October 03, 2019 

By Cora Jackson-Fossett 

Contributing Writer 

 

The campaign for cleaner air has extended with the South Coast Air Quality Management District enlisting South L.A. community leaders to spread the message to the public.

 

During a forum hosted by Sentinel Executive Editor and Bakewell Media president Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., a contingent of elected officials, nonprofit heads and faith-based representatives, listened as SCAQMD executives outlined how air pollution negatively impacts everyone in the region, especially minorities in low-income neighborhoods.

 

“Air quality is something you take for granted, but once I understood the importance of it and how Black and communities of color have been neglected, I want to urge everyone to work together to improve the quality of our air,” said Bakewell.

 

Dr. William Burke, chairman of the SCAQMD governing board, echoed those sentiments as he explained how the attendees could assist the agency in fulfilling its mission to clean the air and protect the health of all residents through practical and innovative strategies.

 

“Everyone is affected by the air quality because everyone breathes,” said Burke. “I am asking for your intellect, direction and input in educating people on what air quality means to our health and our children.” Burke added that SCAQMD has “allocated a huge educational program for the school districts in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.”

 

Bayron Gilchrist, SCAQMD general counsel, also stressed the impact of air quality on children, relating the crisis that his daughter endured during delivery.  He recounted that she was born with a cord wrapped around her neck and not breathing, but fortunately, the medical staff was able to restore her life.

 

“When we talk about air quality or air pollution, the people who are most affected, our children. There is evidence that air pollution stunts their growth. There are thousands of children in the South Coast area that struggle to breathe and they don’t have doctors or nurses to help them breathe. We are working tirelessly to address those issues,” said Gilchrist.

 

Actually, SCAQMD has made considerable progress in reducing smog in its role as the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality in the four counties and Coachella Valley. Maximum levels of ozone have declined to less than ¼ on what they were in the 1950s, despite the tremendous increase of people and vehicles in the region.  Stage I smog alerts, which previously occurred 100-120 times a year, have been eliminated and the area hasn’t reached Stage II levels since the 1980s.

 

In addition, the agency offers a range of resources for residents, businesses and local governments. 

 

For example, community members can take advantage of incentives such as the Clean Air furnace rebate program and the Replace Your Ride, which provides qualified applicants with up to $9,500 to replace their existing cars with newer, cleaner vehicles or transit passes or car-sharing modes of transportation.

 

Small businesses can also receive financial incentives for implementing cleaner technologies like non-toxic dry cleaning machines and new or retrofit engines for heavy-duty on-road trucks. And both businesses and governments are eligible for assistance to comply with South Coast AQMD rules and regulations, air quality policies, permit conditions, and recordkeeping requirements.

 

While the agency has reaped many successes throughout its decades-long existence, officials said more work must be done to meet 2023 and 2032 air quality standards and 2050 climate goals. Yet, they believe that with the participation of community leaders and members, they can succeed in continuing to improve the air in the South Coast District.

 

The attendees, who vowed their support, included a wide representation of the South L.A. leadership.  The elected officials consisted of L.A. Council President Herb J. Wesson, Councilmembers Curren Price and Marqueese Harris-Dawson, Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer and Dr. George McKenna, LAUSD board member. Heather Hutt, state director for U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, was also present.

 

Other attendees were Elder Charles Blake II, assistant pastor of West Angeles Church of God in Christ; Charisse Bremond-Wheeler, president/CEO of the Brotherhood Crusade; Minnie Hadley-Hempstead, NAACP; “Sweet” Alice Harris, founder of Parents of Watts; Michael Lawson, president/CEO of the L.A. Urban League; the Rev. William Smart, president/CEO of the Southern California Leadership Conference; the Rev. K.W. Tulloss, president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of L.A. and Southern California; and Yvonne Wheeler, national representative for the American Federation of Government Employees.

 

The SCAQMD staff members on hand included Wayne Nastri, executive officer; Derrick Alatorre, deputy executive officer; and Fabian Wesson, assistant deputy executive officer/public advisor. The enthusiastic group adjourned, committing to support South Coast AQMD’s fight for air equality.

