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Yet persuas D M ad u an W ec co ri r. and an Ed.D in Human Resources Development from Baro d n u h p u C g iv ti en C te rt him to our historic and inle ae arstatement. ooon and re ie ’s h ch o d d rencampus,” he wKnight gu ents b ies and al ildhoobeautiful as six monsaid LAKE FOR amed Kevin an e spis w the casedecision in 2004 tooper alive - is d, his paran ased onrycoUniversity. gations ofmev Gov. Newvso EST ent a goinvestor, ents is recoverin w stay his exCooper. reasonand it h n ab fl p m ic “Shaquille isjuvadenhilskilled savvy entrepreneur, marketing and le h id o o y ti d q en m re si n u p D ca ’s g ce es As an investor, restaurant, and franchise owner, the resc g after bei,nCalif. (AP) – Offici art of adole

N lly abused d te ti ie ta e detention ec A o n st m n ti is ig te s p fi io at ab st er c y n o o in ev in o rs n u to g g id u t sc h ro , se co th en im k al en ad ce a d ee e lo m ce ce livingworld mental hea partnership to nail Coo College’s n m hods an p raisinstar in Southern g struck by a poli es earlestablished CalTNT tired iforniabroadcaster y in the te a w another round . attack g and branding genius. this in severalthat lth facilityters. In 1982tells per. Three et d stobasketball Governor whas c California. , andisin Miles , Coopthe L ag ri CalifornThis es u rm o n h in f strong business track record. av er w o in sw v ea f es e h es orn testimo ose support Pennsylvan high expec the progress pons were u tiia. caped from three attack the Orangea Beach Police Offi ta ia er n se iv day, and this is DMiles College’s time to show America that HBCUs can join ti er y, s b d o e o s ce ef A part owner of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, O’Neal n Jo C in n w s. ore moving sh uri h the politica the “DNA test someone’s p ounty Register h r Thomas yen said ha eKrispy l Left (AP) to could have been Hoiswere White. He lautea Ralso ingfranchise gued that ng his murder trial, solve th e initially th should in Doughnuts Atlanta. et whenHall ATLANTA Famer saw Kreme panic. on our r testifiowns e p im F icons like Shaquille business ventures like Papa John’s R ro eb. –19.Basketball the caoft dar F per killelaunch m y se u en ed rt cu ed h ia Ryen, theirCooand ca to er te that theyhe owned se Burgers rs successfu Chiang27 complicatin d husband Previously, Five Guys Fries ly taShaquille a year’s rent in a te new and finaland d in front ke place toO’Neal has donated an sa 1 n 0 id am -y an ll ly g y d ea d M th ed en u ar rw ri e cGwhose D sure justhome old if ng the cam prosecution eighbor Chstated. re- thwoman uire sa12-year-old that DNA campuses,” nKnight tose an Atlanta son was y ic s e w p ristopher Hdaughter Jessica ane dDoug and Peggy belonging toiahna Roper came forw s’ claifranchises. is h ev ai e en g an id n. Big ence caand he ms, a woO’Neal “Not onparalyzedrvineda,”shooting atim was biggame. er former b of ar a al football t testisinthe ughes. Poli an n helowner m- bualso p law en ger than aghot out to chec g infounder it proven oyfriend wd with bloody clothChicken, Animal ce found th11-year-old inal. She turned th is casechicken forcemently isO’Neal tells WXIA-TV ouse cat. a fast-casual fried that Isaiah Payton’s C would restaurant o ing Even thoth ho was a vio n e evidence e bloodied destroyed it tr

By Stacy M. Brown so o to lve crimes, l offi rs rufamily come at no an animal h apartment ugh Newso a fine-dining len over to the . shed the ble Lasis Vegas, Shaquille’s, bold, heand been living in tr a au one-bedroom wasn’t costhad ospital, whcethat m NNPA Newswire Correspondent to ’s th police, buttcrimin-eatery African Am d is ec e m tr st is a. ea er at io ding carefu e it whave e.” people with disabilities. Now they n in theaccessible Los Angeles. for they issuin ericans, H e th as diagnose at C A new partnership between NBA great Shaquille member when he inked a multi-million C deal ll o y o al p o if ispanics an D er n orniaKing, r. Kristi Kra a you potentialalyhome incaasegoodshneighborhood. wat“Martin votersJr.acsaid, ‘If He says he’s helping ching. HLuther d other min O’Neal and Miles College will help bring a Papa John’s earlier this year and he has ownership stakes in u se ro p e , o ss a veternext expecpay lathe th is keepitinhas rizinhome e politicalfurnish orities liv- want to move epeople, ts thits inaryear. g band toward e 1rent ian, tells g histofobe 1-pofor Pizzeria to every Historically Black College and University at least nine different locations.

Continue ectrum ack will undthe cu into ththe s otaps (5-kiloafter arwas n fairnessspan d opositive e e a vision that’s for them, that Isaiah shot through spine in August n grama) catth w p il d a Campus in the nation. g af e A2 Plans also include a “Shaq” pizza with te d r M it ju cG re st ice th betweenuirtwo gaiSixteenns strength to important values, that gets them somefootball scrimmage ited schools.

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities have commercials featuring the towering basketat if he seese vishigh the band o b ca thing they desire and it has to be presentyear-old Damean Spear also was wounded treated t on Frid.ay it again, he’ll paved the way for African Americans and people of oth- ball legend. is su e ed compellingly, so that they feel inspired for minor injuries. Isaiah’s mother, Allison Woods, a tihas cket for ja. er races to receive a quality education deservedly,” O’Neal Before inking the deal with Papa John’s, to follow,’” O’Neal said. said relearning how to care for Isaiah meant she had to said in a statement issued through the Purpose PR Firm in O’Neal reportedly told the chain’s CEO, “Today, I ask you to catch the same leave her job, adding financial stress to her emotional Birmingham.

Steve Ritchie, that “the only way I would vision that the noble founders of HBCUs turmoil.

“HBCUs have been pivotal in the development of want to be involved is if you got some diverheld in carving out a venue to education, young minds; influential in highlighting the history and sity in your leadership. He said, ‘I’ll take you independence, and success. Join President culture of African Americans and effectively provided a up on that.’”

Bobbie Knight of the great Miles College means for academic success,” O’Neal stated.

Not long after, O’Neal said, ‘How about and me as we move toward a business ini“It is in these great halls of these wonderful institu- a triple threat? Board member; I want to intiative that will open avenues of opportions that students saw their potential magnified and ex- vest in stores to show you I’m serious, and, tunities for our HBCUs. Today is emplified.” of course, I’ll be an ambassador to the our day! This is our time!”

In a statement, Miles College President Bobbie Knight brand.”

O’Neal declared. said she was excited about the new venture.

Born in Newark, New “Miles College is honored to partner with Shaquille Jersey in 1972, O’Neal and welcome him to our historic and beautiful O’Neill holds GLENDORA, Miss. (AP) – A new bulletproof campus,” Knight said in a statement. a Bachelor’s memorial to Emmett Till was dedicated Saturday in “Shaquille is a skilled investor, savvy entrepreneur, and Degree in Mississippi after previous historical markers were remarketing and branding genius. This partnership tells the G e n e r a l peatedly vandalized. world that this is Miles College’s day, and this is Miles Col- S t u d i e s The brutal slaying of the 14-year-old black teenaglege’s time to show America that HBCUs can join icons f r o m er helped spur the civil rights movement more than 60 like Shaquille and launch business ventures like Papa John’s L o u i years ago. on our campuses,” Knight stated. siana The 14-year-old African American teen was kidO’Neal and Knight plan to formally announce the S t a t e napped, beaten and killed in 1955, hours after he was HBCU initiative that will ultimately involve all HBCU’s Uniaccused of whistling at a white woman. His body was at a noon press conference on the Campus of the Birming- verfound in a river days later. An all-white jury in Missisham, Alabama school on October 26. sippi acquitted two white men of murder charges.

Founded in 1898, Miles College counts as a premier Patrick Weems, executive director of the Emmett liberal arts institution located in metropolitan Birmingham Till Memorial Commission, said the new marker was within the corporate limits of the City of Fairfield. The dedicated Saturday. institution’s founders saw educated leadership as the paraA part owner of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, O’Neal also owns a Krispy Kreme Doughnuts franchise in AtMembers of Till’s family, including a cousin who mount need in the black community. was there the night Till was kidnapped, attended the O’Neal is a 15-time NBA All-Star, who won 4 cham- lanta. Previously, he owned 27 Five Guys Burgers and Fries franchises. O’Neal also is the founder and owner of Big Chicken, a fast-casual fried chicken restaurant in Las Vegas, and Shaquille’s, a fine-dining eatery in ceremony at the site where the teen’s body was pulled pionships. from the Tallahatchie River.

He became Papa John’s first African American board Los Angeles.

