December 11, 2014

By Kenneth D. Miller

 

Assistant Managing Editor

 

Compton City Councilman and termed out Assembly  member  Isadore  Hall III campaigned for the 35th Senate District Seat as if it was the most important election in his life.

 

It all paid off for him on Tuesday Dec. 9 in the Special  Election for the 35th District State Senate Seat of retired  Roderick Wright as he easily earned more than 50 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff.

 

With 206 of 282 precincts reporting, Hall was leading with 53.1 percent of the vote in the open primary.

 

Republican James  Spencer, 60, of Inglewood  was second with 27.5 percent of the vote. Democrat Louis Dominguez, 67,  a retired teacher from San Pedro, was third with 12.8  percent, while Harbor

Planning Commissioner Hector Serrano, 26, of Wilmington had 6.6 percent. Hall’s victory celebration at the Doubletree Hotel in Carson was jammed with supporters  who  anticipated such an outcome.

 

Among the many who joined the celebration was the who’s who of local politics, included among them were Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Inglewood Mayor James Butts,  Hawthorne Mayor Chris Brown,

former  Congresswoman  Diane Watson, former State Senator Kevin Murray, Assembly members Reginald Jones Sawyer, Sebastian Ridley Thomas and Autumn Burke and former senator Roderick Wright

whom Hall replaced.

 

“I think at the end of the day when you look at a community that has been rippled with violence, economic disparity, unemployment,  foreclosures the only way that you are go- ing to solve those problems is if

someone is at the table who are going bring folks collectively at the table,” Hall told the Sentinel.

 

He said; “One person can’t do it. It takes an entire village and community to bring cure to society issues that plague our community.”

 

Murray said the moment of Hall’s election is a testament of how he brings people together.

 

“He has coalesced a coalition of people which is frankly  hard  to  put  together.  A bunch of people form different areas, different races and different genders all of which supported his candidacy. This is  very  

unique,”  explained Murray. he becomes the 12th member of the California Legislative Black  Caucus  which  is  the most they’ve ever had. So, I think that’s a testament to his leadership and others leadership in the

caucus in Sacramento.”

 

The 35th District, which is heavily Latino and Democratic, includes Westchester, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Gardena, Lawndale, Carson, Compton,  half  of  Torrance and a sliver of Long Beach. Hall was just termed

out from his seat in the 64th Assembly District, which overlaps large portions of the 35th Senate District.

 

Jones-Sawyer, chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, called Hall a champion.

 

“Isadore Hall has been the champion of a lot of causes and he’s put in the time and put in the work and he will be an unbelievable asset to the California State Senate.”

 

Although he was clearly the leading candidate among the four in the race, Hall left little to chance outspending his competition by a wide margin,  canvasing the district to meet constituents and

 

calling voters until the polls closed.

 

The 42-year old Hall began his career as a member of the Compton School Board and  served  as  its  president before earning a seat on the Compton  City  Council  and most recently the 64th District Assembly,

for which he was termed out.

been instrumental in ushering in a new generation of public servants from Compton Mayor Aja Brown to Hawthorne Mayor Chris Brown and his replacement in the Assembly, Mike Gipson.

 

Newly minted Assembly member Burke is anxious to get to work with Hall in Sacramento.

 

“I’m so proud of what he’s accomplished so far and so looking forward to working with him. It also brings another member to the Black Caucus and it’s an important step for the district. This is

 

an incredible step for leadership in the state of California.” The vacancy caused by the resignation of Wright, who was convicted of voter fraud for living outside the district.

 

Hall served in the Assembly from 2004 through last month.

 

The 35th Senate District  covers  the  communities  of  Carson,  Compton, West   Compton,   Gardena, Harbor  City,  Harbor  City, Hawthorne,  Inglewood, Lawndale, Lennox, Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Pedro,

Torrance, West Carson, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.

 

December 04, 2014 

By Kenneth D. Miller 

Assistant Managing Editor  

 

Despite record low voter turnout that swept throughout the Southland and state and doomed the hope of Democrats in Congress and United States Senate,

 

the California Legislative Black Caucus(CLBC) swore in its largest number in its history this week.  

