Valley's News Observer 6.10.21 4C

Kobe Bryant Mural Unveiled at Hollywood and Highland Entertainment Complex Page A7

Film Review: Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn Pages A3

News Observer The Valley’s

Volume 36 Number 30

Serving the San Fernando Valley for Over 36 Years

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Garcia Gives all in Bruin Finale

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer With one out in the sixth inning Bruin head softball coach Kelley Inouye-Perez made her way slowly to the circle at Hall of Fame Stadium. She pulled pitcher Rachel Garcia and moments later you could see the two embracing on the dugout bench.

Garcia had given her all. In the third she even gave the team the lead as she went to “Rip City”with a 3-run blast to right. That wasn’t enough in a 10-3 loss to Oklahoma.

“Just having a moment with coach, I will be grateful to her,” said Garcia. “She gave me an opportunity to get my degree at the number one university and I am in my last moment as a Bruin I am super honored.”

After a nearly three-hour rain-delay the two-time Player of the Year had given up seven runs on six hits to Oklahoma the number one seed in the tournament.

Time and time again Garcia (18-3) was called on to help anyway possible. Teammate Megan Faraimo did not make the trip to OKC due to an injury.

After holding the Sooners (52-3) scoreless the first two innings the future Olympian gave up 2-runs in the 3rd and 4th innings. They then added one in the fifth and five in the sixth.

After scoring a season low three runs on opening game against James Madison the Sooners scored 18 runs in the next two games.

“We weren’t able to get it done I’m proud of my team and proud of Rachel Garcia,” said Inouye Perez.

“She chose to come back and do all she could to help this program. She was put in a position to have to do it all, but nobody blames her, she gave it all she had and I told her this is not about something you have to prove, you’ve left your mark on the game, you have done it you are going to continue to have a future.

The Bruins (47-7) began the tourney with a 4-0 shutout over 10th seeded Florida State. Garcia gave up five hits, two walks and 11 strikeouts. It was her seventh double digit strikeout game of the season. The teams super ace struck out the side in the 4th and had easy one, two, three outings in the fifth and closed out the game with another one in the seventh. Kathy Sadercock (24-3) took the loss for the Seminoles.

Anna Vines made the defense shine by making a diving stop in the third. This was the first WCWS appearance. The Redshirt sophomore watched from the bench during the 2019 championship run.

She got the Bruins on the board first after hitting a high Rachel Garcia is greeted by teammates after her 3-run homer in the WCWS. She will head off to the Olympics with BRUIN Bubba Nichols. (Photo: UCLA Athletics)

Continued on page A4

Racial Disparities Are a Public Health Crisis Bo Tefu California Black Media Some health advocates are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to treat health inequity in California as a public health crisis – one that is complicated by racism.

Their appeal to the governor comes as California state officials propose a $115 million investment in the state’s budget for the next fiscal year to address health disparities.

If approved, some of the money would fund programs administered by community-based organizations.

“The biggest hardship that we’re facing right now is really getting the governor to support investments to community-based organizations to focus on health equity and racial justice interventions within healthcare,” said Ron Coleman, the managing director of policy for the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network (CPEHN).

Coleman said the state needs to make new investments in public health that will remedy the social determinants

that worsen health disparities in the healthcare system.

In the revised May budget, Newsom proposed a $115 million annual grant program for health equity and $200 million for local health infrastructure. He also included $15 million in funds to support underprivileged lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people.

Despite the plan to increase spending on leveling the playing field in health care, a dozen community-based organizations want Gov. Newsom to do more. In addition to CPENH, other organizations include the Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy and Leadership (APPEAL), Black Women for Wellness Action Project, California Black Health Network, California Black Women’s Health Project, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, Latino Coalition for a Healthy California, Public Health Advocates, Public Health Institute, Roots Community Health Center, and Roots of Change.

The leaders of these organizations are asking the state

to expand support for health programs with funds from California’s budget surplus that are targeted to addressing health disparities that impact vulnerable populations, including low-income Black and Brown families.

In the May budget revisions, “There was absolutely no new investment in the budget for public health, whether it’s the infrastructure, workforce, health equity racial justice, or prevention,” said Coleman.

Coleman specified that the money Newsom is allotting for health equity should go to community-based organizations, particularly for racial justice interventions in the healthcare system.

“We need Governor Newsom to begin treating racism as a public health crisis and make the investments in the community that will help us reduce healthcare disparities and improve health outcomes,” said Coleman.

Gov. Newsom said that the state has partnered with multiple community-based organizations for public Continued on page A2

Black Educators Discuss Ahead of School Re-Opening This Fall

Education Equity Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media The California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) held their 13th annual professional development summit May 26 – 28th in San Diego. The theme for this year’s conference was, “Achieving an Equity Driven Education.”

Co-hosted by the San Diego County Office of Education and Moreno Valley Unified School District, the conference was held in-person and virtually. For their safety, in-person participants were required to have been vaccinated or to have tested negative for COVID-19.

According to Dr. Daryl Camp, President, CAAASA and Superintendent, San Lorenzo Unified School District, “CAAASA was one of the last organizations to host an inperson conference in 2020 and will be the first organization to host an in-person conference in 2021.”

CAAASA welcomed about 150 in-person attendees.

About 600 other participants joined the conference online. Those attending were education practitioners, including school administrators, teachers, and staff; education researchers; policymakers; and community members inspired and motivated to learn ways to improve the educational experiences and outcomes for African American and other students of color by promoting equity and social justice and improved school climates.

The conference theme, “Achieving an Equity Driven Education” acknowledges the need, “to ensure the next normal will achieve an equity driven education for students,” says Camp. “While the pandemic has presented many challenges, it has also provided an opportunity to re-envision what an equity driven education may look like for underserved students.”

The conference was organized around seven goals: Align strategies that promote access to excellence for boys and girls of color; Utilize Social Emotional Learning (SEL) supports to address the impact of trauma and poverty on Continued on page A2

Gerald Dessus teaches a social justice course at Mastery Charter Shoemaker Campus in Philadelphia.

(Photos Courtesy of the Mighty Engine / Rashiid Coleman)

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Thursday, June 10, 2021

California to Pay $2M Church Legal Fees Over Virus Closures

By BRIAN MELLEY Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) – The state of California has agreed not to impose greater coronavirus restrictions on church gatherings than it does on retail establishments in a pair of settlements that provide more than $2 million in fees to lawyers who challenged the rules as a violation of religious freedom.

A deal approved Tuesday by a federal judge comes after lawyers for a San Diego-area Pentecostal church took their challenge against the state to the U.S. Supreme Court three times and won.

The settlement includes a permanent injunction in line with Supreme Court rulings that found restrictions on houses of worship cannot exceed those on retail businesses, attorney Paul Jonna said.

“If they’re gonna restrict Costco to 50%, then they can do the same thing to churches,’’ Jonna said. “But what they were doing before, as you may remember, is they were keeping those places open and they were shutting down churches – at least in California – completely.’’

The settlement has little practical impact after a Supreme Court ruling led the state in April to lift limits on indoor worship. As the state’s case rate of COVID-19 has plummeted since a deadly winter surge and vaccination rates rise, Gov. Gavin Newsom is poised to lift all restrictions on June 15.

Newsom’s office issued a statement saying he put the health of Californians first when he imposed closure orders. It said the settlements provide clarity on how public health standards can be applied to churches.

Newsom was the first governor to issue a statewide stay-home order at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. His various closure orders and modifications that allowed certain businesses to open at different capacities were challenged in state and federal courts.

The public health orders were generally upheld until religious groups won a string of victories after a change in the Supreme Court makeup last year when liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died and was replaced by conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

While the settlements only apply to restrictions issued for the COVID-19 pandemic, Jonna said he does not believe the state would impose harsher restrictions on churches in the future because of the Supreme Court rulings.

The settlements involve a federal lawsuits brought

by South Bay United Pentecostal Church in Chula Vista and Father Trevor Burfitt, a Catholic priest in Bakersfield, who sued in Kern County Superior Court.

Lawyers for the Thomas More Society, a conservative public interest law firm, will receive $1.6 million in legal fees in the South Bay case and $550,000 in the Burfitt case.

Meghan and Harry Welcome Second Child, Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) – The second baby for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is officially here: Meghan gave birth to a healthy girl on Friday.

A spokesperson for Prince Harry and Meghan said Sunday the couple welcomed their child Lilibet “Lili’’ Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Their daughter weighed in at 7 lbs, 11 oz.

Her first name, Lilibet, is a nod to Her Majesty The Queen’s nickname. Her middle name is in honor of her grandmother and Harry’s mother. The baby is the eighth in line to the British throne.

No photos of the newborn or the Sussexes accompanied the announcement.

The birth comes after the Harry and Meghan’s explosive TV interview with Oprah Winfrey in March.

The couple described painful discussions about the color of their first child’s skin, losing royal protection and the intense pressures that led her to contemplate suicide.

Buckingham Palace said the allegations of racism made by the couple were “concerning.’’ The royal family said the issue would be addressed privately.

Winfrey and Harry on mental illness have recently collaborated on the Apple TV+ mental health series “The Me You Can’t See.’’ Harry and American actor Meghan Markle married at Windsor Castle in May 2018. Their son Archie was born a year later.

In early 2020, Meghan and Harry announced they were quitting royal duties and moving to North America, citing what they said were the unbearable intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media. They live in Montecito, a posh area near Santa Barbara, California.

