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Is Facebook’s ‘Fake News ‘ Muddying Up Our Elections?

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The Valley’s

Volume 33 Number 21

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Thursday, March 22, 2018

5th Annual EmpowHer Award Recipients Three Exceptional Women to Be Recognized April 26, 2018

Celeste Alleyne, Director, Citizenship & Public Affairs, Microsoft. (courtesy photo)

Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i, Executive Vice President Entertainment Diversity Inclusion & Communications, CBS Entertainment. (courtesy photo)

Claudia Botero , Award Winning Anchor/Reporter, KMEX Univision. (courtesy photo)

Los Angeles, CA, March 15, 2018 --- Betty LaMarr, Founder and President of EmpowHer Institute is proud to announce the 2018 recipients of the EmpowHer PATHMAKER Award; Celeste Alleyne, Director, Citizenship & Public Affairs, Microsoft; Claudia Botero, Award Winning Anchor/Reporter, KMEX Univision and Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i, Executive Vice President Entertainment Diversity Inclusion & Communications, CBS Entertainment, are all leaders in Entertainment and the business community. Longtime supporter of EmpowHer, Dawnn Lewis, Actress, Musician, Producer will serve as Mistress of Ceremony for The PATHMAKER Awards Gala. Red Carpet Reception begins at 6:00 PM followed by Formal Dining, Live Auction and Awards Presentation.

The PATHMAKER Award recognizes extraordinary individuals whose success in business and commitment to our community are powerful examples to students who face the challenges of under-resourced schools, economically disadvantaged families and violence-prone neighborhoods.

At the event, we will present The PATHMAKER Award to three exceptional individuals who have created a path for others in guiding the academic and/or professional growth of girls and

women, and who inspire girls to dream and achieve greatness.

The Girls to Greatness Gala is our signature fundraising event that supports our programs throughout the year. Since our founding in 2003, we have served thousands of girls, who are at risk of dropping out of school. We’ve served these girls through educational intervention – tailored programs in the classroom, summer intensives, and real-world experiences. EmpowHer Institute invites the community to join in the in the celebration while supporting the mission to mentor inner-city teen girls to believe in themselves and their success.

According to Alliance for Excellent Education, 1 out of 2 minority girls in urban cities will not graduate from high school.

This is hard to believe, but true, statistic that has profound consequences for the workforce and the community. At EmpowHer Institute, the focus is to change these hard facts by changing lives and building positive futures. And it all begins with every parent’s wish for their child – stay in school, do well, graduate, go to college, and chase your dreams.

The EmpowHer Institute vision is to empower girls to design a future that prepares them for tomorrows careers. We will reduce the high school dropout rate for marginalized teen girls

who are at risk of educational failure due to teen pregnancy, truancy, and juvenile delinquency. Our strategy is to empower them to demonstrate self-worth and character; discover their future through education and mentorship; and become leaders of tomorrow.

EmpowHer programs serve girls as young as 11 years old.

That’s when interventions have the greatest impact. Over the last 7 years, EmpowHer Institute’s programs have been in classrooms offering training and mentoring for over 2000 girls in transformational life skills, leadership skills, career options, and financial literacy.

This year’s sponsors include: US Bank, UPS, Microsoft, Quest Diagnostic, Lawrence Livermore, Perry Foundation, Bergman, Dacey, Goldsmith, So Cal Gas and AMC Theaters. For sponsorship contact Betty LaMarr, President (310) 5749181 or info@empowher.org. For more information on the Girls to Greatness Mentor To Inspire Summit visit our website: www. girlstogreatness.org. To learn more about EmpowHer Institute visit our website www.empowher.org. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Black Community and American Energy Policy

Attorney Honored With Trailblazer Award

WILBERFORCE, Ohio — Civil rights attorney Ben Crump on Thursday was presented with the prestigious Trailblazer Award during an event hosted by the Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument.

Crump is well-known for his civil rights work and advocacy for clients including the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and dozens of other victims of injustice.

Colonel Young was the first African-American to achieve the rank of colonel in the United States Army and a trailblazer on the path toward equality for African-American soldiers. Thursday’s celebration marked the inaugural event to honor Colonel Young on what would have been his 154th birthday in the city where his national historic landmark stands. The award recognizes those who exemplify Colonel Young’s commitment to civil rights and carry on his legacy of education and service to humanity. Crump is the first-ever recipient of this award.

“His leadership was significant because it was unheard of for any unit to be led by a black commander during an in-the-field campaign,” said Attorney Ben Crump. “Colonel Young’s ability to rise to this position of leadership is extraordinary — especially during a time when stereotypes of black men being intellectually inferior prevailed.”

In addition to his work as a nationally recognized lawyer, Crump has held leadership positions at the highest levels of the legal profession, having served as president of the National Bar Association and as the current president of the National Civil Rights Trial Lawyers Association. He was also the first African-American to chair the Florida State University College of Law Board of Directors. Crump is the principal and owner of Ben Crump Law, www.bencrump.com.

Aretha Franklin Cancels Concerts

NEW YORK (AP) _ Aretha Franklin is canceling two upcoming concerts on doctor’s orders.

The Queen of Soul’s management team says in a statement Friday that Franklin will not perform March 25 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey. That show would have taken place on her 76th birthday.

Franklin also won’t appear April 28 at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Organizers say Rod Stewart will perform as the headliner instead.

The statement says the singer has been ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest completely for at least the next two months. It adds that Franklin is “extremely disappointed she cannot perform as she had expected and hoped to.”

Last year, Franklin announced her plans to retire, saying she would perform at “some select things.”

Jesus Christ Sends Letter to Oprah

Energy experts and groups like the American Association of Blacks in Energy are encouraging the Black community to get involved with American energy policy.

(Pixabay)

Freddie Allen Editor-In-Chief, NNPA Newswire As the debate continues over the future of energy in the U.S. and around the world, industry insiders say that now is the time for African American consumers and businesses to step up and help shape America’s energy policy.

The country’s demographics are changing. According to the Census Bureau, the U.S. population, as a whole, is expected to become majority-minority in 2044.

“The minority population is projected to rise to 56 percent of the total in 2060, compared with 38 percent in 2014,” the Census Bureau reported.

Forward-thinking industry leaders have taken notice and are working to recruit and train an increasingly diverse labor force.

According to the American Petroleum Institute’s “State of American Energy 2018” report, as the baby boomers retire and the oil and natural gas industry expands, job opportunities in the industry will continue to grow over the next couple of decades, requiring more workers. Researchers project that nearly 1.9 million new job opportunities will be available in the industry by 2035.

“According to an IHS study, women and minorities will account for hundreds of thousands of those openings—more than 700,000 African Americans and Hispanics and 290,000 women through 2035,” the report said.

During an interview with the NNPA Newswire, Jack Gerard, the president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, said that the oil and natural gas industry is working to broaden its base in the Black community and increase awareness about the high-paying job opportunities in the industry.

Tracey Woods, the vice president of operations at the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), a Black think tank focused on energy policies, regulations, emerging technologies, and environmental issues, said that it’s important for potential employees and entrepreneurs, that are interested in getting into the oil and natural gas industry, to understand policy.

AABE’s founder, Clarke Watson, understood how critical it was for Blacks to not only understand energy policy, but to also be involved in the planning and implementation of America’s policies.

According to Watson’s biography on AABE’s website,

“Watson worked in the energy industry for decades, eventually starting his own consulting firm. He founded the American Association of Blacks in Energy in 1977 after hearing of a meeting of energy policymakers that had been called by then President Jimmy Carter. No minorities were on the original guest list.”

The group’s mission continues today, because energy policies set today can have lasting socioeconomic effects for generations.

And when it comes to policies about access to STEM education and investment capital, those economic effects could mean higher wages in the oil and natural gas industry for Black workers and increased business opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Woods said that Black energy experts and industry leaders have to talk to people about President Donald Trump’s infrastructure plan and what it means for the Black community.

Trump’s infrastructure plan commits “$200 billion in federal funding over 10 years to stimulate state and local spending and private investment,” NPR reported. “Half of Continued on page A2

WATERBORO, Maine (AP) _ A letter from Jesus Christ might be the affirmation Oprah Winfrey needs to run for the presidency.

WGME-TV reports an 83-year-old Maine woman who changed her name to Jesus Christ says she began a letter writing campaign 50 years ago to spread a message of faith and peace. Christ says she sent the letter to Winfrey because she likes her but had no idea it would get so much attention.

Gayle King, one of the hosts of “CBS This Morning,” posted about the letter to Winfrey on Instagram on Wednesday, asking if it was the sign her best friend was looking for.

Winfrey said on “60 Minutes” that if God wanted her to run for president “wouldn’t God kinda tell me?”

