November 15, 2018
By Brian W. Carter
Contributing Writer
On Thursday, November 22, Mothers In Action (MIA) will celebrate 23 years of providing Thanksgiving Day meals to Ward Villas Senior Apartment Complex, seniors, sick and shut-in residents in need throughout the greater Los Angeles area and surrounding communities. MIA’s has a long list of elected officials, celebrities, law enforcement, and organizations that all come together to make this highly anticipated community service event work every year.
Thanksgiving at Ward Villas was started by the late Brenda Marsh Mitchell and Lillian Mobley in 1995 to give seniors a holiday meal, who are forgotten and/or neglected during the holiday season. It has been affirmed by both Brenda and Tracy that on Thanksgiving Day, that unfortunately sometimes the faces of the volunteers who deliver the meals to the seniors and shut-in are the only visitation the recipients of the meals receive that day.
For over two decades, MIA has forged an ongoing partnership with Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker of Ward Villas Senior Complex. This partnership has brought a wealth of love and gratitude to the residents of Ward Villas and our community at large. Four years ago, Holman United Methodist Church joined MIA as a community partner. MIA extends their gratefulness to media partners, the L.A. Sentinel & L.A. Watts Times for their editorial support, ads, donations, volunteers over the years.
The Thanksgiving Day Senior Feed at Ward Villas is a traditional Thanksgiving dinner: turkey, cranberries, dressing, green beans, macaroni & cheese, salad, dessert and a beverage served and delivered to seniors or to those who are unable to leave their house because they are sick and shut-in. Every meal recipient will receive a Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper, a hot meal and a greeting card in a recyclable bag. Seniors that are served onsite are treated to a good meal, live entertainment, the company of their special guests, friends and loved ones.
“Words cannot express the depths of our gratitude for the elected officials and their continuous support of Mothers In Action: Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, Council President Herb Wesson of the 10th District, Councilmember Curren Price of 9th District, and Councilmember Marqueece Harris – Dawson of 8th District,” said MIA president, Tracy Mitchell. “When God gives you something to do, He will give you what you need to do it. We are so honored to have our village of volunteers, donors, generations of families and friends that give their time, talent and treasure to contribute to the success of this event.
Whether it’s monetary donations, sodas, salad, bread, centerpieces, turkeys to recyclable bags, clean up, serving or delivering meals, Tracy is extremely grateful to all the volunteers, donors and sponsors who come out to make this day happen. We are also very appreciative to the youth groups and individual young people between the ages of 3 -21 that make Thanksgiving cards to go with every meal served or delivered.
Special thanks to Danny Bakewell, The Bakewell Family Foundation, Chef Marilyn, Fabian Wesson, Girl Scout Troop 1565 along with their leaders and mothers, Howard & Associates, Hyundai, Isadore Hall, Joyce Jamison, LAPD South Traffic Division CTSU, LAUSD Board member Dr. George McKenna of District 1, Lisa Square, Ms. Fannie Upshaw, Mothers In Action staff, Oscar Joel Bryant Foundation, Richard Calhoun, Robert Torrence, I Health, Inc., Sharon Robinson, The Family of Everett Courtney, The McKinney Family, The Randolph Family, The Starving Actor, Yvonne Wheeler and all of our other donors and volunteers.
This year, MIA will serve 250 seniors onsite at Ward Villas Senior Complex and deliver up to 800 meals. Volunteers are needed to deliver Thanksgiving meals from 9:00am – 2:00pm, prep for to go meals, prepare dining room, serve meals and clean up/breakdown.
Ward Villas Senior Complex is located at 1177 West Adams Blvd. in Los Angeles, CA 90007. The Mitchell Family would also like to thank Danny Bakewell and their mother, the late Brenda Marsh-Mitchell for teaching the importance of giving back to the community and loving your neighbors.
To donate go to www. gofundme.com/MIA-Thanksgiving-Day-Feed or Drop or mail donations to Mothers In Action, 4401 Crenshaw Blvd, suite 315, Los Angeles, CA 90043. Thanksgiving cards can be delivered to the above address as well by Monday, November 20, 2018 by 5:00pm.
Follow Mothers In Action on Facebook and follow them on Twitter (@mothersinaction). For more information, contact (323) 290-0456 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tracy Mitchell contributed to this article.
November 08, 2018
LAWT News Service
The Los Angeles Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will conduct its election this month.