 

According to the Secretary of the State voter statistics, cast ballots have strongly dipped since the 2012 presidential election in the democratic stronghold.

 

On the heels of its worst voter turnout in Southern California 2013 where just 16 percent of 1.8 million registered voters cast ballots,

 

only 42 percent or 7,507,173 of 17,803,823 weighed in in 2014. During the presidential election of ’12, 72 percent of the registered voters cast ballots. 

 

However, in the face of those trends the CLBC strengthened its record with the local elections of Autumn Burke and Mike Gipson in the assembly. 

 

This week marked a watershed moment in California politics when newcomers Burke and Gipson took the oath along with incumbents Reginald Jones Sawyer and Chris Holden

 

in the assembly and Holly Mitchell in the senate. 

 

Thus increasing their Caucus to eleven members up from nine just two years ago. A special election will take place on December 9 to replace retired Senator 

 

Rod Wright could bump it to a record 12. 

 

“This is an exciting time for the California Legislative Black Caucus and for the State of California in general, said Assembly member Reginald Jones Sawyer. 

 

“While we are approaching historic achievements as a state there is still much work to be done and a lot of issues which affect our community. 

 

I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in the CLBC in addressing and bringing about realistic changes in the disparity of jobs, resources, the legal 

 

system and economic empowerment that plague communities of color at an almost epidemic rate. 

 

Having a larger number of members who come from our community and who understand these issues only strengthens our voice and makes our ability to influence change that  

 

much stronger.”  

 

“Today, we expand our caucus to the largest number in our nearly 50 year history including representation in never-before-held seats in Northern California,” said Senator Mitchell. 

 

“California has long been a state known for its diversity and inclusiveness and these election results make good on that promise,” said Assistant Majority Floor Leader Chris Holden, and  

 

CLBC political director. “They show that despite demographic challenges, black candidates continue to win in all parts of the state. It also shows that good candidates trump race.” 

 

The members include: 

 

Reginald Jones Sawyer–Assembly District 59; Kevin McCarty – Assembly District 7; Jim Cooper– Assembly District 9;Tony Thurmond – Assembly District 15; 

 

Autumn Burke – Assembly District 62; Mike Gipson – Assembly District 64; Sebastian Ridley-Thomas Assembly District ; Chris Holden Assembly District 41; 

 

Cheryl Brown Assembly District 47; Shirley Weber Assembly District 79; Holly J. Mitchell Senate District 26;  

 

Through policy initiatives in education and black enterprise, the CLBC intend to create new opportunities for excellence and success for California African American residents of all ages. 

 

Among the focus items on their agenda are understanding education and growth for African American children and youth in California. 

 

The CLBC has established concrete education goals and made supporting a culture of excellence and success for African American residents of all ages. 

 

Additionally, CLBC members are constantly reminded of Black history and contributions to the state’s progress through our labor and entrepreneurism.   

 

Citing the ability to work and earn a living as a fundamental exercise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness it aims to implement policies to reflect that. 

 

Moreover, the organization plans to increase the number of Black contractors doing business with the State of California, reduce Black Unemployment rates by addressing the challenges 

 

in the small business community and protect and preserve home ownership. 

 

November 27, 2014

By Brian Carter 

Staff Writer

 

It never fails, the spirit of giving, it  manages to fall on the hearts of countless organizations, churches and groups every Thanksgiving. Maybe now, more  than  ever,

there  are needy  families  across  the nation  that  can’t  afford  a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings.

In  the Crenshaw District and surrounding areas, numerous organizations, churches and  businesses are  offering a Thanksgiving dinner or place for families to fellowship and hear a word of encouragement.    

Mother’s In Action  (MIA),  Jackson Limousine (JLS), countless churches and other organizations and businesses will feed thousands for Thanksgiving this year.