Christ says she didn’t know there was speculation about Winfrey, but she’d vote for her.

Blimp Tows Water Skier Across So. California Lake LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (AP) _ Yes, that was a blimp towing a water skier across the surface of a Southern California lake.

The Press-Enterprise reports the blimp towed skier Kari McCollum for 6.9 miles (11.1 kilometers) at Lake Elsinore on Tuesday.

The newspaper says that’s a new record, according to Philip Robertson, an adjudicator with Guinness World Records.

The old mark for a water skier being towed by a blimp or airship was nearly 5 miles (8 kilometers).

The companies sponsoring the event included T-Mobile and AirSign, an aerial advertising company.

World & Nation

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THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Ordinance Will Make Meat More Expensive

By Manny Otiko California Black Media A recently passed San Francisco ordinance is designed to provide consumers with more informed choices, but Diane Sullivan, an advocate for low-income families, says it will make food more expensive. Sullivan debated the consequences of the law at a hearing at City Hall on Monday.

The new ordinance requires local food stores to notify consumers if meat or poultry has been treated with antibiotics. Ac-

Sullivan said a lot of poor mothers are faced with the choice of “paying my rent or feeding my children.”

She compared the San Francisco law to Proposition 2, which outlawed the confinement of livestock, but in the process raised the price of

Sullivan describes these kinds of laws as “food gentrification,” a process where regulation pushes food out of the hands of low-income people. cording to a report from the American Academy of Pediatricians, the overuse of antibiotics in livestock can lead to drug-resistant strains of diseases being passed on to humans.

Supporters of the law say the ordinance will help consumers eat healthier, but Sullivan says it will drive food prices higher. And that will only make life more difficult for low-income families who are already struggling to stay above water in San Francisco, one of the most expensive housing markets in the nation.

Sullivan describes these kinds of laws as “food gentrification,” a process where regulation pushes food out of the hands of low-income people. She said the new law will create another layer of paperwork for the producers and they will pass the cost onto consumers.

“Anytime the price of food goes up it affects low-income families,” she said. “One-quarter of San Franciscans struggle with hunger.”

eggs. According to Sullivan, her native Massachusetts passed Question 3, a similar animal safety

law that also raised the price of eggs. She said Cornell University conducted a study on the cost of implementing Question 3.

According to the researchers, it cost $250M to implement the regulation in the first year.

“Question 3 is a regressive food tax, a social injustice that will harm those often neglected in these debates,” said Sullivan in a Boston Globe editorial.

Sullivan believes the San Francisco law is part of an agenda to eventually drive the price of meat up to the point it becomes too expensive. Many liberal groups already advocate that people give up meat because it’s bad for the environment and inhumane.

“The human species needs to eat less meat. Why? Take your pick of reasons, from the detrimental impact global meat consumption has on the climate, to the ethics of the mass farming of sentient animals,” said Robin Scher in an article on the liberal website Alternet.

In an article in the local CBS affiliate, San Francisco Supervisor Jeff Sheehy said an environmental group motivated the law.

However, Sullivan isn’t the only person who thinks the new ordinance is a bad idea.

“The San Francisco ordinance adds an entirely unnecessary, costly and potentially confusing layer of paperwork to this issue,” said a statement by the Food Marketing Institute. “The retail industry supports FDA’s actions to ensure the judicious use of antimicrobials in food animal production.”

The Black Community and American Energy Policy Continued from page A1

the funding, $100 billion, would be used as incentives to entice cities, counties and states to raise at least 80 percent of the infrastructure costs themselves.”

The article continued: “That’s a departure from the way many projects are funded now. Funding for federal-aid highways, including interstates, is usually allocated in an 80-20 federal-state split. So, President Trump’s plan would flip that funding burden.”

Shortly before the president’s infrastructure plan went public, the Senate Democrats released a “Jobs and Infra-

structure Plan” that promised a “historic $1 trillion federal investment to modernize our crumbling infrastructure and create more than 15 million good-paying jobs that American families desperately need.”

The Senate Democrats’ plan would also hit President Trump’s tax law signed late last year.

The Senate Democrats’ plan would raise the corporate tax rate to 25 percent, which Republicans cut from 35 percent to 21 percent, according to CNN Money. The Democrats’ proposal also “undoes parts of the new tax law

Muddying Up Elections

in order to fund increased infrastructure spending.”

Woods said that when the Black Press informs the community, Black voters can hold legislators and policymakers accountable.

Woods said that with federal, state, and local funding, more than one trillion dollars will be spent on fixing bridges, highways and roads, building pipelines and upgrading the country’s energy grid. The Democrats’ plan also promised cheaper fuel and greater access to high-speed Internet in rural areas.

“That’s about one trillion dollars that you’re going to pay for,” said Woods, referring to taxpayers. “We need to ensure that we’re participating.”

Woods continued: “Our communities are, very often, not at the table and not represented and miss the moment to impact the legislation. So, when you look at the Black Press and the opportunity to get that message out about the importance of policymaking in the energy industry—that’s huge.”

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Facebook’s Recurring Nightmare:

By RYAN NAKASHIMA and ANICK JESDANUN AP Technology Writers MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) _ Facebook has a problem it just can't kick: People keep exploiting it in ways that could sway elections, and in the worst cases even undermine democracy.

News reports that Facebook let the Trump-affiliated data mining firm Cambridge Analytica abscond with data from tens of millions of users mark the third time in roughly a year the company appears to have been outfoxed by crafty outsiders in this way.

Before the Cambridge imbroglio, there were Russian agents running election-related propaganda campaigns through targeted ads and fake political events. And before the Russians took center stage, there were purveyors of fake news who spread false stories to rile up hyperpartisan audiences and profit from the resulting ad revenue.

In the previous cases, Facebook initially downplayed the risks posed by these activities. It only seriously grappled with fake news and Russian influence after sustained criticism from users, experts and politicians. In the case of Cambridge, Facebook says the main problem involved the transfer of data to a third party _ not its collection in the first place.

Each new issue has also raised the same enduring questions about Facebook's conflicting priorities _ to protect its users, but also to ensure that it can exploit their personal details to fuel its hugely lucrative, and precisely targeted, advertising business.

Facebook may say its business model is to connect the world, but it's really “to collect psychosocial data on users and sell that to advertisers.” said Mike Caulfield, a faculty trainer at Washington State University who directs a multi-university effort focused on digital literacy.

Late Friday, Facebook announced it was banning Cambridge, an outfit that helped Donald Trump win the White House, saying the company improperly obtained information from 270,000 people who downloaded a purported research app described as a personality test. Facebook first learned of this breach of privacy more than two years ago, but hasn't mentioned it publicly until now.

And the company may still be playing down its scope.

Christopher Wylie, a former Cambridge employee who served as a key source for detailed investigative reports published Saturday in The New York Times and The Guardian , said the firm was actually able to pull in data from roughly 50 million profiles by extending its tentacles to the unwitting friends of app users. (Facebook has since barred such second-hand data collection by apps.)

Wylie said he regrets the role he played in what he called “a full service propaganda machine.” Cambridge’s goal, he told the Guardian in a video interview , was to use the Facebook data to build detailed profiles that could be used to identify and then to target individual voters with

personalized political messages calculated to sway their opinions.

“It was a grossly unethical experiment,” Wylie said.

“Because you are playing with an entire country. The psychology of an entire country without their consent or awareness.”

Cambridge has denied wrongdoing and calls Wylie a disgruntled former employee. It acknowledged obtaining user data in violation of Facebook policies, but blamed a middleman contractor for the problem. The company said it never used the data and deleted it all once it learned of the infraction _ an assertion contradicted by Wylie and now under investigation by Facebook.

Jonathan Albright, research director at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University, said Facebook badly needs to embrace the transparency it has essentially forced on its users by sharing their habits, likes and dislikes with advertisers. Albright has previously noted cases in which Facebook deleted thousands of posts detailing Russian influence on its service and underreported the audience for Russian posts by failing to mention millions of followers on Instagram, which Facebook owns.

Facebook is “withholding information to the point of negligence,” he said Saturday. “How many times can you keep doing that before it gets to the point where you’re not going to be able to wrangle your way out?”

The Cambridge imbroglio also revealed what appear to be loopholes in Facebook’s privacy assurances, particularly regarding third-party apps. Facebook appears to have no technical way to enforce privacy promises made by app developers, leaving users little choice but to simply trust them.

In fact, the enforcement actions outlined in Facebook’s statement don’t address prevention at all _ just ways to respond to violations after they’ve occurred.

On Saturday, Facebook continued to insist that the Cambridge data collection was not a “data breach” because “everyone involved gave their consent” to share their data.