Last year, Meghan revealed that she had a miscarriage in July 2020, giving a personal account of the traumatic experience in hope of helping others.

Months before the miscarriage, Harry said the royal family cut him off financially at the start of 2020 after announcing plans to step back from his roles. But he was able to afford security for his family because of the money his mother, Princess Diana, left behind.

In the interview with Winfrey, Meghan said she grew concerned about her son not having a royal title because it meant he wouldn’t be provided security. said digesting everything during while pregnant was “very hard.’’ More than the “prince’’ title, she was the most concerned about her son’s safety and protection.

Meghan said it was hard for her to understand why there were concerns within the royal family about her son’s skin color. She said it was hard for her to “compartmentalize’’ those conversations.

Harry, too, said there are lasting impacts about Meghan’s treatment and his relationship with his family.

Harry and Meghan’s departure from royal duties began in March 2020 over what they described as the intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media toward the duchess.

World & Nation

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The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, June 10, 2021

President Biden Directs $1 Billon to FEMA for Extreme Weather Preparation

Soldiers with the Texas Army National Guard move through flooded Houston streets as floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey rose in 2017. More than 12,000 members of the Texas National Guard were called out to support local authorities in response to the storm. (1st Lt. Zachary West/ U.S. Army/Wikimedia Commons)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent After substantial increases in significant hurricanes in 2020, President Joe Biden wants America prepared for the 2021 Hurricane Season.

The President announced his administration would direct $1 billion toward the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) fund for extreme weather preparation.

The commitment marks a 100 percent increase over existing funding levels.

The budget increase will go to the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which provides support for local, state, and tribal government preparation efforts.

Administration officials said bolstering the funds helps to “categorically shift the federal focus from responding to individual disasters on a case-by-case basis to researchsupported, proactive investment in community resilience.”

“As climate change threatens to bring more extreme events like increased floods, sea-level rise, and intensifying droughts and wildfires, it is our responsibility to better prepare and support communities, families, and businesses before the disaster – not just after,” administration officials wrote.

“This includes investing in climate research to improve our understanding of these extreme weather events and our decision-making on climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation. It also means ensuring that communities have the resources they need to build resilience prior to these crises.”

In 2020, the U.S. recorded a record 30 named storms and at least 12 hurricanes or tropical storms.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration project the 2021 season will produce more hurricanes and tropical storms.

“Now is the time for communities along the coastline as well as inland to get prepared for the dangers that hurricanes can bring,” U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement.

Administration officials said the costs of extreme weather events, in lives and economic damage, have been staggering.

“Last year alone, communities across the United States suffered through 22 separate weather and climate-related disasters with losses exceeding $1 billion each, shattering previous records, at a cumulative price tag of nearly $100 billion. This year has already wrought devastation, as unusual winter storms crossed Texas and the south,” officials continued.

Biden Revokes Trump Report Promoting ‘Patriotic Education’

By COLLIN BINKLEY AP Education Writer President Joe Biden revoked a recent Trump administration report that aimed to promote “patriotic education'' in schools but that historians mocked and rejected as political propaganda.

In an executive order signed on Wednesday in his first day in office, Biden disbanded Donald Trump's presidential 1776 Commission and withdrew a report it released Monday. Trump established the group in September to rally support from white voters and as a response to The New York Times' “1619 Project,” which highlights the lasting consequences of slavery in America.

In its report, which Trump hoped would be used in classrooms across the nation, the commission glorifies the country's founders, plays down America's role in slavery, condemns the rise of progressive politics and argues that the civil rights movement ran afoul of the “lofty ideals'' espoused by the Founding Fathers.

The panel, which included no professional historians of the United States, complained of “false and fashionable ideologies'' that depict the country's story as one of “oppression and victimhood.'' Instead, it called for renewed efforts to foster “a brave and honest love for our country.''

Historians widely panned the report, saying it offers a false and outdated version of American history that ignores decades of research.

“It's an insult to the whole enterprise of education.

Education is supposed to help young people learn to think critically,'' said David Blight, a Civil War historian at Yale University. “That report is a piece of right-wing propaganda.''

Trump officials heralded the report as “a definitive

chronicle of the American founding,'' but scholars say it disregards the most basic rules of scholarship. It offers no citations, for example, or a list of its source materials.

It also includes several passages copied directly from other writings by members of the panel, as one professor found after running the report through software that's used to detect plagiarism.

Matthew Spalding, the panel's executive director and a vice president at the conservative Hillsdale College, defended the report, saying it calls for “a return to the unifying ideals stated in the Declaration of Independence.''

He said in a statement that the report “wasn't written for academic historians but for the American people, and I encourage them to read it for themselves.”

One of the group's chairs, Carol Swain, a former law and political science professor at Vanderbilt University, said that if the commission had been allowed to continue its work, it would have added more members and issued a report with more than just “the highlights.''

“Professional historians take themselves too seriously,'' she said in an interview. “I see the criticism as being ideologically driven.''

In documents announcing Biden's executive order, administration officials said the panel “sought to erase America's history of racial injustice.''

The American Historical Association condemned the report, saying it glorifies the founders while ignoring the histories and contributions of enslaved people, Indigenous communities and women. In a statement also signed by 13 other academic groups, the organization said the report seeks “government indoctrination of American students.''

The sharpest criticism of the report was directed at its presentation of slavery and race. The report attempts

to undermine allegations of hypocrisy against Founding Fathers who owned slaves even as they espoused equality.

It also attempts to soften America's role in slavery and explain it as a product of the times.

“Many Americans labor under the illusion that slavery was somehow a uniquely American evil,'' the panel wrote in the 20-page report. “The unfortunate fact is that the institution of slavery has been more the rule than the exception throughout human history.''

Blight, at Yale, compared it to “a sixth- or seventhgrade kind of approach to history _ to make the children feel good.'' He added: “But it's worse than that, because it comes out of an agenda of political propaganda.''

The authors argue that the civil rights movement was distorted to advance programs promoting inequality and “group privilege.'' It complains, for example, about affirmative action and other forms of “preferential treatment.”

Ibram X. Kendi, a scholar and historian of racism at Boston University, called the report “the last great lie from a Trump administration of great lies.''

“If we have commonly been given preferential treatment, then why do Black people remain on the lower and dying end of nearly every racial disparity?'' Kendi said on Twitter. “Whenever they answer this question, they express racist ideas of Black inferiority while claiming they are ‘not racist.’”

Other scholars underscored what was left out. The report includes nothing of Native American history, and its only reference to Indigenous people is a racial slur quoted from the Declaration of Independence.

In one passage jeered by historians, the authors draw a comparison between the progressive movement in America

and fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

James Grossman, executive director of the American Historical Association, said the report is intended to discredit contemporary public policies rooted in America's progressive reform movement. He worries that, even after Biden dissolved the commission, its report could end up in some classrooms.

“Historians need to be paying attention to curriculum conversations in localities and at the state level,'' Grossman said. “The nonsense that's in this report will be used to legitimate similar nonsense.''

In a public meeting of the commission this month, some members held out hope that Biden would keep the commission alive. But others said they needed to push the report to state and local education officials.

“It's really going to be up to governors and state legislators and school board members and parents and higher education commissioners even students to take this charge and carry this work forward,'' said Doug Hoelscher, a White House assistant under Trump.

After the report was removed from a White House website, some of its authors moved to make it available on conservative websites. In an opinion piece published by the Heritage Foundation, one of the commissioners, Mike Gonzalez, said the members “intend to continue meeting and fulfilling the charges of our two-year remit.''

The report ultimately demands a shift in teaching at schools and at U.S. universities, which the panel describes as “hotbeds of anti-Americanism.'' It denounces any teaching that breeds contempt for American ideals, blaming that kind of “destructive scholarship'' for the nation's divisions and for “so much of the violence in our cities.''

Racial Disparities Are a Public Health Crisis Continued from page A1

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outreach and vaccine pop-up sites. The state has also collaborated with “influencers” to implement earned and paid media strategies to counter misinformation related to COVID-19.

“This has been a historic year advancing our collective goals and values. In real-time, we’ve been making historic investments in the budget process,” said Newsom.

The state’s partnerships are important in, “advancing to address real vaccine issues in the state,” he said.

The state has also expanded public messaging to local clinics in ethnic communities to encourage people to get vaccinated.

“We’ve been significantly increasing those efforts with community-based organizations in language outreach and more pop-up sites,” said Newsom.

The state also set up information sites and phone operations with people “answering those stubborn questions that people have about the safety and efficacy of our vaccine efforts,” he continued.

However, health advocates are wary about the efficacy of the state’s public health messaging campaigns as a means to reduce health disparities in ethnic communities that were the most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coleman said that public health messaging is a promising start. But ethnic communities still need better access to health care.

“It’s great that they’re utilizing trusted messengers to disseminate information, but the state should actually be making an investment to support these organizations in helping to advance the improvements of health outcomes,” said Coleman.

Community-based organizations have been trusted messengers for the government through the pandemic.

Although COVID-19 exposed health inequity, health disparities existed in ethnic communities prior to the pandemic.

A public proposal to the governor health advocates from a dozen community-based organizations stated that receiving government funds is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that can dismantle structural racism in California’s healthcare system.

Health advocates stressed that social determinants are major contributors to health disparities that widen the gap of inequality in healthcare. The advocates encouraged the state to prioritize social determinants including, food and housing security, childcare, and environmental justice, as

defined by the California Department of Public Health.