 

To learn more about air quality or to check the air quality in your area visit, http://www.aqmd.gov/

Category: Business

September 19, 2019 

By Kristina Dixon 

Contributing Writer 

 

“The marginalized section of the community that has the lowest achievement outcomes, that has the highest risk indicators, if we take care of that community, it will create the tide to lift all boats,” said Jeffery Wallace, President & CEO of LeadersUp, at a recent lunch convening of business and civic leaders to discuss the unemployment crisis in South Los Angeles. While hiring Black is sometimes an idea left behind, LeadersUp has made it a top priority. The nonprofit talent development accelerator annually engages about 9,000 individuals, trains an average 4,500 and connects 2,250 to employment with 100+ employer partners and a network of 36 community/systems.

 

LeadersUp not only  recruits, trains and advocates for inclusive hiring practices  but it partners with employers who are looking to hire diverse talent NOW! And its growing its Fair Chance Coalition of employers adopting hiring practices inclusive of jobseekers with prior arrests and convictions.

 

Danny Bakewell Sr.’s partnership with LeadersUp and its President and CEO  Jeffery Wallace is sharpened by the idea that creating opportunities for job placement, wealth creation, and career pathways is vital for the health of our community. On September 17, the two powerhouses spent the afternoon with a small group of business and community thought leaders.

 

What does it mean to be "qualified" for an employment opportunity? What initiatives are large companies developing to integrate with their surrounding communities? Will Angelenos reap the benefits of the multibillion-dollar development projects around LA?

 

These are just a few of the questions that arose during their discussion about staggeringly high youth unemployment in South Los Angeles. Participants shared best practices and issued a call to action to influencers and the private sector.

 

LeadersUp focuses on connecting young adults ages 18 to 29 to economic opportunity, but doesn’t turn anyone away from its annual hiring events. The luncheon served as an introduction and extension of the partnership between Bakewell Media, owner of the Los Angeles Sentinel, and LeadersUp to help eradicate unemployment among young adults in South Los Angeles.

 

Participating companies included Learn4Life; Chase Bank; Bank of America; LA Metro; LADWP; LADOT; LAWA; GLAAACC; the Lucas Museum; and the office of Congresswoman Karen Bass.

 

“The unemployment rate for young adults of color in lower income communities is three times higher than the unemployment rate of young adults in Los Angeles proper. The luncheon brought together civic and business leaders to share ideas on how to eradicate, or at least lower, the unemployment rate in South Los Angeles. Our objective is to create access to career pathways for young adults, with a focus on justice-involved youth, that will lead to jobs paying$55k-$60k a year including benefits,” said LeadersUp spokesperson Karen Lewis.

 

The luncheon opened with guests greeting each other and eating tasty food catered by Castle’s Southern and Creole Catering.

 

Welcoming remarks were given by Danny Bakewell, Sr., Chairman of Bakewell Media. Mr. Bakewell introduced and spoke highly of Wallace to the audience of corporate leaders stating, “He is creating an institution that we will all remember. No black person in Los Angeles should not have a job. There are enough jobs available and we have the talent and organizations like LeadersUp to prepare them for work. Jeffery Wallace is a man that can make things happen; he thinks beyond the usual.”

 

LeadersUp provides assistance with resume writing, mock interviews and wardrobe selection at its hiring events. Next month, the nonprofit plans to introduce an app that will send push notifications to subscribers about orientations, background screenings and the status of their applications. 

 

“Imagine a world where people can maximize their potential without barriers,” said Wallace. “That’s the future we want for South LA.  LeadersUp will work to ensure that becomes the new normal.”

 

Representatives from each company provided insights  on what employers can do to help alleviate the crisis. Malgy Blue, Executive Director of Wealth for JP Morgan Chase, a key sponsor of the Sentinel’s Taste of Soul festival and other community events, said: “LeadersUp is an incredible organization that fills a critical need in our community. It’s all about bridging the divide between jobseekers and employers. LeadersUp has the capabilities and the resources to connect jobseekers of color with employers looking to hire diverse talent to create a win-win for everybody.”

 

For more information go to www.leadersup.org.

Category: Business

September 12, 2019 

By Saybin Roberson 

Contributing Writer 

 

The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) has been awarded a $3.7 million grant aimed at giving job training and supportive services to 250 residents of Watt’s Nickerson Gardens.

 

“Angelinos will benefit from the Jobs Plus program are going to take us to unimaginable places, places we never believed possible,” Mayor Eric Garcetti shared in the excitement of the new program that will change the community.

