September 01, 2016
By Shannen Hill
Contributing Writer
The Los Angeles Police Department came out to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, along with the Institute of Nonviolence in Los Angeles, to have an open dialogue with youth about how they could be better officers on Tuesday, August 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Youth from various teen, after-school and foster-care programs came and held no bars as they raised questions about gun control, police brutality and more. The event took place in the community room at the Crenshaw Mall where nine round tables were set up to where each table had a police officer, a facilitator to guide the conversation and about six youth. Many of the youth started off reluctant because it was a mandatory event, but it didn’t take long for the whole room to be filled with conversation.
“It was a blessing to be here,” said Haneef Williams, 16. “I appreciated all of the sharing and we got to see that there’s not all bad cops. There are good cops too.”
The ‘Days of Dialogue’ events have been going on in Los Angeles since 1995 where community members are given the opportunity to voice their concerns to the LAPD, but this was one of the rare occasions where the focus was on young people.
“A lot of the youth at my table didn’t really have experiences with police other than their family members or something that they’ve seen with their friends or on social media,” said Officer Lester Bodiford, who works for the Leimert Park/Crenshaw Corridor of the LAPD. “I think that this is the best way to bridge the gap, you know, to just talk. They’re fed up, but that does not mean that we’re not fed up with the bad cops as well.”
The teens brought up ways to have more productive training by proposing that officers get to know their community on a positive level for some months before going in with a badge and gun. The officers also gave input on their perspective and put the teens in scenarios so they could get an idea of what is going through an officer’s mind.
“I expected to get a better understanding of what the police go through everyday,” said Zachariah Brass, 15. “But what really stood out to me is how each and every young person participated and got up. It really made me feel that we were connecting because we were all relating to the same subjects.”
The topic of social media also came up as the youth talked about how they would like to see more efforts to combat cyberbullying. They also said that social media could be a way for officers to reach out and have a better image.
“I learned that everything that I see on TV and social media is not all that there is,” said Kristin Wealth, 16. “It was very inspirational and motivational to be here and see where the cops are coming from.”
The insight was gained on both sides as many of the police officers were open to the negative criticism. They encouraged the youth to give their opinions and have a discussion where everyone can be heard.
“The youth did a great job with answering the questions and they also weren’t afraid to speak their truth to us and that’s what this dialogue is all about, for them to get out the problems that they have,” said Officer Deandre James, who works for the Southwest Division of the LAPD. “Me being a former foster youth, I just thought that this is an event that should be done on a larger scale, but we have to start somewhere and this is a great start.”
For more information about how you can join the discussion, visit www.daysofdialogue.org or www.futureofpolicing.org.
August 25, 2016
By Shirley Hawkins
Contributing Writer
Thousands of book lovers flocked to the 10th Annual Leimert Park Village Book Fair at the outdoor promenade of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza on Aug. 20 in Los Angeles to experience an exciting event that featured more than 150 authors, writers, storytellers, poets, spoken word performers, vendors and exhibitors.
Executive Director and Festival producer Cynthia E. Exum was joined on stage with her co-chairs, art collectors Bernard and Shirley Kinsey and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark-Ridley Thomas.
“I’m honored and humbled to be able to bring this important literary event to the community,” said Exum, whose book fair was voted as one of “Los Angeles’ Best Annual Book Festivals.”
“Our mission has been to promote and encourage literacy and education and a love of reading to the community and for the past decade, I believe we’ve been successful.”
“Over the course of a decade, the Leimert Park Village Book fair has enlightened and empowered African American culture and provided a hub for local literacy,” said Ridley-Thomas, a long-time supporter.
Dozens of local and national authors greeted their fans on the Plaza Promenade where the genre of books ranged from autobiography and inspiration to mystery, crime and science fiction.
Filmmaker and author Mattie Rich (“Straight Out of Brooklyn” and “The Inkwell”) interviewed legendary musician Charles Wright, (“Express Yourself”) whose autobiography, the gripping “Up From Where We Come,” chronicled the early part of his life from growing up in Jim Crow Mississippi to his early rise in the music business.
“It took me 40 years to write this book,” confessed Wright, founder of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, whose iconic song, “Express Yourself,” has been sampled in 80 television commercials and 30 movies.
“Every time I start reading the book, I start crying,” said Wright, whose book depicts the back breaking poverty experienced by his family.
Actress Megan Good and her husband DeVon Franklin discussed their best-selling book titled “The Wait,” about their courtship and love affair and their journey of practicing celibacy before marriage.
Both said their Christian faith played a large part in their decision to remain celibate during their courtship, adding that their book was written to help other couples who are intent on remaining celibate before marriage.
“The waiting time is a time of preparation, a time to get your character and integrity together,” said Franklin, who added that since he and Good tied the knot, “We are like two teenagers. Everyday has been an adventure.”
Participating on the “Mysteries R Us” panel were science fiction writers Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due, suspense writer and attorney Pamela Samuels Young and mystery writer Gary Phillips.
Husband and wife and writing duo Barnes and Due have been pioneers in writing Black-themed science fiction, fantasy and horror in the literary world.
“I wanted to see people who looked like me represented in science fiction,” said Barnes, whose latest book is “The Seascape Tattoo.”
Due, an award-winning novelist and screenwriter who teaches creative writing at UCLA, said that her short story collection “Ghost Summer” was just optioned by a major cable network.