The purported research app followed Facebook’s existing privacy rules, no systems were surreptitiously infiltrated and no one stole passwords or sensitive information without permission. (To Facebook, the only real violation was the transfer of information collected for “research” to a third party such as Cambridge.)

Experts say that argument only makes sense if every user fully understands Facebook’s obscure privacy settings, which often default to maximal data sharing.

“It’s a disgusting abuse of privacy,” said Larry Ponemon, founder of the privacy research firm Ponemon Institute. “In general, most of these privacy settings are superficial,” he said. “Companies need to do more to make sure commitments are actually met.”

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Thursday, March 22, 2018

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A3

Features

Should the NBA Reseed for the Playoffs?

Kirk Cousins signs the NFL’s first guaranteed contract. (Bing Photo)

Kirk Cousins Cashes In

By Cameron Buford Contributing Sports Writer Whatsgoodinsports.com Most of us typically will be forced to bet on ourselves a few different times in our careers. Not only did Kirk Cousins bet on himself once; he’s now done that in consecutive seasons. For that trust in himself and in his abilities, he has been rewarded handsomely.

Originally seen as just an insurance policy when drafted in the fourth round, Cousins was drafted as a backup to the top overall draft pick Robert Griffin III by the Washington football team in 2012. Since then, he has proven to be more than a backup, though the Washington football team brass didn’t think enough of him to sign him as their QB of the future. So much so, they applied the Franchised Tag to him each of the past two seasons.

The Franchise Tags impacts players, in the National Football League, which are scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. Each season, each team is given one Franchise Tag to use on their individual players. Often times the Franchise Tag gets reserved for skilled players or a teams impact players.

This “Franchise Tag” also binds the player to their team for one year, providing certain conditions are met. Such as, if no contract is negotiated with the team which has designated the Franchise Tag on their player, or another team, he will have his contract guaranteed for one season. An essential purpose of this initiative is to extend the bargaining period for NFL Franchises while allow teams front office to retain their free agent players within the perimeters of the leagues salary cap.

For some players being tagged with the Franchise Tag is

some what of an insult. As it means their teams doesn’t think enough of the to sign them to a long term contract, in some instances. Having been tagged with the Franchise Tag in two consecutive seasons meant just that for Kirk Cousins.

The Minnesota Vikings cleared the deck to bring a new QB as each of their quarterbacks were unrestricted free agents. Meaning they could be resigned or sign with any team they chose too.

This created a soft landing for the QB of their choosing, ie. Kirk Cousins.

Cousins was destined to sign a lucrative contract. The thought of fully guaranteed contracts has been in the conversation for some time now, not many including myself saw Kirk Cousins would be the first guy in the league to get one. The Vikings and their front office thought differently than anyone else and offered Cousins and fully guaranteed contract worth $84 million dollars.

In the past three seasons there has been only one quarterback other than Cousins, to pass for over 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. Additionally, as Cousins prepares for his 7th season, he is third in completion percentage and game-winning drives since 2015. These are solid numbers, however many fans and those in the industry are surprised Kirk Cousins is the guy to get the first guaranteed contract in the NFL. Most of us recognize the risk football players endure and we believe many of those deserve guaranteed contracts though many would’ve guessed that maybe a Super Bowl winning quarterback may have been the first guy to get that fully guaranteed contract.

Please let me know what’s goodby commenting in the comment section below at www.whatsgoodinsports.com.

By Cameron Buford Contributing Sports Writer Whatsgoodinsports.com As the NBA season whines down, there has been many NBA analysis to broach the topic of the league reseeding the teams that make the playoffs. I first heard this idea, a few years ago, from esteemed Fav 5-member Jalen Rose via his Jalen and Jacoby Podcast. This idea has somehow gained a lot of momentum within NBA circles.

The said purpose of Playoffs reseeding would be to get the league’s best teams, regardless of conference, to compete in the playoffs. Most NBA Fans and reporters would agree that the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors are the two best teams in the league this season. Why not have these teams compete in the Finals for the season championship.

Where I understand that line of thinking, I don’t agree with that mindset. I think about the teams of the past, that struggled to just get to the playoffs such as the injury riddled 2014- 2015 OKC Thunder which missed the playoffs by one game, would have gotten into the playoffs with this new format. Additionally, I

ber of Commerce’s president Fred Jordan, entrepreneur Jonathan Burgess, Dr. Ernest Uwazie Director for African and Peace Resolution at Sacramento State University, Farm Fresh to You executive Pamela Reagh, and others have partnered to work on the project.

The non-profit will hold an informational hearing on their Food and Agriculture Center project on March 20th at the State Capital. The non-profit will also be presenting at the 2018 Art and Agriculture in Sacramento.

Carson Creek Ranch will hold an information day at

disagreed with this change, as I did when the NBA changed their playoff format from the best of 5 games in the first round to the best of 7 games when they made that change back in 2003.

This idea of reseeding the playoff teams would mean a dramatic impact to the current playoff landscape. Below is a look at the NBA Standings, at the time this article was written.

I have also included a look at the playoff standings considering the proposed changes; Though this format would generate some interesting match ups. The fact remains that this would mean the NBA Playoffs history books would be deemed meaningless. Combining the conferences together once the playoffs start would be a drastic change in the playoff. No longer would we have the historic playoffs matchups we’ve seen in the past. If asked, I would vehemently be opposed to these changes. I’d be interested to know your thoughts on these proposed changes Please let me know What’s Good by commenting in the comment section at www.whatsgoodinsports.com.

A New Generation of Black Farmers Farm-to-Fork Hopes to Spur New Generation of African-American Farmers

By Marisol Beas California Black Media Sacramento, Calif. – Carson Creek Ranch proposed the development of a food and agricultural center in Sacramento, which was recently approved by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors.

Carson Creek Ranch wants to address the low participation rates and opportunities presented to African-American Farmers in California. The United States Department of Agriculture 2012 census reported that out of the 126 thousand farmers in California only 526 were of African-American descent.

Michael Harris, Co-Chair of California Agriculture Working Group, along with other collaborators met late February for the first Farm to Fork Friday meeting in Sacramento to discuss the project. The Food and Agriculture center will repurpose 140 acres of the closed Sacramento County Boys Ranch located near Rancho Murrieta. The approved project of the food and agriculture center will partner with U.C. Davis, Los Rios College District, and the Sacramento County Office of Education.

According to Harris the focus of the center will be to introduce agricultural education with the Pan-African experience to youth. The Pan-Africa movement seeks to unite and promote the welfare of all people identified with, or claiming membership as African-American or Black. The center will educate youth with the hopes they will one day pursue PhD programs in agriculture.

The project and advocacy work seeks to give options and choices for people of African descent to be in the Agricultural industry. The Farm Bill allocates one trillion dollars to farmers but African Americans are underrepresented and “not in the room” with congress, added Harris.

“The purpose of the Food and Agriculture center is simple. Currently 1/3 of 1 percent of the Agricultural industry is Black Agriculture and the ongoing education and advocacy is making a difference.”

Engineer and San Francisco African American Cham-

the California Spring Celebration, Sunday, March 25 from 1pm to 5pm at the State Capital. The group will also hold its next Farm-to-Fork meeting in Downtown Stockton on Friday, March 23 from 1:30p.m. to 4:30p.m. at the Alliance.

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THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

Thursday, March 22, 2018

News

NNPA Torch Awards Honor Icons During Black Press Week

(From left-right) Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown, a student of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and pastor of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco; Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.); and James Farmer of General Motors received Torch Awards during a Black Press Week ceremony in Washington, D.C. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA)

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(KEEP INSPIRING STRONG SISTAHS) Female First Black to Nominated Fame of female e Hall _ The first black Stat Conn. (AP) is being nominated to HARTFORD, Assembly

Women’s Retreat Held in Burbank

Tina Knowles-Lawson, wife, entrepreneur, and mother to singers Beyoncé & Solonge Knowles. (Carrington Prichett/Los Angeles News Observer Photo)

By Darlene L. Williams Los Angeles Contributing Beat Writer BURBANK, CA- The K.I.S.S. (Keep Inspiring Tina Knowles-Lawson further empowered the enerpe of HoWomen’s Strong retreat was held Saturday, Feb- getic group with an open question and answer session in geSistahs) Messa ruary, 24th at the Ramada- Burbank Airport Hotel from relation to operating successful businesses.

The CSU’s 1 p.m. to 9.m. The one-day event geared towards inspir“The best businesses are services people need. You ing and empowering women to love themselves, featured want to have a product that people need,” explained dia Keynote Speaker,rni andaMulti-Award Winner, TinaasCampan Knowles-Lawson.

