May 25, 2023

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Earlier this month, a scathing report from ProPublica noted the apparent betrayal of one of the most trusted and powerful Democratic politicians in America.

South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn, the so-called kingmaker and assistant House leader, allegedly sold out his state to Republicans to keep his seat.

ProPublica claimed Clyburn made a secret deal with the GOP during the redistricting process in 2021 that sapped the strength of the all-important Black vote while making it extremely difficult for Democrats to compete for a congressional seat.

ProPublica reported that Clyburn cut the deal to ensure his seat would remain safe.

Though the revelation occurred two weeks ago, Clyburn has mostly remained mum. But rumblings have led many to wonder when he will explain.

As political writer Isaac Bailey wrote, the NAACP sued over the gerrymandered voting map.

Bailey noted that a three-judge federal panel called it a racial gerrymander, and the court determined that it was “effectively impossible” to have moved more than 30,000 black voters into Clyburn’s district without it.

Further, Bailey observed that the court pushed back against some of the NAACP’s claims by showing that Clyburn had requested some of the changes.

“It’s just one example of the ugly, often-hidden layer of what we keep referring to as a democracy, a term that’s often misapplied given the state of things,” Bailey offered.

“In a healthy democracy, the people choose their representatives. Increasingly, that’s not what’s happening in ours.”

ProPublica reported on a series of meetings between Clyburn and high-ranking Republicans following the release of the 2020 Census map.

They noted that the slightest line changes could determine who wins and holds power.

But as the process commenced, they said Clyburn had a problem: His once majority Black district had suffered a daunting exodus of residents since the last count.

He wanted his seat to be made as safe as possible.

“Republicans understood the powerful Black Democrat could not be ignored, even though he came from the opposing party and had no official role in the state-level process,” ProPublica explained.

“Fortunately for them, Clyburn, who is 82 and was recently reelected to his 16th term, had long ago made peace with the art of bartering.”

The fallout?

“The resulting map, finalized in January 2022, made Clyburn’s lock on power stronger than it might have been otherwise,” the report stated. “A House of Representatives seat that Democrats held as recently as 2018 would become even more solid for the incumbent Republican.

“This came at a cost: Democrats now have virtually no shot of winning any congressional seat in South Carolina other than Clyburn’s.”

The report continued: “As others attacked the Republican redistricting as an illegal racial gerrymander, Clyburn said nothing publicly. His role throughout the redistricting process has remained out of the public view, and he has denied any involvement in state legislative decisions.

The report further notes that while it’s been clear that the South Carolina Congressman has been a key participant in past state redistricting, “the extent of his role in the 2021 negotiations has not been previously examined.”

ProPublica said they culled their reporting from public records, hundreds of pages of legal filings, and interviews with dozens of South Carolina lawmakers and political experts from both sides of the aisle.

“It’s troubling,” said Daniel Frasier, a longtime Democrat voter from Northeast, Washington D.C.

“And troubling is putting it mildly. It tells me that any politician can be bought and sold, and it puts my vote in doubt next year,” said Frasier, who took in a Washington Nationals game with Steve Hamilton, who identified as Republican.

“That’s why my father told me a long time ago to really watch and consider which party you align yourself with,” Hamilton said. “I think they all should represent the people honestly and be tough about it. But to make backdoor deals to secure your power and say to ‘heck with my party and my constituents’ sucks. But I expect that from Democrats.”

ProPublica spoke with Bakari Sellers, a former Democratic lawmaker who once served on a redistricting committee.

“There is a very unholy alliance between many Black legislators and their Republican counterparts in the redistricting process,” Sellers told the outlet.

He said Clyburn’s district “is probably one of the best examples.” Moving that many Black voters into Clyburn’s district meant “we eliminate a chance to win” in other districts, he explained.

“I’m not saying that we could win, but I’m saying we could be competitive, and people of color, those poor people, those individuals who have been crying out for so long, would have a voice,” Sellers said.

While Clyburn hasn’t said much publicly, a spokesperson acknowledged to ProPublica that the office had “engaged in discussions regarding the boundaries of the 6th Congressional District by responding to inquiries.”

“Any accusation that Congressman Clyburn in any way enabled or facilitated Republican gerrymandering that wouldn’t have otherwise occurred is fanciful,” Clyburn’s office said in a statement, calling the notion a “bizarre conspiracy theory.”

May 18, 2023

LAWT News Service 

Three LSU Manship School of Mass Communication students, Jessica Jefferson, Mea Morrell and Kyle Stanley, were among the 88 recipients of The LAGRANT Foundation’s (TLF) 2023 Scholarship Program, which recognizes ethnically diverse students from colleges and universities across the nation for their academic achievement, mass communication career goals and community involvement.

Jefferson and Morrell, both public relations students, each won a $2,500 undergraduate scholarship. Stanley, a Ph.D. student in media and public affairs, won a graduate scholarship of $3,250.

Jefferson, a freshman from Dallas, said being a recipient of the award is special because TLF could have picked anyone, but the organization chose her. She said the award means her hard work is being recognized. The award will help Jefferson continue working toward achieving her career goals by helping her make new connections and cover funding for internship necessities such as housing and transportation.

