Anyone who knows Attorney Diane Robertson will not be surprised that a global pandemic can’t keep her signature event, the Leimert Park Jazz Festival, from taking place this year. Robertson is a force of nature when it comes to organizing, advocacy and building community. And, while gathering in the heart of Los Angeles’ Black community won’t be possible this year, she has decided that the show must go on — online.
88th Street Temple Church of God In Christ (COGIC) and L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas partnered to present the “Miracles on 88th Street” community event on Dec. 21 and more than 400 people of all ages enjoyed the variety of activities. “For our second annual event, it was important to me to make sure that I was serving the needs of our community. So, we added free winter coats, free toiletries and free haircuts for men, women and children,” said Superintendent Anthony L. Williams, senior pastor. “Also, we thank Minister Byron Luke and Ronald Graves, owner of Hair Architects. He
For 14 years, Los Angeles has enjoyed the annual Taste of Soul Family Food Festival on Crenshaw Blvd. The day-long festival presented by Bakewell Media boasts over 350,000 visitors just last year alone. Taste of Soul has become an institution in the Crenshaw community and draws people from L.A. and beyond, coming to enjoy live music and entertainment on more than five stages, delicious food from hundreds of vendors and shopping – including blocks and blocks of art, jewelry, clothing, beauty products as well as a plethora of free community services. The festival is family-friendly and known for being one of the largest and safest events in Southern California. Originally founded by Bakewell Media CEO Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. in 2005, Taste of Soul has grown exponentially over the years, and Mr. Bakewell says he can’t believe it’s been 14 years since its beginning.
The popular tunes of singer Marvin Gaye echoed throughout the dedication ceremony that added his name to the Dockweiler postal station in South L.A.
Thanks to legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Karen Bass and passed into law by the U.S. Congress, the station at 3585 S. Vermont Ave. is now known as the Marvin Gaye Post Office, an action that pairs nicely with the Marvin Gaye stamp, which was issued in April.
Founded in 1969 by the late Rozzell Sykes, the community center has become a cultural landmark for its enduring promotion of arts education through workshops and cultural events. In recognition of reaching the half-century mark, scores of supporters from throughout the city attended the street festival.
Senator Holly Mitchell was among the speakers at the End Child Poverty Bus Tour. At right are Assemblymember Autumn Burke, L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Gov. Gavin Newsom, who all delivered remarks during the event held at St. John’s Well Child and Family Center on May 17. (Modern Romance Photography) Political heavyweights united on May 17 to tackle a serious topic – eliminating poverty among youth and families in California. Officially called the End Child Poverty Bus Tour, the elected officials joined with community members to encourage state legislators to implement a comprehensive plan to remove nearly 2 million of California’s children from
In the wake of the March 31 murder of Ermias Asghedom, known worldwide as Nipsey Hussle, L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas has been at the forefront of engaging resources to stop the violence and heal the community in South Los Angeles. On April 5, he joined with Dr. Barbara Ferrer, L.A. County public health director, to open the Office of Violence Prevention. The new initiative, headquartered at the MLK Center for Public Health, will provide a range of programs for individuals and families to reduce violence and address trauma. “The scourge of gun violence has affected too many in our
On Sunday, March 17, members of 88th Street Temple Church of God in Christ, along with their friends and families, participated in the L.A. Clippers “Faith and Family” Night. Superintendent Anthony L. Williams, senior pastor said, “This activity was wonderful for the entire family unit. We had members, young and old in attendance, all enjoying a Clipper basketball game. Also, for many of our youth in attendance it was their very first time being inside the Staples Center as well as attending a professional NBA basketball game. “ 88th Street Temple COGIC joined with other churches from around Southern California
(left to right) Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Supervisor Ridley-Thomas, and CBS’ Jim Hill at Magic Johnson Park Renovation Groundbreaking. Photo by Martin Zamora / Board of Supervisors Surrounded by hundreds of cheering South Los Angeles residents, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Earvin “Magic” Johnson kicked off a $70-million renovation of the park bearing the basketball legend’s name in the community of Willowbrook. The project represents the largest investment in a park improvement ever by the County of Los Angeles, and is the first phase of a master plan that is slated to dramatically transform Magic Johnson Park over the next two decades.
Parishioners and guests of First AME Church of Los Angeles (FAME) adorned African attire and enjoyed the drumbeats of Africa at FAME’s annual citywide kick-off celebration of African American Heritage Month on Feb. 10. The worship service, themed “The Diaspora, Retracing the Africa Journey,” included a contingent of Consul Generals and representatives from nine African and three countries in the Americas, representing places from which Africans were captured and/or brought during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. Guests included elected and appointed officials representing state, city, and county offices; law enforcement officials and community leaders. In addressing the congregation, Los Angeles Mayor
Her latest achievement is first Black to lead MWD Board
The Holy Spirit fell repeatedly throughout the 2019 Prayer Bowl as the Rev. George Hurtt, the Rev. Dr. Donald Parsons and Bishop Marvin Sapp delivered the Word of God with clarity, insight and power. The three preachers headlined the Jan. 1 event, which has been sponsored for more than 60 years by Mount Moriah Baptist Church of Los Angeles. The Rev. Dr. Earl A. Pleasant organized the first prayer bowl after founding the church in 1946 and his successor, the Rev. Dr. Melvin V. Wade Sr., presented it for the next 42 years. This year marked the first time that
88th Street Temple Church of God in Christ partnered with L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas to bring snow to the 89th Street and Vermont Ave. neighborhood on Jan. 5. The free event, Winter Wonderland 2019, drew many community members of all ages. Both children and adults delighted in experiencing real snow along with enjoying a range of activities. The featured attractions included a petting zoo filled with rabbits, pigs, goats, chickens and a miniature pony; a Trackless Train, which rode guests around during the event; and taking family pictures at the Free Lance Photo Booth. Pastor Anthony L. Williams and
Here are the top local stories of 2018
Diabetes casts a pall on the lives of more than 4 million Californians – a startling 15 percent of the state’s adult population – and communities of color are disproportionately affected.