Black Me Tex Womin Pan ts of Ca the lifo famed sister duo, Mary Mary and Q es and t to “Find a couple of people you can trust, she said. anbell Defaecat Gr ’s &E gs Dru PG A session with entrepreneur, designer, philanthropist, to Hide Knowles-Lawson along with husband, Actor Richmotivational speaker, and mother of iconic daughters ard Lawson successfully operates and owns WACO Beyonce’ and Solange; Tina Knowles-Lawson.

(Where Art Can Occur) Theater Group in Los Angeles, The event also included a One-Woman Stage play, where they mentor inner-city youths. an All Male Panel Discussion (What Men REALLY “I’ve always dreamed of mentoring young girls”, she Want?) hosted by Fox 11 News Reporter, Leah Uko; and said.

Flying Over 50 Exotic Dance Coach, Makeda Smith.

Event founder, producer, life-coach, and celebriCampbell, spoke to a group of about 70 women ty hairstylist, Stephanie Singleton told The Bakersfield about the importance of faith, forgiveness, and healing.

News Observer; that the overall message intended “I’m a person of faith, Campbell said. Jesus is for women is that they embrace their “outer and what I do”. inner beauty”.

Campbell, spoke about her marriage to Robert Coats and Brandon Ellis both husband, Teddy Campbell. “I dealt with his inflew out from Akron, Ohio to support Singlefidelity very publicly and it almost destroyed ton and the K.I.S.S. retreat.

“I’m here my marriage. I’ve overcome the opinions of to support the movem e n t people,” she said. and brand. It’s power“God has your life fully orchestrated, Campful for bell told the attentive group, as she began to the womsoftly sing her hit song, “Destiny” an culture. This “I’ve got a destination in my view/ is a great time to push the road may be bumpy getting there/ for the woman, it’s so importBut I’m pressing through/ I will enjoy ant,” Coats said. this journey/ No matter come what “It’s a nice atmosphere; it’s nice what may/ I’ll become better and she’s (Singleton) doing for the women. stronger/ and wiser every It’s important to make women feel powerday.” ful, Ellis said. We are kings and queens.” “ W h y Additionally, Veteran Entertainlook good er and Flying Over 50 Exotic Dance when you can be Coach, Makeda Smith encouraged the good,” Campbell women in attendance to move their said. hips and to “awaken the sleeping goddess within.” “When was the last time Exotic Dance Coach, Makeda Smith leading you shook your hips? Smith asked. the audience in a dance practice. (Carrington Soon the energetic and funny Prichett/Los Angeles News Observer Photo)

Billy Graham Civil Rights Regrets Page A4

Page A6

News Observer K.I.S.S.

By Darlene L. Williams Los Angeles Contributing Beat Writer BURBANK, CA- The K.I.S.S. (Keep Inspiring Strong Sistahs) Women’s retreat was held Saturday, February, 24th at the Ramada- Burbank Airport Hotel from 1 p.m. to 9.m. The one-day event geared towards inspiring and empowering women to love themselves, featured Keynote Speaker, and Multi-Award Winner, Tina Campbell of the famed sister duo, Mary Mary and a Q and A session with entrepreneur, designer, philanthropist, motivational speaker, and mother of iconic daughters Beyonce’ and Solange; Tina Knowles-Lawson.

The event also included a One-Woman Stage play, an All Male Panel Discussion (What Men REALLY Want?) hosted by Fox 11 News Reporter, Leah Uko; and Flying Over 50 Exotic Dance Coach, Makeda Smith.

Campbell, spoke to a group of about 70 women about the importance of faith, forgiveness, and healing.

“I’m a person of faith, Campbell said. Jesus is what I do”.

Campbell, spoke about her marriage to husband, Teddy Campbell. “I dealt with his infidelity very publicly and it almost destroyed my marriage. I’ve overcome the opinions of people,” she said.

“God has your life fully orchestrated, Campbell told the attentive group, as she began to softly sing her hit song, “Destiny” “I’ve got a destination in my view/ the road may be bumpy getting there/ But I’m pressing through/ I will enjoy this journey/ No matter come what may/ I’ll become better and stronger/ and wiser every day.” “ W h y look good when you can be good,” Campbell said.

Mayors California Billion Seek $1.5 eless to Help Hom

Continued

Candidates May Register through March 8th at attherams.com/2018cheerauditions The Los Angeles Rams are hosting cheerleader Bill Cosby’s auditions for the 2018 season starting Sunday, March Daughter Ensa Dies at 44 11. Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders not only perform at home games at the LA Memorial Coliseum and The at Valley’s Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, but also participate in public appearances, events and community service across the Los Angeles region, nationally and internationally throughout the year.

Candidates looking to audition must be 18 or older by Thursday, March 1, and must register online by Thursday, March 8. Walk-up registration is not available. Coverage from last year’s preliminary auditions (KEEP INSPIRING STRONG SISTAHS) can be viewed at therams.com/cheer/videos.

Women’s Retreat In addition, the Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders Held in Burbank are hosting four voluntary workshops prior to auditions at 24 Hour Fitness locations throughout the LA region.

Each workshop includes one hour of dance led by Choreographer JOHN PETERS, followed by a presentation and a Q & A segment with the Rams Cheerleading Director KEELY FIMBRES. Workshops cost $40.00 per person and have limited availability. Footage from last year’s workshops can be viewed here. Interested candidates may sign up for workshops at therams.com/cheerleaders/workshops.

Volume 33 Number 18

the enerempowered awson further and answer session in L. Williams Tina Knowles-L question

By Darlene ng Beat Writer (Keep Inspiring getic group with an open You Febsuccessful businesses.

Los Angeles Contributi people need.

CA- The K.I.S.S. to operating was held Saturday, BURBANK, from relation best businesses are services need,” explained Women’s retreat people Airport Hotelinspir“The General Strong Sistahs)the Ramada- Burbank a product that Fame. towards at member of theut Women’s Hall of was first elected to said. want to have event geared ruary, 24th can trust, she The one-day to love themselves, featured Knowles-Lawson. the ConnecticMargaret E. Morton served four of people you husband, Actor RichCamp1 p.m. to 9.m. g women in 1972. She The late Dem“Find a couple rd Winner, Tinaa Q and along with Representatives . She later won a then owns WACO ing and empowerin and Multi-Awa Mary and the House of Knowles-Lawson y operates and in Los Angeles, g Bridgeport senator and court pist, Keynote Speaker, sister duo, Mary successfull Group terms, representin famed designer, philanthro ard Lawson against an incumbent after a lengthy Occur) Theater bell of the entrepreneur, ocratic primary the general election of iconic daughters (Where Art Can inner-city youths. girls”, she A session with young and mother mentor Democrats. went on to win awson. speaker, they mentoring eventually bewhere redreamed of motivational Solange; Tina Knowles-L the Senate, an Stage play, battle with Bridgeport “I’ve always six terms in tempore in 1990. She and celebriBeyonce’ and also included a One-WomMen REALLY She served life-coach, Bakersfield president pro (What The event and said. coming deputyand died in 2012. told The founder, producer, Panel DiscussionReporter, Leah Uko; Event Singleton Male legislators nominated intended All an message tired in 1992 black women

by Fox 11 NewsCoach, Makeda Smith. “quiet determihairstylist, Stephaniethat the overall their “outer and Four current of fame, citing her Want?) hosted 70 women ty embrace News Observer; 50 Exotic Dance the hall group of about is that they and racism. are accepted on Flying Over Morton to , and healing. spoke to a for women Campbell. to fight prejudice Ellis both Campbell, hall of fame scholars is PhoArtist, Tina nation” the beauty”. of faith, forgiveness e for Brandon Jesus ns inner Gospel Observer and said.

Nominatio and reviewed by a consulting my Winningos Angeles News about the importanc Robert Coats Ohio to support Singleof faith, Campbell basis Akron, n Prichett/L “I’m here Multi-Gram “I’m a person an ongoing to (Carringto flew out from m e n t to) her marriage K.I.S.S. retreat. committee. what I do”. ton and the the movespoke about dealt with his inpowerCampbell, rGetsOld, had to support Campbell. “I almost destroyed is #SexyNeve It appeared as It’s ful for it and brand. husband, Teddy whose motto of moving. publicly and the wom- 57 year-old,up on their feet and been awakened, as the fidelity very I’ve overcome the opinions had This the women to a sultry goddesses side culture. to my marriage.said. an Campsleeping side d, hips from to push if all the inspirational people,” she to life fully orchestrate swayed their Smith used for the is a great time as she began “God has your it’s so import- women blues tune attentive group, event and soulful for the woman, Actress and Calbell told the hit song, “Destiny” view/ said. _ Mayors from state Author, Aspiring for self-love and e; it’s nice what moment. softly sing her a destination in my ant,” Coats Calif. (AP) asked looking Bridgett LaRe’, “I’ve got BNO, “I was it was God.” the women.