According to the recommendations provided by the dozen organizations, the state should implement innovative approaches to achieving health inequity. They include: 1. Partnerships between cities and community advocates to develop community participatory budgeting processes.

2. Disaggregation of data on race/ethnicity to better understand variation in health risks and outcomes.

3. Creating and cultivating racial justice training for government leaders and policy makers so that decisions and program implementation reflect community priorities and advance racial equity.

The recommendations proposed by leaders of the dozen organizations, aim to secure adequate funding for initiatives led by community-based organizations, local clinics, and tribal organizations. The leaders say they plan to use the funds to implement, monitor, and evaluate programs that promote racial justice and health.

California Black Media’s coverage of COVID-19 is supported by the California Health Care Foundation.

Black Educators Discuss Ahead of School Re-Opening This Fall

Education Equity Continued from page A1

learning and academic achievement; Use assessment data (Single Plan for Student Achievement - SPSAs) and Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAP) as strategic and equity-driven tools to positively impact academic achievement; Increase meaningful family engagement and identify strategies and resources to improve graduation rates and increase college readiness and access for students of color; Provide strategies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of youth in school and the community, including issues such as violence, social justice concerns, bullying and human trafficking; Address school climate, including student discipline, suspension, expulsion, truancy and chronic absenteeism; and increase awareness about the advantages and values of early childhood education.

The three-day conference was divided into morning and afternoon plenary lectures followed by seminars and workshops. There were six plenary lectures and attendees had access to their choice of fifty-five seminars and workshops that supported the conference goals.

The opening plenary was titled “National Health & Educational Concerns Due to the Impact of COVID-19.”

The speakers were Dr. Robert Ross, President and CEO, The California Endowment; Dr. Theopia Jackson, President, Association of Black Psychologists; and Dr. Nana Efua B. Afoh-Manin, founder of myCovidMD. They spoke about depression, anxiety, stress, isolation and the increasing number of Black students contemplating and committing suicide due to impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, among other factors.

The afternoon plenary was “Black Girls Institute: Challenges & Crises Faced by Black Girls in Public Schools & Society.” Participating in an all-female panel were Cara McClellan, Assistant Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense

Fund; Dr. Angela Clark Louque, Professor, California State University San Bernardino; and Dr. Kimberly HendricksBrown, Principal On Special Assignment, Fresno Unified School District. They addressed issues related to how girls of color are bearing the brunt of policies and practices that diminish their opportunities and harm their potential.

The panel was moderated by Dr. Sonjhia Lowery, Superintendent, Old Adobe Union School District.

On day two, the morning plenary was “Addressing Education and Economic Empowerment for African Americans and Other Communities of Color.”

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-13); Marc Morial, President and CEO National Urban League; and Dr. Michael Drake, President, University of California; spoke about the financial wealth gap and the resultant challenges to education and life in the African American and other communities of color. Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, President, California State Board of Education, spoke on the state of education in California, representing Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The afternoon of day two plenary was the “Research Institute Panel Discussion: Achieving An Equity-Driven Education - Post COVID.” This is CAAASA’s annual research institute panel and it was led by Darling-Hammond and Dr. Travis Bristol, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Education, Berkeley. The panel provided views on what an equity-driven education looks like once the COVID pandemic ends. Also speaking were Dr. Justin A. Coles, Assistant Professor, Fordham University; Dr. Maria E. Hyler, Director of the Learning Policy Institute’s Washington, DC Office and Ms. Kimberly Young, Ethnic Studies Teacher, Culver City High School.

On day three, the morning plenary session was titled “Shared Educational Inequities, Discrimination,

Disparities and Commonalities for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color).” This panel featured members of the BIPOC community, and it addressed common disparities that each community has faced within the educational system. Topics discussed included inequity and discrimination within the school systems.

The Closing Plenary was called “Ensuring, Increasing and Providing Digital Equity in Schools, Homes and Communities.” This panel discussed ways to enhance capabilities to close the divide and ensure that African American and other students of color are able to stay connected and up-to-date. The Digital Divide was brought to the spotlight due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Panelist included Tony Thurmond, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction; Paul Gothold, Superintendent, San Diego County Office of Education; Toby Boyd, President, California Teacher Association; and Dr. Martinrex Kedziora, Superintendent, Moreno Valley Unified School District. The panel was moderated by Superintendent L. K. Monroe, Alameda County Office of Education.

CAAASA was founded in 1993 but was called the California Association of African American Superintendents. In 2007, it was reorganized and took on its current name. When CAAASA started, there were just 13 African- American school district superintendents out of approximately 1,100 statewide. Today there are 35 district and county superintendents. CAAASA is committed to identifying and addressing the critical issues in education through public policy relative to the status and performance of African-American students in California.

A complete description of the conference workshops and list of presenters can be found at https://www.caaasa. org/

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Entertainment

The Valley’s News Observer A3

FILM REVIEW: City of Ali

By Dwight Brown NNPA Newswire Film Critic Can we ever get enough of Muhammad Ali? No! And so, another documentary about him is automatically good news on some level. Particularly during these troubled times when stirring up memories of “The Greatest” can connect us back to the best in humanity.

First-time director Graham Shelby and producer Jonathan McHugh largely focus their efforts on the last chapter of the boxing legend’s life, as his death, memorial service and weeklong celebration are recounted. During the days around Friday June 10th, 2016, 100,000 people gathered in Ali’s hometown of Louisville, KY to honor him while one billion people worldwide watched the observances on live TV. Through conversations and recollections, the preparations and behind-the-scenes maneuvering are revealed. Family, friends, the police, politicians, clergy and even a thoughtful florist who had strewn rose pedals on the road to Ali’s grave were united in their sole purpose of showing the champ love and reverence.

Their personal experiences and the way this varied group worked collectively in Louisville—on a world stage—is inspirational.

Also, details of Ali’s storied life are amassed in photos and clips of the champ sharing personal stories, ruling over press conferences, interacting with famous folks and everyday people. All of that, is augmented by interviews with the patriarch’s family (wife Lonnnie, son Assad, daughter Rasheda) and admirers (Evander Holyfield, Pres. Bill Clinton, Dick Cavett) who substantiate that this international hero was more than worthy of a king’s farewell.

The film’s most poignant moments are Ali telling stories about the indignities he encountered as a Black man and the challenges he faced for his convictions. An incident in a racist restaurant turned into a favorite anecdote: Wait staff: “We don’t serve Negroes!” Ali: “I don’t eat them. So,

There are many life lessons in this inspiring documentary.

serve me some food.” His position on the war in Vietnam, which cost him his title and boxing licenses and caused him to serve jail time, was summed up succinctly: “You want me to go somewhere and fight, and you won’t even stand up for me at home,” Ali raged to a room full of reporters.

From a technical standpoint there really isn’t anything innovative or extraordinary about the way this doc was shot or assembled. The format is fairly routine. Sometimes the lighting is glaringly bright on interviewees’ faces. A segue between Ali’s fight against social injustice and today’s Black Lives Matter movement is oddly clunky when it should have been a smooth transition. But basically, the filmmakers get the job done.

There are many life lessons in this inspiring documentary. One of the most touching is the relationship 12-year-old Ali had with an older White policeman. His new red Schwinn bike had been stolen and Ali, then Cassius Clay, told the investigating officer that he was going to find the thief and whoop his ass. The cop, Joe E. Martin, asked Ali if he knew how to fight. Ali responded that he didn’t’ but he’d whoop the thief ’s ass anyway. Martin, also a boxing coach, invited Ali to train at Louisville’s Columbia Gym, the city’s only integrated gymnasium. Their fated meeting gave a brash kid a vocation that would win him an Olympic gold medal, make him a three-time world heavyweight champion and help him garner legions of fans.

In this age of police malfeasance and defunding the police movements, hearing a story like this sends a ray of hope. That’s what the boxer was noted for, bridging divides, bringing people together and sharing his generous spirit wherever he went. One friend warned another about paying the champ: Friend: “Don’t let Muhammad Ali get paid with cash.” Another friend: “Why?” Friend: “Because he will give it all away before he gets home.”

Louisville’s adulation for their native son has been thoroughly documented by this soul-lifting film. As has Ali’s sense of duty to humanity. As the champ put it: “Service is the rent you pay here for your place in heaven.”

Iconic Actor Clarence Williams III Dead at 81 His role as “Linc” on “The Mod Squad” in the 1970s, catapulted Williams into the mainstream. But some of his best work came on the big screen, particularly as Prince’s father in the 1984 hit, “Purple Rain,” and nine years later in the Wesley Snipes drama, “Sugar Hill.”

Clarence Williams III (Courtesy Photo)

Gloria Foster and Clarence Williams Mod Squad in 1970. (Courtesy Photo)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Actor Clarence Williams III, who starred as Lincoln Hayes on the countercultural ABC drama, “The Mod Squad” and as superstar Prince’s father in “Purple Rain,” has died. He was 81.

Williams’ management team said the celebrated actor died of colon cancer.

“RIP Clarence Williams III. He was AMAZING IN EVERYTHING! Please watch him in Sugar Hill, Half Baked, and Purple Rain!” tweeted actor Reggie Watkins Jr. “RIP Clarence Williams…” tweeted the Prince Museum with a photo of the actor appearing in the film

“Purple Rain.”

Williams career started on the Broadway stage where he earned a Tony nomination for his acting in the threeperson drama, “Slow Dance.”

Comedian Bill Cosby recommended Williams to producer big-wig Aaron Spelling, who immediately took to the actor.