 

The Jobs Plus Initiative Grant was given by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will train and place residents for careers in healthcare and construction. Wednesday, September 4, residents and special guests celebrated the new opportunity and multiple centers set up for peak prosperity among the community.

 

“We see Watts rising, thanks to state dollars that are putting Watts at the front of the line,” Mayor Garcetti stated. “We know that we aren’t just turning around and transforming lives; we are saving lives.”

 

In attendance at Nickerson Gardens Sage Center alongside Mayor Garcetti were Congress­woman Nanette Barragan, Council­man Joe Buscaino, HACLA President & CEO Doug Guthrie, and HUD Field Office Representative Ray Brewer. A special testimony was also shared amongst attendees from a Nickerson Gardens resident, Julie Legardye.

 

“It takes a lot of people to make things like this happen, there is not one person, in particular, it’s everybody working together,” Congress­woman Nanette Barragan stated. “Partnership - it’s working together at all levels, local, state, and federal, that is what we need to do.”

 

Congresswoman Barragan shared her excitement surrounding the partnership between HACLA and the Department of Health and Human Services. A component of the Jobs Plus Program created to address the disparities in healthcare.

 

“What better than to hire from within, within our community to address these disparities and have people in these careers who not only understand those disparities but help close the gap,” congresswoman stated. “What’s exciting for me, is that it’s going to be happening right here in Nickerson Gardens,” she continues to say. This bond will allow residents to join the healthcare workforce through training and jobs.

 

“The work is just starting, and we must make sure we follow through. That the people need the opportunities, get the opportunity and we put people to work right here,” said Congresswoman Barragan who promised to fully commit to the community to produce positive results.

 

Another highlight to the event was a special moment shared by a beloved resident of 10-years, Julie Legardye who currently works for the Painters Union for the past seven years.

 

“I got started with job and housing fair. I always took advantage,” Legardye stated as she shared her journey with the crowd. “It was just a job to me, but now it is a career, and it pays well. I just encourage everybody to take advantage of the jobs that they have here because it pays off in the end.”

 

Following the press conference, a Community Resource, Health, and Employment Fair officially launched the four-year Jobs Plus Initiative. During this time residents were invited to tour the Job Plus Center, the Watts/LA AJCC Portal & Employment Tech Center, Youth Leadership Center, and more.

 

Danielle Smith, resident, and mother living in Nickerson Gardens shared her gratitude and enthusiasm, “I feel good about this event. It is a positive thing going on and we need all that they are bringing to the table.”

 

As an employed member of the community, Smith is hopeful she too can go further in her career with help of the Jobs Plus Program and looks forward to the positive benefits the youth center will bring about.

 

“I’m most excited about the Youth Center. We need to be more focused in on our youth, so that’s a good thing,” she shared. Among many other residents, Smith was joined by members of her family for food, fun, and celebration of a brighter future thanks to the Jobs Plus Program.

Category: Business

September 05, 2019 

By City News Service 

 

A Los Angeles City Councilman proposed today a new approach to addressing the city's homeless crisis, suggesting the city create an advisory board composed of the very people affected by the issue – the currently or recently homeless.

 

“We set ourselves up for failure if we do not take into account the experience of people who have been homeless,” Councilman Mike Bonin said.

 

“Programs that sound good on paper or in a City Council meeting may not work given the complexities of being without housing. We need to be listening to the people who can tell us if the programs taxpayers are paying for are working as intended.”

 

The panel would be modeled after other city advisory commissions and would provide expert and real-world experience to help guide city actions on homelessness.

 

Bonin said there have been efforts by nonprofit organizations and government bodies to employ homeless people, and billions of dollars are being invested in supportive housing. But the homeless population has lacked any form of democratic representation.

 

“As a result, elected officials and policymakers rarely hear when programs fail to work as advertised, when resources and staff are misaligned, how new ordinances impact people who are homeless, or how sexism, homophobia and institutional racism impact services,” Bonin said.

 

Bonin’s motion asks the city’s chief legislative analyst to make recommendations to the City Council on the most effective way to establish a “Commission on Lived Ex­perience with Homelessness.” Bonin’s proposal also calls for the legislative analyst to consult with people who are or who have been homeless as they prepare their recommendations.

 

The proposal was referred to the council’s Homelessness and Poverty Committee.

Category: Business

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