“It’s a nice atmospher getting there/ SACRAMENTO, cities on Wednesday what be bumpy largest ) doing for feel power- attendee, told theabout the retreat; I knew another event to help with said the road may through/ I will enjoy $1.5 billion me ifornia’s eleven she’s (Singleton to provide to make women a friend told what a flyer at church, I’m trying to lawmakers growing homeless crisis. would require the But I’m pressing It’s important We are kings and queens.”

“I was handedTowner of Los Angeles, No matter comeand billion they say is a backing legislation that this journey/ ful, Ellis said. ly, Veteran Entertaincreating a $3 tempomovebecome better Dance attendee, LaToya They are Additional place; it’s a that may/ I’ll matching funds, wiser every Over 50 Exotic the find myself.” affordable housing, from a personal to know cities to provide stronger/ and er and Flying Smith encouraged outreach. leaders to be spent on “K.I.S.S. stems I’m helping women us if you pot of money supportive services and to move their day.”

Coach, Makeda to legislative $6.1 Singleton said. love and someone robbed attendance rary shelters, in an earlier letter “ W h y with the state’s women in “awaken the sleeping god- ment, were all born They said should use a quarter of good hips and to “When was the last time we say you love yourself.” look the homeless.called it “the be lawmakers help can can’t that to asked. within.” you dess surplus when hips? Smith billion budget Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer today.’’ you shook your energetic and funny good,” Campbell San Diego California cities that the Soon the issue facing said. federal estimate most pressing Smith leading cited a 2017more than 134,000 homen (Carringto Coach, Makeda The mayors Photo) state now has Exotic Dance in a dance practice.

Demomost populous News Observer the audience day that two billion os Angeles Prichett/L less people. came the same seek $2 Their request announced they will to the mayors’ in response cratic state senators housing, also Los y. She wanted for affordable mayors from and opportunit to excel in Fresno, requests. group includes system to access son continued becoming The bipartisan San Jose, San Francisco, , Anaof the CSU Bakersfield Diego, that if her great-grand his dream of he should M. Coley reassurance Angeles, San Sacramento, Oakland, one day achieve courses

By Dr. SorayaPoly Pomona Gov. e of CSU’s Super school, he might also wanted advice on her husband were Long Beach, Ana. She six months after President, Cal reflecting on the importanc I had meetShe and heim and Santa come less than law. They im-a for college. trying to set Photo) an experience who intro- an astronaut. into him were As I was was bills proposals but (Courtesy mind The resources mother take to prepare came to M. Coley fee and placed signed 15 housing Dr. Soraya Sunday, what American great-grand son that she and her in their 70s and had few Jerry Brown $75 real estate transaction November ballot. great-grand message about the ing an African posed a new bond on the her 8-year-old my A2 duced me to raising. She had heard and the commitment Continued on page billion housing $4 husband were of a college degree increasing value

a

By Tony Khing Media PG&E presentedefCalifornia BlackENTO -- On Feb. 22, to help their SACRAM California Black Media outlets to erican news t was $53,000 grant major African-Am The endowmen California forts in supporting service area. company’s event at The eight Afwithin the a multicultural media CBM with given during co-hosted by PG&E and organizations. t the AfriEndowmen print and broadcast to support sperican-American we work hard but February is a “At PG&E, all year, of many community acknowledgement can-American it’s a formal made significant cial month because erican heroes who’ve erican press is a African-Am African-Am We’re unsung community. We in history. The contributions in the African- American their work. to support vital resource with them work with them in 2018 to initiapleased to partner to continuing energy policy Jimi look forward PG&E updates and Manager ty Relations on important PG&E Communi Post tives,” said such as The other and Harris. from outlets Representatives andSacramento Observer rate plan Time of Use Reporter News, Sun ned about PG&E’s their energy usage. media outlets lear can better manage received informa and how customers session, they also one-hour During the A2

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Exotic Dance Coach, Makeda Smith leading the audience in a dance practice. (Carrington Prichett/Los Angeles News Observer Photo)

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Tina Knowles-Lawson further empowered the energetic group with an open question and answer session in relation to operating successful businesses.

“The best businesses are services people need. You want to have a product that people need,” explained Knowles-Lawson.

“Find a couple of people you can trust, she said.

Knowles-Lawson along with husband, Actor Richard Lawson successfully operates and owns WACO (Where Art Can Occur) Theater Group in Los Angeles, where they mentor inner-city youths.

“I’ve always dreamed of mentoring young girls”, she said.

Event founder, producer, life-coach, and celebrity hairstylist, Stephanie Singleton told The Bakersfield News Observer; that the overall message intended for women is that they embrace their “outer and inner beauty”.

Robert Coats and Brandon Ellis both flew out from Akron, Ohio to support Singleton and the K.I.S.S. retreat.

“I’m here to support the movem e n t and brand. It’s powerful for the woman culture. This is a great time to push for the woman, it’s so important,” Coats said.

“It’s a nice atmosphere; it’s nice what she’s (Singleton) doing for the women.

It’s important to make women feel powerful, Ellis said. We are kings and queens.”

Additionally, Veteran Entertainer and Flying Over 50 Exotic Dance Coach, Makeda Smith encouraged the women in attendance to move their hips and to “awaken the sleeping goddess within.” “When was the last time you shook your hips? Smith asked.

Soon the energetic and funny

First Black Female Nominated to State Hall of Fame

Los Angeles Rams Host Cheerleader 2018 Auditions Candidates May Register through March 8th at

Multi-Grammy Winning Gospel Artist, Tina Campbell.

(Carrington Prichett/Los Angeles News Observer Photo)

57 year-old, whose motto is #SexyNeverGetsOld, had the women up on their feet and moving. It appeared as if all the sleeping goddesses had been awakened, as the women swayed their hips from side to side to a sultry and soulful blues tune Smith used for the inspirational moment.

Bridgett LaRe’, Author, Aspiring Actress and event attendee, told the BNO, “I was looking for self-love and a friend told me about the retreat; I knew it was God.” “I was handed a flyer at church, said another event attendee, LaToya Towner of Los Angeles, I’m trying to find myself.”

“K.I.S.S. stems from a personal place; it’s a movement, Singleton said. I’m helping women to know that we were all born with love and someone robbed us if you can’t say you love yourself.”

The CSU’s Message of Hope

By Dr. Soraya M. Coley President, Cal Poly Pomona As I was reflecting on the importance of CSU’s Super Sunday, what came to mind was an experience I had meeting an African American great-grandmother who introduced me to her 8-year-old great-grandson that she and her husband were raising. She had heard my message about the increasing value of a college degree and the commitment

of the CSU system to access and opportunity. She wanted reassurance that if her great-grandson continued to excel in school, he might one day achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut. She also wanted advice on courses he should take to prepare him for college. She and her husband were in their 70s and had few resources but were trying to set Continued on page A2

Dr. Soraya M. Coley (Courtesy Photo)

PG&E’s Grant to California Black Media

By Tony Khing California Black Media SACRAMENTO -- On Feb. 22, PG&E presented a $53,000 grant to California Black Media to help their efforts in supporting major African-American news outlets within the company’s service area. The endowment was given during a multicultural media event at The California Endowment co-hosted by PG&E and CBM with eight African-American print and broadcast organizations.

“At PG&E, we work hard to support the African-American community all year, but February is a special month because it’s a formal acknowledgement of many unsung African-American heroes who’ve made significant contributions in history. The African-American press is a vital resource in the African- American community. We’re pleased to partner with them to support their work. We look forward to continuing to work with them in 2018 on important PG&E updates and energy policy initiatives,” said PG&E Community Relations Manager Jimi Harris.

Representatives from outlets such as The Post News, Sun Reporter andSacramento Observer and other media outlets learned about PG&E’s Time of Use rate plan and how customers can better manage their energy usage.

During the one-hour session, they also received informa

a Texas _ Police say arrest by Texas (AP) an CORSICANA,to hide evidence during to conceal using the feces woman attempted her pants and defecating in (88 kilomea about 55 miles drugs. g a report of investigatin when they atOfficers in Corsicana, of Dallas, were ters ) south take her into store on Wednesday suspect and Martin in the theft at a grocery subdue a female Shannen lly tempted to say they placed say she intentiona custody. Police cruiser where they pipe, 2.3 grams hid a crack card in her exback of a police her pants then Day defecated in and a Valentine’s feces of crack cocaine woman’s the on crement. to sift through was booked a Officers had of after Martin PG&E, the evidence evidence and possession to retrieve with Energy Efficiency, tampering of Customer Dionne Adams, President charges , PG&E, Voice, Smith, Manager Operations Central Valley Bell, V.P. controlled substance.

