Vicki Phillips

First AME Plans Annual Missionary Day

Vicki Phillips, Contributing WriterMay 26, 2021

The Sarah Allen Women’s Missionary Society of First AME Church-Los Angeles, will hold its Annual Missionary Day on Sunday, May 30, at 12 noon. According to Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, the keynote speaker for the event will be the Rev. Francine Brookins, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Fontana. The virtual service, which honors individuals who have significantly impacted the South L.A. community even during the pandemic, may be viewed online via the church’s website at http://www.firstamechurchla.org. The honorees include Dr. Belinda Allen, executive director of West Angeles Community Development Corporation; Chancela Al-Mansour, Esq., executive director of the Housing Rights Center; and

Religion

FAME Premieres Voter Suppression Documentary

Vicki Phillips, Contributing WriterSeptember 25, 2019

“Suppressed: The Fight To Vote,” a documentary about the 2018 midterm elections in Georgia, will make its West Coast premiere on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m., at First AME Church, 2270 S. Harvard Blvd., in Los Angeles. Pastor J. Edgar Boyd said that Brave New Films partnered with FAME to present the movie, which weaves together personal stories of voters in Georgia, “to paint an undeniable picture of voter suppression…and the threat it poses to or elections all across the nation in 2020.” A panel discussion will follow the screening. Admission is free and open to the public, however, attendees must

Crenshaw & Around Religion

FAME’s Women’s Ministry Holds Special Service

Vicki Phillips, Contributing WriterJune 5, 2019

First AME Church of Los Angeles’ Women’s Ministry will host a worship service entitled, “Women Who Slay,” on Saturday, June 8, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at First AME Church, 2270 S. Harvard Blvd., Los Angeles. The Rev. Dr. Cecilia Williams Bryant, a spiritual leader, teacher, preacher, author and missionary, will lead the service, based on the scripture 1 Timothy 2:1-3. This service is the first of three under FAME’s Women’s Season series of programs. “In this long overdue season of women’s empowerment and engagement sweeping through America, I am proud and honored to support the FAME’s ‘Women Who Slay’ mini-conference,”

Crenshaw & Around Religion

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

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

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,

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

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