This is the fourth historical marker at the site. Previous ones became a target for vandals.

The first historical marker was placed in 2008.

Someone tossed it in the river. The second and third signs were shot at and left riddled with bullet holes.

The new 500-pound (225-kilogram) steel sign has a glass bulletproof front, Weems said.

By Dan Yount Weems said the markers were placed as an attempt The Cincinnati Herald to acknowledge the truth of what happened there and CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Black Nurse Practihopefully spark “new conversations.’’ tioners, which represents about 30 female Black nurse “For 50 years nobody talked about Emmett Till,’’ practitioners in the Cincinnati area, is seeking an increase Weems said. in their numbers to better serve local minority communi“I think we just have to be resilient and know there ties. are folks out there that don’t want to know this history Felicia Beckham, MSN, FNP-BC, RN, said, “The or who want to erase the history. We are just going to gender/race composition of my profession of nurse practibe resilient in continuing to put them back up and be tioners is 93% female, but only 5.7% are Black. Due to the truthful in making make sure that Emmett didn’t die underrepresentation, minorities receive unequal treatment in vain.’’ and we are unable to meet cultural needs/demands of our Two of Till’s cousins, the Rev. Wheeler Parker and patients, families and communities.

Ollie Gordon, attended Saturday’s ceremony, Weems “We have to create a stronger voice to help influence said. Parker had traveled with Till in the summer of equity and inclusiveness within the healthcare system.’’

1955 from Chicago to the Mississippi Delta to visit relThus, Cincinnati’s Black Nurse Practitioners has atives. joined forces to build impactful relationships, empower In a speech in Mississippi last year, Parker recalled students and nurses, strengthen its presence in advanced the immediate sense of danger he felt when they enand leadership roles, as well as minimizing healthcare discountered the woman at the store. Parker awoke hours parities. The organization is inviting the public to Cincinlater – at 2:30 a.m. – to the sound of Till’s assailants nati’s Black Nurse Practitioner Networking event on Satknocking on the door of their grandparents’ cabin and urday, November 2, from 12 to 3 p.m. at Mallard Lakes his grandmother offering them money to leave the famTownhomes’ Clubhouse at 12100 Lake Circle Drive, in ily alone.

Springdale/Cincinnati, 45246.

An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is defined as nurse educated at a master’s or post-master’s level in a specific role and patient population. There are four APRN roles: Certified Registered Nurse AnestheMeet the Black nurse practitioners of Cincinnati. In bottom row, from left, are Shannon Kemper, Kenisha tist (CRNA), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CMN), Clinical Davis, Dayla Edwards, Dr. Lisa Wilson, Andrea Richard-Thomas, Felicia Beckham and Nicole Jackson. In mid- Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Certified Nurse Practitioner dle row, from left, are Jami Gibson, Latoya Davis, Dr. Daniyel Roper, Robin Melton-Brown, Tameka Larkin, (CNP).

According to Beckham, the APRN is qualified and Carol Parker and Krishona Poignard. In top row, from left, are Nicole Mullins, Marci Fitzgerald and Dianna

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Continued on page A3

Elijah Cummings Dies at 68

The Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and a titan of the U.S. Congress, Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD-7). (Photo: Twitter.com)

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent The Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and a titan of the U.S. Congress, Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD-7), died early Thursday morning. He was 68.

Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, the congressman’s wife and chairman of the Maryland Democratic Committee, said Cummings died at 2:45 a.m. at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Mrs. Cummings said her husband’s death resulted from complications concerning longstanding health challenges.

In recent years, Cummings had been in and out of the hospital. “Dr. Elijah Saunders and I took care of Congressman Cummings for [years] for his blood pressure,” said Cummings’ longtime nurse, Barbara “B.J.” Shaneman.

“He always called me the boss because he told his team I was a short woman with a big voice. I would fuss at him about watching his blood pressure. His health was my concern. I screamed when I heard the news. I said, ‘this can’t happen.’ I said they [Cummings and Saunders, who died in 2015] were the last of the old guard,” Shaneman said.

Recently, and in increasingly rare sightings of the congressman, Cummings was seen using a walker.

He underwent an undisclosed medical procedure, and his office expected that he would only miss about one week of work.

“He was an honorable man who proudly served his district and the nation with dignity, integrity, compassion, and humility,” Mrs. Cummings said.

Cummings obtained his bachelor’s degree in Political

Science from Howard University, serving as Student Government President and graduating Phi Beta Kappa.

He earned his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law. The recipient of 13 honorary doctoral degrees, Cummings dedicated his life of service to uplifting and empowering the people he was sworn to represent, according to his biography.

He began his career in public service in the Maryland House of Delegates, where he served for 14 years, becoming the first African American in Maryland history to ascend to the position of Speaker Pro Tem. Since 1996, Cummings has represented Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Cummings was committed to ensuring that the next generation has access to quality healthcare and education, clean air and water, and a strong economy defined by fiscal responsibility. Children “are the living messages that we send to a future we will never see,” he often said.

In addition to the contributions he made to improve the lives of all Americans, the congressman was a passionate advocate for his beloved Baltimore, where he was born and raised.

Earlier this year, President Donald Trump disparaged the city – particularly parts of Cummings’ district — labeling the city as a “rodent-infested mess where no human being would want to live.”

Cummings immediately responded: “Those in the Continued on page A3

Man Mistakenly Shot by Deputy Settles Lawsuit

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – A man left paralyzed by a deputy’s bullet after he was mistaken for a burglar has settled his lawsuit against the sheriff’s office.

The Post and Courier reported Friday the case against the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office was settled for $750,000.

Bryant Heyward was rendered a quadriplegic from the 2015 shooting. Heyward was at home when armed burglars came to his home. He grabbed a gun and after a shootout called 911 as he hid in the laundry room.

An arriving deputy shot Heyward. The deputy wrote in his report that he saw a door open and a “black male appeared and pointed a handgun.’’

The newspaper reported that as Heyward was shot, he yelled, “Wrong guy, sir. This is my house.’’

Facebook Antitrust Investigation

NEW YORK (AP) – Attorney General Letitia James said Tuesday that a state-level antitrust investigation into the social network now has the backing of a bipartisan group of 47 attorneys generals.

The Democrat and a handful of states launched the probe last month. It focuses on whether Facebook’s dominance is stifling competition, limiting consumer choice and costing advertisers more money.

James says the group also worries about Facebook’s handling of customer data. That drew scrutiny after firms were able to harvest information in attempts to influence the 2016 presidential election.

An email seeking comment was sent to Facebook representatives.

Facebook and other tech giants have also been feeling the heat from federal regulators. The Federal Trade Commission recently fined Facebook $5 billion for privacy violations.

A2

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, October 24, 2019

World & Nation Mothers of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner Join NNPA, Others in

Opposing NYC Menthol Ban “A ban will introduce or re-introduce many hard to employ young Black New Yorkers to the criminal justice system,” the mothers wrote. “We do not want to take parents, sons, and daughters out of households for small infractions that carry financial obligations.”

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent New York City’s proposed ban on menthol cigarettes and e-flavored cigarettes and vapes has many critics calling for officials to reconsider.

Opponents of the ban fear that it would give police another reason to profile African Americans.

“We urge you to carefully consider any bill that seeks to ban menthol cigarettes,” Gwendolyn Carr, the mother of Eric Garner; and Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, wrote in a letter to New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

“We are concerned,” the women wrote in the October 15 letter and released by the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network (NAN).

“The majority – 80 percent – of Black smokers prefer menthol cigarettes. When you ban a product sold mostly in Black communities, you must consider the reality of what will happen to that very same over-represented community in the criminal justice system,” the mothers wrote.

Just as much as anyone, Carr, and Fulton are aware of the deadly consequences of racial profiling.

Carr’s son Garner, a Black man, was accused of selling single cigarettes outside a store on Staten Island.

New York Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo tackled and choked Garner as the 43-year-old Black man gasped, “I can’t breathe.”

Garner died a short time later.

Fulton’s son, Trayvon, was shot and killed in Sanford, Florida, by neighborhood watch captain George Zimmerman, who had racially profiled the 17-year-old.

Carr and Fulton stated that they don’t encourage, support, or promote smoking.

However, they said the bill as it stands would create a new market for loose cigarettes.

They contend the law would introduce another version of the infamous stop-and-frisk policing in Black financially challenged communities.

“A ban will introduce or re-introduce many hard to employ young Black New Yorkers to the criminal justice

system,” the mothers wrote. “We do not want to take parents, sons, and daughters out of households for small infractions that carry financial obligations.”

The ban is certain to lead to more adversarial contact between law enforcement and the African American community, said Major Neill Franklin, the executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition – or LEAP. “Here we are moving forward before we do a proper assessing of the potential outcome from this type of [law],” Franklin said.

The policy is especially bad in the Big Apple, where “we still with stop and frisk with people of color,” said Franklin, a more than 34-year law enforcement veteran of the Maryland State Police and Baltimore Police Department.

“So, here we are proposing another policy that will put the police front and center in enforcing that policy, and it’s going to be enforced in communities of color.

“Our poor and Black communities and this doesn’t make sense,” he said.

Further, a menthol ban would create criminal enterprises, and it would not help curb smoking, opponents of the measure told NNPA Newswire.

They argue that many would turn to either buying from smugglers or using flavored vaping products, which New York City Council also seeks to prohibit.

“First and foremost, this has a disparate impact on communities of color. If allowed to go through, the policy would do more to damage police relations than it would help,” said Jiles Ship, president of the North New Jersey Chapter of the National Organization of Blacks Law Enforcement Executives – or NOBLE. “It will also be an additional drain on resources that can be better utilized and this could create a pretext for law enforcement interaction that can eventually lead to encounters that results in the arrests of individuals who would feel that their civil rights are violated – and, I’m curious as to whether that aspect has been challenged or

“We urge you to carefully consider any bill that seeks to ban menthol cigarettes,” Gwendolyn Carr (left), the mother of Eric Garner; and Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, wrote in a letter to New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. (Photos: Rachel Noerdlinger / National Action Network)

examined,” Ship said.

Civil Rights Attorney Benjamin L. Crump has said a ban on menthol cigarettes would be another “tool for law enforcement to target African Americans.”

NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. praised Carr and Fulton for their “courageous letter.”

Chavis also decried the proposed menthol ban.

“This joint public courageous statement from the mothers of Eric Garner and Trayvon Martin is critical to Black America given the current climate of fatal interactions between law enforcement officials and other persons acting under the color of law. This policy is detrimental to Black Americans intergenerationally across the nation,” Chavis stated.

“Racial profiling should be illegal in any form or policy. Now, the consequence of ‘smoking menthol cigarettes while Black’ will be another pretense.

“And, it will be an ‘unintended consequence’ of bad public policy that will result in negative interactions between law enforcement and Black America.”

Chavis continued: “The NNPA opposes the proposed menthol ban in New York City because it is racially-targeted against Black Americans who culturally and socially prefer menthol cigarettes over against non-menthol cigarettes. This is not about promoting smoking.

“This is about preventing another racially-motivated ban similar to the infamous and devastating NYC ‘Stopand-Frisk’ policy. Thus, the NNPA joins with NOBLE, and with NAN and the mothers of Eric Garner and Trayvon Martin in calling on the New York City council to oppose this bad racist public policy proposal accordingly.

“Racism in all forms must be opposed.”

White Ex-Officer is Working to Change the Culture Police Shootings of African Americans “When I went to the police academy, which was some time ago, a lot of people were coming back from Iraq, and they were looking for jobs. These people were trained killers because they’re soldiers. And, now you’re putting them not just [on the street] and giving them tactical solider-looking gear. And, they feel like they’re back on patrol in frickin’ Ramallah or Bagdad.”

“Police shooting policies need to change, not only for minorities but for everyone,” said forensic psychiatrist and expert witness Dr. Carole Lieberman. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

By Stacy M. Brown ing back that concept and using it with minorities. WhatNNPA Newswire Correspondent A police officer’s bullet shattered a window and fatally ever the minority may be in that community.

The minority could be White people. I know it’s not struck Atatiana Jefferson as she and her 8-year-old nephew usually that, but it could be anybody. played video games inside her Texas home.

Fort Worth Police Officer Aaron Dean, who never identified himself as a cop, and, without warning, fired into Atatiana’s window from outside the home, fatally striking the 28-year-old.

Just a week earlier, Ex-Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger received a 10-year prison sentence for unlawfully entering the home of 28-year-old Botham Jean and murdering him.

Guyger claimed she had worked a late shift, was tired, and entered an apartment she thought was her own. She said she mistook the successful accountant as an intruder.

Both Atatiana and Botham were Black. Dean and Guyger are White.

A study conducted earlier this year by researchers at three universities concluded that African Americans are 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police than White people.

Researchers found that police will kill roughly 1-in1,000 Black boys and men during their lifetime. For White boys and men, the rate is 39 out of 100,000.

In the aftermath of the killing of Atatiana, an attorney and former detective spoke with NNPA Newswire about police shootings. Because of the sensitive nature of his current assignment, we will refer to the former officer as Detective Jones.

Jones is working with several police departments to find better training solutions, primarily for situations when officers are interacting with individuals of color.

DETECTIVE JONES: Among my friends who are police officers, I’m considered one of the more – let’s say liberal, as it were.

I’m hoping we can bridge build and repair relations between my brothers and sisters of varying backgrounds.

So, that’s where I’m coming from.

From the police side of things, I’ve seen racist cops.

Unfortunately, a lot of that is because of what the job can do to people.

But I think that the key to the current problems, aside from the racial issue, is what the police chief in Fort Worth said. He used the best possible words when he said we need to hire people with a servant’s heart, not people with a warrior’s heart.

A Soldier’s Mentality When I went to the police academy, which was some time ago, a lot of people were coming back from Iraq, and they were looking for jobs.

These people were trained killers because they’re soldiers. And, now you’re putting them not just [on the street] and giving them tactical solider-looking gear. And, they feel like they’re back on patrol in frickin’ Ramallah or Bagdad.

You know, when the soldiers are sent off to war, one of the ways that the government makes soldiers more effective is by dehumanizing them — calling them names like bugs.

It’s a good word to make to dehumanize them, and then they come home.

And, it’s not hard for them to jump into things by tak-

So then when they use that language that, you know, aggressive and derogatory language against minorities, it’s just what they were trained to do as soldiers.

And, one of the things I can tell you from personal experience, and I mean, in the department that I was in when I started my law enforcement career in 1999, it was a small department.

And there was only maybe one military guy in there.

And he had all the knowledge and the tactical gear and everything. Scary.

As soldiers kept returning home, that was easy pickings for police departments, you know, all over the country.

They are hiring all of the time.

So, then the department starts getting, you know, an increasing number of ex-soldiers. And, now they’ve got their own culture. And, within the department, they’ve almost created their own little thing. And the non-military cops see it, and they want to be part of it. So, they start to adopt the attitude a little bit.

It Starts at the Top You know, here’s what it boils down to — the negative aspects of hiring are so much stronger than the positive aspects. If you hire bad apples, it’s so much worse than the good you get from hiring good apples.

So, a lot of this focuses on hiring the right people.

Because when there’s a hillbilly cracker in the office, guess what? That is your department.

On the other side, cops are continually being taunted, and sometimes there are those purposefully agitating elements from the community. And it makes it difficult and sometimes impossible for them to do their job.

I think when it comes to hiring, police departments need to pay more attention to bringing in people who are servants.

They need to pay more attention to training officers.

Another thing, when I was in the police academy, we were trained on how to figure out when to shoot someone as opposed to not shoot someone.

That’s a considerable distinction right there.

In my career, I had a situation where I would have been justified in shooting and killing someone. If I had

done that in that particular situation, it would have been perfectly justifiable. But I also had a way out of it, and I got out of it. I didn’t have to kill anybody. The training would have said, kill, it’s the ABC’s. Pull out your gun and pull the trigger.

Training Not One-Size-Fits-All It’s not possible to train all departments across the country the same way. It’s not constitutional. It’s not practical. The challenge is different from community to community.

A national policy would not work as a state-by-state policy. And what happens is the communities end up electing their head law enforcement officer, unless they’re appointed by other elected officials.

The department should be a reflection of the sentiments of the community. If you’ve got a community that is mostly White and they don’t like Black people or vice versa, then that may well be reflected in the department for sure.

Incompetent Law Enforcement Practices Adversely Impact Us All The overwhelming majority of Americans will never work for a police department or a law enforcement agency.

Yet, law enforcement impacts all of us in one way or another.

However, African Americans are disproportionately affected. So, everyone has a responsibility to do what we can to not only understand the culture(s) that influence police practices at the local level, but to also raise our voices as impacted citizens when we see problems.

The killing of unarmed African Americans by officers that are sworn to serve and protect has reached epidemic proportions. No citizen, regardless of race or background, should fear being killed by police when he or she is sitting Continued on page A3

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Thursday, October 24, 2019

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

Legal Notices Features Young, Pregnant, Black and Still Missing

PUBLIC NOTICE

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2019232977 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: HOLCOMB at 45535 York Blvd, Los Angeles, Ca. 90042 Mailing Address: 4628 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, Ca. 90027 County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): DRM 5535 LLC CA, 4628 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, Ca. 90027 The business is conducted by: a Limited Liability Company SIGNED: DRM 5535 LLC, MANAGER The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: N/A This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Aug 28, 2019 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: A. MOVSISYAN, 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 Aug 28, 2024 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Sept 26, Oct 3, 10, 17, 2019 ������������������������������� CITATION Freedom From Parental Custody and Control (ABANDONMENT) Re: ADOPTION) Case Number: BAT-19-003031 Superior Court of California, Count of Kern, 1415 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, Ca. 93301 In the Matter of CHRISTOPHER LEE DANIELS JR., Minor A person who should be declared free from the custody and control of her parent or parents.