On Sunday, November 18, 2018 at the Los Angeles NAACP Branch office at 3:00 p.m. there will be a report from the Nominating Committee, receipt of Nominations by Petition and election of the Election Supervisory Committee.
The Los Angeles NAACP Branch Office is located on the top floor in the Westfield Culver City Mall (Fox Hills) near JC Penney.
All members whose memberships are current as of April 1, 2018 may be nominated for office or as an at-large member of the Executive Committee. In order to sign a nominating petition, or be elected to the Election Supervisory Committee, a member must be current as of 30 days prior to the November 18th meeting.
On Friday, November 30, 2018, the election of officers and at-large members of the Executive Committee will take place at the Los Angeles NAACP Branch office. Polls will open from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
In order to vote in the Branch election, one must be a member in good standing of the Branch 30 days prior to the election. A form of identification is required.
For further information please call the Los Angeles NAACP Branch office at (310) 397-1171.
November 08, 2018
LAWT News Service
Members of the Museum of African American Art (MAAA) Los Angeles, recently explored the National Museum of African American History and Culture, on their recent, 6-days, 5-nights, arts, history and cultural tour of Washington, DC and fundraiser for the MAAA.
Next up at the MAAA, Sunday, November 18, 3pm – 5pm, actress Wendy Raquel Robinson will emcee the annual Holiday Lighting of the Tree Celebration, during which the MAAA event space will be named in honor of a longtime supporter of the MAAA and former Macy’s executive, Carol Jackson, who passed last year.
This holiday, family event will feature performances by LA Performing Arts HS dancer, Jarrett Elam; students from Amazing Grace Conservatory (AGC); and West Angeles COGIC Angelic Children’s Choir. The celebration also launches the holiday shopping season in the MAAA Gift Shop. Parking and admission to this event are free and refreshments will be served.
The entire community is asked to join in the #WeWantMichelle, social media campaign to help bring Michelle Obama to the Museum of African American Art, during her upcoming book tour for her memoir, Becoming.
The MAAA was founded in 1976, by noted artist and art historian Dr. Samella Lewis and a group of academic, artistic, business, and community leaders to increase public awareness of African American art. It operates based on individual and corporate contributions and the generous support of Macy's, which donates space on the third floor of its Baldwin Hills Crenshaw store located at 4005 Crenshaw Blvd. The museum is open Thursday to Sunday, noon to 5pm. For more info visit: www.maaala.org.
October 25, 2018
By Jennifer Bihm
Contributing Writer
Since its inception, Children’s World has been a part of the Taste of Soul, now thirteen years strong as the Los Angeles’ largest family oriented street festival. Of course there can be no family event without something for the children and TOS officials aim to make this part better every year. This year, participants included Disney’s new “Nutcracker” movie reps, with a photo booth for the kids, chesstutors.com and Vision to Learn, offering free eye exams.
Children’s World is about more than just games, prizes and activities. Bakewell Media understands the importance of education and students having all the powerful tools they need to thrive during the school year. With that being said, Bakewell Media asked the non-profit Vision to Learn, to bring their vision mobile clinic to Children’s World. The day of Taste of Soul, children received a free eye screening along with a free pair of glasses to give them the confidence they need to step back in the classroom.
“We’re doing a preliminary screening and if [participants] qualify, we are providing them with free sample lenses,” said a Vision to Learn spokesperson the day of the event.
Children also got to enjoy free carnival games, custom T shirt prints and the opportunity for photos with Disney’s Nutcracker princess; the movie will be out this November. Entertainment was provided by Children’s World host and founder of the School Tour, Randy Hankins, with performances by BoomSquad, and others. Kids First was also there, providing information about the importance of child safety seats.
In its beginning stages, TOS Children’s World has provided all types of entertainment including a petting zoo for the kids. It has evolved over the years with entertainment like Artiistri and DJ Kiss, and volunteers and hosts like Bank of America and the Challengers Boys and Girls Club. This year’s Children’s World was sponsored by the Plenary Group and Metro.
“Taste of Soul has grown into the greatest demonstration of all that is possible for and within our community when we collectively pull our time, resources, and talents for the betterment of all,” said Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. the event’s creator and founder.
“The millions of people who have enjoyed Taste of Soul over the years sends a clear message to everyone that as businessmen and women, consumers and as a political force, we cannot and will not be ignored or denied.”
Staff writer Kimberlee Buck contributed to this report.