PG&E, Julia

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ The first black female member of the General Assembly is being nominated to the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame.

The late Margaret E. Morton was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1972. She served four terms, representing Bridgeport. She later won a Democratic primary against an incumbent senator and then went on to win the general election after a lengthy court battle with Bridgeport Democrats.

She served six terms in the Senate, eventually becoming deputy president pro tempore in 1990. She retired in 1992 and died in 2012.

Four current black women legislators nominated Morton to the hall of fame, citing her “quiet determination” to fight prejudice and racism.

Nominations for the hall of fame are accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed by a consulting scholars committee.

Continued on page A2

Fernandez Diversity,O’Connell,PPG&E, Allen CBM, Valerie Roberts, Publisher, Manager, Director, Manager, Supplier Program Sun Reporter, Felicia Hub, Libby Real, Sr. Wilson, Executive Sac Cultural Jerilyn Gleaves, rd, Publisher,y Support, Regina L to R Justin , Publisher, ations, PG&E, Robertson Amelia Ashley-Wa Communit ral Communic Multicultu Media Group, Pleshette of Black Employees Integrated One New Fiona Chan Publisher,One New Media Group.

Dudley Najieb, Lennice Najieb, G&E and

on page

Multi-Grammy Winning Gospel Artist, Tina Campbell.

(Carrington Prichett/Los Angeles News Observer Photo)

57 year-old, whose motto is #SexyNeverGetsOld, had the women up on their feet and moving. It appeared as if all the sleeping goddesses had been awakened, as the women swayed their hips from side to side to a sultry and soulful blues tune Smith used for the inspirational moment.

Bridgett LaRe’, Author, Aspiring Actress and event attendee, told the BNO, “I was looking for self-love and a friend told me about the retreat; I knew it was God.” “I was handed a flyer at church, said another event attendee, LaToya Towner of Los Angeles, I’m trying to find myself.”

“K.I.S.S. stems from a personal place; it’s a movement, Singleton said. I’m helping women to know that we were all born with love and someone robbed us if you can’t say you love yourself.”

The CSU’s Message of Hope

L to R Justin Real, Sr. Program Manager, PG&E, Allen Fernandez Smith, Manager Customer Energy Efficiency, PG&E, Amelia Ashley-Ward, Publisher, Sun Reporter, Felicia Roberts, Publisher, Central Valley Voice, Dionne Adams, President of Black Employees Community Support, Regina Wilson, Executive Director, CBM, Valerie Bell, V.P. Operations, PG&E, Fiona Chan Integrated Multicultural Communications, PG&E, Jerilyn Gleaves, Manager, Supplier Diversity, PG&E, Julia Dudley Najieb, Publisher, One New Media Group, Pleshette Robertson, Publisher, Sac Cultural Hub, Libby O’Connell,PG&E and Lennice Najieb, One New Media Group.

attherams.com/2018cheerauditions The Los Angeles Rams are hosting cheerleader auditions for the 2018 season starting Sunday, March 11. Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders not only perform at home games at the LA Memorial Coliseum and at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, but also participate in public appearances, events and community service across the Los Angeles region, nationally and internationally throughout the year.

Candidates looking to audition must be 18 or older by Thursday, March 1, and must register online by Thursday, March 8. Walk-up registration is not available. Coverage from last year’s preliminary auditions can be viewed at therams.com/cheer/videos.

In addition, the Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders are hosting four voluntary workshops prior to auditions at 24 Hour Fitness locations throughout the LA region.

Each workshop includes one hour of dance led by Choreographer JOHN PETERS, followed by a presentation and a Q & A segment with the Rams Cheerleading Director KEELY FIMBRES. Workshops cost $40.00 per person and have limited availability. Footage from last year’s workshops can be viewed here. Interested candidates may sign up for workshops at therams.com/cheerleaders/workshops.

First Black Female Nominated to State Hall of Fame HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ The first black female

member of the General Assembly is being nominated to the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame.

The late Margaret E. Morton was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1972. She served four terms, representing Bridgeport. She later won a Democratic primary against an incumbent senator and then went on to win the general election after a lengthy court battle with Bridgeport Democrats.

She served six terms in the Senate, eventually becoming deputy president pro tempore in 1990. She retired in 1992 and died in 2012.

Four current black women legislators nominated Morton to the hall of fame, citing her “quiet determination” to fight prejudice and racism.

Nominations for the hall of fame are accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed by a consulting scholars committee.

California Mayors Seek $1.5 Billion to Help Homeless

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ Mayors from California’s eleven largest cities on Wednesday asked state lawmakers to provide $1.5 billion to help with what they say is a growing homeless crisis.

They are backing legislation that would require the cities to provide matching funds, creating a $3 billion pot of money to be spent on affordable housing, temporary shelters, supportive services and outreach.

They said in an earlier letter to legislative leaders that lawmakers should use a quarter of the state’s $6.1 billion budget surplus to help the homeless.

San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer called it “the most pressing issue facing California cities today.’’

The mayors cited a 2017 federal estimate that the most populous state now has more than 134,000 homeless people.

Their request came the same day that two Democratic state senators announced they will seek $2 billion for affordable housing, also in response to the mayors’ requests.

The bipartisan group includes mayors from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Long Beach, Sacramento, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim and Santa Ana. The proposals come less than six months after Gov. Jerry Brown signed 15 housing bills into law. They imposed a new $75 real estate transaction fee and placed a $4 billion housing bond on the November ballot.

of the CSU system to access and opportunity. She wanted reassurance that if her great-grandson continued to excel in school, he might one day achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut. She also wanted advice on courses he should take to prepare him for college. She and her husband were in their 70s and had few resources but were trying to set Continued on page A2

Dr. Soraya M. Coley (Courtesy Photo)

PG&E’s Grant to California Black Media

By Tony Khing California Black Media SACRAMENTO -- On Feb. 22, PG&E presented a $53,000 grant to California Black Media to help their efforts in supporting major African-American news outlets within the company’s service area. The endowment was given during a multicultural media event at The California Endowment co-hosted by PG&E and CBM with eight African-American print and broadcast organizations.

“At PG&E, we work hard to support the African-American community all year, but February is a special month because it’s a formal acknowledgement of many

Texas Woman Defecates in Pants to Hide Drugs

CORSICANA, Texas (AP) _ Police say a Texas woman attempted to hide evidence during an arrest by defecating in her pants and using the feces to conceal drugs.

www.myfes.net/ognsc (661) 324-9466 observeradvertising@gmail.com

CORSICANA, Texas (AP) _ Police say a Texas woman attempted to hide evidence during an arrest by defecating in her pants and using the feces to conceal drugs.

Officers in Corsicana, about 55 miles (88 kilometers ) south of Dallas, were investigating a report of a theft at a grocery store on Wednesday when they attempted to subdue a female suspect and take her into custody. Police say they placed Shannen Martin in the back of a police cruiser where they say she intentionally defecated in her pants then hid a crack pipe, 2.3 grams of crack cocaine and a Valentine’s Day card in her excrement.

Officers had to sift through the woman’s feces to retrieve the evidence after Martin was booked on charges of tampering with evidence and possession of a controlled substance.

valleynewsobserver.com

By Dr. Soraya M. Coley President, Cal Poly Pomona As I was reflecting on the importance of CSU’s Super Sunday, what came to mind was an experience I had meeting an African American great-grandmother who introduced me to her 8-year-old great-grandson that she and her husband were raising. She had heard my message about the increasing value of a college degree and the commitment

Email Me

Texas Woman Defecates in Pants to Hide Drugs

California Mayors Seek $1.5 Billion to Help Homeless

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ Mayors from California’s eleven largest cities on Wednesday asked state lawmakers to provide $1.5 billion to help with what they say is a growing homeless crisis.

They are backing legislation that would require the cities to provide matching funds, creating a $3 billion pot of money to be spent on affordable housing, temporary shelters, supportive services and outreach.

They said in an earlier letter to legislative leaders that lawmakers should use a quarter of the state’s $6.1 billion budget surplus to help the homeless.

San Diego Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer called it “the most pressing issue facing California cities today.’’

The mayors cited a 2017 federal estimate that the most populous state now has more than 134,000 homeless people.

Their request came the same day that two Democratic state senators announced they will seek $2 billion for affordable housing, also in response to the mayors’ requests.