“It is very special to me to have been a recipient of this award because it could've gone to ­anybody else, but they chose me among others,” Jefferson said. “It also just lets you know that your hard work is paying off.”

Morrell, a junior from New Orleans, said she is honored to be a recipient of the award. She also looks forward to connecting with other like-minded students and networking with professionals during TLF’s career-building activities. She believes being around successful professionals will give her further motivation to strive for excellence in everything she does.

“I have worked very hard throughout my collegiate career to set myself up for success in the future,” Morrell said. “I am happy that I was chosen for this opportunity that recognizes my hard work.”

The award will help Stanley, a two-time Manship School alumnus and second -year media and public affairs doctoral student, fund research for his dissertation. The Monroe, Louisiana native said he is most excited about the possibility of traveling to do fieldwork for his dissertation about influencers on an international scale.

It would be an amazing experience, he said, to immerse himself in different cultures and gain a new perspective on the mass communication landscape.

“I feel incredibly grateful to have been selected as a recipient of The LAGRANT Foundation award,” Stanley said. “The recognition of my accomplishments and potential as a future scholar and mass communication professional is truly humbling.

This award is not only a personal achievement, but also a testament to the encouragement and support I have received from my mentors, peers and academic community.”

In addition to earning scholarships, Jefferson, Morrell and Stanley will participate in TLF’s career building activities in Minneapolis. These activities include a welcome dinner with a keynote speaker, career development workshops and a scholarship and donor recognition reception.

Students will also meet and network with industry professionals who work at some of the biggest companies, including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Nike and Starbucks.

TLF provides scholarships, career development workshops, professional development, mentors and internships to undergraduate and graduate students from ethnically diverse groups who are obtaining a degree in advertising, marketing or public relations.

Learn more about TLF’s 2023 Scholarship Program by visiting https://www.lagrantfoundation.org/about-our-scholarships.

May 18, 2023

LAWT News Service

The Maggie Hathaway Golf Course received a $7 million infusion on May 16, and $8 million more is coming as Los Angeles prepares next month to host the U.S. Open Golf Championship for the first time in 75 years.

As part of the U.S. Open partners’ commitment to expanding access to the sport in the host community, the U.S. Golf Association (USGA), Southern California Golf Association (SCGA), and the Los Angeles Country Club united to create the Fore Youth Foundation. 

The collaboration resulted in the multi-million-dollar contribution to treasured golf course in South Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell’s motion to accept the initial $7 million donation and direct the Department of Parks and Recreation to create a plan with Fore Youth Foundation and partners, for investing money raised towards improving the golf course and expanding access to diverse communities in South Los Angeles and neighboring areas.   

“Maggie Mae Hathaway broke barriers to bring to the joy and excitement of golf to Black people and communities of color. I am proud that this investment helps further the vision of this golf course that is a treasured community asset in the heart of South L.A.,” said Mitchell.

“I want to thank the Fore Youth Foundation and all our U.S. Open Community Legacy Project partners involved, for working to create a truly lasting and impactful legacy — one that invests directly in people and communities that were once excluded from the game,” she added. 

“The Los Angeles Country Club worked with the USGA and SCGA to launch the FORE Youth: 2023 U.S. Open Community Legacy Project to ensure that the impact of this year's championship is felt long past this spring through improvements at the county's Maggie Hathaway golf course in South Los Angeles and expanded youth programming across the County,” said Gene Sykes, president of the Los Angeles Country Club.

“We are grateful for Supervisor Mitchell's support and are excited to work with the County Department of Parks and Recreation to build on its strong commitment to diversify and grow the sport of golf, and to provide recreational opportunities that improve social, academic and professional outcomes for young people,” noted Sykes. 

“As an organization committed to expanding diversity and access to golf, we’re excited to see this level of investment in a course that is perfect for learning the game. Maggie Hathaway is a community gem, and once renovated, it will be able to serve an even broader community,” remarked Glen Porter, CEO of Southern Area Youth Programs, Inc. and vice president of the WSGA Southern Area.

“We’re proud to continue to work with the project partners, County Parks, and Supervisor Mitchell’s office to make a lasting impact for future generations of golfers.”   

Maggie Hathaway Golf Course, first opened in 1962, it is a 9-hole, 1,008-yard, Par-3 located next to Jesse Owens Park near the intersection of Western Avenue and Century Boulevard that hosts an annual average of over 20,000 rounds of golf.

The Legacy Project is anticipated to include a new practice pitching area and putting green, reconfiguration and renovation of the driving range, restoration of existing buildings, youth development partnerships and maintenance of the improved amenities over time. 

“The U.S. Open Community Legacy Project at Maggie Hathaway Golf Course, highlights that investing in public golf courses ensures affordability and access for youth and players of all levels,” said Norma E. García-González, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.

“The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is thrilled by this dynamic public-private partnership aimed at creating a legacy of greater access and inclusivity to the sport of golf, especially among communities of high need, youth of color, and women and girls.”