week, Governor Gavin Newsom took action to tackle major issues the state of California has been facing for years. Homelessness had always been a key problem and recent studies quoted by the LA Times found significant increases in the major hotspots, including skid row.

Newsom spoke to local media on Wednesday to announce his plan for $1 Billion in funding to launch the state’s largest mobilization of small homes. According to the governor’s office, the funding will be used to create more than 7,500 new housing units across the state. The investment will also be used to provide services such as mental health and addiction treatment to those in need.

The governor’s announcement was welcomed by advocates for the homeless. “This investment will make a real difference in the lives of thousands of people who are experiencing homelessness,” said Maria Foscarinis, executive director of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. “It’s a step in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go to solve this

crisis.”

The announcement came just one day after the governor visited San Quentin State Prison to announce a transformation plan for the facility. The plan calls for the closure of the prison’s death row unit and the conversion of the facility into a center for rehabilitation and education.

The plan is part of a broader effort to reform California’s criminal justice system. The state has been grappling with overcrowded prisons and a high rate of recidivism for years.

The governor also shared on Friday that the state will provide insulin at no cost to low-income Californians who need it. The program, called CalRx, will provide up to 30 days of insulin for free to those who qualify. The program is designed to help those who are struggling to afford their medications. “No one should have to choose between paying for their medications and putting food

on the table,” said Governor Newsom.

Lastly, Governor Newsom proposed a modernization plan for California’s behavioral health system. The plan calls for increased funding for mental health and substance abuse treatment, as well as the construction of new housing for those with mental illness.

“We need to make sure that everyone who needs mental health care has access to it.” said Rusty Selix, executive director of the California Council of Community Mental Health Agencies.

Overall, Governor Newsom’s announcements represent a significant investment in California’s most vulnerable communities. From tackling homelessness to reforming the criminal justice system to improving access to health care, the governor is taking bold action to build the state for a promising future.

Leimert Park Jazz Festival Launches 4th Annual Juried Art Competition

By Ricky Richardson

Contributing Writer

(Los Angeles, CA)– The 4th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival Art Competition launched on Friday, March 17, 2023. The competition is open to South L.A.-based visual artists, 18 years or older. Artists compete for a prize package that includes $1,000 cash award. Art submissions will be accepted through Friday, June 23 at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time.

The year’s four esteemed jurors are Lyndon Barrios, Artist, Animation Director, and Filmmaker; Dominique Moody, Assemblage Artist and Visual Griot; Dr. Joy Simmons, California African American Museum Board Member, Art Collector, and Philanthropist; and Erin Broyard Stennis, President, Level 55 Consulting. The jurors will select three finalists who will go up for a vote online and the community will choose the winner.

“Leimert Park, and the surrounding areas of South LA, has always been a mecca for artists of color who dared to give full expression to their creative genius,” said Ms. Stennis. “We must continue to shine light on these talented and often under recognized souls.”

“The Visual Arts reflect the music of Jazz by expressing our joys, our sorrows, our spirit, our power, our voice,” said Ms. Moody. “When images like these are combined, they inspire paintings that are rich with improvisational beats and poetic rhymes.”

Historic Leimert Park in South LA.  is a culturally rich neighborhood that has been the center of African American creative arts and culture in Los Angeles

for decades. Highly regarded arts institutions such as The World Stage, The Vision Theater, The Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, KAOS Network, Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center, and Art + Practice make their home in Leimert Park which contributes to its vibrancy.

“The Leimert Park Jazz Festival is a celebration of jazz, community, and culture. The Arts Competition is a great complement to the festival,’ said Diane Robertson, who executive produces the festival in association with The World Stage. “I’m thrilled to offer this platform to local visual artists and to highlight the immense talent in our beloved South L.A. community.

You don’t want to miss this year’s Leimert Park Jazz Festival. The festival brings together a culturally diverse, family-friendly audience to enjoy a day of outstanding jazz from local and world-renowned artists. The Leimert Park Jazz Festival provides a platform to showcase and promote local minority-owned small businesses, visual artists and non-profit organizations.

Now in its fourth year (and being presented in person for the third time), the Leimert Park Jazz Festival has established itself as a destination for music aficionados from across the greater Los Angeles area and beyond.

The 4th Annual Leimert Park Jazz Festival will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, outdoors, on the upper deck of Baldwin Hills Crenshaw, 3650 W. Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90008.         For more information visit www. leimertparkjazzfestival.com and follow them on social media, Instagram and Facebook @leimertparkjazzfestival.

Paul Taylor Dance Company in Polaris (Courtesy Photo)

Alex Clayton, Madelyn Ho and Kenny Corrigan in Arden (Courtesy Photo)