 

At  the  Ward  Villa  Senior Complex,  MIA  continues in the legacy and honor of the late Lillian Mobely and Brenda  Marsh-Mitchell, both of whom have brought countless  Thanksgiving  Day  dinners  to  senior citizens  and

their  invited guests   and   families.   Together with Jackie Dupont Walker,  director  of  Ward Economic Development Corporation  and  on  the Board  of  Directors  of  the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit

Authority, MIA along  with  countless volunteers make this event happen every year. 

This Thanksgiving  event  manages  to  reach thousands of families throughout the Greater Los Angeles  area, as well as hundreds of seniors and guests fed at Ward Villa.

 

Local churches in the community will  be  feeding needy families during  Thanksgiving  both physically and spiritually  through  outreach  and church  services.  

Churches around South L.A. will be offering a variety of services from serving food to special Thanksgiving services.

Bethel A.M.E. Church will be having Thanksgiving Worship at 10 a.m., at 7900 South  Western  Avenue in Los  Angeles,  said  Pastor Kelvin T. Calloway.

 

Pleasant Hill Baptist Church will present its Annual Community Thanksgiving Feeding on  Wednesday,  November 26, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., at  2009  West Martin Luther King Boulevard in Los Angeles.  

Pastor  Sylvester Washington  said,  “In  addition to food and fellowship, we will have a clothes giveaway.”  

Southern  Missionary Baptist Church kicked-off  its  Pre-Thanksgiving  Service  Project  by distributing 1,000 lunches to people in need living in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday,   November   22, said Pastor Xavier Thompson.  Thanksgiving Day Worship will be held at 10a.m.,  in  the  sanctuary  located at 4678 West Adams Boulevard in Los Angeles.

 

JLS  and  its  founder  and president,  E.J. Jackson have been making Thanksgiving  dreams  come  true for the local community for years  at  their  business  on Slauson Avenue.

JLS’ Annual  Thanksgiving  giveaway  lines wrap around and down corners in South L.A.  with  families  looking to give their children a Thanksgiving. On Tuesday, November 25, thousands of people will wait for hours for a

chance  to  receive  a turkey dinner from the limousine owner, who gets to be  “Mr.  Turkey”  for  one day out of the year. 

"As in the past and seen on television, a vast majority of our recipients come from a diversity of multi-cultural and ethnic backgrounds,” stated Jackson.  “Many come with their entire family including their  small children

who patiently line up days in advance. Some participants come  in  their wheelchairs, with their canes, with sleeping bags, with  seeing-eye  dogs,  on oxygen  tanks  and  host  of other variables, to ensure they  receive  

full  Thanksgiving groceries. 

“Our   give   away   allows families to prepare Thanksgiving dinner in their own family environment because  it  is  about  keeping families together, restoring human  dignity,  honor  and hope.”

 

The LA Galaxy and Herbalife will partner with A Place Called  Home  on  Thanksgiving.  On  November  26, Wednesday  morning,  L.A. Galaxy  players,  Herbalife Chairman   and   CEO   Michael O. Johnson and Herbalife

President Des Walsh, will distribute 550 turkeys and groceries to Angelenos at  A  Place  Called  Home located  at  2901 S  Central Ave in Los  Angeles,  CA 90011. 

L.A. Galaxy players and Herbalife staff will be serving Thanksgiving dinner,  bussing  tables  and spending time with the over 1,200 community members. Event beings at 8am and  for  more  information please visit www.apch.org.

 

Councilmember Bernard C. Parks will be giving away150 turkeys to 8th district for his 12th Annual Turkey Giveaway on Tuesday, November 25, from 5:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.  This is the last turkey giveaway he will put

on as his term ends June 30,2015.  Individuals who reserved a turkey in advance (one per household)  will come  to  Parks’  Constituent Service Center to claim their holiday bird.

 

Numero Uno Market, a valuable member of the community, has also graciously donated gift cards to the guests.

 

The events and giveaways prove  a  glaring  fact:the community cares about its own.  Because  of  the  outreach of countless individuals, countless families will be able to sit around the table and give thanks for the

food, clothes and spiritual bread  they  have  receive. We can all be thankful that we have a loving and giving community. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving