April 20, 2023

By Betti Halsell

Assistant Managing Editor

The city’s Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department (LA Civil Rights) will host the Reparations Advisory Commission on Saturday, April 22—an in-person community event at the California African American Museum (CAAM).

According to the commissioners, the city’s plan is to conduct an in-depth investigation on what harms Black Angelenos. Residents will have the opportunity to reply with their input, as well as speak with the commissioners.

The Reparations Advisory Commission is a "Blue-Ribbon Task Force" led by Michael A. Lawson, president/CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League. 

Other members of the commission include Khansa Jones-Muhammad, Mark Wilson, Mandla Kayise, Katrina VanderWoude, Cheryl Harris and Virgil Roberts.

“Reparations are a necessary step to heal our city and address the centuries of harm done to African Americans in Los Angeles,” said Lawson.

“The Reparations Advisory Commission is working to take that next step with input from scholars and the community. Now is the time for the community to come together and contribute to a reparations plan for Los Angeles.”

Highlighting the significance of the meeting, Lawson stated, “African Americans in Los Angeles are overrepresented in homelessness and underrepresented in generational wealth. It is the result of a system that has denied African Americans the ability to fully exercise their God-given liberties.

“The closure needed is a mutual recognition of the wrongs that have been meted upon the members of the victimized community. While full closure may not be possible in the short-term, we urge everyone to make their voices and the voices of their ancestors heard on April 22,” he said.

“The Reparations Advisory Commission has been working hard to meaningfully address the harms experienced by African Americans in Los Angeles,” said LA Civil Rights Department Executive Director Capri Maddox.

“Los Angeles was built on redlining, racial covenants and discrimination that created the inequitable city we experience today. Our city can’t move forward without repairing this harm, and I’m so grateful to the commission and our city leaders for leading the way on reparations,” she noted.

The Reparations Advisory Commission exists independently from the State of California Reparations Task Force, however the two organizations collaborated on an event last year in Leimert Park.

The LA Civil Rights officially established its discrimination enforcement section on Nov.1, 2022, allowing the city to enforce civil rights law. They look to enhance racial equity through policy and initiatives, the Los Angeles City Council established the Office of Racial Equity within the Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department.

The department’s mission states the following, “We envision a city that authentically engages communities most harmed by systemic racism, as leaders and collaborators, in the process of identifying data, distributing public resources, and reforming policies that impact outcomes of Civil + Human Rights and Equity.”

For more information, go to the following link:  https://caamuseum.org/programs/talks-and-workshops/los-angeles-reparations-advisory-commission-community-meeting

Follow the L.A. Civil Rights Department on Instagram, @ lacivilrights.

For more Black news, follow L.A. Sentinel on Instagram, @lasentinelnews.

April 20, 2023

LAWT News Service

Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center is partnering with local law enforcement to provide a safe, convenient and responsible way to dispose of unwanted  prescription medications with no questions asked — and free of charge.

The public will have the opportunity to drive up to the pharmacy turnaround at the medical center to drop off unwanted, unused or expired medications. from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., on Saturday, April 22, as part of “National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.”

A pharmacist will also be on hand to answer any questions individuals may have about the medications that they have.

“At Kaiser Permanente, we care about the total health of our Southern California community, and we believe it’s our duty to educate residents about the importance of the proper and safe disposal of prescription drugs, “said Rhonda Polchak, vice president of Pharmacy Operations and Services for Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. continue to be high, as is the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to prescription drugs. According to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) that is partnering with Kaiser Permanente for this event, more people start down the path of addiction through the misuse of opioid prescription drugs. Also, each year, high amounts of opioids are being turned in at Drug Take Back Day events locally and across the nation.

Additionally, unused or expired medications that are flushed or thrown out with trash can end up polluting the environment.

Those unable to participate in the April 22 event can properly dispose of medicines inside numerous Kaiser Permanente facilities throughout Southern California. These kiosks will be available for public use during regular service hours. A listing of additional drop-off locations can be found on the federal DEA website.

April 13, 2023

By Dr. Valerie Wardlaw

Contributing Writer

Pat Prescott, the esteemed broadcaster, will serve as mistress of ceremonies for Bakewell Media’s salute to Black women leaders and the 90th anniversary of the Sentinel on Saturday, April 15, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The celebration, "Power, Leadership, and Influence of the Black Woman," was conceived by Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., chairman of Bakewell Media, as a salute to the Black women whose tireless efforts have made the Los Angeles community stronger through their leadership and advocacy.

"Black Women have played an instrumental part in the fabric of our community and certainly in my life. Taking time out to honor these women is not only fitting but necessary," Bakewell said.

"Our honorees have dedicated their lives towards making life better for Black people, both here, in Los Angeles, and throughout this nation." Each honoree is a "driving force," using their power, leadership, and professional skills for the "betterment of our people."

Prescott recognizes the specialness of the upcoming celebration: "Events like these are special for two reasons. First, they give well-deserved acknowledgment of the considerable contributions these women have made to our community. They also spotlight individuals who are excellent role models for young girls who look like them."

Pat Harvey, an anchor with CBS 2 and National Black Journalist Hall of Fame inductee, will moderate the conversation with distinguished honoree, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Bass will share the spotlight with fellow honorees 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 Corporation (BHERC); and Stephanie N. Wiggins, CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The event will also celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Sentinel. Many print newspapers have come and gone; however, the Sentinel remains a trusted media resource, continuing the vision of current owner Danny J. Bakewell Sr.

Before the advent of social platforms, Bakewell envisioned a media outlet that would always use its voice to cover stories that uplift and inform the Black community. The Sentinel, he intended, would showcase Black excellence and spotlight issues that other news outlets might not cover, issues relevant and necessary to the culture.

It is a mission that preeminent journalist Pat Prescott understands.

"To survive and thrive for 90 years is an astonishing accomplishment. The Sentinel is the heartbeat of Black L.A., keeping our community informed, entertained, and inspired. Today, 90 years since its founding, it is more essential to our community's survival than ever. The Bakewell family and all the others who have contributed to the paper's success have much to be proud of," she said.

Prescott, the former morning host of  KTWV-FM 94.7 "The Wave," is one of those instrumental pieces of the fabric of the Los Angeles community. Prescott's captivating voice and warm personality endeared her to thousands that listened to her show on their morning drive. Prescott spent over 20 years at "The Wave" and proudly said she loved talking for a living.

A native of Hampton, Virginia, Prescott graduated from Northwestern University and began her professional career as a schoolteacher. Her path would take her to New Orleans, where she started her radio career at WYLD-FM and then WNOE, the legendary rock station. Soon the bright lights of New York would call, and Prescott landed at the former heritage jazz station WRVR. Prescott's voice would also grace the airways at WBLS, WLIB, The National Black News Network, and CD 101.9.

In 2001, jazz saxophonist Dave Koz persuaded her to move to the City of Angels, and soon, Angelenos were in love with Prescott, and the rest is HERtory. After retiring from "The Wave," Prescott returned to the New York airwaves as host of "My Favorite Things" on Newark Public Radio "Jazz 88" WBGO.

"To be asked to host this luncheon is especially meaningful since I recently retired. It's an honor to contribute, and since I know all these women very well and have a great deal of respect for them, it feels even more special," Prescott said.