“Steven and I are currently writing a television pilot. It’s an honor to write about people who look like us being represented on the silver screen,” said Due, who said that Hollywood has recently taken an interest in Black-themed science fiction and horror. “It’s exciting to be part of the wave.”
Grammy Award-winning recording artist Bobby Brown talked about his new biography, “Every Little Step,” which chronicles his life and the tragic deaths of his former wife, singer Whitney Houston and his daughter, Bobbie Christina.
An emotional Brown said that he was taking the tragic losses “one step at a time.”
Celebrated author, and screenwriter Zane, author of 38 novels and known for her spicy, erotic fiction and the publisher of Strebor Books International, was interviewed by Our Weekly editor Julianna Norwood.
Her latest book, “Vengeance,” is about a man leading a triple life. “It’s the most complex character I’ve ever written,” said Zane, who also has several TV shows.
Panel discussions included “Are We Better Off Today? The issue of Race, Obama and the African American Community” which was moderated by KJLH host Dominique DiPrima and featured author Dr. Julianne Malveaux (“Are We Better Off?”) April Ryan (“The Presidency in Black and White”) and Erin Aubrey (“I Heart Obama.”)
The LPVBF is produced by Exum and Associates in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs; and Capri Capital Partners of Baldwin Hills Crenshaw.
August 18, 2016
There’s THREE ways to enter the StarQuest Singing Competition this year!
Option 1: Enter Via Taste of Soul mobile app
(DEADLINE TO ENTER: September 16, 2016)
· Download the Taste of Soul app. Look up “Taste of Soul” in App Store or Google Play
· Record a 45 second video of yourself singing
· Fill out entry form
· Upload video under the “StarQuest” tab on the main page of app
· Get your family & friends to VOTE for your video!!
Option 2: Enter Via www.tasteofsoulla.org
(DEADLINE TO ENTER: September 16, 2016)
· Go to www.tasteofsoulla.org/starquest
· Record a 45 second video of yourself singing
· Fill out entry form
· Upload video to Youtube, Vimeo or Dailymotion
· Enter URL of uploaded video to www.tasteofsoulla.org/starquest
· Get your family & friends to VOTE for your video and share to social media!!
Whoever gets the most votes from entering on the Taste of Soul mobile app or website, will become the “People’s Choice” Finalist and will get to compete against 9 other finalists at the Taste of Soul StarQuest stage October 15, 2016!! You are permitted to enter both on the app, website AND in person!
Option 3: Enter in person at the live auditions on September 24-25 at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza
· On both September 24 & September 25 StarQuest will give BOTH StarQuest 4 Kids (5-17 years old) and StarQuest for adults (18+ years old) the chance to audition to become a finalist!
· Saturday, September 24 auditions will go from 10am-4pm (ALL AGES WELCOME)
· Sunday, September 25 auditions will go from 1pm-4pm (ALL AGES WELCOME)
Good luck!!
Follow us on Twitter @TasteofSoulLA and Instagram @TasteOfSoulLA
#TOS16 #StarQuest16 #FamilyAffair
August 11, 2016
LAWT News Service
What would make Los Angeles an even better place to live? In 2016, AARP staff posed this question online and in person via listening posts — large writing surfaces stocked with markers and pens — in South Los Angeles. In both instances, community members were asked to weigh in on this simple, yet essential question. Responses formed a true snapshot of the intersection between the existing beauty of communities and the endless possibilities of how they can be made even better; they ranged from affordable housing, to safe parks, reliable transit and intergenerational connectivity.
“In May of this year Los Angeles City and County joined AARP’s Network of Age Friendly Communities, and these resident responses truly represent the pillars of this initiative,” AARP California State Director Nancy McPherson said. “The ultimate positive outcome for Angelenos of all ages – for children playing on the sidewalks, for people on bicycles, for grandparents out for a stroll – is safety, accessibility and vibrant good health supported by their communities.”
In the spirit of this unique cultural collage, AARP commissioned Synthia Saint James – a celebrated self-taught visual artist, author and true age-disruptor – to use her unique talents to draw insights from the public response and create an original piece titled “Our Community.” The portrait draws vibrant colors and distinctive shapes to portray a community that is safe, active, and inclusive. It will brighten commutes when it appears on LA Metro Expo line trains beginning this August.
“I really get jazzed when I’m driving through Los Angeles … and I see art in all kinds of public places. You get eye candy from just being able to see bright colors whenever you can,” Saint James says. “Seeing art in communities, or wherever we see it, is uplifting. It’s something that balances the world out.”
The piece not only paints a picture of the community as its residents see it, but it also illustrates how communities can embody AARP’s 8 Domains of Livability – the idea that the built environment and the social environment should have qualities that benefit people of all ages and abilities. This interactive project has provided members of the community with an opportunity to envision their neighborhoods as they wish to see them, and it has brought that vision to life through the use of art.
“Our Community” is the second installment of AARP in Los Angeles’ ongoing “Portraits of Community” project. In 2015, we invited Yolanda Gonzalez – a celebrated Chicana painter, art educator and punk rocker at heart – to be the inaugural artist for the project. The culmination of the first phase of this project saw Gonzalez’ artworks featured on a Metro Gold Line train.
AARP in Los Angeles is proud to continue fostering this unique project by helping communities who are Living, Growing, Connecting – Locally!