The bipartisan group includes mayors from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Long Beach, Sacramento, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim and Santa Ana. The proposals come less than six months after Gov. Jerry Brown signed 15 housing bills into law. They imposed a new $75 real estate transaction fee and placed a $4 billion housing bond on the November ballot.

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Thursday, March 1, 2018

Tina Knowles-Lawson, wife, entrepreneur, and mother to singers Beyoncé & Solonge Knowles. (Carrington Prichett/Los Angeles News Observer Photo)

Call Me

PROTECTION THAT PAYS

Thursday, March 1, 2018

r News Observe K.I.S.S. Regrets

The Valley’s

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor Three icons of their respective industries were honored at the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s annual Torch Awards dinner at The Dupont Circle Hotel in Washington, D.C. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), James Farmer of General Motors, and Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown, a student of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and pastor of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco took home the coveted trophies which are bestowed upon those who demonstrate excellence in their chosen profession or endeavor.

This year’s honorees join a legacy of high-achieving, community-serving African Americans.

“The San Francisco Sun Reporter gave me a voice,” said Lee, as she accepted her award from NNPA National Chair Dorothy Leavell, NNPA President Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., and NNPA Foundation Chair Amelia Ashley-Ward, the publisher of the Sun Reporter.

Lee called Ashley-Ward, the publisher of the Sun Reporter, “truly a treasure,” before tearing into a recent secret FBI report that identified some activists in the Black community as “Black Identity Extremists.”

Farmer, whom Chavis praised as one of the most active advocates of the Black Press, completed more than 50 years of dedicated service to “not only his profession, but to the many organizations he served,” Chavis said.

A 1967 graduate of Central State University in Ohio, Farmer entered the automotive industry that year at Airtemp Division, Chrysler Corporation, as an advertising clerk, according to his biography.

There, he began a relationship with the only Black newspaper in Dayton, Ohio, the Dayton Black Express newspaper. After 10 years with Chrysler, Farmer took a position at General Motors where he continued to advocate and support the Black Press—a relationship that continues today.

Farmer said he appreciated the honor and will cherish it.

“This is a group that’s really in my heart,” he said of the Black Press. “If I gave up on the NNPA, I know corporate America could too.”

Brown, who also serves as president of the San Francisco branch of the NAACP and was only one of eight students who took the only college class ever taught by King, said the Black Press has and remains vital in America.

“Again, and again, you have heard from this ‘Dream Team’…this five-star [leadership team],” Brown said of Chavis, Leavell, Ashley-Ward and the leadership of the Black Press. “What African American leaders ought to be about in this nation. You have the chemistry to relate to all people around the word with compassion and courage and I hope you will keep this ‘Dream Team’ intact.”

The ceremony included remarks from Houston Forward Times Publisher and NNPA Vice Chair Karen Carter Richards, who said it was important that the Black Press honor its own.

“If we don’t honor our own, who will? Tonight, we are here to honor distinguished individuals in their fields,” Richards said.

Jackson Caesar, the nephew of gospel great Shirley Caesar, performed two solo songs during the awards ceremony while the group, One Vision Band, provided the entertainment.

Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, the Senior Pastor of the Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, served as keynote speaker.

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Thursday, March 22, 2018

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER A5

Torn Ligament, SZA Powers Through Performance

By MESFIN FEKADU AP Music Writer NEW YORK (AP) _ R&B singer SZA didn’t let a torn ligament in her foot slow her down at a concert for her feverish fans in New York City.

She walked into the venue Friday with a crutch helping her to the chair placed in the middle of the stage. She injured her foot while performing last week at the BUKU Music + Art Project festival in New Orleans.

Backed by three musicians, she delivered her direct lyrics from songs that helped her become the most nominated woman at this year’s Grammy Awards, while her fans sang along.

Though injured, she performed in style, wearing fuzzy, platform, pink slippers though her right foot had a brace on it.

“I don’t really have a plan, but we’re gonna, like, wing this,’’ she said after singing her first song, holding onto the microphone stand for support.

SZA danced excitedly while the Travis Scott verse played from her hit, “Love Galore,’’ and she used both crutches while singing her popular slow groove and crowd favorite, “The Weekend.’’

Her performance at Samsung 837 was in celebration of the company’s new Galaxy S9 phone, released Friday.

Sporting a long sleeved, tie-dye-styled shirt and white pants, she thanked the audience for “vibing with me.’’

SZA was nominated for five Grammys at January’s show, including best new artist and best urban contemporary album for “Ctrl,’’ her major label debut that recently hit platinum status. She will launch “The Championship Tour’’ on May 4 in Vancouver with her Top Dawg Entertainment label mates Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q and others.

Can Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. Change the Face of NASCAR?

By Ronda Racha Penrice Urban News Service HAMPTON, Ga. --- Tiger Woods changed the face of golf. Venus and Serena Williams TRANSFORMED tennis. And now Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. MAY DO THE SAME FOR NASCAR. The 24-year- old race car driver’s Cup Series debut at the iconic Daytona 500 got the nation’s attention. As NASCAR’s first full-time black driver in its elite series since Wendell Scott in 1971, all eyes were on Wallace. Thanks to his second-place finish, the highest-ever by both a black driver and a rookie, those eyes didn’t waver. As Wallace traveled to Hampton, Ga. to race the Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500 February 25 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, fan attention stayed riveted on him.

Even by NASCAR’s super media and fan-friendly standards, Wallace did a lot that Friday prior to the Quicktrip 500. On top of the requisite press conference, he squeezed multiple one-on-one interviews, mostly with local Atlanta TV media. Wallace knows that the heightened interest in him is a combination of his race and his Daytona 500 performance. Instead of downplaying the attention to his race, Wallace, whose father is white, has embraced it.

“There is only 1 driver from an African American background at the top level of our sport. I am the 1. You’re not gonna stop hearing about “the black driver” for years.

Embrace it, accept it and enjoy the journey,” he tweeted November 8, 2017.

Embracing his race doesn’t mean dwelling on it though. “You can psych yourself up by reading all the history and whatnot and doing all of that but that just puts too much pressure on yourself,” he said during an interview at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. “So I’ve learned to focus on just the driving aspect of it and let everything else settle in behind.”

Wallace, who was born in Mobile, Ala. and RAISED in Concord, N.C., began racing go karts at 9 YEARS OLD. By 16, he was competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, the sport’s main developmental series for grooming its next generation, as part of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity initiative. His first race at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway, he won, becoming the youngest driver to ever win at the THAT track. After another win, he finished third overall in the series and received the Rookie of the Year award, a first for an African-American driver.

He won three more times in 2011. Driving for Joe Gibbs Racing TEAM in 2012, he held his own, staying near the top and even winning one race. He had five wins in two years. In 2014, he finished third overall while driving the truck series with Kyle Busch Motorsports. He followed that up by driving with Roush Fenway Racing in the Xfinity Series from 2015 to 2017. When Aric Almirola was injured last year, Wallace filled in by driving for the iconic Richard Petty

Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, Jr. at the Daytona 500. (Photo Credit: Cameras In Action Stock Photography)

Motorsports. His stellar performance prompted a welcome as their full-time driver of the legendary no. 43, now a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, for the 2018 season.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty, nicknamed “The King” for a career that includes sevenNASCAR Championship and Daytona 500 wins each, plus over 700 Top 10 finishes in 1,184 starts, strongly believes Wallace is a future NASCAR star.

APPROACHED DURING THE ROAR OF PRACTICE ROUNDS AT THE ATLANTA MOTOR SPEEDWAY February 23, the NASCAR LEGEND SAID HE SAW WALLACE AS part of the sport’s future. “NASCAR’s face, as far as driving, is changing,” Petty said. “It changes every 12 to 14 years; we’re right in the middle of that. That was one of the reasons I was looking for a younger driver. Of all the ones that we looked at, we thought Bubba was going to be as good or better than any of the rest of them, personality-wise, driver-wise, sponsor-wise, the whole deal.”

Bill Lester, the historic black NASCAR driver who raced two Cup-level races in 2006 and garnered seven top10 finishes in the truck series from 2000 to 2007, champions Wallace but warns that the lack of major sponsorship is a huge obstacle to WALLACE realizing his full potential.

“If they do not get more corporate support, they’re going to struggle,” Lester said of Wallace and his team via telephone. “I always had a good looking car but, when it came to everything that was necessary to [run] at the front, I didn’t have it and that was because I just didn’t have the resources that the top-running teams had and he is in the

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same position.”

NASCAR sponsorship is a REVOLVING door so any race week, sponsors can step up. That has given Wallace an opportunity to attract nontraditional sponsorship like the black-owned, Columbus, Ohio-based moving company E.E. Ward.

