Rev. William Smart

SCLC Celebrates King Legacy Week 2021

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorJanuary 13, 2021

Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California will host several events as part of their King Legacy Week 2021, which commemorates the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The theme is “A New Day!” Among the highlights is the MLK Legacy Awards and Virtual Gala set for Monday, Jan. 18, at 7 p.m. Actress Anne Marie Johnson will serve as emcee for the occasion. The honorees include Phil Washington, CEO of L.A. Metropolitan Transit Authority; the Rev. John Cager, pastor of Ward AME Church; Dr. Daniel Black, an author and professor; Erma “Granny” Hall Woods, a veteran

Local News Political

Investigation Launched After Senior Citizens in South LA Victimized By Voter Fraud

Sentinel News ServiceOctober 30, 2020

A flagrant, predatory, and fraudulent effort to defraud voters has allegedly occurred in a South Los Angeles senior citizen housing complex in Jefferson Park.

Political

LA Council Candidate Yoo Attacks Group That Mobilizes Black Voters

Sentinel News ServiceOctober 12, 2020

Trying to gain traction with her struggling campaign, LA City Council District 10 Candidate Grace Yoo has attacked the major voter registration project that her opponent, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, created to increase the number of Black voters over the last 20 years.

Op-Ed Opinion

This Is How a Ban on Tobacco Looks: Unintended Consequences

Pastor KW Tulloss & Rev. William SmartMay 7, 2020

The behavior of the Rancho Cordova police officer who pinned an unarmed 14-year-old African American boy to the ground and punched him repeatedly for purchasing a tobacco product is disgraceful, distressing and outrageous. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. It is one of far too many videos of police using physical force on a daily basis against people of color in neighborhoods of color. Most police officers work hard to do the right thing but bad police behavior is enabled and fueled by racist policies such as the proposed ban on the sale of menthol cigarettes preferred by over 80% of African Americans who choose to smoke.