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FAME Church Celebrates 147 years
Crenshaw & AroundReligion

FAME Church Celebrates 147 years

Vicki Phillips, Contributing WriterMay 15, 2019

First AME Church of Los Angeles, the city’s oldest church founded by African Americans, will celebrate its 147th Anniversary on Sunday, May 19.  Former members and friends have been invited to attend this “homecoming” celebration. Pastor J. Edgar Boyd announced that the preachers for the day will be the Rev. Dwaine A. Jackson, pastor of Bryant Temple AME Church, at the 7:45 a.m. service and Bishop Clement W. Fugh, presiding prelate of the AME Church’s Fifth Episcopal District, at the 9:55 a.m. service. The Rev. Dr. Mary S. Minor, pastor of Brookins-Kirkland Community AME Church and a former FAME associate minister, will

Jasmyne Cannick Receives FAME WMS Trailblazer Award
LocalReligion

Jasmyne Cannick Receives FAME WMS Trailblazer Award

Sentinel News ServiceApril 3, 2019

Jasmyne Cannick, well-known communications strategist, community advocate and journalist, received the Trailblazer Award from First AME Church Women’s Missionary Society on March 31. The annual award is presented to women who have made significant contributions to their community and nation. Cannick received the honor for her exceptional work in politics and for her advocacy in advancing the voices, concerns and positions of Blacks in regards to social justice issues including criminal justice reform, LGBTQ issues, housing, Democratic Party representation and homelessness. Through her journalism and public speaking, Cannick is widely known and heralded for her coverage of the disappearance and

As Minister and Educator, Randall Displays Love of God
Crenshaw & AroundReligion

As Minister and Educator, Randall Displays Love of God

March 20, 2019

The L.A. Sentinel Religion section continues to celebrate Women’s History Month by highlighting Los Angeles-area “Champions of Faith,” which features ordinary people inspired by their faith to make a difference in the community.           Rev. Joyce L. Randall, Associate Minister – First AME Church and LAUSD Educator What is your ministry/profession? I have been an itinerant elder in the AME Church since 1995. I am in service at First AME, Los Angeles where the Rev. J. Edgar Boyd is the pastor. I am a career educator by profession and a teacher and program coordinator.   What is the

FAME Hosts Citywide Kick-Off of African American Heritage Month
Religion

FAME Hosts Citywide Kick-Off of African American Heritage Month

Vicki Phillips, Contributing WriterFebruary 13, 2019

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

FAME Church to Host President’s State of the Union Address
Religion

FAME Church to Host President’s State of the Union Address

Vicki Phillips, Contributing WriterFebruary 4, 2019

Community members are invited to come together on Tuesday, February 5, at 6 p.m., to watch the President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address at First AME Church, 2270 S. Harvard Boulevard, in Los Angeles.  Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams will offer the live-streamed Democratic response. According to FAME Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, “The event will be historic in that Abrams is the first African American woman selected to deliver the SOTU response. A panel of community leaders will provide commentary after the event. All are welcome, including students.  This is a non-partisan event.” Doors open at 5 p.m. For information,

First AME – L.A. Hosts FAMU Marching ‘100’
Religion

First AME – L.A. Hosts FAMU Marching ‘100’

Vicki Phillips, Contributing WriterDecember 31, 2018

More than 200 members of Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Marching “100” performed outside of First AME Church of Los Angeles on Dec. 30, prior to their scheduled January 1 performance in the Tournament of Roses Parade. The band’s event at FAME was one of nine scheduled performances prior to the Rose Parade.  The band’s trip to Los Angeles was assisted by Los Angeles-based philanthropists and FAMU alumna Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, who were among hundreds of worshippers and community members – including former FAME Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray, a FAMU alum, watching the parade on a

First AME –L.A. Hosts 3rd Annual College and Career Fair
Religion

First AME –L.A. Hosts 3rd Annual College and Career Fair

Anasia Obioha, Contributing WriterNovember 7, 2018

Twelfth grade Dorsey High School student Kory Laflora knows he wants to obtain a chemical engineering degree and thinks he may want to attend a historically Black college. To help him decide on a school, the 17-year-old recently joined more than 750 students in grades eight through 12 from 15 Los Angeles area schools at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Los Angeles’ (FAME) 3rd Annual Hoops and Options College and Career Fair. “It’s a wealth of information to help the kids decide,” said Georgia Smith, Laflora’s mother, who accompanied him to the fair for support. “Hopefully, it helps