To CHRISTOPHER LEE DANIELS SR. and to all persons claiming to be the father or mother of said minor person above-named.

By order of this Court you are hereby cited and required to appear before the Judge Presiding in Department C of the above entitled court on November 22, 2019, at 8:30 a.m. of that day, then and there to show cause, if any you have, why said person should not be declared free from the control of his parents according to the petition on file herein. For failure to attend, you will be deemed guilty of a contempt of court.

You are hereby notified of the provisions of Civil Code Section §237.5 which provide: “the judge shall advise the minor and the parents, if present, of the right to have counsel present. The court may appoint counsel to represent the minor whether or not the minor is able to afford counsel, and if they are unable to afford counsel, shall appoint counsel to represent the parents.”

Date: September 24, 2019 (SEAL) TAMARAH HARBER-PICKENS County Clerk, By: A. RODRIGUEZ, Deputy NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served as an individual citee You are served on behalf of: C.C.P. §416.90 (Individual) The time when a citation is deemed served on a party may vary depending on the method of service. For example, see Code of Civil Procedure Section §§413.10 through 415.40 Prepared By: Kristy Schaeffer Prestige Legal Document Assistance 3719 Canadian St. Bakersfield, Ca. 93304 (661) 832-3033 LDA #2 (Kern County) Exp. 1/1/2020 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (PLDA) PUB: Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 2019 �������������������������������

PUBLIC NOTICE

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 Sept 25, 2024 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 2019

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NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF VIOLA COTTRELL PUTNEY CASE NUMBER: 19STPB09411 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of VIOLA COTTRELL PUTNEY A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by MONICA DUHART in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, Ca. 90012 THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that MONICA DUHART be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval.

Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: Nov 4, 2019 Time: 8:30 a.m. Dept: 2D Room: 629 located at 111 North Hill Street, Los Angeles, Ca. 90012 IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the deceased, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within four months from the date of first issuance of letters as provided on Probate Code section 9100.

The time for filing claims will not expire before four months from the hearing date noticed above.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. IF you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (for DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate code section 1250.

A request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney or Party without Attorney: Monica Duhart 3326 Los Flores Blvd Lynwood, Ca 90262 Telephone: (562) 331-7387 Fax: E-Mail: monica.duhart@gmail. com LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Oct 10, 17, 24, 2019

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When You Read the Valley’s News Observer You are Supporting the Black Community! ������������������������������� FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2019257975 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: CLASSIC SOUL CRUISE / CLASSIC SOUL CRUISE AND TRAVEL at 6709 La Tijera Bl. #357, Los Angeles, Ca. 90045 Mailing Address: Same County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): LINDA REGINA TAYLOR, 5916 S. Bedford Ave, Los Angeles, Ca. 90056 The business is conducted by: an Individual SIGNED: LINDA REGINA TAYLOR, OWNER The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 09/1996 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Sept 25, 2019 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: JUANITA CARPENTER, 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

“That’s all my child ever wanted, to be a mom and accomplish all the things she set to accomplish – to have a nice paying job which she had, to get a new car which she bought, to move into her own apartment which she did, and to become a mother which she was about to.” – Said mother Karen Phillips

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO: 2019258874 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: BOOKKEEPING BIZ at 523 S Mariposa Ave, Unit 11, Los Angeles, Ca. 90020 Mailing Address: Same County: LA REGISTERED OWNERS(S): LINDA DULIN, 523 S Mariposa Ave, Unit 11, Los Angeles, Ca. 90020 The business is conducted by: an Individual SIGNED: LINDA DULIN, PRESIDENT The date registrant started to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above: 08/2019 This statement filed with the County Clerk of Los Angeles County on: Sept 26, 2019 DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles County Clerk By: D. PERRY, 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 Sept 26, 2024 LOS ANGELES BAY NEWS OBSERVER (E) PUB: Oct 24, 31, Nov 7, 14, 2019 �������������������������������

Kierra Coles

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent This is part of an ongoing series about missing Black women and girls by the National Newspaper Publishers Association, the trade association that represents African American-owned newspapers and media companies across the country.

Changing the Culture Continued from page A2

innocently in their home, or in any other non-threatening situation.

“Police shooting policies need to change, not only for minorities but for everyone,” said forensic psychiatrist and expert witness Dr. Carole Lieberman.

“It is shocking that police still aren’t trained more effectively to shoot to disarm and not to kill. Their go-to automatic response seems to be, shoot to kill – especially where it concerns minorities,” Liberman stated.

“This is not only tragic for black people and other minorities, but it is dangerous for the police themselves to cause these neighborhoods to become frightened and then act in a self-protective way which gets misinterpreted by the police.

“To shoot anyone in their own home should carry a severe penalty,” Lieberman concluded.

Kierra Coles was checking off some critical milestones in her life when she suddenly vanished in 2018 from her Southside Chicago neighborhood.

Kierra sought steady employment, which she had found in 2017 when the U.S. Postal Service hired her.

The 26-year-old wanted her own apartment, and just months earlier, she accomplished that. And, she desired the opportunity to purchase a new car, which she did.

Kierra also wanted a baby with her longtime boyfriend.

At the time of her disappearance on October 3, 2018, she was two months pregnant.

“She was already excited about becoming a mother,” Karen Phillips, Kierra’s mother, told ABC News shortly after Kierra disappeared. “That’s all my child ever wanted, to be a mom and accomplish all the things she set to accomplish – to have a nice paying job which she had, to get a new car which she bought, to move into her own apartment which she did, and to become a mother which she was about to.”

While the Postal Inspection Service and Kierra’s family have offered a combined $45,000 reward for information concerning her disappearance, police have failed to come up with any solid leads.

Although she called in sick on the day of her disappearance, Kierra was spotted on a surveillance camera outside of her apartment at 81st Street and Vernon Avenue in full postal carrier uniform.

Investigators found Kierra’s car still parked in front of her apartment. The vehicle contained her purse, cell phone, and the lunch she presumably had packed for the day.

“Her family and friends need answers,” Nakia Artis wrote on a Change.org petition that urges law enforcement to keep up the search for Kierra.

“This has taken too long. This young lady and her unborn [child] deserve justice,” Artis stated.

More than 1,500 people have signed the petition, which seeks to “help keep our law enforcement accountable for Kierra Coles and all other unsolved and closed missing person cases.”

According to data provided by the FBI, more than 600,000 people went missing in America last year. At least 180,000 of the missing were Black, despite African Americans making up just 13 percent of the total U.S. population.

According to an analysis published by the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology titled “Missing White Woman Syndrome,” just one-fifth of cases where African Americans go missing receive media attention.

“Blacks face dual types of disparity, as they are both less likely to appear in the news at all and also tend to receive less coverage even when they do appear,” study authors wrote.

Relatives of missing people of color “often feel like they’re stereotyped as being involved in some type of criminal activity, or that’s the life that’s lived in that particular community or neighborhood, so their lives are not valued,” Natalie Wilson, co-founder of the Black and Missing Foundation, Inc., said in an interview with ABC News.

Kierra’s family remains hopeful, however.

“Not a day goes past I don’t think about my child and what she could be going through, what may have happened to her,” Phillips stated. “I feel she is alive – being held where I wouldn’t know.”

Kierra is described as 5-foot-4 inches tall and about 125 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She has a tattoo of a heart on her right hand, and “Lucky Libra” on her back.

If anyone has information about Kierra, call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 and provide a case identification number, 2693502-WPV. Or, call the Chicago Police Special Victims Unit at 312-747-8274.

Practitioners Seek Diversity Continued from page A1

trained to assess patient’s needs, order and interpret diagnostic and laboratory tests, diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medication and formulate treatment plans.

Nurse practitioners are licensed to take care of patients throughout their lifespan without the direct supervision of a doctor.

“We are essential to meeting the growing healthcare demand in the United States,’’ Beckham said.

Statistics indicate minority ethnicities are underrepresented within the CNP workforce. Gender breakdown of APRNs are 89.5% female, 10.5% male. Racial breakdown of APRNs are 85.7% White, 6.6% African American, 5.8% Asian, 3.4% Latina.

“A diverse nurse practitioner workforce is vital to fulfilling the needs of communities in the most equitable way.

To improve the healthcare trajectory of vulnerable populations, understanding the components that impact a patient’s well-being is key,’’ Beckham said.

