March 09, 2023

By Devyn Bakewell

Assistant Managing Editor

Multi-hyphenate star, Jasmin Brown, grew up with dreams to work in the entertainment industry, and is now filling our homes and hearts with laughter through her raw and authentic style of comedy.

“I’ve always had a dream of being in entertainment. I’ve always been a character, from church plays to dressing up and doing improvisation with my family and things.” Brown continued sharing that, as a child, she would use her allowance to buy wigs and costumes to create characters.

“I would get a disposable camera, and I’d have my brother and sister take pictures of me dressed as someone else,” she shared. “I would even change my voice when I played Barbies, making sure they had different personalities and voices, so I knew that I was always a character actor. When I got older, I started taking classes and things like that.”

The actress, writer, producer, and standup comedian is well known for inspiring people around the world through her humor but is also well known for her social media persona, Toya Turnup’s, in-car rants, along with her fan-favorite role as Deja in the BET+ show “Zatima”.

Brown labeled Deja as “the girl everybody knows” on “Zatima”.

“There’s an episode on ‘Zatima’ where Fatima (Crystal Renee Hayslett) was like ‘I know exactly who that is, I don’t even have to know her.’…We all know a girl like that, who will smile in your face but be right after your man.”

Jasmin Brown shared that Davale Ellis, who plays the main character, Zac, in “Zatima”, had immediately thought of her when crafting the character of Deja. After auditioning for the role, she’d gotten hired on the spot.

“I love playing Deja because I’m not that girl,” Brown said.

“You know, take away the negativity that she’s chasing after someone’s man and whatever. It’s written that Deja kind of won’t let up, but for me, Deja is a hustler. She doesn’t like to be told no, it’s like a challenge.”

She continues, “So it’s not even that she’s really into Zac like that. It’s just the fact that he keeps saying no. I believe if she ever really got her way, she would be over it. Usually the cat-and-mouse game would be opposite. It’s a man chasing the woman, so it’s cool to be a woman and chase the guy. And there’s so much comedy in there. It’s just so fun playing her..It just feels cool to be someone else, and to be acknowledged as the character people love to hate.”

Season 2 of “Zatima” airs March 16th, and Brown shared that fans will be seeing a lot more of her character.

“…you might start to like her or not. You know, I think there’s a lot of really cool moments where people will see Deja’s not that bad, or she’s actually kind of funny. I can kind of relate to her in that way,” said the comedian. “You see way more of her [in season 2], even though she’s got some tricks up her sleeve. I still think that she’s likable.”

With this, Brown shared that “she loves being the villain” in the show.

“I like being the one that, every time you see my character, you’re like ‘oh, here she goes!’” She laughed, “Giving the fans and audience that reaction every time I come on screen that it’s gonna be some mess. That’s what I really love about that character.”

Jasmin Brown is a woman making a name for herself with the comedy sector, a male dominated industry, and it being National Women’s month, her advice for women is “to do what works for you.”

“You don’t really need advice,” she said. “Trust yourself. You know, I'm a person who is an over thinker, but deep down like I know what I'm capable of, and I do trust myself, I do trust my abilities and I do trust my talents. You have to just stick to whatever it is you’re doing and don't care if there's other people doing the thing. You do it.”

“There's gonna be people who always love your stuff, that are always gonna come back to you. And they're always gonna support you. You have your fans, you have your support system, you have your team. It's important to really identify that and know what that means to you. So, yeah, trust yourself, stick to your guns and do it yourself.”

For more information on Jasmine Brown, you can check out her Instagram (@watchjazzy).

March 09, 2023

California Black Media

March is Women's History Month, and several California organizations are celebrating trailblazing women making history in our state -- whether it’s recognizing the record-setting number of women who are state constitutional officers or lauding the unprecedented number of women serving in the Legislature ((50 out of 120).

On Saturday, March 4, the Black Women's Collective kicked off Women's History Month with an event organized to help build an Economic Action Plan for Black Women. It brought together experts in policymaking, labor, economic development, and entrepreneurship. 

“Black women serve as breadwinners in 80% of Black households in California with over 70% headed by single mothers,” said Kellie Todd Griffin, President and CEO, California Black Women's Collective Empowerment Institute. Griffin was citing statistics from a report on the State of Black Women in California from 2018 and 2022.

“Typically, Black women have higher labor force participation rates than other women, meaning a higher share of Black women are either employed or unemployed and looking for work,” Griffin continued. 

“However, the economic safety net is not secure as Black Women makes less than most of their counterparts making .55 cents to White males, which is one of the lowest in the nation equally the wage gap in Mississippi. California falls short of the national rate at .63 cents.”

Panelists at the event included Los Angeles City Councilmember Heather Hutt (CD10); Yvonne Wheeler, President, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor; Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, President and CEO, Center by Lendistry; and Denise Pines, Co-Founder and CEO, Tea Botanics and Women in the Room Productions. Moderators were Griffin and Regina Wilson, Executive Director, California Black Media.