Brian Brooks, co-owner of the company founded by former Underground Railroad conductor John T. Ward in 1881 that also counts Richard Petty Motorsports as a client, shared that their support of Wallace in Atlanta, especially during Black History Month, was a very hopeful gesture.

“I think it would be a disgrace if we have to wait another 50 years for someone to come after Bubba to be a driver of color in NASCAR,” Brooks said via phone.

To be a strong contender, Lester insists that Wallace needs Fortune 500 support. “With him not having full sponsorship, which is about an $18 million to $20 million proposition per year these days, he’s at a deficit,” Lester

said.

Like many in NASCAR, Derrell Edwards, a former college basketball player turned Austin Dillon pit crew member who is believed to be the first African-American over-the- wall crew member for a Daytona 500 winner, feels that Wallace’s success is a good look for NASCAR’s future. “I think a lot of the people are going to gravitate towards him …. and it’s going to be great for the culture,” he said.

“We’re lacking in that department when it comes to NASCAR,” Wallace said in conversation regarding the potential impact he and his team could have on increasing black representation in the sport. “For us to be able to go out and do what we do on the racetrack and try to be the best, I think it’s going to help that number grow.”

What’s Good NBA Power Rankings

By Cameron Buford Contributing Sports Writer Whatsgoodinsports.com With four weeks to go in this NBA season, we figured this would be a great time to unveil our NBA Power Rankings. Some changes have been made to our Rankings based on what we have seen over the past couple weeks. Identifying the best teams in the league, with the best athletes in world, is always tough. Though our Power Rankings are meant to do just that.

Starting from #10 our list will work our way to the top spot in our Power Rankings; 10.Washington Wizards- These guys have recently played themselves into our Power Rankings by playing team basketball. Led by Head Coach Scott Brooks, this team is playing exceptionally well without their starting point guard.

9. Indiana Pacers- Nate McMillian’s coaching has this newly assembled team headed to a home court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs 8. New Orleans Pelicans- Since they lost one half of the Twin Towers as anticipated, Antonio Davis has been playing like an MVP carrying his team to the Playoffs in the Western Conference.

7. Oklahoma City Thunder- This team still goes as Russell goes, though he does have better help this season.

The question remains, how far can Russell carrying this team once they get in this upcoming playoff season.

6. Boston Celtics- Though they are young and talented it’s their great coaching they will get them through their

tough points in the season.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers- We have seen this Cavalier team come from behind to win the Eastern Conference, in the past. Though they will have to come together much quicker than they have, they must to achieve the results they have in mind.

4. Portland Trailblazers- This team led by first-year All-Star Damien Lillard, have managed to earn a home court advantage in the upcoming playoffs/ 3. Toronto Raptors- even as they lead the Eastern Conference in wins, this team won’t garner much attention until the playoffs begin.

2. Golden State Warriors- the defending champions are not immune to injuries and though have an embarrassment of riches they will need to summon their best efforts to overcome the loss of the floor general in Stephen Curry.

1. Houston Rockets- James Harden has been playing this entire season as the league’s MVP… so much so he has lead his team to the Top Spot in our Power Rankings.

The NBA’s slogan from year ago, “The NBA is Fantastic,” is never more apropos than now. The combination of youthful teams and experienced teams leads to this very competitive season. It will take peak performances from the teams once the playoffs start, to beat out the champions. But any number of teams can do that if they aren’t hampered by injuries. Please share your thoughts, feedback and opinions by letting me know what’s good about our NBA Power Rankings at www.whatsgoodinsports.com.

Local GLAAACC Honors Heroes

A6

THE VALLEY’S NEWS OBSERVER

California Assembly member Chris Holden (D-41st District), honored with the Assembly Leadership Award for his ongoing commitment to increase reimbursement rates for developmental disability service providers to match local, minimum wage laws. (Holden is pictured with Burbank resident Howard McBroom, a longtime activist on behalf of ESSC.) (Photo Courtesy of Easterseals)

Dulan’s

Thursday, March 22, 2018

(March 19, 2018 -- LOS ANGELES, CA.) – During Women’s History Month, the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) will acknowledge the contributions of three local women trailblazers: Avis Ridley-Thomas, co-director of the Institute for Nonviolence in Los Angeles and Days of Violence; Capri Maddox, Special Assistant City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles; and Christine Keith, president of Elite Auto Network. These women will be recognized at GLAAACC’s 25th Annual Economic Awards Dinner on Friday, March 30, at the JW Marriott L.A. Live, 900 West Olympic Boulevard, in downtown Los Angeles.

GLAAACC’s Community Service Award will be presented to Avis Ridley-Thomas. Founder of the Los Angeles City Attorney’s DisputeResolution Program in 1989, Ridley-Thomas served as its director until retiring in March 2011. The program specialized in mediation,violence prevention, cross cultural relations and has provided consultation, training and support to institutions, businesses, organizationsand communities throughout Southern California.

Under Ridley-Thomas’ leadership, the Dispute Resolution Program grew from four staff members to over 2,000 volunteers who handled thousands of disputesannually. She continues her mission to train people in alternatives to force and violence in her current position as Co-Director of the Institute for Nonviolence in Los Angeles and Days of Violence.

“Only when a community begins to solve the deeper issues that create conflict can a healthier and more cooperative community emerge,” said Ridley-Thomas, who is the wife of County Supervisor Mark Ridley- Thomas.

Special Assistant City Attorney Capri Maddox will receive GLAAACC’s Lawyer of the Year Award. Maddox’s two decades of public service include two separate tenures in the City Attorney’s office. She currently serves as a senior special advisor to City Attorney Michael Feuer, responsible

for leading the City Attorney Business Support program, addressing key Neighborhood Council and City Council requests, and participating in criminal and civil cases.

During Maddox’s initial tenure, she served as Deputy City Attorney and received several complex assignments including the Neighborhood Prosecutor Program – LAPD’s Wilshire Station and Central Trials – Criminal Branch.

After her initial tenure in the City Attorney’s office, Maddox was appointed by former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to serve as president of the Los Angeles Board of Public Works.

Christine Keith will be honored as GLAAACC’s Member of the Year. Prior to becoming president of Elite Auto Network, Keith, a general practice physician, worked at a health clinic owned by her family. It was there that she had an opportunity to work with the Los Angeles Mission Center’s HIV Outreach program on Skid Row. Seeing the overwhelming need for healthcare services, Keith converted her family practice to a free clinic and provided another location for the Los Angeles Mission to offer free medical care for underserved communities.

Her current role at Elite Auto Network, a business her husband started over 30 years ago while in college, also came from Keith spotting another unmet need – auto brokerage for commercial and fleet transportation.

Keith developed Elite Auto Network’s commercial division, which she now oversees, working with corporate accounts such as Southern California Gas, Davey Tree Expert Company and LA Metro.

“Just as black history is American history, women’s history is also American history,” said GLAAACC Chairman Gene Hale. “The efforts of these and otherwomen have provided the framework around which many of the successes in the African American community are built.”

For more information on GLAAACC’s 25th Annual Economic Awards Dinner, visit glaaacc.org, or call (323) 292-1297.

Christine Keith (courtesy photo)

Capri Maddox (courtesy photo)

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Strong Storm Heading WIRELESS CONNECTION Toward California The last rains brought with it mud, boulders and trees that blocked all lanes of U.S. 101.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A strong Pacific storm heading toward California will likely bring an extended period of rain and the threat of flooding and debris flows in areas near wildfire burn scars, forecasters said Monday.

The system, known as an atmospheric river, was tapping into a deep plume of subtropical moisture that could bring the highest rainfall totals of the season for southwestern parts of the state, the National Weather Service said.

“Tuesday will start off uneventfully.... But then there will be a startling change in the weather,'' the Los Angeles-area weather office said.

Preliminary rainfall estimates through Thursday night or early Friday range from 2-4 inches (5-10 centimeters) across coastal and valley areas and 4-6 inches (10-15 centimeters) on south- and southwest-facing foothills and mountains, forecasters said, adding that local amounts up

to 8 inches (20 centimeters) can't be ruled out.

Where exactly the peak rainfall will occur was still uncertain, but meteorologists said it seemed likely it would be Santa Barbara County.

A stretch of the county's south coast was hit hard by a storm on Jan. 9, unleashing massive debris flows from scorched mountains above the community of Montecito.

Hundreds of homes were damaged or destroyed, 21 people were killed and two still remain missing.

On Saturday, the county's emergency managers issued a “pre-evacuation advisory'' for at-risk areas below four wildfire scars. The advisory is intended to give residents 72 hours to prepare for evacuation.

The storm was also expected to spread rain up the coast through the San Francisco Bay region and eastward to the Sierra Nevada, where a flash flood watch will go into effect Wednesday from about Yosemite southward.

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