April 27, 2023

By Cheyanne Mumphrey

Associated Press

Every decision Assata Salim makes for her young son is important. Amid a spike in mass killings, questions of safety were at the top of her mind when choosing a school. Next on her checklist was the school’s culture.

Salim and her 6-year-old, Cho’Zen Waters, are Black. In Georgia, where they live, public schools are prohibited from teaching divisive concepts, including the idea that one race is better than another or that states are fundamentally racist.

To Salim, the new rules mean public schools might not affirm Cho’Zen’s African roots, or accurately portray the United States’ history of racism.

“I never want to put his education in the hands of someone that is trying to erase history or recreate narratives,” she said.

Instead, Cho’Zen attends a private, Afrocentric school — joining kids across the country whose families have embraced schools that affirm their Black heritage, in a country where instruction about race is increasingly under attack. At Cho’Zen’s school, Kilombo Academic & Cultural Institute in an Atlanta suburb, photos of Black historical figures hang on the walls. And every single student and teacher identifies as Black or biracial.

In recent years, conservative politicians around the country have championed bans on books or instruction that touch on race and inclusion. Books were banned in more than 5,000 schools in 32 states from June 2021 to June 2022, according to free-speech nonprofit PEN America. Instructional bans have been enacted in at least 16 states since 2021.

Even when a topic isn’t explicitly banned, some teachers say the debates have caused them to back away from controversy. The situation has caused more Black families to leave public schools, opting for homeschooling or private schools that embrace their identity and culture. Public school enrollment of Black students between pre-K and 12th grade has declined each year measured in federal data since 2007.

“I think it is important to teach those harsh moments in slavery and segregation, but tell the whole story,” said Salihah Hasan, a teaching assistant at Kilombo Institute. “Things have changed drastically, but there are still people in this world who hate Black people, who think we are still beneath them, and younger children today don’t understand that. But that is why it is important to talk about it.”

Kilombo goes further, focusing on the students’ rich heritage, from both Africa and Black America. “I want him to know his existence doesn’t start with slavery,” Salim said of her son.

The private, K-8 school occupies the basement of Hillside Presbyterian Church just outside Decatur, an affluent, predominantly white suburb. Families pay tuition on a sliding scale, supplemented by donations.

Classrooms feature maps of Africa and brown paper figures wearing dashikis, a garment worn mostly in West Africa. In one class, the students learn how sound travels by playing African drums.

The 18-year-old school has 53 students, up a third since the start of the pandemic. Initially, more parents chose the school because it returned to in-person learning earlier than nearby public schools. Lately, the enrollment growth has reflected parents’ increasing urgency to find a school that won’t shy away from Black history.

“This country is signaling to us that we have no place here,” said Mary Hooks, whose daughter attends Kilombo. “It also raises a smoke signal for people to come home to the places where we can be nourished.”

Notably, the student body includes multiple children of public school teachers.

Simone Sills, a middle school science teacher at Atlanta Public Schools, chose the school for her daughter in part because of its smaller size, along with factors such as safety and curriculum. Plus, she said, she was looking for a school where “all students can feel affirmed in who they are.”

Before Psalm Barreto, 10, enrolled in Kilombo, her family was living in Washington, D.C. She said she was one of a few Black children in her school.

“I felt uncomfortable in public school because it was just me and another boy in my class, and we stood out,” she said.

Racial differences are evident to babies as young as three months, research has shown, and racial biases show up in preschoolers. Kilombo provides a space for kids to talk about their race.

“I’m Blackity, Black, Black!” said Robyn Jean, 9, while spinning in a circle. Her sister, Amelya, 11, said their parents taught them about their Haitian American heritage — knowledge she thinks all children should have. “I want them to know who they are and where they come from, like we do,” Amelya said. “But in some schools, they can’t.”

Last year, Georgia passed a bill known as the Protect Students First Act, which prohibits schools from promoting and teaching divisive concepts about race. Elsewhere, bills that restrict or prohibit teaching about race- and gender-related topics passed in states including Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. In other states, such as Arkansas, restrictions have come via executive orders.

Proponents say the restrictions aim to eliminate classroom discussions that make students feel shame or guilt about their race and the history and actions of their ancestors.

The bills have had a chilling effect. One-quarter of K-12 teachers in the U.S. say these laws have influenced their choice of curriculum or instructional practices, according to a report by the RAND Corporation, a global policy think tank.

At Kilombo, daily instruction includes conversations about race and culture. Founder Aminata Umoja uses a Black puppet named Swahili to welcome her students, ask how they are doing and start the day with morals and values rooted in their African heritage.

The puppet might say: “‘Let’s talk about iwa pele. What does that mean?’ and then one of the children will tell us that it means good character,” said Umoja, who teaches kindergarteners through second graders.