March 09, 2023

By Cora Jackson-Fossett

Managing Editor

Making clear her goal for the future, Councilmember Heather Hutt launched a vigorous campaign to remain the representative for Council District 10.  During a kick-off rally in front of L.A. Sentinel on March 3, Hutt stood before scores of community members and supporters to announce that she’s entering the race in the 2024 election.

While others are also seeking the spot, Hutt holds a clear advantage as the current officeholder, who was unanimously appointed by the Los Angeles City Council in August 2022.  Since that time, she has been actively involved throughout diverse district, interacting and resolving concerns of the African American, Latino, Asian and White constituents.

Hutt’s tenacity has paid off as community members united to express their backing for the councilmember desire to represent the 10th district. In fact, many adamantly expressed support for Hutt’s campaign.

Giving opening remarks, Sentinel Executive Editor Danny J. Bakewell, Jr., declared, “This is a historic moment! As we come to the end of Black History Month and the start of Women’s History Month, we are here to launch the campaign of Councilmember Heather Hutt for election to the 10th district.

“Putting that in perspective, Heather Hutt is the first woman to serve as councilmember of the 10th district and the only African American woman who currently sits on the City Council.  Her voice, representation and leadership are desperately needed.  We look forward to her finishing out this term and being elected for another term,” he added.

Donna Jones of the West Adams Neighborhood Association stated with conviction, “I’m here to support the candidacy of Heather Hutt, who I believe is dedicated to our survival and success. She has the strength and dedication that the historic 10th needs to keep moving in the right direction.”

Citing Hutt’s lifelong residency in the 10th district, Empowerment Congress West Area Chair Gina Fields referred to the Councilwoman as “a homegirl” who was raised and still lives in CD 10.

“She knows our trials and ­tribulations, our joys and successes and she shares the same passion for positive change that lives in all of our hearts. That’s why I’m excited about her candidacy. I’m honored to support her and down for whatever she wants me to do.”

Offering similar emphatic comments, Brenda Ashby of the Crenshaw Manor Neighborhood Association said, “Councilmember Hutt is made for this district. She hit the ground running last year and hasn’t missed a beat since then. We want her to continue doing the exceptional job of representing the citizens of CD 10. I am proud to support her election to the City Council.  We need more strong leaders like her!”

Raul A. Claros, chief strategist with the Reimagine LA Foundation and a CD 10 native, reminded the crowd of Hutt’s skill in unifying and working with the district multicultural neighborhoods.

“We recently helped another Black woman get into office and that was Karen Bass. We did that together, building coalitions  - Black, Brown, Indigenous, Asian – coming together, gay, straight, Christians, and Muslims.  That's the same type of leadership that Heather Hutt has brought to the 10th since day one. She’s had individual, private meetings to check in on our organizations to see how we’re doing, making sure that all of our communities have a voice,” insisted Claros, who brought his young daughter, Valentina, to the rally.

Longtime friend Isadore Hall spoke of Hutt’s attention to details and resolving concerns while working for him in Sacramento. “She ran my Assembly office, she ran my Senate office and she did it with great care. She ran then-Senator Kamala Harris’ office with great care and she’s running CD 10 with great care. Heather Hutt deserves our support,” he emphasized.

Further attesting to Hutt’s many talents, Cynthia Mitchell Heard described Hutt as an “extraordinary leader” in being the first woman to serve as CD 10 Councilmember.

“Her tenacious and steadfast approach to build economic stability and resources will only enhance the lives of those living in her district. There is no one better to take the lead and build a better tomorrow,” said Heard, a philanthropist, community partner, who been friends with Hutt for more than 40 years.

Ninth District Councilmember Curren Price noted, “Heather has displayed the commitment to serve.  She talks to our colleagues and she’s not afraid to talk to constituents, even those who complain. She’s got the experience, and again, the commitment, to really make a difference. From day one, Heather’s demonstrated the skills and ability to get the job done.”

In response, Hutt vowed to meet the expectations of the community.  During extensive remarks, she highlighted her achievements while in office and her focus if she wins a new term.

“Working for our community is forever ingrained in my heart, and it's a part of my moral fiber, it’s who I am as a woman.

I’ve been doing this work my entire life and I’m committed to make a stronger and better CD 10,” Hutt said.

“In my short time as Councilwoman, I’ve actually housed over 200 people - 121 people in permanent supportive housing and 87 people in temporary housing and this fight has just begun. 

Again, I’m committed to make a stronger and better CD 10!”

Hutt shared that more than 2,700 trees have been trimmed in the district since she assumed leadership, compared to only 350 trees trimmed last fiscal year.  Other successes include enhanced traffic calming measures or speed humps in residential neighborhoods and securing $9 million in U.S. Transportation funding in improvement a strip of La Brea Boulevard.

“I take this responsibility seriously because this is where I live, this is the district that my mother raised me, and I in turn raised my children. I am proud to be a resident of CD 10 and proud of the work that I’ve done in the past six months in CD10. But my work is not done,” said Hutt as she listed the needs of the unhoused, senior citizens, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals and people impacted by domestic violence, poverty, low wages and hate crimes.

“So when you ask me why am I running, it’s because I hear their call and I am here to answer and to make a stronger and better CD 10. I’m counting on and asking for your support to complete this work!”