Acting on a motion by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and Board Chair Kathryn Barger, the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to appoint – for the first time – an Inspector General to oversee skilled nursing facilities, which account for more than half of all deaths from COVID-19 in Los Angeles County. The Board also approved bringing in the Auditor-Controller to ensure closer monitoring of skilled nursing facilities immediately.   ... read more »

In honor of Memorial Day, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas partnered with nonprofits and businesses to distribute donated groceries, prepared meals, and hand sanitizers to veterans and their families in South Los Angeles. ... read more / view gallery »

   Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas recommended extending the reward, which was set to expire May 29 but will now be available for at least another 90 days. Investigators say Corey Devaughn Pickett was visiting a friend about 11:30 p.m. last July 12 in the 1000 block of West 94th Street, near Vermont Avenue and the border with Los Angeles, when his brother drove up in a new Maserati.  ... read more »

``The fact that many communities of color fare poorly in health outcomes, and are more susceptible to COVID-19, is not an accident,'' Solis said. ``Decades of institutional racism have made our communities more vulnerable, so we must consider this reality in our policy solutions. We need our public health experts to keep robust data collection on COVID-19 patients to ensure resources are distributed equitably to high-need areas.'' ... read more »

The U.S. Constitution mandates a census of the nation’s population every 10 years. Census statistics are used to determine the number of seats each state holds in Congress and how much in federal funding is allocated to state and local communities for the next 10 years. Local government officials use the census to ensure public safety and plan new schools and hospitals. Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices and stores, which creates jobs. Real estate developers and city planners use the census to plan new homes and improve neighborhoods. Residents use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life and consumer advocacy. ... read more »

Today, with support of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, the Departments of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) and Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS) are proud to announce the launch of the new L.A. County Business and Worker Disaster Help Center, a new centralized call center and website providing free, one-on-one counseling and support for business owners and workers who have been adversely affected by the ongoing Coronavirus/COVID-19 emergency. ... read more »

The fifth annual Upgrade LA: Meet the Decision Makers African American History Month Business Breakfast was held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel on Thursday, February 27, 2020. Meet the Decision Makers celebrated two dynamic, high profile officials – Hon. James T. Butts, Jr., the Mayor of Inglewood and Commissioner Cynthia McClain-Hill, the Vice President of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Commission. ... read more »

At the intersection of Crenshaw and Leimert, hundreds gathered to honor the history of Crenshaw Boulevard and Leimert Park and to celebrate the groundbreaking of Destination Park and its centerpiece; Sankofa Park.  ... read more »

“As a civil-rights advocate and the first Black woman to be elected to L.A. City Council, Ms. Walters was not only a pillar to this community but a model public servant. She inspired the minds of future generations of women of color to strive for their dreams and accomplish their goals regardless of their adversities,” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. ... read more »

Steve Lopez, award-winning Los Angeles Times columnist and author of The Soloist, provided the keynote address at a panel discussion Homelessness and the Public’s Health: A National Crisis and a Local Emergency at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science’s (CDU) fifth annual President’s Breakfast on Thursday, February 13, at the Marina Del Rey Marriott. The panel was moderated by CDU President/CEO Dr. David M. Carlisle and featured leaders in politics and public health who are noted champions of health equity and solving the rising issue of homelessness. ... read more »

The Positive Results Corporation Honored Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas with the Champion of Peace Award at its fourth annual awards dinner and fundraiser. The dinner was held at the Carson Community Center on Sunday, October 27. Raising money for the foundation, over three hundred guests enjoyed music, dancing, and a silent auction. The afternoon ended with a panel discussing surviving domestic violence. ... read more »

Publisher Lisa Collins, LA Focus hosted the 22nd First Ladies High Tea at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Apostle Beverly “Bam” Crawford and actress Wendy Raquel Robinson were the Mistress of Ceremonies and on a day when so many powerful and inspiring words were shared, one word captures the entire event most accurately: beautiful.  As Legacy Award Recipient Marla Gibbs quipped “This isn’t low tea, it’s HIGH tea!” ... read more »

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a $10,000 reward today for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever gunned down a man in Westmont in July.  ... read more »

Described as a one-stop shop, the facility houses community and county service providers to assist clients with a second chance to change the trajectory of their life. ... read more »

In a scenic setting of live music, cuisine, and ambiance, Community Build, Inc. in Leimert Park, welcomed public officials, colleagues, family and friends, and a who’s who list of community influencers who convened to celebrate the organization’s new president and CEO, Robert Saucedo, with a reception and ribbon cutting ceremony. ... read more »