Williams returned to Broadway in 1979’s “Night and Day.” His co-starring role as Linc on “The Mod Squad” in the 1970s, catapulted Williams into the mainstream.

However, some of his best work came on the big screen, particularly as Prince’s father in the 1984 hit,

By Dwight Brown NNPA Newswire Film Critic Decades ago, long before BLM protestors marched and chanted “George Floyd—I can’t breathe,” demonstrators shouted “Yusuf. Yusuf. Yusuf. No justice, no peace.”

Racially motivated crimes that ignite outrage have a long history. One of the most heinous felonies provides a back story to today’s struggles.

On August 23, 1989, Yusuf Hawkins, a 16-yearold Brooklynite from East New York, traveled to the unfamiliar Brooklyn neighborhood of Bensonhurst with friends contemplating the purchase of used 1982 Pontiac.

Unbeknownst to him, the largely Italian/American community was hostile to Blacks. Some male teenagers misidentified him as an interloper there to meet a White homegirl, Gina Feliciano, and attend her birthday party.

Gina’s acquaintance, Keith Mondello, angered by the invitation she supposedly extended to Blacks and Latinos, formed a mob equipped with baseball bats. They surrounded and attacked Yusuf and his buddies. Two gunshots rang out. Two bullets hit Yusuf in his chest just inches above his heart. They cost him his life.

At the time, New Yorkers were weary and stressed by similar racially motivated deaths: MTA worker Willie Turks in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn in 1982; Michael Griffith in Howard Beach, Queens in ’86. Hawkins’ murder was a last straw.

New York viewers who lived through this tragedy and its aftermath, will have their memories refreshed by flashbacks of a divided city, a divisive mayor, an insular predominately White neighborhood and a Black community in the hunt for answers and convictions. Those unfamiliar with the case will be shocked by the eerie similarities between protests of yesteryear and now.

Filmmaker Muta’Ali Muhammad’s (Life’s Essentials with Ruby Dee) documentary focusses on a pivotal time in New York City’s history and includes an impressive set of interviews with many of those connected to the event, its consequences and Hawkins’ legacy. Footage is split between ’89-‘91 around the time of the murder and trial, and 30 years later when those involved reflect on their mission.

The time capsule captures the height of the turbulent ‘80s, from the dubious posturing of Mayor Ed Koch to the volatile atmosphere surrounding the Central Park Jogger incident in April of 1989. NYC is boiling over

with Black Vs. White tension. Add in four Black youths being victimized by a White mob in an outer borough, and the summer of ’89 was ripe for drama of Shakespearean proportions.

Muta’Ali Muhammad’s approach to reconstructing the time and era is so thorough it makes up for his very traditional documentary style: New and old interviews, newspaper clippings, archival newsreels, family photos...

Visually, his saving grace is a fairly eye-catching series of overhead shots of the Bensonhurst neighborhood, the corner where the murder took place and the Snack & Candy store involved. The effect looks either computer generated or like aerial drone footage tricked out. Cars seem like toys driving around fake buildings. The arresting images become increasingly powerful as they are repeated, sometimes with red dots tracking the movement of the adversaries as they attack the unsuspecting victims.

Equally impressive are the people who define their roles in Yusuf ’s life, the incident and its aftermath. His mom Diane, brothers Amir and Freddy, sister and friends describe what it was like to be pulled into a firestorm, particularly as they marched through the riled enemy territory of Bensonhurst and were bombarded by racial slurs and death threats.

The thin nattily dressed and astute Al Sharpton of 2020 compared to the overweight, showy and not always prudent Sharpton back in the day is a bit startling.

Sharpton: “Every time a black man comes to the bar of justice, there’s no justice.” Hearing from 90-year-old Mayor David Dinkins on how he handled NYC’s racial tension versus the very rambunctious Koch is enlightening.

An interview with Russell Gibbons, a young black man who lived in Bensonhurst and hung out with the White gang the night of the homicide, will surprise many. What’s it like to be in his shoes?

Perhaps the most impressive persona is that of Yusuf ’s father, Moses Stewart. Only months before the incident, the estranged dad had reemerged. It’s as if fate sent Yusuf a guardian, not so much for his life, but for reparations.

Hastily, Moses transitions from a crestfallen father to an increasingly savvy activist learning how to work the press and give fiery speeches.

If you’ve ever wondered how “everyday” people thrown into the midst of public tragedies compose themselves, adapt and navigate through media storms, Moses is the

“Purple Rain,” and nine years later, in the Wesley Snipesled, “Sugar Hill.”

In 1998, Williams portrayed jazz legend Jelly Roll Morton on the big screen, and he also worked in hits like “Reindeer Games” and “Against the Wall.”

He was a favorite of comedian Dave Chappelle who worked with him on several features.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Williams was born on Aug. 21, 1939.

The son of professional musician Clay Williams, he was raised by his grandparents, composer-pianist Clarence Williams, a frequent collaborator of blues legend Bessie Smith, whose songs were used years later in “Ain’t

Misbehavin,’” and Eva Taylor, a singer and actress.

Williams became exposed to acting as a teenager when he stumbled upon a rehearsal for “Dark of the Moon” at the Harlem YMCA — Cicely Tyson was starring in it — and the director gave him a couple of lines in the play.

His work included “The Cool World” (1963), “Deep Cover” (1992), “Hoodlum” (1997), “Imposter” (2001), and “The Butler” (2013).

Williams also appeared on television’s “Hill Street Blues,” “Miami Vice,” “Law & Order,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” and “Empire.”

Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn Film Review

Mural dedicated to Yusuf Hawkins in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. (Photo by Hawkins family/HBO)

archetype. Moses: “You don’t know what you’ll do until something happens to you.” Which is why watching this film is so haunting. It’s like eyewitnessing a car crash, going into shock and living through the outcome. And if you are an African American viewer, some part of you has to acknowledge that the tempest that struck the Hawkins family could strike you too. Just as it did the families of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner and now George Floyd.

Why did the NYPD ask the Hawkins family not to publicize their son’s death? How did Bensonhurst’s Mafia ecosystem influence an arrest? What happened to Mondello, the bat-wielding mob and the killer? Who attempted to assassinate Sharpton? The film answers questions you couldn’t conceive.

Yusuf Hawkins walked into a nightmare. This is what happened to him and those around him. His innocence and tragic murder made him a martyr who was eulogized at his funeral: “God takes the life of one who is pure to save those who are not pure.” For that to be true, lessons and principles have to be learned by those left behind. Has that happened?

Thanks to Muta’Ali Muhammad’s thought-provoking documentary, Yusuf ’s family, friends and supporters are no longer defined by the tragedy they experienced but by their successful fight for justice. It’s a message that should encourage BLM activists.

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The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Features

VP Harris to Head Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent President Joe Biden is establishing the White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment with

VP Kamala Harris will lead a White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment (Courtesy Photo)

a mission to mobilize the federal government’s policies, programs, and practices to empower workers to organize and successfully bargain with their employers.

Headed by Vice President Kamala Harris, the mission includes looking for ways to increase worker power in areas of the country with restrictive labor laws, for marginalized workers, including women and people of color, and for workers in industries that are difficult to organize and lack labor protections.

The White House said the Task Force would comprise more than twenty cabinet members and heads of other federal agencies with powerful levers to help the Task Force carry out its mission.

The Task Force will engage with a diverse set of leaders in the labor movement, academia, advocacy groups, and beyond to seek ideas for potential federal action and feedback on initiatives under consideration.

In an executive order issued Monday, April 26, President Biden directed the Task Force to make a set of recommendations within 180 days addressing two key issues.

The first issue is how can existing policies, programs, and practices promote worker organizing and collective bargaining in the federal government?

The second issue is, where are new policies needed to achieve the Task Force’s mission, and what are the associated regulatory and statutory changes needed?

“The Task Force will be a historic effort to put the federal government’s policy of encouraging worker organizing and collective bargaining into action,” the White House noted in a briefing.

The Task Force will endeavor to achieve the following four goals: 1. Lead by example by ensuring that the federal government is a model employer concerning encouraging worker organizing and collective bargaining among its workforce.

2. Facilitate worker organizing across the country by taking an all-of-government approach to mobilize the federal government’s policies, programs, and practices to provide workers the opportunity to organize and bargain collectively.

3. Increase worker power in underserved communities by examining and seeking to address the particular challenges to worker organizing in jurisdictions with restrictive labor laws; the added challenges that marginalized workers in many communities encounter, including women and people of color; and the high barriers to organizing workers in specific industries.

4. Increase union membership across the United States to grow a more inclusive middle class and provide workers the opportunity to come together for mutual advancement, the dignity of workers, respect, and the fair compensation they deserve.

Garcia Gives all in Bruin Finale Continued from page A1

chopper up the middle scoring the speedy Kinsley Washington.

In the 6th Delanie Wisz doubled in two runs to increase the lead to 3-1, Maya Brady then went “Uptown” with a blast to right center. The redshirt freshman jetted around the bases at lighting speed. “I just wanted to get back and see my teammates as fast as I could” said Brady.

The Bruins may not have gotten a title this year but tradition and history says they will be right back there next year. Garcia and Bubba Nichols will head to the Olympics this summer.

They were on the wrong side of a perfect game for the first time since 2001 as Alabama’s Founts shutout UCLA 6-0. With the early exit of Arizona This marked the first time since 2016 there will not have a PAC-12 team in the WCWS finals.

