WSSN Stories

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? |? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and the California Black Chamber of Commerce (CALBCC)  celebrated Black-owned businesses from across the state at its 2024 Legislative Business Brunch, held at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento on February 12.

The event, part of the CLBC’s Black History Month celebrations, honored the business owners for their outstanding achievements, impact on communities, enduring legacy, and high level of professionalism.

Jay King, CALBCC President and CEO, and CLBC Chair, Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), and CLBC Vice Chair, Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), hosted the event.

“I thank each and every one of you for being here for this grand occasion organized to celebrate and honor Black business owners from around the state of California for their hard work, dedication, perseverance, and tenacity,” King said. “These are but a few of the attributes that must be on display at all times for Black business to survive.”

This year’s Black History Month business awardees are: Flawless Cutz and Stylez (Bakersfield); Imperial Electric Service (Fresno); OC Podiatry (Orange); Seashells Realty Group (San Jose); SER Transportation Services (Sacramento);Chez Soul (Fairfield); Beauchamp Distributing Company (Compton); BLK Girl Greenhouse (Oakland); South LA Café (Los Angeles); D.R. Roberts Event Management (Oakland); Sal’s Gumbo Shack (Long Beach); Leading Edge Learning Center (Moreno Valley); Woody’s Bar-B-Que (Los Angeles); Urban Roots Brewery and Smokehouses (Sacramento); Detour Hair Studios and Earle’s Restaurant (Inglewood); and Spacebar Café  (La Mesa).

All of the awards were presented by King and members of the CLBC.

“As we gather here today, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to fostering an environment where Black businesses can thrive and continue to be meaningful to the economic landscape of California,” said Wilson, the chairperson of CLBC. “We continue to look forward to continuing our collaboration with the California Black Chamber of Commerce and stakeholders dedicated to empowering and uplifting Black-owned businesses.”

One of the oldest Black businesses in the state, Woods-Valentine Mortuary of Pasadena, received a special recognition for its longevity and contributions to its community. The mortuary was established by James and Annie Mae Woods in 1928 in the area now known as Old Pasadena.

Fred Valentine and his brothers were employed by the mortuary. Then, in 1958, Valentine and his wife, Arzella J. Valentine, purchased the business and renamed it Woods-Valentine.

Mr. Valentine passed away at the age of 98 in 2017. Their daughters Janyce Valentine and Gail Valentine-Taylor now operate the business with their 97-year-old mother, who was present at the brunch.

“I’ve known this family for about 40 years. I am so proud of this family,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), who represents Assembly District (AD) 41 where the Woods-Valentine business is located.

Holden presented the award to the Valentine family.

While growing up, Holden said he learned about the 96-year-old mortuary business through one of the most effective forms of advertising in the Black community: church hand-held cooling fans.

Holden reflected on how the fans, for decades, were an important medium for information and advertising in Black communities across the United States for businesses like insurance companies, funeral homes, law firms, car dealerships and more.

State Controller Malia M. Cohen was the keynote speaker, and she was presented with the CLBC’s Chair Award. Tara Lynn Gray, the Director of California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), also delivered remarks.

Toks Omishakin, California Secretary of Transportation, was a guest.

King urged the business owners to continue to be exemplars and beacons of hope for other Black entrepreneurs and companies in the state.

“The business owners you see here have survived many obstacles and barriers, have been denied access to capital and other necessary resources to succeed, and have been told ‘no,’” King said. “But we say today, ‘thank you’ and ‘we appreciate you,’ with the hopes that they must carry the message: don’t quit and keep pushing.”

By Joe W. Bowers Jr.  | California Black Media

The ballot for the 2024 California presidential primary election, set for March 5 — commonly called “Super Tuesday in political media speak — features leading presidential candidates President Joe Biden (D) and former President Donald Trump (R). Black candidates for President include President R. Boddie (D), Eban Cambridge (D), Jasmine Sherman (Peace and Freedom), and Cornel West (Peace and Freedom).

Across California, voters will also be choosing candidates for one US Senate seat, 52 congressional seats, 80 State Assembly seats, and 20 State Senate seats. Additionally, there’s a statewide ballot measure, Proposition 1, which if passed, would allow the state to borrow $6.4 billion for mental health treatment beds and revamp the law that funds mental health services through a tax on millionaires.

Voters will discover that Black candidates are overrepresented on their ballots for State and Federal office. Although African Americans comprise 6.5% of California’s population, Black candidates are contesting for 11.5% of California’s US House seats, 23.8% of State Assembly seats and 30% of State Senate seats.

According to California Black Media (CBM), 53 Black candidates are participating in 32 of the 154 statewide elections. That’s about 21% of the races.

In eleven of these races, multiple Black candidates are competing. The party affiliations of these candidates include 42 Democrats, 7 Republicans, one Green Party, three Peace and Freedom Party and one from the American Independent Party. Among these candidates, 27 women are running for office – one for President, one for US Senate, 4 for Congress, 15 for State Assembly and 7 for State Senate. There are 27 men on the ballot – 3 for President, 8 for Congress, 9 for state Assembly and 7 for state Senate.

There is one Black candidate, Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), running for the US Senate seat (both full and partial term) to succeed U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler. If elected, Lee would be the third Black female U.S. Senator in state history. Despite lagging in both fundraising and the polls, she has consistently performed well in debates. Lee, has said throughout her political career that “representation matters.” If neither Lee nor Congressmember Katie Porter (D-CA-47), the leading female candidates, finishes in the top two for the general election, California would be without a female contending to be senator the first time in more than 30 years.

 

In the upcoming Congressional elections, 12 Black candidates are vying for 6 seats.

For Congressional District (CD) 6 (Elk Grove), Craig J. DeLuz (R), a member of the Robla School Board, is in the running along with 5 other candidates, including the current Congressmember, Ami Bera (D).

Kevin Lincoln (R), the Mayor of Stockton, is contesting for CD 9 (Stockton) against three other candidates, including the incumbent Congressmember, Josh Harder (D).

In CD 12 (Oakland), nine candidates are competing to succeed Lee. Among them, three are Black: Lateefah Simon (D), a nonprofit Foundation President; Andre Todd (D), a retired Navy officer and businessman; and Eric Wilson (D), an employee of a nonprofit organization.

Julie Lythcott-Haims (D), a Palo Alto councilmember, educator, lawyer, and parent, is among the 11 candidates running for CD 16 (Atherton) to replace the retiring Anna Eshoo (D).

Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D), one of the three incumbent Black Congressmembers from California, is seeking re-election in CD 37 (Los Angeles). John Thompson Parker (Peace and Freedom) is the other Black candidate in this race, which has a total of four contenders.

In CD 47 (Los Angeles), four out of five candidates are Black. The incumbent representative is Maxine Waters (D). The other Black candidates are Gregory Edward Jackson Cheadle (D), a program evaluator; Chris B. Wiggins (D), a state caucus chair; and Steve Williams (R), a small business owner.

 

Out of 40 State Senate seats, 20 are up for election this year. Five of these seats are being sought by 14 Black candidates.

In Senate District (SD) 3 (Napa), five candidates are competing for an open seat as the incumbent, Bill Dodd (D), is term-limited in 2024. The Black candidates in this race are Jackie Elward (D), a councilmember, educator, and mother, and Jimih Jones (R), an automotive parts advisor.

SD 7 (Oakland) has six candidates running to succeed Nancy Skinner (D), who is termed out at the end of 2024. The Black candidates are Jovanka Beckles (D), an AC Transit Director, and Sandre R Swanson (D), a youth foundation president and former Assemblymember.

Jason O’Brien (D), a police detective and businessman, is among four candidates vying for an open seat in SD 29 (San Bernadino).

Eight candidates are on the ballot for SD 35 (Inglewood) to replace the term-limited Sen. Steven Bradford (D). The six Black candidates are Michelle Chambers (D), a community justice advocate; Lamar Lyons (D), a financial consultant; Alex Monteiro (D), a Councilmember and nonprofit director; Laura Richardson (D), a former Congressmember, businesswoman, and housing advocate; and Jennifer Trichelle-Marie Williams (D), an accountant and small businessowner.

Dr. Akilah Weber (D), an Assemblymember and medical doctor is a candidate for the open SD 39 (San Diego) seat being vacated by Sen. Toni Atkins, former Senate President pro Tempore. She is running against one other candidate.

 

Out of 80 Assembly seats on the ballot, 24 Black candidates are contesting for 19 seats.

In Assembly District (AD) 6 (Sacramento), 10 candidates are on the ballot to succeed Kevin McCarty (D), who is running for Mayor of Sacramento. Among them, Emmanual Amanfor (D), a Sacramento Housing Commissioner, is the sole Black candidate.

Porsche Middleton (D) is contesting for AD 7 (Citrus Heights) against two others, including incumbent Josh Hoover (R).

In AD 11 (Suisun City), incumbent Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D) is seeking re-election. She faces three opponents, one of whom is Black: Wanda Wallis, a real estate agent.

Rhodesia Ransom (D), a businessowner and mother, is running for AD 13 (Stockton) against two other candidates.

Monica E. Wilson (D), an Antioch City Councilmember, is contesting for AD 15 (Concord) against three opponents.

Incumbent Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D) is seeking re-election for AD 18 (Oakland). Among her three opponents, one is Black: Andre Sandford, a housing program manager.

Waymond Fermon (D), a peace officer and Indio councilmember, is running for the open seat in AD 36 (Antelope Valley) against six other candidates.

Phlunté Riddle (D), a public safety commissioner, is on the ballot for AD 41 (Pasadena). The incumbent, Chris Holden (D), who is term-limited, is running for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Three other candidates are also on the ballot.

Carmenita Helligar (D) is one of eight candidates for AD 44 (Burbank), as incumbent Laura Friedman is running for the U.S. House.

Jamie Swain (D), a truck driver, is running for AD 47 (High Desert) against two opponents, including incumbent Greg Wallis (R).

In AD 50 (San Bernardino), DeJonae Marie Shaw, a licensed vocational nurse, is running against two other candidates. The incumbent, Eloise Reyes (D), is running for State Senate.

Shannel Pittman (Green Party), a national diversity chair, is running for AD 52 (San Gabriel Valley) against nine other candidates. The incumbent, Wendy Carrillo (D), is running for Los Angeles City Council.

Isaac G. Bryan (D), the incumbent Assemblymember for AD 55 (Ladera Heights), has one opponent.

In AD 57 (Los Angeles), five candidates are running to replace Reggie Jones-Sawyer, who is term-limited and running for Los Angeles City Council. The three Black candidates are Greg Akili, an educator and nonprofit director; Sade Elhawary, an education and community organizer; and Tara Perry, a reparations advocate.

Corey A Jackson (D), the incumbent Assemblymember for AD 60 (Riverside), is running for re-election against two opponents, one of whom is Black: Ron Edwards (R), a small business owner.

Tina Simone McKinnor (D), the incumbent Assemblymember for AD 61 (Inglewood), is running for re-election against one opponent.

Mike Gipson (D), the incumbent Assemblymember for AD 65 (Compton), is running for re-election.

Dom Jones (D), a businesswoman and TV personality, is running for AD-72 (Huntington Beach) against incumbent Diane Dixon (R).

LaShae Sharp-Collins (D), a county education professional, is running for AD 79 (La Mesa). The incumbent, Akilah Weber, is running for State Senate. Two other candidates are also on the ballot.

All active registered voters in California will receive a vote-by-mail ballot. Mailing of ballots began Feb. 5 and drop-off locations opened on Feb. 6. The last day to register to vote is Feb. 20. Vote centers for early in-person voting open on Feb. 24. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by March 12.

In California, the order of races on ballots goes from local to federal, and the state’s primaries have a top-two system, meaning the top two vote getters in a given race advance to the general election, regardless of political party.

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media 

A report released last week by the California Community Builders Association (CBCA) presented a grim picture of home ownership for middle income Black Californians and other minorities.

The report, titled California’s Missing Middle,” revealed that the rate of homeownership for Black Californians ages 25 through 35 dropped by more than half — from 50% to 23% over a four-decade period, beginning in 1980 through 2021.

During that same period, the rate of homeownership for Latinos also fell significantly — by 22 percentage points, from 52% to 30%.

According to CBCA, the study is based on Census data. It focuses on middle-income Californians because there are rapid shifts happening among that demographic and that sub-group gets the least attention in conversations about homelessness and housing affordability.

“Middle-income California is shrinking, and the drop is all in the lower-middle-income group, from 6.7 million in 2000 to 4.3 million in 2019, a staggering 35% drop,” reads a CBCA press release.

Middle-income Californians also receive the least amount of government funded subsidies aimed at making housing more affordable in the state.

“We have no idea whether these people left the state or changed income brackets. In fact, we know little about the demographics and housing challenges of this group, but the “shrinking middle class” looks real. Knowledge gaps create policy gaps, and we have both,” the CBCA press release continued.Among key findings in the study are nearly 60% of middle-income Californians are people of color and California housing prices have increased eight times as much as California incomes.

