The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has reported that over 15,000 students have not been heard from since the March 16 closure of schools due to coronavirus concerns. An estimated 40,000 additional students fail to check-in daily.  ... read more »

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in this case has effectively increased the burden of proof on the next litigant and made it much harder for them to succeed in Section 1981 litigation. One is left to wonder why such powerful members of our community could not have somehow come together to protect the interests all African Americans.  Here, by the insistence of Allen to proceed with this litigation, the African-American community runs the risk of becoming “trampled grass” when the litigation is finally resolved and the “elephants” have ceased fighting. ... read more »

At present the CDC has noted that those with chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthma, serious heart conditions, those immunocompromised including cancer treatment, severely obese, diabetic, with renal failure, or liver disease are at higher risk for severe illness. That warning should be clearly heard by the African American community. We are 2.2 times more likely to have diabetes, 20% more likely to have high blood pressure, and 30% more likely to be obese. The incidence of COPD (lung disease) in our women is 34% higher than in White women. Bottom line, if we acquire the virus, bad things are more likely to happen. That’s pass number one. ... read more »

Wendy's Window ... read more »

Reflecting on the challenge before us, I am drawn to the word for “challenge” in Swahili, changamoto. The word is a combination of two words—moto (fire) and changa which has several meanings, but is here interpreted as both to collect and to contribute. Thus, it literally means both to collect and contribute fire, a gathering and giving of fire, interpreting fire here as vital and transformative energy and focused and determined agency. ... read more »

I’m sitting inside my home not only because I’m working but I have little choice now about going outside. I’m following the order from California Governor Gavin Newsom to stay- at -home as the Corona virus aka COVID-19 is gaining momentum and spreading throughout the United States. ... read more »

Success On “The Way”... Ask Dr. Jeanette Parker™ ... read more »

From my first Sunday at Central until my last visit with him in July, he never ceased to impress me. On the first Sunday I attended Central, I was blown away by his power in the pulpit. He brought justice and Jesus together with a wit, wisdom, and eloquence and accessibility that made you believe that through God’s grace broken nations and broken hearts could be made whole, whatever the circumstance. The man was a preaching machine. ... read more »

Success On “The Way” Ask Dr. Jeanette Parker™ ... read more »

Melanin is not Vibranium and America isn’t Wakanda even in the Marvel Universe ... read more »

We’re already in a global recession that will inform a national recession. An estimated 80 million U.S. jobs are at risk. More than 75 percent of 16–-24-year-olds are hourly employees who are at greater risk of being laid off. ... read more »

Wendy's Window ... read more »

In this time of pandemic, panic, hoarding and conversations about health and well-being that we are forced to have, I offer these thoughts again for mindful consideration. ... read more »

Working to re-open the St. Vincent Medical Center and provide the community immediate access to over 180 medical beds to help assess, treat and quarantine patients afflicted with the COVID-19 virus was a necessary step in providing more resources to residents. Our work resulted in the immediate funding and logistical coordination to bring St. Vincent’s back online after its closure in January within weeks.  ... read more »

There is no real or rational denying of the damage and disruption the coronavirus has done and is continuously doing to our lives and livelihoods, our health and happiness, our meetings and modes of education, our public and private events, travel, and the economy. This deadly and disabling virus has also impacted our family gatherings and visits to each other’s homes and to each other in hospitals, nursing homes and elsewhere, as well as our places and ways of worship. In a word, it has closed down and narrowed the spaces for our relation-building, renewal, work, recreation, relaxation, grounding and the goodness that comes from just being together. ... read more »