According to Dr. Ramona Benkert, associate professor, College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, African American patients have experienced unequal and discriminatory treatment, which can result in a cultural mistrust of the provider. When a patient and practitioner’s race/ethnicity/culture align, an environment is created to increase engagement, build trust and improve healthcare outcomes.

“As nurse practitioners of color, we have the opportunity break down barriers to provide inclusive, culturally competent health care services to everyone. As an organization, we can use our collective experiences and expertise to create a stronger voice to influence healthcare,’’ said Beckham.

Felicia Beckham, Cincinnati native, who is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and author of Diversifying the Medical Field.

Cummings Dies at 68

Continued from page A1

highest levels of government must stop making hateful, incendiary comments that only serve to divide and distract the nation from its real problems, including mass shootings and white supremacy.”

“Those in the highest levels of the government must stop invoking fear, using racist language and encouraging reprehensible behavior,” Cummings added.

“He was a champion of the people, a soldier and a warrior for his city, the state, and the nation,” said Baltimore Times Publisher Joy Bramble. “Elijah Cummings made Baltimore and all of those who came across better.”

The congressman told a local reporter that he and Trump had just one face-to-face conversation since the president took office in 2016.

“I said, ‘Mr. President, you’re now 70-something, I’m 60-something. Very soon, you and I will be dancing with the angels. The thing that you and I need to do is figure out what we can do – what present can we bring to generations unborn?”

His last act in Congress came on Oct. 8, when he joined three others from a bipartisan group to introduce legislation called “The Family Asthma Act.” The bill seeks to expand federal, state, and local efforts to improve care for individuals with asthma.

“Long live the freedom-fighting spirit of Brother Leader Congressman Elijah Cummings,” National Newspaper Publishers Association President, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., said. “On behalf of the Black Press of America, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Cummings and to the Cummings family.”

African Americans are more likely than the total population to agree that advertising provides meaningful information on most platforms, the report noted. But advertising dollars designed to reach Black consumers declined by $1 billion between 2017 and 2018, according to the report.

Show Respect for the Black Consumer

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Correspondent The influence of African American consumers is extensive.

Driven by their tech affinity, passion for sharing experiences, and powered by their omnichannel thirst for information and recommendations, the nation’s 48 million Black Americans are now just approaching their peak earning years, according to the Nielsen report, “It’s in the Bag: Black Consumers’ Path to Purchase.”

The report noted that African Americans are adopting and adapting media and technology in their shopping journey to fit their unique needs and culture. African Americans love the latest trends.

The 50-page report suggests that marketers should be aware that African Americans demand that product information and feedback opportunities integrate across multiple media channels.

African Americans are more likely than the total population to agree that advertising provides meaningful information on most platforms. However, companies that advertise directly to Blacks have decreased their investments.

Advertising dollars targeted to Black consumers declined by $1 billion between 2017 and 2018, according to the Nielson report.

Nearly 40 percent of Black consumers saying that they are the first among their friends to try new products and services, surpassing the total population by 29 percent.

“Take a look at how African Americans make their decisions, whether it’s physically or digitally… what we found is that when it comes to making decisions, we abundantly are going to use recommendations as our first line of research,” Cheryl Grace, Nielsen’s Senior Vice President of U.S. Strategic Community Alliances and Consumer Engagement, told NNPA Newswire.

“African Americans rely on recommendations, and that’s interesting,” Grace stated.

The report’s authors said Black Americans are 48 million strong, with nearly 25 million being millennial age or younger as of 2018.

However, they are already dominating industries from music to fashion, and many others.

African Americans also are creating apps and digital spaces to serve their own unique needs when the opportunity demands it, according to the report.

“In a world bombarded by constant new media options and technologies, companies that want African American consumers’ dollars must understand what most influences these consumers and how they influence others on their path to purchase,” Grace stated.

“Developing authentic strategies that evolve from listening to Black consumers’ needs and demands is not only the best way — but the only way — for brands to realize the powerful growth opportunity ahead.”

“African Americans have a $1.3 trillion annual buying power, and we watch 15 hours or more every week of traditional television,” Grace stated.

“You can reach 92 percent of African Americans in any given week on the radio. When you look at radio, and you compare the consumption habits of how much time we’re spending across these platforms, you’ll see that the advertising spent with African American-focused media doesn’t necessarily add up,” Grace noted.

Part of that problem is the lack of diversity at advertising agencies, she stated.

“There need to be more people of color in those firms,” Grace stated.

Perhaps a more diverse and inclusive workforce would enable marketers to better appreciate that African American interests are not monolithic. They encompass everything from good food, great music and the latest fashion trends to healthcare and the environment.

While climate change and protecting the environment is more vital than ever, African Americans typically are forgotten in the conversation. “African American shoppers are increasingly passionate about their environment, including buying local,” the report’s authors noted.

When asked, “how important is it to buy local” in multiple food categories, African American consumers named produce as the most important category for local sourcing.

Sixty-one percent said it was extremely or very important, followed by bakery and prepared foods at 56 percent, eggs at 55 percent, and dairy at 52 percent.

Understanding the environmental and safety concerns of Black consumers can help marketers understand what matters most to African Americans consumers in making decisions along their shopper journey, the report’s authors said.

The top 3 environmental/food safety concerns among Black consumers are: “Pesticide/ herbicide use in food production” (76 percent), “Antibiotic use in animal production” (71 percent), and “Rising prices due to trade tariffs” (68 percent – 21 percent higher than the total population).

The report concluded that the African American path to purchase is social and circular, with the transaction being a critical step in the process before consumers express their passionate feedback about their experience, be it positive or negative.

“Brick and mortar stores, online retailers and service providers should each strive to provide an experience that not only satisfies Black consumers, but creates buzzworthy raves that will quickly be passed on to friends, family and virtual networks in their discovery, awareness, and decision making processes,” the authors wrote.

“Developing strategies to connect with African American consumers, and assuring that their culture is understood and respected, as well as assuring that their expectations are exceeded, will provide far-reaching influence and growth throughout all consumers for many years to come in the evolving American mainstream,” Grace stated.

To view the full report, scan over this story’s picture using your “Observer Interactive” App.

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A4

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Sports

Clippers Beat Lakers In Round One of the Battle of Los Angeles

By Cameron Buford Whatsgoodinsports.com In easily the most anticipated matchup between the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers, they both have realistic chances of representing the Western Conference in the Finals. As the 2019- 2020 regular season in the NBA begins both teams have retooled and are looking to stake their claim on the best team in Los Angeles this season.

In addition to a healthy LeBron James, the Lakers added Anthony Davis, 2 Time champion Danny Green, and defensive-minded Avery Bradley to their roster. They also resigned Javale McGee and longtime veterans Rajon Rondo and Jared Dudley. This team would rely heavily on the dominance of AD (Anthony Davis) to lead them into the future.

The Clippers, on the other hand, have added the Leagues Finals MVP from last season in Kawhi Leonard, along with one of the better two-way players in the league in Paul George. These defensive-minded players would be paired with the tough and gritty team that made the playoffs last season led by Patrick Beverley. The This offseason for both teams intrigued their fans and basketball fans well enough that each team has something to prove. Though both teams will come out to make their mark in Game 1 it was only “1 game of 82 games,” per Clipper Head Coach Doc Rivers.

The game started with the Lakers showing the world all that they good be by dominated the first half of the 1st quarter. AD came out showing off his agility and toughness down low while hitting 3 of his first 7 shots and getting to the free-throw line by shooting 7 shoots. LeBron showed off his typical all-around game as he opened up with 6 points in the quarter, 3 rebounds and just 1 assist, though he was in charge early.

The Clippers seemed to be knocked back off their feet early in the game then had to regain their composure in front of what started as a pro Lakers crowd at Staples. Doc turned to his bench to get the Clipper back in the game, JaMychal Green, Maurice Harkless, and Montrezl Harrell scored 16 off the bench to keep them in striking distance.

In the second quarter, Kawhi Leonard showed the Lakers, and the NBA, who is now the best player in the game. By hitting 7 straight buckets, Kawhi inspired and led his team to a 40-point quarter coupled with the energy of Maurice Harkless who showed he can play great defense and capitalize on his easy buckets. Looking back at it, this dominating quarter proved to be the differentiator in the game.

It took a light’s out shooting display from Danny Green to get the Lakers back in the game in the third quarter.

His 5 three-pointers paced the Lakers with 18 points in the quarters and the next leading scoring was AD with 7 points. LeBron was surprisingly passive and unassertive posting only 2 points and 2 assists in that pivotal third quarter.

In front of a sellout crowd of 19,068 at Staples in downtown Los Angeles in a game that was nationally televised on TNT, this was the only game for NBA fans to enjoy. That being said, everyone saw the Clippers limit the Lakers to 17 points. Most important they allow Anthony Davis and Lebron James to manage only 2 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in the quarter. Conversely, Kawhi and Harrell alone teamed up for 17 points and showed the energy and determination that eventually won over the crowd at Staples Center.

As for this game being seen as a rivalry, both LeBron James and Anthony Davis played it off by saying, “I disagree on how big of a test [this game was]. It’s only the first game. Obviously, the NBA season is back, and that’s what everybody is trying to [create] the narrative of a rivalry game and a huge test. I think [both teams] are not where we really want to be. We have a lot of room to improve. We are a new group that is coming together.”

James continued to say, “We have a new coaching staff. We have a new system. [It is not] a rivalry now. We’re trying to get better every single day. [We’re] trying to be as great as we can be. We did some good things tonight, and some not so good things. That happens in a game one, especially for a new club. We look forward to getting to the film room tomorrow and see some of the mistakes that we made, [and what] we could have done better.”

When asked his thoughts about the atmosphere at Staples Center Anthony Davis said, “[This game] was everything I expected. It was a very anticipated game. It

Kawhi Leonard sends a message to the Lakers with this second quarter dunk on opening night in the NBA. (Photo credit: USA Today)

was fun. The crowd made us feel at home on the road. It was a great atmosphere.”

I thought Maurice Harkless played a major role in generating the appropriate defensive energy that got the Clippers on track in this game, I wanted to ask Doc about this and he responded by saying, “I said it earlier when we were all talking about Paul [George] and Kawhi [Leonard], but nobody noticed that we added Moe Harkless to our team as well. He’s a hell of a defender. He got deflections, guarded multiple positions and allowed us to switch a lot defensively. I thought the 4spot in general, all three of those guys, contributed for us, and that’s big” Though Patrick Beverley had to correct a reporter, as he wanted to compare Beverley to Matthew Dellvadova, for some silly reason. He did mention there were some things which they needed to improve upon when I asked him, he responded by saying, “[We can improve on] attitude from the beginning. We came out kind of slow. We also need to improve on helping out on corners and fouling.

Throughout the whole game, I thought the bigs did a great job. They’re so long and so big, so them keeping Anthony Davis, JaVale McGee, Lebron [James], Dwight [Howard] off of the offensive rebound [was important]. We kind of slipped up in the second half, but we made the necessary adjustments in the second half to come up with the win.”

In regards to playing with Kawhi Leonard Montrezl Harrell told me, “We know what type of player he is. He is a dynamic player on both ends of the floor and we’ve seen it tonight for him to be out on the floor and for us to actually just be out there, and just be able to get a feel for him and what he can do on both ends of the floor, it felt amazing.”

This has not only been the most eagerly awaited season in the NBA, but I also can’t remember the NBA having a game that fans across the country looked forward to as much

USC Upends Arizona at the Coliseum

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer All home comings are not perfect but, USC tried to make it that way with a 41-14 win over Arizona at the Coliseum in front of an announced crowd of 53,826.

The Trojans (4-3, 3-1 Pac 12) capitalized on five Arizona turnovers jumping out to a 17-0 halftime lead.

Kedon Slovis connected on 19 of 28 for 232 yards and two touchdowns. One was to Michael Pittman Jr. who had 4 catches for 69 yards and another to Tyler Vaughns (7 catches for 73 yards).

Stephen Carr (hamstring) and Markese Stepp (ankle) both left the game. The true Freshman Kenan Christon got things going in the fourth quarter touchdown run giving the Trojans a 34-0 lead with a 55 yard run.

Christon finished the day with 103 yards on 8 carries to lead USC in rushing. John Houston Jr. and Kanai Mauga led the defense with 5 tackles each that gave up just 278 yards.

Kahalil Tate (Serra High /Gardena) was held in check

by the Trojan Defense completing just six of ten passes for 47 yards in the first half. He was sacked six times and did not play the second half. This was the second straight week Tate had trouble moving the offense.

He was replaced by freshman Grant Gunnel who delivered completing 16 of 26 passes for 196 yards, 2 touchdowns and one interception for the Wildcats 4-3, (2-2 PAC-12). Gunnell had started Sept 28 for the injured Tate in a win over UCLA. “There’s no quarterback controversy right now,” said Wildcats Head coach Kevin Sumlin. “We are moving on from this the depth chart is still the same.”

U of A’s JJ. Taylor (Centennial High/Corona) had 80 yards rushing on 16 carries. He also had 100 yards on 4 kick-off returns.

The Wildcats host Stanford next on Sat. USC plays at Colorado this upcoming Friday. The Trojans had several injuries including safety Talanao Hufungo (shoulder), Drake Jackson (ankle), WR Munir McClain (knee) and Drake Jackson (Ankle)

Markese Stepp (30) Runs for some of his 66 yards on 13 carries. (Earl Heath Photo)

as this one. The electricity in the building was amazing and the Clippers did not disappoint. The Clippers looked good and the Lakers looked as if they have somethings to improve on. Did this game change your expectations for the Lakers or the Clippers this season? Please share your thoughts with us by commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or by following me on Twitter at “Voice of the Fans” for immediate engagement.

Additionally, subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast” which is available for you on Apple and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. As always, we certainly appreciate you for making our voice your choice!

Los Angeles Rams Quarterback Jared Goff (16) celebrating after a touchdown this past Sunday in Atlanta.

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Rams Win Big in Atlanta

By Earl Heath Contributing Sports Writer The L.A. Rams put together a solid all-around performance against the Atlanta Falcons –Coming away with a 37-10 victory in front of 71,856.

After the teams were tied 3-3 in the first period the Rams reeled off 30 straight points. The scoring began when Jarred Goff hit Todd Gurley with a 13 yard strike. “He (Gurley) and I have been working on that pass for the last three or four years” said Goff.

Gurley had sat out the previous game against San Francisco with an injury.

The rams held a 13-3 lead at halftime.

In the 3rd quarter Goff finished a 9 play 75 yard drive by hitting Gerald Everett with an 8 yard TD pass. Goff

finished the day going 22 of 37 for 268 yards.

Rams newcomer Jalen Ramsey didn’t start but entered the game on the third play and made his presents felt. He forced a fumble on Falcons RB De Vonte Freeman. His main duty was to control Atlanta’s Julio Jones who had six catches for 93 yards but could not score. “I really appreciate the guys going with the game plan.” said Ramsey. “I’m not saying it wasn’t the best for them but they went out there and scrapped too.”

The defense held Falcon QB Matt Ryan to 159 yards passing and just 224 net yards on the day. That went with five sacks.

The Rams will stay in Atlanta this week and then play in London Sunday vs the Cincinnati Bengals.

Rams’ Dante Fowler Jr. celebrates one of his career-high three sacks against the Falcons.(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Thursday, October 24, 2019

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Entertainment

Black Representation and Appearance in

Japanese Pop Culture

This issue extends outside of classic cartoon anime. Japanese video games are also guilty of unequal and stereotypical representation. There are many different types of representation and all of these entertainment companies are missing the mark on all of them. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

THE BLERD BINDER We as Black nerds are entitled to characters that we can identify with and can show to children for them to take pride in. Growing up I loved Goku, Cloud, and Sora. But it would have been nice to have a stalwart and cool character that I was a kid could look up to that I could identify with that looked like me.

By Noah Washington NNPA Newswire Pop Culture Contributor With the release of Netflix’s “Cannon Busters,” we go back to the age-old conversation of representation of African Americans in anime. The most well-known characters in Japanese pop culture have often been represented with European features and fairer skin tones such as Naruto, Ichigo, Luffy, or Spike Spiegel. Even in live-action adaptations, some of these characters have been played by Caucasian actors.

Even when there is a Black character written into a

storyline, their features are often exaggerated or they are made into a stereotype, most infamously with Mr. Popo of “Dragon Ball” fame; his dark as night skin and big red lips reminiscent of Blackface.

This issue extends outside of classic cartoon anime.

Japanese video games are also guilty of unequal and stereotypical representation. There are many different types of representation and all of these entertainment companies are missing the mark on all of them.

The closest thing we have gotten to a fair and enter-

taining anime representation is in Aaron Mcgruder’s “The Boondocks.” Yes, I know that The Boondocks is not considered an anime, but it has anime influences, and development by Madhouse Studios made it the closest thing we have gotten to an enjoyable anime with a predominantly Black-filled cast.

Unfortunately though, as much as I enjoyed “The Boondocks” and how it cleverly portrays stereotypes, they are stereotypes nonetheless.

“Cannon Busters,” which is a part of Netflix’s anime initiative to bring about more original content was recently released, and I have to say the quality of it and the writing are outstanding.

“Cannon Busters,” has all the qualities of a traditional anime, giant mecha’s, over the top protagonists, and a dramatic impossible plot, but I am disappointed with “Cannon Busters” in one aspect. In Episode two of the series, we are introduced to the Gearbolt Empire. “Cannon Buster’s” has Black Warriors, a Black Prince, a Black King and most importantly a Black hero named Odin. I see Odin as a double-edged sword.