Teaching life skills and values, Umoja said, has its roots in freedom schools started during the Civil Rights Movement, in response to the inferior “sharecropper’s education” Black Americans were receiving in the South.

The school follows academic standards from Common Core for math and language arts and uses Georgia’s social studies standards to measure student success. But the curriculum is culturally relevant. It centers Black people, featuring many figures excluded in traditional public schools, said Tashiya Umoja, the school’s co-director and math teacher.

“We are giving children of color the same curriculum that white children are getting. They get to hear about their heroes, she-roes and forefathers,” she said.

The curriculum also focuses on the children’s African heritage. A math lesson, for instance, might feature hieroglyphic numerals. Social studies courses discuss events in Africa or on other continents alongside U.S. history.

When she was in public school, Psalm said she only learned about mainstream Black figures in history, such as Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman. Now, she said, she is learning about civil rights activist Ella Baker, journalist Ida B. Wells and pilot Bessie Coleman.

Said Psalm: “Honestly, I feel bad for any kids who don’t know about Black history. It’s part of who we are.”

April 20, 2023

By Betti Halsell

Assistant Managing Editorand

Cora Jackson-Fossett

Managing Editor

Aiming to salute the contributions and accomplishments of Black women, Bakewell Media CEO Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., created a memorable space to commemorate several Black women who continue to make waves of change through selfless due diligence and continuous acts of service.

Presented by Bakewell Media and the Los Angeles Sentinel, the “Power, Leadership, and Influence of the Black Woman,” held on Saturday, April 15, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, also celebrated the 90th anniversary of the L.A. Sentinel Newspaper. The audience, which exceeded 700 people, was filled with public servants and other influential individuals who positively impact the community.

In his opening remarks, Bakewell said, “This is truly a momentous occasion, not only celebrating the Sentinel’s 90th anniversary, but also because we are celebrating power and influence of Black women.

“You are certainly the people in our community that are using your power and influence to make our community better.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, the key honoree of the celebration, began the program sharing an in-depth conversation with CBS 2 anchorwoman Pat Harvey.  Bass recounted some of the key accomplishments during her first 100 days in office and outlined her future goals to eradicate homelessness, enhance public safety, and increase housing affordability in the city.

Other honorees included Dr. Elaine Batchlor, CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Healthcare; Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, president of Ward Economic Development Corporation; Sandra Evers-Manly, president of the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC); and Stephanie N. Wiggins, CEO of the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.  Noted broadcaster Pat Prescott emceed the entire event.

Each of the women received a Black Women Legends Award, which salutes notable trailblazers in the African American community. The awards are named for Brenda Marsh-Mitchell, Bakewell’s treasured executive assistant and president of Mothers In Action and Taste of Soul; Johnnie Tillmon, pioneer and activist for welfare rights and founder of Aid to Needy Children (ANC); Mary B. Henry, civil rights activist and executive director of Avalon Carver; Lillian Mobley, community activist credited with leading the effort to construct Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Hospital and the Charles Drew University Medical School; and Superior Court Judge Vaino Hassan Spencer, who founded the National Association of Women Judges.

Women from the event gave their feedback about their experience with one patron stating, “It was phenomenal, I had such a great time, very empowering—thank you.” ­­

Gena Woods, another attendee stated, “Today was amazing, it was phenomenal. It gave me the motivation to continue—it was inspiring and all I can say is being a Black woman is phenomenal and today exemplified that, so thank you Los Angeles Sentinel, we love you, I’m so inspired.”

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., CEO/president of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, attended the luncheon as well and shared his impression of the event. 

“The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) celebrates and salutes the 90th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Sentinel.  The awards gala at the Beverly Hilton on the occasion of the Sentinel’s anniversary was spectacular in recognition of the power and impact of outstanding contributions Black women leaders including the Honorable Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles.  Danny Bakewell, Sr., the distinguished publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel and former Chairman of the NNPA, continues to exemplify the best of the best of the Black Press of America,” said Chavis.

Honoree Evers-Manly, president of the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center, commented, “First of all, I want to congratulate the Los Angeles Sentinel on 90 years. It has been—and is - the heartbeat of our community. It keeps us informed, it celebrates us, recognizes our community and we can’t thank the Sentinel enough, we can’t thank the Bakewell family—Bakewell Media for all they do for their legacy, their advocacy, and their fight.”

Evers-Manly continued, “And this day has been beautiful, celebrating incredible women, I’m just honored to be a part of it, and this means we have work to do—we have an obligation to give back to our community.”