In the case of Rachel, good players are a dime a dozen, truly great players are very hard to come by.

Inouye-Perez summed it up perfectly.

“For all of us were just sad that she’s leaving the ‘Bruin Bubble’ and I am so proud I will take Rachel Garcia any day of the week”

Artists Partner with the State for “Your Actions Save Lives” Campaign Bo Tefu California Black Media More than 20 California artists partnered with the

state for the “Your Actions Save Lives” campaign. The effort was created to uplift and celebrate the resilience of communities and encourage safe practices that stop the

spread of COVID-19 as Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plans to reopen the state on June 15.

The 14 original art projects included in the campaign range from murals, interactive exhibits, and live performances from artists based in communities highly impacted by the COVID-19, including Oakland, Sacramento, Stockton and San Diego.

“The arts have an opportunity to be uplifting and healing to your emotions,” said Jessica Wimbley, an African American digital artist who collaborated with the state for an advertisement on an Oak Park billboard in Sacramento and a digital art display at Arden Fair Mall in Sacramento.

“It’s been a breath of fresh air to work on this campaign. There’s been so much negativity and divisiveness that’s happening in the world that is heavy on the spirit,” said Wimbley.

“It’s been transformative to work on this project,” she added.

The campaign shows us that, “we can move forward, and we are moving forward. We all have things to live for,” she said.

The state partnered with the Center at Sierra Health Foundation in Sacramento for the project which relies on the power of art to communicate the importance of health awareness in addition to getting vaccinated.

“These accomplished artists are tapping into their culture and creativity to share empowering messages with communities that have been hard hit by COVID-19,” said Chet P. Hewitt, president and CEO of the Sierra Health Foundation.

“Art has incredible power, and we believe these works will spark important conversations, connections, and inspiration throughout the state,” he said.

Four female artists, including Wimbley, have used

the project to tap into their respective cultures to create powerful visual artworks that empower and inform their diverse communities.

Sunroop Kaur, a classical artist, whose Spring mural is located in Stockton was inspired by her Punjabi-Sikh heritage. The interactive installation, ‘Benevolent Animals, Dangerous Animals,’ by Masako Miki located in Oakland’s Chinatown was inspired by Japanese folklore. In San Diego, the mural ‘Stop the Spread’ by Tatiana Ortiz-Rubio honors her Mexican heritage.

In addition to the art campaign, Newsom recently announced a $116.5 million incentive program that will reward people in California for getting vaccinated. The state allotted $100 million in grocery gift cards worth $50 each for the next two million people who get vaccinated.

The remaining $16.5 million will be awarded as cash prizes to people who have been vaccinated across the state. More than 17 million people in California are fully vaccinated which is about 44 % of the state’s population. The incentive program aims to encourage everyone in California to get vaccinated with a goal to reopen the state by mid-June this year.

State officials say they are determined to fully reopen California schools and businesses in efforts to help the economy recover.

Black and Brown families continue to experience the brunt of the economic blow caused by COVID-19 despite the state’s efforts for community outreach to minimize hardship in their respective communities.

The artists featured in the state’s “Your Actions Save Lives” campaign hope to communicate messages of unity and solidarity through art influenced by their different cultures.

Upbeat News for Black Businesses Still Reeling From Pandemic Losses Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media Next week, after more than a year, California is expected to lift the majority of its COVID-19 related restrictions and reopen its economy at almost-full capacity.

But as the state prepares for a long-anticipated comeback, many Black businessowners say enterprises across the state that African Americans own face an uphill road to recovery.

“It’s a state of disrepair. They need significant support,” said Tara Lynn Gray, director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.

Black-owned business operators who are struggling will need all the financial support available to them, Gray told California Black Media (CBM) at a luncheon hosted by the California Black Chamber of Commerce in Sacramento. “(Black businesses) have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19,” Gray said. “Fortunately, the governor has stepped up and provided $2.5 billion dollars in relief funds to all small businesses with priority to the disadvantaged communities of color.”

In February 2020, there were 1 million Black-owned businesses in operation around the United States, according to a University of California at Santa Cruz report.

About six weeks later, after the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Black business owners had dropped to 440,000, a 41%, reduction. Many of them had to shut down their businesses for good.

During the same time, only 17% of White proprietors had to shut down their businesses, UC Santa Cruz research shows. Overall, nearly four million minority-owned U.S. firms, whose annual sales total close to $700 billion, shuttered because of COVID-19.

But despite the grim statistics, a number of small business advocates say there is financial help available both at the state and federal levels for most businessowners.

During a news briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services last month, speakers discussed how small businesses in California and around the country can emerge from this crisis, catch the wave of what seems to be a gathering economic boom, or continue to tread water to stay afloat.

The main objective of the briefing was helping small businesses, particularly minority owned ones, connect to various sources of funding created to help them recover from the pandemic.

The key is to apply for the money, said Everett Sands, Chief Executive Officer of Lendistry, a leading, Black-led Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE) that is also a small business and commercial real estate lender.

“Let’s make an assumption. If you are allowed to open, and you can open, then therefore you should be able to receive some type of revenue,” Sands said. “What we’ve learned about the pandemic is that most opportunities

are coming a second time. If you look at the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), it came a third time. But it is important for businesses to apply.”

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a federal revenue replacement program designed to sustain small business jobs during the ongoing public health and economic crisis. May 31 was the last day for small business owners operating in low-income neighborhoods to apply for the third round of PPP loans.

In California, Lendistry helped thousands of small businesses secure loans and grants during the pandemic.

Funded by the State of California through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, Lendistry, was the state-contracted administrator of the program that administered six rounds of grant funding for non-profits and underserved businesses.

Sands was one of the guest speakers along with U.S. Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), a member of the Congressional Small Business Caucus, and Virginia Ali. Ali owns the nationally renowned restaurant and Black-owned small business Ben’s Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C. Sands said before the virus surfaced, minority businesses were already in a “financially precarious position” with strained resources. Small businesses had limited access to capital, he said, and they lacked the infrastructure to apply for loans or contracts and many of them couldn’t self-finance in the long term.

But on the cusp of the state and U.S. economies reopening, Sands says it is not too late for businesses to get their financial footing.

“As a result of the American Rescue Plan, most states received roughly a billion dollars to help these small businesses increase their revenues” he said.

Of California’s 4.1 million small businesses, 1.2 million (29 %) are minority owned. ZIPPIA, an online career support company, calculated that 10,287 Blackowned businesses operate in California. According to the June 2020 report by ZIPPIA, titled the “Most Supportive States for Black Businesses,” California ranked No. 4 before the pandemic. Based on data compiled by the United States Census’ Annual Business Survey, California’s Black businesses employ roughly 81,530 people.

Gray said restaurants, barbershops, nail salons, hair salons, hospitality, and personal grooming services have been “inexplicably hurt” due to social-distancing restrictions in the state.

Those businesses, owned by many African Americans, were not deemed as essential when a shelter-in-place order was mandated. Now those are the businesses that Newsom intends to help, Gray stated.

“Our governor had a tough choice to make,” Gray said. “You close things down to make sure people are safe.

Public health is a serious issue. I applaud him for doing that. Yes, there are consequences to our small businesses. But in the end,

look at us now. We have the lowest positivity rate in the nation. Also, it looks like our economy is coming back.”

A survey conducted by H&R Block found that out of 3,000 small businesses, 53% of Black business operators

saw their revenues cut in half due to the pandemic as compared to 37% of White owners.

Black-owned small businesses continue to experience Continued on page A5

LEGAL NOTICES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2021 109104 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: BABA’S STEEL FABRICATE & ERECTION at 1743 W 60th Pl., Los Angeles, Ca. 90047 Mailing Address: Same County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): PEDRO A PARA, 1743 W 60th Pl., Los Angeles, Ca. 90047 The business is conducted by: an Individual SIGNED: PEDRO A PARA, Owner The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 04/2021 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: May 12, 2021 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: (Signature), 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 May 12, 2026 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 2021 ������������������������������� ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME CASE NUMBER 21CMCP00063 SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES 200 W COMPTON BLVD. COMPTON, CA 90220 PETITION OF: MILA ALIZE GONZALEZ

BY AND THROUGH DESTINY GONZALEZ TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner: MILA ALIZE GONZALEZ BY AND THROUGH DESTINY GONZALEZ for a decree changing names as follows: Present name MILA ALIZE GONZALEZ Filed a petition with this court Proposed name MILA JHENE GONZALEZ 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: JULY 29, 2021 Time: 8:30 a.m.

Dept: A Room: 904 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: May 19, 2021 KRISTIN S. ESCALANTE JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT SHERRI R. CARTER Officer/Clerk Petitioner: MILA ALIZE GONZALEZ BY AND THROUGH DESTINY GONZALEZ 2601 E Victoria St. Spc 380 Compton, Ca. 90220 Phone: (323) 397-1379 LOS ANGELES NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: May 27, June 3, 10, 17, 2021 �������������������������������

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2021 114217 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: SAMESUN HOLLYWOOD / SAMESUN WALK OF FAME at 6820 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, Ca. 90028 Mailing Address: Same County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): PHOENIX DORMS, INC, DE, 4961 Newport Ave-

nue, San Diego, Ca. 92107 The business is conducted by: an Individual SIGNED: TAHJ TOWNSEND, Vice President The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 10/2020 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: May 19, 2021 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: S. PRAK, 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 May 19, 2026 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: June 3, 10, 17, 24, 2021 �������������������������������

Thursday, June 10, 2021

Features

The Valley’s News Observer A5

Upbeat News for Black Businesses Still Reeling From Pandemic Losses

Continued from page A4

disproportionate difficulties, with 35% of Black entrepreneurs reporting that business conditions are worsening. Many say they may not survive the next three months.