This presented a chance to show off powerful deities with African origins. There are plenty of gods to choose from in the Yoruba and Egyptian pantheon such as Ogun, Sango, or Horus. On the other side of this problem is the fact that a Black man is depicted as a powerful larger than life figure named Odin who has traditionally looked like a grizzled caucasian male with an eye patch.

Video games also have their own role in this dilemma.

Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy are two of the most popular video game series and have cemented themselves in American pop culture.

Kingdom Hearts is a joint venture with Disney Interactive and Square Enix. Kingdom Hearts combines the worlds of Final Fantasy and Disney films. The third entry in the Kingdom Hearts series was released early in 2019 and the game overall is good, but yet again another missed opportunity.

Several Disney worlds were featured in the game, but the easy slam dunk world that is missing is “The Princess and the Frog.” For some fans of the series, this was a disappointment.

Kingdom Hearts is overflowing with the themes of dark vs light, love conquers all, magic (good and bad), and whimsically simple-minded villains such as Dr. Facilier.

Even the Bayou would have made a great location for the main characters of Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy to play around in, you could have even turned them into frogs like the design mechanic that was done when the characters went to see Simba from the Lion King in Kingdom Hearts II which visualized them as Lions.

Final Fantasy faces a different issue. More than thirteen plus games make up the Final Fantasy series and there has barely been a handful of memorable characters. Barret Wallace and Sazh Katzroy are practically the same charac-

ters. They both use guns as their main style of fighting and have operated as comic relief at various points in the main story.

Sazh is a mild-mannered character who represents a big problem. Sazh himself isn’t a bad character, but it’s what he is carrying around with him constantly: A Chocobo.

Chocobo’s are like horses in the Final Fantasy series and to any uninformed viewer, kind of cute, but to the informed it carries the stereotype that Black people love chicken which is an insulting character choice. Barret Wallace, on the other hand, is made to look like a stereotype, a muscled up Black man with a gun (as I previously stated).

I hope they treat Barrett a cut above his old self in the Final Fantasy VII remake set to release March 3, 2020. I just want a Black Final Fantasy character that has a slim muscular build who carries around an awe-inspiring sword that one day my kids would want to dress up as for Halloween.

Is this an issue of the Japanese studios not interacting enough with people of African heritage or is it a matter of malevolence?

We notice the trend of African American stereotypes even outside of Japanese anime and video game culture. In Jordan Peele’s critically acclaimed movie “Get Out.” There is a scene where the main character Chris, played by Daniel Kaluuya is attending a “get together’’ for his girlfriend’s family which is filled with nothing but Caucasian Americans with the exception of a man played by the Japanese actor, Yasuhiko Oyama.

On IMDB the character is listed as Hiroki Tanaka, a Japanese name. Is this a commentary on how Asian Americans are allowed opportunities that African Americans are not? Is this a way for Jordan Peele to say that the Japanese see African people the same way Caucasians do? Or is this a way of saying that the Japanese identify with Caucasian Americans more than the other marginalized and oppressed groups due to their colonization by the English?

We as Black nerds are entitled to characters that we can identify with and can show to children for them to take pride in. Growing up I loved Goku, Cloud, and Sora. But it would have been nice to have a stalwart and cool character that I was a kid could look up to that I could identify with that looked like me.

The good news is that the release of Marvel’s “Black Panther” brings in a new era of representation that does not have the word “stereotype” anywhere around it. The bad news is that there is not a character of color that stands out in the world of anime like Goku or Naruto.

Noah Washington was born in Richmond, VA. Noah has been a black nerd since birth. He is a Media Entrepreneur major at Georgia State University. He loves everything in from “Ant-man” to “Z-Gundam” He has written for the SCADCONNECTOR writing exposés and TV interviews such as NBC’s “New Amsterdam. Follow him on Instagram under Riotboyatl and on Facebook.

Lauryn Hill | Hollywood Bowl Review Deryk Mitchell Los Angeles News Observer Music Correspondent “I heard she’s always really late,” one fan said, as we were walking through the Hollywood Bowl tunnel towards the gates, rushing to see the set for the very talented, “HER.”

On Wednesday, October 16th, the GRAMMY Award-winning powerhouses, Ms. Lauryn Hill and H.E.R. co-headlined LA’s Hollywood Bowl. This was a special one night only event and it was sold-out.

In 2017 H.E.R. (an acronym for Having Everything Revealed) released her debut album via RCA Records. It was nominated for five Grammy Awards at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019 and won for Best R&B Performance and for Best R&B Album.

She did not disappoint as the 22 year old phenom blazed through most of her collection in her branded sunglasses look. Through her sets she went from playing acoustic, & electric guitars, as well as entertaining the crowd with no instrument in hand. HER ended the set by bringing out LA’s own YG on her latest single, “Slide,” which

the drums lend as an anthem to her hometown Vallejo, in The Bay Area.

The lingering question remained amongst audience goers, “Will she be late? Will she remix all of her songs, which Lauryn Hill will we get tonight?” Ms. Lauryn Hill was set to hit the stage at 9:30p. Her very talented New York based DJ, DJ Reborn held it down on the turntables getting the crowd hype for Ms Hill’s arrival. By 9:44p Ms Hill graced the stage to an enormous eruption. The intro track to the legendary, “Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” played on the huge screens in the background. As the teacher asks if, “Lauryn Hill,” was present she graced the stage in a Cinderella style dress.

Here’s Ms Hill’s setlist from the Bowl: Lost ones Everything is Everything Light My Fire During a brief interlude, Ms. Hill went on to talk about the importance of investing in purpose.

Ms. Lauryn Hill (Photo Credit: Randall Michelson Instagram: @Rmpix22)

“You realize the importance of investing in purpose early.” *Use your “Observer Interactive” App to scan over pictures to see more photos and hear audio* Final Hour Forgive Them Father X Factor - My all time favorite Lauryn Hill song, and one of my top 10 songs of all time did not disappoint at all. This included an amazing guitar solo by, “Mathias,” her guitar player who was part of an approximate 20 piece orchestra gracing the stage.

Ms. Hill closed out her epic set with, “Killing Me Softly.” The entirety of the Hollywood Bowl was ready

when she sang, “Take em to the bridge.” With 4 minutes left, Ms. Hill decided to get the Bowl rocking one more time with a quick version of, “Fu-Gee-La,” to close out the evening at 11p sharp which is the ordnance the Hollywood Bowl has with the city of Los Angeles for performers to be done. Ms Hill took several bows as the crowd begged for one more song. On time, on point, Ms Hill reminded the crowd why she is the icon she is. To put this in perspective, she has toured the entire world performing basically the same body of work for the past 20 years, and the people still can’t get enough.

You can find Deryk “Sleep Deez” Mitchell at @sleepvision on all social media platforms.

H.E.R. (Photo Credit: Randall Michelson Instagram: @Rmpix22)

A6

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Local

Clippers to Feed 1,000 Families at Feed the Community Event

By Cameron Buford whatsgoodinsports.com Just days before their new season begins many of the Los Angeles Clippers visited a Salvation Army in South Central Los Angeles. The purpose of this event was to feed over 1000 families at their Annual Feed the Family Event.

This is further evidence that the Clippers organization is reaching out to the local community to ingratiate themselves within the community. This was a reoccurrence of their willingness to become a pillar in the city and increase their fan base!

This past Saturday the L.A. Clippers Foundation provided food, personal hygiene items and other products

for 1,000 families in need at the Salvation Army Siemon Family Youth & Community Center in South Central Los Angeles. Joining season ticket members, corporate partners, and members of the military to distribute bags to the many families in attendance were current Clippers players JaMychal Green, Mfiondu Kabengele, Terance Mann, Rodney McGruder, and Jerome Robinson.

When asked about participating in this type of event Terance Mann, who has proven to be a thoughtful young man replied, “Just cause we’re giving back! It’s good to give back, a lot of us were in situations like this where you need help; and it’s just good to give back.” He then elaborated

Clippers players JaMychal Green (Left) and rookie Mfiondu Kabengele (right) along with volunteers for the LAC Foundation. (Photo: L.A. Clipper Facebook)

on this by saying, “When I was in college, I was big-time on community service. Knowing where they’re (families in need) to be able to give back in just like us.”

I asked JaMychal Green why he chose to participate in this event rather than got to the beach and play in the sand he responded by saying, “this is what it’s all about. God put us in this position to help others and give back to the community and I feel like if you’re not doing that, you’re doing God’s work.”

Additionally, there to support the event was Planet Fitness, which is the official Fitness Center of the LA Clippers. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association of L.A. County along with the Southern California Pipe Trades District Council. Their partnership with the Clippers is focused on honoring and celebrating the military.

Even with their new acquisitions and the heightened exposure and expectations, this is further evidence that this Clippers team is doing their part to become a pillar in the community. As their fan base grows along the way these players are showing their graciousness that will continually increase their fanbase.