FAME Hosts #Votefest in Hopes of Registering 10,000 New Voters
Religion

FAME Hosts #Votefest in Hopes of Registering 10,000 New Voters

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorOctober 3, 2018

First AME Church of Los Angeles is making a bold move to register 10,000 new voters by the mid-term election on Nov. 13.  The initiative, headed by FAME Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, is part of the African American Get – Out The Vote (AAGTV) campaign to increase voter registration by 10 percent. To kick-off their effort, Boyd and FAME members hosted #VoteFest on September 30, in collaboration with Corvette of Choice Club, the United in Peace Foundation Bikers and other specialty car clubs. The event, which also included a rally and resource fair, featured more than scores of motorcycles and classic

Kounalakis Worships at West Angeles COGIC & FAME
Religion

Kounalakis Worships at West Angeles COGIC & FAME

Sentinel News ServiceAugust 22, 2018

Eleni Kounalakis, a candidate for California Lt. Governor and a former U.S. Ambassador visited and participated in the powerful and inspiring worship services at West Angeles Church of God in Christ led by Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr., above, and First AME Church of Los Angeles under the leadership of Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, below,  on Sunday, August 12. (Courtesy photos)

First AME Church-L.A. Helps Zambian Entrepreneurs
Religion

First AME Church-L.A. Helps Zambian Entrepreneurs

Vicki C. Phillips, Contributing WriterAugust 15, 2018

A 2016 reception at a private home for the Honorable Inonge Mutukwa Wina, the first female vice president of Zambia and member of the AME Church, resulted in a partnership to improve the living conditions for Zambian women and enriched the lives of members of First AME Church of Los Angeles (FAME) and friends, who recently visited the country. The reception, organized by FAME member and Attorney Zna Portlock Houston, was hosted by FAME members Drs. Ludlow and Ruth Creary in their Hollywood Hills home. According to Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, senior minister of FAME, who attended the event, “The vice

FAME Hosts Grand Opening of FLHI Health House
Religion

FAME Hosts Grand Opening of FLHI Health House

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorFebruary 28, 2018

A new community service will be available to South L.A. residents though the First Ladies Health Initiative Health House. The new facility, located at 2249 South Hobart Boulevard in Los Angeles, will offer free health screenings, health clinics, healthy cooking classes and more on a monthly basis. The Health House will also be available for health-related speaking engagements and rentals. Scores of people attended the grand opening, tour and reception of the Health House on February 22. The audience included an interdenominational coalition of 35 pastors’ wives, representing houses of worship across Los Angeles and Orange County, along with several

FAME Hosts L.A.’s BHM Worship Service
Religion

FAME Hosts L.A.’s BHM Worship Service

Sentinel Staff ReportFebruary 7, 2018

Mayor Eric Garcetti will head at a contingent of elected officials at the City of Los Angeles African American Heritage Month Worship Service hosted by First AME Church, 2270 S. Harvard Blvd., in Los Angeles. The Rev. J. Edgar Boyd is the host pastor. The service, set for Sunday, February 11, at 10 a.m., will feature Bishop Clement W. Fugh, presiding prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District of the AME Church, as the guest preacher. Also, gospel artist Tramaine Hawkins will perform and members of the California Legislative Black Caucus will honored. According to Michael Ellison-Lewis, FAME spokesperson, “The significance of

People’s Independent Salutes Worsham with Pastor’s Appreciation
Religion

People’s Independent Salutes Worsham with Pastor’s Appreciation

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorJuly 5, 2017

  A two-day salute is planned to celebrate the 4th anniversary of Bishop Craig A. Worsham, senior pastor of People’s Independent Church of Christ (PICC), 5856 West Blvd., in Los Angeles. The theme is “Standing With You: Our Man of God Helping the People of God.” The scriptural reference is Jeremiah 3:15, which reads, “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Activities will kick-off with the Pastor’s Appreciation Brunch on Saturday, July 8, at 10:30 a.m., at Greggs Hall, located on the PICC campus. The event will feature entertainment