While the reopening of the economy signals progress, Sands is encouraging Black businesses to pay attention to Small Business Administration programs (SBA) that include loans, a restaurant relief fund and venture capital investments.

To apply for federal small business funding, Sands says, a company only has to show the sole business’s gross revenue. Applicants won’t be excluded if the proprietor has been a borrower on a defaulted student loan or has a criminal history.

“For amounts less than $150,000, most of the red tape or the bureaucratic process of a loan has been cleared

(shutterstock photo)

away,” Sands said.

Khanna said more funding is expected to be distributed through the Saving Our Street Act, which would allocate loans of up to $250,000 to businesses with fewer than 10 employees.

Distribution of the money will be based on the racial and gender diversity of the business owners, he said, and it should help the economy get stronger and financially stabilize the country.

“In this next quarter, we’re going to have a pretty good recovery,” he said. “Consumer spending is at 10% growth.

I think small businesses are going to come back strong.

The problem is a lot of businesses that have had to close may not be able to reopen. And that’s where we have to focus: assisting with debt forgiveness and capital for those businesses that would not survive.”

Five Facts About the Tulsa Race Massacre

By Lauren Victoria Burke NNPA Newswire Contributor In 1921, a White mob entered the Greenwood District and destroyed Tulsa’s Black community. During Memorial Day weekend, the centennial remembrance of the Tulsa Race Massacre was commemorated. The massacre began when White townspeople heard a false rumors that 19-year-old Dick Rowland, a Black shoe shiner, assaulted a White elevator operator named Sarah Page. Below are five interesting facts about the Tulsa Race Massacre.

• Tulsa Police May Have Encouraged Violence —Eyewitness accounts create the impression that police deputized White members of the violent Tulsa mob and police used racial slurs as they focused their violence on Black citizens in Tulsa.

• There was an effort by the Tulsa Tribune and the government to suppress the story. The Tulsa Tribune ran the false Dick Rowland “assault” story on the front page but then made the story vanish from bound volumes of the newspaper. Stories of the massacre were removed from police archives and no public memorials of the event were

held until over 70 years later — in 1997.

• Hospital Records Reveal the Truth. Over 800 people were admitted to local hospitals, yet the Oklahoma Bureau of Vital Statistics officially recorded only 36 dead.

A 2001 state commission examining the massacre estimated that as many as 300 Black people were murdered based on autopsy and funeral records.

• An estimated 10,000 Black people were left homeless after the massacre. An estimated $2 million in property damage resulted from the Tulsa Race Massacre.

The damage to Tulsa’s Black community in today’s dollars is over $130 million.

• The false rumor that Dick Rowland assaulted a White girl, led to a White mob surrounding the jail where Rowland was kept in preparation for a lynching. But a group of about 75 Black men, many of whom were armed, also arrived at the jail to prevent the lynching of Rowland.

This example of armed Black resistance is what is believed to be the start of the massacre and hundreds of Black murders during the massacre.

The false rumor that Dick Rowland assaulted a White girl led to a White mob surround the jail where Rowland was kept in preparation for a lynching.

A6

Sports

The Valley’s News Observer

Thursday, June 10, 2021

The Lake Show is Over for 2021

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) sit on the bench during the fourth quarter of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns Thursday, June 3, 2021, in Los Angeles.

The Suns won the game 113-100, and the series 4-2. They will move on to round 2. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer As tough as it may sound there will be no repeat or no NBA finals this year for one of the most storied franchise’s in sports.

They played the first home playoff game at Staples for the first time in seven years. All the games were in the “Bubble” last season.

The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Phoenix Suns 4-2 in the first round. This after having to win a play-in game against Golden State. It seems without a healthy AD they could not overcome a young hot Suns team with Devin Booker having a pair of 40-point games.

It was the first time a LeBron team was eliminated in the first round.

“The Phoenix Suns had the second-best record in the NBA for a reason,” said Laker Coach Frank Vogel. “If were whole this match-up would probably happen in the Conference finals.”

This is a team that won a title then went right back to work some 70 days later.

They were a part of the league’s rash of injuries and fight against COVID protocol. Players were told to wear mask when on the bench and testing was done daily. On the road they were confined to team hotels. Alex Caruso and Dennis Schroder missed several games after being put into protocol during the season.

There could be excuses made, like Anthony Davis was out so many games then LeBron was out, then they both were out at the same time. When they returned they played 10 games together and held a 2-1 series lead.

“The one thing that bothers me more than anything is that we never really got to see our full team at full strength,” said James.

At one point the Lakers were 21-6 then AD missed a couple of games due to a sore Achilles, when he took off for a two-week absence that turned into two-months away from the game.

Shortly afterwards Atlanta’s Solomon Hill landed on James ankle chasing a loose ball at Staples.

They went out and got Andrew Drummond the All-Star was a plus to the team becoming a starter helping fill the void in the absent Davis. He finished the season averaging 10 rebound and 12 points a game.

“Dre was great for us, let me start by saying that,” said Vogel.

“Were hopeful that he’s a Laker for a long time. He played well for us and was a good culture fit. He fit well with the guys and was well liked. We were concerned about the time it would be to build the cohesion necessary and AD being out and Bron getting only two games with him before the playoffs began. We just didn’t have that time to build the cohesiveness that we wanted.”

There is a whole off season to fix things and get the team back on track to a title.

Laker great Magic Johnson had some advice for AD during the offseason. “I think he should hire a health therapist and nutritionist that can help find ways to stay healthy when prevention,” said Johnson. “Kareem played into his forties. He was doing yoga before it became really popular. He was ahead of the game.”

Dodgers Getting Back on Track

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The Dodgers appear to be on the way back from a dreadful part of their season.

They had some big offensive put out as they put up eight runs in the fifth inning against the Braves. Chris Taylor had 3 RBI’s They came away with a 9-5 win, Julio Uarius got the win after going five giving up 4 hits and striking out five.

A few days earlier Cody Bellinger knocked in six runs, Mookie Betts knocked in a pair as the “Men in Blue” got 11 runs in the first inning against St Louis. That was the most in an inning since they played in Brooklyn in 1954when Jackie Robinson was in the line-up.

Bellinger ripped a grand slam and knocked in two more in the same inning. That’s a record for most knocked in in one inning.

Mookie Betts had 3 hits, 2 RBI’s and scored two runs as they rolled over the Cards 14-3. Betts went 6 for 11 in the three-game

series. Having trouble with a sore back he raised his BA. From 240 to .264. Bellinger upped his from .161 to 200 in the one game.

“When your playing our ball club and you see Bellinger in there and you see Betts in there it matters,” said skipper Dave Roberts.

Walker Buehler had a solid game holding the Redbirds to 3 runs in six innings. He got help from Edwin Uceta who pitched two scoreless innings and Alex Vesia who pitched a scoreless frame.

Its still a long season to go and the Dodgers are headed up. The have come from eight games back and now are three games out of first place held by the Giants with San Diego sitting between them.

This weekend they have a three-game set at Dodger Stadium with the Texas Rangers.

Courtside with Clippers – Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com 6/2/21 Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Round 1, Game 5 As this series played out, neither team has been able to defend their home court. Behind the stellar play of Luka Doncic, the Mavericks won games one and two at Staples Center. In danger of going down 0-3, the Clippers were able to dig deep and pull out two wins at American Airlines Arena, which would set up a pivotal game 5 match-up at the Staple Center in Los Angeles.

Though the Clippers would have multiple players score in double figures, Maverick’s star Luka Doncic would come up two rebounds shy of his second triple-double of the series and his second game scoring 40 plus points, as he scored 42 points and handing out 14 assists, carrying the Mavericks to their third win of the series. After losing game 5 on their home court, the Clippers would have to travel to Dallas in danger of their season coming to an end, to the team whom they sent fishing last season.

6/4/21 Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Round 1, Game 6 With their season hanging in the balance Reggie Jackson decided it was his turn to lead the charge for the Clippers, has opened up the game with 14 points in the first quarter while pulling down 4 rebounds. His game-high 14 points were the most points he’s ever scored in a single quarter of a postseason game.

With Kawhi and Paul George off to slow starts, they would need this kickstart from Reggie.

Kawhi Leonard would return to this series playoffs form by scoring 13 points in that second quarter to give him a game-high 16 points at the half. Luka, and the Mavericks, would fall too far behind as he recorded 15 points in the half with an additional 4 assists to keep his team in striking distance. Though the Mavericks only scored 17 points in the quarter, their shooting of 7-7 from the free-throw aided them by only being down by 3 at the half.

In this subsequent 3rd quarter, Kawhi would lead all scorers by scoring 17 points giving him a game-high 33 points by the end of the quarter. Though the Mavericks would get an unexpected 12 points from Boban Marjanovic along with 11 points and 7 rebounds from Dorian Finney-Smith through three quarters to keep this game close.

The Clippers’ ultra-efficient, Kawhi Leonard would go on to tie a postseason career-high with 45 points in Game 6. He also became just the sixth player in the Shot Clock Era, and the first since LeBron James (6/7/12 at Boston), to score at least 45 points while shooting at least 72% from the field in a postseason game.