How do you see the Clippers players’ wiliness to give back to the community? Does this make the team more likable and would these efforts encourage you to switch your rooting allegiance? Please share your thoughts with us by commenting in the comment section of this article on www.whatsgoodinsports.com or by following me on Twitter at “Voice of the Fans” for immediate engagement.

Additionally, subscribe to our weekly “Voice of the Fans Podcast” which is available for you on Apple and Google Podcasts including Spotify, TuneIn, and iHeart Radio. As always, we certainly appreciate you for making our voice your choice!

“Feed The Community event” providing food and personal care items to 1,000 families in need. (Photo: L.A. Clipper Facebook)

New State Law Restricts Payday Loans

By Manny Otiko California Black Media On Oct. 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 539. The legislation puts restrictions on predatory lending practices in California he says “creates debt traps for families already struggling financially.”

Critics say lenders who offer these high-interest loans target disadvantaged people, large numbers of them Black and Brown consumers living in some of the most underserved census tracts in the state. These are Californians who are typically denied traditional bank loans because of poor credit or lack of collateral. However, the high interest rates on these loans can be crippling.

According to documents provided to California Black Media, a LoanMe Inc. loan for around $5,000 would require a payback of $42,000 over seven years at a 115 percent annual percentage rate! Tacking interest rates on loans as high as 200 percent sometimes, in addition to hidden fees, predatory lenders, critics tell us, typically structure their loans in ways that force people who sign up for them to constantly re-borrow money to pay off the mounting debts they already owe.

“Many Californians living paycheck to paycheck are exploited by predatory lending practices each year,” said Newsom. “Defaulting on high-cost, high-interest rate installment loans push families further into poverty instead of pulling them out. These families deserve better, and this industry must be held to account.”

The new legislation restricts the amount of interest that can be levied on loans ranging from $2,500-10,000 to 36 percent, plus the federal funds rate.

“Gov. Newsom’s signature on AB 539 sends a strong message that California will not allow lenders to thrive on high-cost loans that often leave consumers worse off than when they started,” said Assemblymember Monique Limόn (D-Santa Barbara,) co-author of the bill. “I am grateful to the broad coalition of community groups, faith

leaders, local governments, and responsible lenders who supported this historic achievement and helped us achieve strong bipartisan support of this legislation.”

Limon has been campaigning for the passage of AB 539 for more than two years now. She is also a champion for financial education that informs consumers about the dangers of high-interest loans.

Assemblymember Timothy Grayson (D-Concord), a co-author of the bill, says the governor signing the bill signals the end of the worst kinds of abusive loans in the state.

“Californians deserve real access to capital, not exploitative loans that trap them in perpetual payments and compounding debt,” said Grayson. “We must do more to protect financially vulnerable, hardworking families from predatory lenders who profit off their devastation.”

Figures from the California Department of Business Oversight (CBO) reveal that in 2016 the total dollar amount for payday loans in the state was $3.14 billion.

The CBO also stated that seniors now represent the largest group taking out payday loans and more than 400,000 consumers in the state took out 10 payday loans in 2016.

A third of those high-cost loans ended up in default.

Not everyone is cheering the passage of AB 539.

Those opponents say the bill is restrictive and undermines the values of free-market capitalism.

The California-Hawaii chapter of the NAACP opposed the bill, arguing that it limits options for poor African Americans who need to borrow money in emergencies.

“We are deeply concerned about the impact AB 539 will have on small businesses and consumers. As proposed, AB 539 will limit lenders’ ability to provide a variety of short-term credit options to borrowers in need.” said the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in an interview with California Globe.

After Blackouts No Ones Feeling Empowered ,

’

– Not Frustrated Customers, Nor State Officials – Nor Cash-Strapped Utilities

By Tanu Henry California Black Media In third world countries – let’s take Nigeria and Haiti as examples – electricity blackouts are routine.

Power outages sometimes last for more than a week in Haiti, where only about 25 percent of the Caribbean nation’s 10.9 million people are connected to the power grid.

And in Nigeria, a country more than 200 million people call home, power companies provide electricity to only 45 percent of households. Losing power about once a day in the West African nation is the norm.

But in the United States, 100 percent of households have access to electricity. More than 95 percent of power outages are weather-related – and they only last, on average, between 4 to 7 hours, according to the United States Department of Energy.

That’s one reason, the recent massive, pre-planned Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) blackout two weeks ago in California, the wealthiest state in the nation, was not only upsetting to most people, but also hard to accept and widely criticized.

“For years, PG&E has done a poor job on maintenance and tree clearing, and they’re still not even close to where they need to be,” said Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), whose district was impacted by the blackout. “That fact, along with breakdowns in communication, are unacceptable. Sadly, poor performance by PG&E is par for the course, so it’s not surprising.”

The company is the largest electricity and natural gas power provider in the state serving some 16 million people from Santa Barbara and Kern counties in the South, up north to the Oregon state line, and east to the Nevada and Arizona borders.

The P&G power outage, which lasted from Oct. 9 through Oct. 12, has been linked to three deaths. It affected more than 700,000 Californians in 35 counties and cost residents, businesses and the public sector over $2 billion dollars.

The blackout, the seventh scheduled one this year, impacted 39 hospitals, too.

PG&E resorted to cutting power, company spokespeople and executives explain, in designated areas of the state. Because the National Weather Service predicted heavy winds, high temperatures and dry air, the company feared those conditions would lead to disastrous wildfires if power lines - many of them supported by aging, worn-out transmission towers - were downed. They could spark, setting the dry vegetation ablaze, which could result in deaths and the destruction of property.

Last week, Gov. Newsom called the power outage “unacceptable.”

“Californians should not pay the price for decades of PG&E’s greed and neglect,” said Governor Newsom last week, slamming the investor-owned utility. “We will continue to hold PG&E accountable to make radical changes – prioritizing the safety of Californians and modernizing its equipment.”

Even as the utility company, one of the largest in the country, faces sharp criticism from state officials, it is defending its decision to cut power as a safety measure.

PG&E also cautions that it may have to schedule rolling blackouts for the next 10 years while it updates equipment.

In a hearing before the California Utilities Commission (CUP) Friday, PG&E CEO Bill Johnson, along with nine other company executives, admitted the company’s shortcomings during the blackout and apologized for

them. They also assured state officials that PG&E is taking measures – including updating its equipment, using technology to limit the target area of future blackouts and trimming trees near transmission towers - to minimize outages and prevent wildfires.

“We recognize the hardship that the recent public safety power shutoff event caused for millions of people and want to continue working with all key shareholders to lessen this burden going forward,” Johnson wrote in a letter to the PUC. “At the same time, we ask our customers, their families, and our local and state leaders to keep in mind that statistic that matters most: there were no catastrophic wildfires.”

PG&E is currently facing a number of uphill battles in California.

The utility provider is taking steps to emerge from bankruptcy after facing more than $30 billion in liabilities for wildfires (far more than its total revenue in 2017, which was $17.4 billion). The worst was last year’s Camp Fire, the deadliest in the state’s history, which resulted in the deaths of 86 people, gutted more than 18,000 buildings and ravaged more than 150,000 acres of land, including the town of Paradise in Butte County.

Under California’s Inverse Condemnation rule, utility providers like PG&E are held fully liable for wildfires or other public or personal damage their equipment may cause whether that company acts negligently or not. And if a power company tries to share the burden of its liability with customers through rate increases, it must prove under California Public Utilities Code 463 that it did not incur those costs because of an “unreasonable error” in its planning, construction or operation.

Then, two weeks ago, a California judge ruled that PG&E will no longer have exclusive control over its bankruptcy process, a decision that caused the price of its shares to tank by about 32 percent. In January, when it filed bankruptcy, stocks dropped by about 52 percent.

Since the blackout began, Gov. Newsom, state officials and customers have continued to express frustration with how much the blackout has cost customers. In fact, the governor is urging the company to pay each of its residential customers $100 and each small business $250 through automatic credits or rebates.

Critics are also blasting the utility company for the way it handled not only the disruption of service but also its customer service response and public relations activity related to the blackout.

At Friday’s hearing, Marybel Batjer, president of the California Public Utilities Commission, echoed the governor’s irritation.

“You guys failed on so many levels on pretty simple stuff,” Batjer said, pointing out that the company’s website, which many of its customers were relying on for information pertaining to the blackouts, crashed.

“What we saw play out by PG&E last week cannot be repeated,” she said. “The loss of power endangers lives.”

Many PG&E customers who lost power say the lack of updates from the company was appalling, and they are now worried that blackouts could be more frequent in the state.

“I’m not happy with PG&E at all,” Santa Cruz County resident Satya Orion told local KSBW TV News. “We did not get notified after the first warning. What if someone has a medical device that needs to keep running?