The Power, Leadership & Influence of the Black Woman was sponsored by Wells Fargo, Black Hollywood Entertainment Resource Center (BHERC), Bank of America, Law Firm: Ivie, McNeill, Wyatt, Purcell & Diggs, Media Partner: CBS2/KCAL9, Chase, LADWP, Metro, California Endowment, Northern Trust, Crenshaw Christian Center, OneLegacy, CASA of LA, California Teachers Association (CTA), Cedars-Sinai, St. John’s, Brotherhood Crusade, Mothers In Action, Blue Shield of California, MLK Community Healthcare, Destination Crenshaw, Southwest Carpenters Union, AAA, US Bank, LA World Airports (LAWA), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), HNTB, SEIU Local 721, McCourt and Legacy Ladies. 

For more news, follow @lasentinelnews on Instagram or visit lasentinel.net.

April 20, 2023

LAWT News Service

Every year, the Muslim community around the world for one month observe Ramadan by fasting between sunrise and sunset. Recognized as the most sacred month in Islamic culture, Muslims use this time to grow spiritually and build stronger relationships with Allah. The end of the Ramadan fast is celebrated at the evening meal, iftar, that begins after the sunset prayer, Maghreb is finished.

This year, the LA Grand Iftar held at the Los Angeles Convention Center was hosted by the Pakistan American Chamber of Commerce (PACC) in collaboration with Islamic Shura Council of Southern California. 

“This is the first time ever we are celebrating as an interfaith Iftar,” said PACC Chairman Wagar Khan. “The purpose of this celebration is to promote diversity within the LA community and to appreciate the value of the community in consistently supporting one another and in an effort to promote harmony and understanding among people of different cultures and religions as well as to educate attendees about the significance of Ramadan.”

The presentation began with prayer and a poem, Gratitude in Worship, written and recited by Fatema Baldiwala, Adjunct Assistant Professor of English, Los Angeles Community College District. One of the lines in the Ramadan Poem summed up the event, “Iftar tables blend cultures and languages, a time to remember and set new intentions.” The diversity in the room was prominent. African Americans are still a large part of the Muslim community, along with people of South Asian and Arab descent.

Among the diplomats and elected officials was the esteemed former U.S. Congresswoman and Ambassador to Micronesia Diane E. Watson who was the recipient of award of the Lifetime Achievement of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding dedication contributions in the field of education, politics and human rights to improve the lives of women and children, especially these living in poverty.

“We were excited to present the trailer to “Golden Hearted” the documentary directed by Millena Gay to share with the audience a glimpse into the extraordinary life of Honorable Diane Watson,” said PACC Vice President Fatima Khan.

“Our community recognizes Honorable Watson’s exceptional contribution as a seasoned legislator and her services to mankind are truly unmatched and unparalleled.”

Upon accepting her award, Watson said, “I am honored to be acknowledged for my achievements by the Pakistan American Chamber of Commerce and Islamic Shura Council of Southern California. My work continues through elected officials like our new LA Mayor Karen Bass, a trailblazer.”

Mayor Bass and Honorable Watson have been friends and colleagues for decades. Bass ran for Watson’s seat in the 33rd Congressional District following Watson’s retirement in 2011.

“As a native of Los Angeles, I have been fortunate to watch and witness the political climb of a phenomenal woman who has always been gracious and classy,” said Marie Y. Lemelle, MBA, a social change activist and playwright. “Honorable Watson is a true pioneer, a champion for the people and the epitome of women empowering women.”

Traditions like Ramadan and Iftar reminds us of the need to remove barriers, international borders and open our mindsets. “We live in LA, yet we are global citizens. The many religions around the world causes those of vision to coordinate unity,” said Global Economist and Digital.Davos Speaker Dr. E. Lance McCarthy. 

“Such a visionary is the former U.S. Ambassador for Micronesia and U.S. Congresswoman Diane Watson. Not only did she assist in bringing social and economic justice to LA, as an Ambassador, she championed international impact as well. Her legacy and justice work were honored by the Muslim community at the LA Grand Iftar. They recognized the genius in Honorable Watson in bridging the gaps in both LA and foreign nations by assisting all citizens regardless of creed, color or religious beliefs.”

In solidarity, law enforcement was in attendance to give testimony about how events like this are important to the overall safety and understanding in the community.

“As a Department, we are always looking for ways to be connected to communities of all faiths.  Our participation helps reiterate our Department’s commitment, partnership and public safety message to all communities of faith,” said LAPD Assistant Chief Al Labrada. “It’s not only during times of distress that we need to visit, but we also enjoy coming to celebrate and build new relationships.  Know that as part of the Muslim community in Los Angeles, we value and encourage the safety of everyone.”

City of Carson Councilmember Arleen Bocatija Rojas, as the voice of the people, shared her mantra, "We Are, Stronger Together" and I will continue to promote unity within her community and beyond.” Rojas, an active 31-year veteran Police Officer for the City of Los Angeles, is the first female Filipino American police officer in the history of the LAPD.

Watson’s father, William Allen Louis Watson, was one of the first Black officers hired by the LAPD.