Kawhi Leonard joins Bob McAdoo as the only players in franchise history to have multiple 40+ point games in the postseason, additionally, he and Bob McAdoo (4/18/75) are the only players in franchise history to score at least 45 points in a postseason game. His hot streak makes him the sole player in NBA postseason history to have four games in a single series of at least 29 points while shooting at least 66% from the field.

Though the Mavericks would finish the game with four players than scored in double figures in this pivotal game. The Clippers trio of Reggie Jackson, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard would lead the Clippers to their Game 6 win and tie this series up at 3 games apiece.

During his Post Game media available session, Ty Lue would say about the team’s performance, “You know, great players perform in big moments, and he was huge, man, you know, taking the challenge, guarding Luka the whole game. I thought our coverages were great. We kept Kawhi -- throughout this game.

We mix it up with some switches, some shows, some blitz. Played 42 minutes and guard their best player, he was a hell of a player for the whole game. That just shows you Kawhi, who he is. PG was great, 13 rebounds, played the last 36 minutes of the game.

I thought Zu came in and gave us great minutes. Reggie Jackson was great. You know, especially in that first quarter, give our offense some scoring in the first quarter. Marcus, only shot 1-for10 but defensively he was great, wrestling with Boban, blitzing on the pick-and-rolls, which caused Luka to turn the ball over a little bit. It was a total team win but Kawhi and PG really good a great job of carrying us.”

Kawhi Leonard would share his thoughts on what Game 7 might look and feel like, and he said with his matter of fact, monotone style, “Just a basketball game. If we don’t want to go home, pay attention to details. You know, have faith. Shoot the ball like you’re going to make it, with confidence. And if you do that, you can live with the results. Just want to make sure we don’t

Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) slam-dunks over Dallas Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis (6) in the second half of Game 7 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, June 6, 2021, in Los Angeles, Calif. (Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP)

have mistakes or people being indecisive. Just go out there and leave it all on the floor.”

6/6/21 Los Angeles Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks Round 1, Game 7 To move on to the next round the Clippers would need to become the fifth team in NBA history to lose the first two games at home and come back to win a postseason series. Oddly enough, they would also have to become the first team to win a game on their home court in this first-round series.

Before their Game 7 match-up, Mavericks HC Rick Carlisle was asked about what he could draw from his previous early afternoon game experiences, and here was his response, “Its Game 7. We don’t give a sh*t what time it is. We’re excited to play and looking forward to it. It’s a one-game situation.”

I was able to ask Clippers Head Coach Ty Lue before Game 7 about how they can duplicate their shutdown play from the previous game and he responded by telling me, “I think having Kawhi on Luka as the primary ball-handler, I think was great for us, and I think when it came to the pick-and-rolls with their 5s, I think blitzing that to get the ball out of Luka’s hands was good for us. We’ve got to do a little bit of the same stuff tonight and we’ve just gotta be ready to make adjustments when we need to. As I said, I loved our mindset going into that game, and our defense is what kept us in the game because we were able to make some shots in that fourth quarter.”

After the Clippers take an 11 to 9 lead, Marcus Morris Sr. picks up his second personal foul and Ty Lue quickly brings Terence Mann off the bench. Mann’s energy and versatility have

been invaluable to them all season long! At the first under 8:00 TV timeout, the Clippers hold onto an early 16 to 13 lead.

Shortly after that, Tim Hardaway came up gimpy and had to leave the floor after an apparent foot injury. Though he would return before the half was out, he wasn’t as effective as he has been in previous games of the series. However, Luka Doncic was up to his same ole tricks; crossing cats over and hitting his patented step-back jumper… and shooting 6-8 from the field, 3-4 from deep for a game-high 19 points with 2 rebounds and 3 assists in only the first quarter.

The combination of Kawhi, Paul George, and Terence Mann scored 39 points to give the Clippers a 70-62 lead at the half.

Luka, on the other hand, had a gamehigh 29 points and 7 assists at the break to keep the Mavericks in striking distance. If you didn’t know about Luka Doncic before this series you have been put on notice for the future.

To open the third quarter, the Mavericks went on an 8-2 run to open the 3rd quarter before Ty Lue calls timeout to slow down their run. As the Mavericks have scored 2 three-pointers on just as many assists. The Clippers would then go on a 24 to 4 run in the third to take control of this game.

Clippers Head Coach was asked about his talk with the guys in his post-game media availability and this is what he told us, “Just got to take advantage of this opportunity. You know, I said, come out and take advantage -- we can’t turn the basketball over and we have to get back in transition but keep attacking. Don’t get enticed by taking the three-point shots because they are in the zone. We have to get back to attacking the rim and attacking the paint, and -- open threes that are open. Just a little lull coming out

at the start of the third quarter, but as I said, we got back on track and we called a time-out and kept attacking and get to go where we wanted to get to offensively.”

After each team shows their exhaustion by missing shot after shot in the 4th quarter… Marcus Morris Sr. hits the last of his record-tying 7 three-point shots in front of the Mavericks bench.

That shot essentially clinched the game with 1:16 remaining giving the Clippers a 120-107 lead late in the quarter!

Luka becomes the 3rd player in league playoffs history to put up 44 points 7 rebounds and 14 assists. Not to be outdone, Kawhi averaged 30 points 8 rebounds, 4.5 assists on 61% from the field for the series. Paul George showed his consistency by scoring at least 20 points in seven straight postseason games, which is the longest such streak of his career.

When asked about that consistency and he attributed their win postgame Paul George responded humbly by stating, “I think contributed to I think our pace. I think we played faster. You know, that was the key, just our pace, moving the ball. We got guys great shots, great looks. You know, they got the big fellas out there. We’ve got to force them to try to contain the ball instead of just sitting in the paint clogging it up, and so I thought our pace was everything. We played faster. And you know, we forced rotations; we won it, and you know, we got the ball to the guys that had the hot hands.”

I also asked Paul to share his thoughts on what Terance Mann brought to the court for them and he shared this with me, “T-Mann has been great all year. He’s been bringing the energy all year. You know, young guy stepping up, playing huge for us. Again, he’s just another guy you can plug in there and play multiple positions for us. He’s just playing with a lot of confidence. His ceiling is off the charts. The kid can do just about everything on the floor, and so it’s a luxury to have, especially when there’s -- there are just no liabilities when he’s on the floor.

He can guard, he can ready, he shoots the three, he finishes with -- amongst the trees. He can do so much, and so he helps us bigtime when he’s on the floor” The Clippers got the game they needed from their shooters as they hit 20 threes today, which is the most in a Game 7 in NBA history. Kawhi Leonard also becomes just the fourth player in NBA postseason history to have at least 200 total points while shooting at least 60% from the field in a single series. The last player to do so was Shaquille O’Neal in the 2000 NBA Finals.

Additionally, Kawhi Leonard is the second player and first since Kobe Bryant (2002) with at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and zero turnovers in a Game 7, since this was tracked back in 1983. Leonard also tied his postseason career-high with nine assists today.

This is the fifth time in franchise history that the Clippers have had at least 30 assists in a postseason game. The Clippers have made 20 three-pointers today, this was only the second time in franchise history that the team has made at least 20 threes in a postseason game. Marcus Morris Sr. led the team and become the second player in franchise history to make at least seven threes in a postseason game.

Once again, this team showed the poise of their Head Coach Ty Lue, his confidence never wavered when they were down 0-2… even after they went down 30-11, he appeared to remain calm and his team responded in kind. Facing elimination, they were able to make the correct adjustments and trust each other to pull out that win and the series win. Though they didn’t start the playoffs off great, in the words of Kawhi Leonard, “we showed character, we showed poise when we went down 2-0 going on the road” in this series and they should be better for it moving forward!

With this series win, they will move onto play the Western Conference #1 seed in the Utah Jazz. The way they won their Round 1 series should give them some confidence to play with the Jazz and rebound once they face the adversity, they are sure to face in any of the three playoff rounds they’d have to get through to win an NBA Championship. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @whatsgoodnsport to let me know what you think of this team and their ability to bring home their first NBA title. Also, forward any suggestions on what additional topics or angles you’d like to see discussed to info@whatsgoodinsports.com.

If you haven’t done so, kindly subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast.” It is available for you on most podcasting platforms Apple, and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and, iHeart Radio to name a few. When you tune into our Podcast, you will hear passionate banter about various NBA storylines, while addressing the multitude of NFL topics.

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Kobe Bryant Mural Unveiled at Hollywood and Highland Entertainment Complex

(Photo by: Ricky Richardson)

Director, Writer Emily Cohen Ibañez, Executive Producer, Richard Ray Perz and Screenwriter, Ashley Pavon, (Fuits of Labor). (Photo by Ricky Richardson)

By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer (Los Angeles, Ca.)- Kobe Bryant legacy lives on.

Santa Ana based Artist and Muralist, Brian Peterson and Ed Murphy, General Manager, Hollywood and Highland, unveiled a large mural that honors Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant, Thursday, June 3,2021.

The mural is located on the fourth floor terrace of the Hollywood and Highland Shopping and Entertainment Complex. It is a few yards away the iconic Dolby Theater where Kobe Bryant received the Oscar in 2018 for the animated short film “Dear Basketball.”

The mural hovers high above Hollywood Boulevard. The mural shows Bryant at the Academy Awards kissing the Oscar statue, and commemorates his five NBA Championships. Brian Peterson stated that Vanessa Bryant “loved it.”

Posters, arrows and floor signs guides visitors to the magnificent mural.

The mural was commissioned by DJM Capital Partners. Brian Peterson and his family, Ed Murphy and Hollywood and Highland staff, invited guests and media were in attendance at the unveiling ceremony.

LALIFF 2021-Enlightening, Engaging and Entertaining

(Photo by: Ricky Richardson)

By Ricky Richardson Contributing Writer (Los Angeles, Ca.)-Academy Award®-nominated actor Edward James Olmos, founder of the Latino Film Institute, presented the Los Angeles International Film Festival (LALIFF), which featured both a virtual and limited in-person screenings for the 2021 edition that was held Wednesday, January 2 through Sunday, June 6, at the iconic TCL Chinese Theater.

LALIFF and the Tribeca Festival partnered as a celebration of their 20th anniversaries.

This year’s program comprised of featured films, episodics, music, XR projects and short films, including those from LALIFF’s inaugural Latinx Inclusion Fellowship Series.

The Fellowship, created to develop the extensive and inclusive opportunities for underrepresented groups within the Latinx community, selective five visionary Afro Latino directors (award- winning filmmaker Lorena Duran; writer and director Justin Floyd; award-winning filmmaker Kase Peña; director Monica Suriyage and artists, director Tamara Shogaolu.

“As one of the first film festivals in the world to fully produce a virtual festival in 2020, we were overwhelmed by the support from the film industry and community for LALIFF and more importantly for our filmmakers,” said Edward James Olmos, co-founder of LALIFF. “We are committed to offer a platform to showcase the remarkable and diverse work of Latino voices, despite the current pandemic. We want to ensure that those voices are heard, that we create safe spaces online and in-person, and that our next generation of storytellers are inspired.”

Diana Cadavid, LALIFF’s Artistic Director says “LALIFF was exciting at seeing the new content that was created this past year, as it definitely has been a period where filmmakers, musicians and artists have had to challenge themselves creatively to produce and complete their work. Like every aspect of society, the pandemic dramatically changed the way the film industry worked, and we believe it is important to be a platform that addresses this historic moment in time.”

I couldn’t resist the opportunity to enjoy some buttery popcorn, state of the art sounds in an air-conditioned theater. I had the pleasure of being in the audience to see two wonderful films at the iconic TCL Chinese Theater.

Fruits of Labor, directed by Emily Cohen Ibañez, United States/76 minutes/2021. The meaning of Fruits of Labor (to enjoy) the fruits of one’s labor (to benefit from) the results of one’s work.” This is a touching and heartfelt movie about a Mexican American teenage farm worker (Ashley Solis). The movie tells of her dreams and hopes of graduating high school, but ICE raids in her community threatens to separate her family, and she is forced to become the family’s breadwinner. Director Emily Cohen Ibañez presents an insightful documentary about Ashley as she navigates the hardships and joys of contemporary United States guided by the spirit world that lives in nature. The film pulls at the heart string movie goers as it makes the rounds of film festival circuit, SXSW, Chicago Latino Film Festival and the Latino International Film Festival to name a few.

Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It, Directed by Mariem Pérez Riera, United States/90 minutes/2020.

Just mentioning Rita Moreno name conjures up greatness. Rita Moreno defies categorization. Rita Moreno has won a Peabody, Emmy,

Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards. The documentary demonstrates Moreno’s talent and resilience as she broke barriers and paved the way for new generations of artists by refusing to be pigeonholed and fighting for Latinx representation in a variety of genres. The film interviewees include Norman Lear, Lin-Manual Miranda, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, and Chita Rivera.

Overlapping with the days of the festival, LALIFF’s Industry Days is the festivals signature program designed to connect filmmakers and industry professionals including but not limited to Sales agents, buyers, producers, production executives, crafts people, financiers, festival programmers, film commissioners, film publicists and exhibitors for engaging conversations.

LALIFF Music brought together phenomenal Latinx artists and music professionals to build a community of support, exploration, and celebration of the diverse art and sounds. Each evening of the festival featured both virtual and live performances.

The Roosevelt Hotel was rocking during the live performance provided superbly by Chrisol, Cumbiaton, Mariposa Del Alma, Las Rakas and The Rodgar Band.

The virtual concerts featuring the contagious sounds of Dawer X Damper, Neyva, Nosis, SVM, The Mexican Standoff and Victoria Elise enhanced their professional journey by reaching new audiences and attendees. I invite you to check out the above mentioned artist on Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube, as well as the Instagram account of the respective musicians. Just remember to “groove/vibe responsibly.” https://laliff.org/festival/2021/ musicians One of the Summer’s most highly anticipated movie Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-winning, ‘In the Heights’ had its debut at LALIFF for a special screening Friday, June 4, 2021. The preview took place one week before the film premieres in theaters and on HBO Max. In the Heights was one of several in-person screening held during this year’s LALIFF. “We can’t wait to share this incredible film with our audience as part of this year’s festival,” says Edward James Olmos.

“In the Heights celebrates the Latino culture and allows us to continue to support our mission of providing a platform of stories that are told by us and for us. We are equally excited to partner with such a renowned film festival like Tribeca and we know that this will be a partnership that will flourish over the years.

“Congratulations to LALIFF on their 20th anniversary of extraordinary storytelling for Latino filmmakers, artists and visionaries everywhere. We celebrate this incredible partnership with a shared goal, to beautifully showcase diverse and underrepresented voices through the power of film,” said Robert De Niro, Actor, and Co-Founder of the Tribeca Festival.

In the Heights is directed by Jon M. Chu and centers around the vibrant Washington Heights community and a bodega owned by Usnavi, who dreams about a better life. The film stars Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Stephanie Biatriz, Dascha Polanco, singer Marc Anthony and Jimmy Smits.

On a related note, a virtual book launch of In the Heights: Finding Home will take flight June 15, 2021. LinManuel Miranda, Quiara Alegría and Jeremy McCarter tell the story of the show’s humble beginning, from rehearsals in a bookstore basement to the Broadway smash (and soon- to- befeature film!) that created an unbreakable community and a new kind of family for everyone involved.

Edward James Olmos with Volunteers. (Photo by Ricky Richardson)

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Thursday, June 10, 2021

Black Community: It’s Time to Get Vaccinated, No More Waiting

Dr. Oliver Brooks has 40 years in medical practice in Southeast San Diego as a board-certified physician of Internal Medicine in Careview Medical Group. He is the co-founder and president of an Independent Physician Association (IPA), the Multicultural Medical Group consisting of over 150 primary care physicians and 200 specialists managing health plan and provider contracts. (Courtesy Photo)

By, Dr. Oliver Brooks President and Chairman Multicultural Health Foundation Despite vigorous efforts across the state to encourage all Californians to get vaccinated - from community and faith leaders, to medical professionals - California’s Black population continue to have lower COVID-19 vaccination rates compared to other populations in the state.

Yet Black Americans continue to fall victim to COVID-19 more than any other population - being twice as likely as Latinos and three times as likely as white and Asian Americans to die from complications of the virus. Just in Los Angeles County, Black residents account for more than 13 percent of the region’s total number of deaths even though they make up only 8 percent of the total population.

When Black people are dying of COVID-19 at a higher rate than any other demographic, why are we not stepping up to help protect ourselves and our loved ones by getting vaccinated?

Maybe you’ve been thinking about getting vaccinated, but haven’t been ready. You have a lot of questions, and that’s ok.

The Kaiser Family Foundation recently reported that 43 percent of Black Americans are taking the “wait and see” approach to getting vaccinated, and only 35 percent said they would get it or already have been vaccinated.

But now is the time for Californians who have waited to

get vaccinated to get their shot - before June 15 arrives when the state fully reopens - so they, too have the comfort in knowing they are protected by the safe and highly-effective COVID-19 vaccine.

The timing couldn’t be better. With the goal to make every single shot count and give that extra nudge for folks to get vaccinated, Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced the launch of “Vax for the Win,” an incentive program for the next two million Californians who complete their COVID-19 vaccination process will be eligible to receive a $50 gift card. All vaccinated Californians will also have a chance to win $50,000 on the first two Fridays in June or the grand prize of $1.5 million on June 15.

As a medical doctor, I embraced the opportunity to do my part and get vaccinated when it was my turn. Clinical trials have proven the vaccine is safe and now can protect young people 12 years old and up from severe illness, hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 – which is much worse than the minor side effects of the vaccination.

My experience was simple and easy. The shot itself is nearly painless. And most people who get vaccinated may only experience side effects such as fatigue, a sore arm, or fever. These are entirely normal and indicators that the body is building immunity to the virus. This is a good thing.

The technology used to produce the mRNA COVID-19

vaccines has been developed over the past 10 years – it is not new.

It does not change our DNA, nor does it contain any COVID-19 virus.

Finally, the COVID-19 vaccine is free to everyone. Regardless if you’re undocumented or are without health insurance. Your immigration status will not be asked when you or your child is vaccinated, and information will not be shared with immigration agencies.

By getting ourselves vaccinated, and now our 12 to 15 year olds, we can change this racial disparity in our Black communities and reach the vaccination rates that are critical to achieving broader population immunity – allowing more African Americans protection from the virus.

Parents and guardians can learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines at VaccinateAll58.com and check vaccine availability and book appointments through My Turn or call California’s COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-422-4255. You can also call your family doctor, local community health clinic or public health office for more information.

This pandemic is not over yet. As more eligible Black Californians get vaccinated, we will continue to stop the spread and shrink the pool of our people who are most vulnerable to COVID-19. Every shot matters.

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