The report recommends that the state create a housing policy that considers the needs of middle-income Californians. The majority of them, according to CCBA, earn too little money to compete in the housing market, yet their income is too high to qualify for income-based subsidies.

“Today, the needs of low-income families are often the primary source of discussion when it comes to housing policy and housing subsidy,” the report reads. “CCB agrees with this perspective and believes low-income families need far greater support than they receive today, but we also believe that the 17 million middle-income Californians also need care and attention, as our current housing market regularly fails them.”

By Lou K. Coleman| WSS News Contributor

Is the Apocalypse around the Corner? Yes! Is it the Last Days? Yes! But you ask, how can you say with such certainty?

Bible prophecy:

[Isaiah 11:11-12, Ezekiel 11:17, Amos 9:14-15, Isaiah 52:9, Zechariah 8:7-8 and 12:6, Ezekiel 34:12-13, 36:24, and 39:28, Jeremiah 23:7-8, Revelation 11:8-9, Revelation 13, Matthew 24:12, 2 and Peter 3:3-2, Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:11, Matthew 24:14, Mark 13:10, Revelation 13:1-7, Daniel 7:16-24, Revelation 13:1-8 & 17:1-18, Matthew 24:9, Mark 13:13, Luke 21:17, John 15:20, 2nd Timothy 3:12, 1 Timothy 4:1-2, Matthew 24:10-12, Ezekiel 38:2-6 Zechariah 12:3, Ezekiel 37:10].

Read it all and then look around you. What do you see? War and the nations gathering for more war. Economic woes, massive inflation, crime on all sides, wickedness everywhere, natural disasters, famine, all evidence that we are living in the end times, last days, and that the apocalypse is just around the corner. Lend a sense of urgency to this message, please!

Prophecy [Ezekiel 7:1-4] … An end! The end is coming on the four corners of the land.

Three specific prophecies that God gave Ezekiel regarding how the people will be punished—one-third will die by plagues or famine; one-third will fall by the sword; one-third will be scatted to every wind. He tells Ezekiel that he is about to cut off the food supply in Jerusalem and only give the people rationed water. He tells Ezekiel the people will waste away. And plagues and bloodshed were coming. Bones were going to be scattered, towns laid waste, and the high places of idolatry were going to be demolished.

Days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. [Luke 21:20-22].

Please lend a sense of urgency to this message. For indeed, we are living in the Last Days, End-Times, and the Apocalypse is just around the Corner.

By Tanu Henry, Antonio Ray Harvey and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media 

On February 7, Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) introduced legislation, Assembly Bill (AB) 2180, designed to ensure that terminally or chronically ill people living in California can afford their life-saving medications.

If passed, the law would require California health plan providers, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to count the value of financial assistance provided by subsidy programs towards a terminally ill patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket expenses.

“When insurers and PBMs do onto count the value of copay assistance toward cost-sharing requirements, patients often experience “a copay surprise” at the pharmacy counter and may be forced to walk away without their needed medication because they cannot afford it,” wrote Weber in a statement.

Over 80 patient advocacy organizations, medical foundations and other groups applauded Weber for introducing the legislation.

“The All Copays Count in California Coalition commends Dr. Weber for championing legislation that will improve patient access to medications and protect the most vulnerable Californians from harmful and deceptive insurance schemes that raise patient costs,” said Lynne Kinst, Executive Director of Hemophilia Council of California (HCC), which is a cosponsor of the bill.

According to the HCC, an estimated 70% of patients “abandon their prescription medications when their out-of-pocket costs reach $250 or more.

By Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass hosted Black mayors visiting from different parts of the country this past weekend.

While in L.A., Bass, who declared homelessness her top priority after she was sworn in as mayor, took her guests on a tour of the Hilda L. Solis Care First Village. The development features an innovative design, using modular units, and offers wraparound mental health care and social services.

For the mayors, the village provided a model of an affordable, effective and nimble solution to addressing the intersecting mental health and homelessness crises gripping cities around the country, and disproportionately impacting Black communities.

“Welcome to our African American mayors from around the country. We are very, very happy to welcome you,” Bass said to her guests.

Staff and business leaders were among the guests that attended the event.

Mayor Bass introduced two key players instrumental in the creation of the facility: Los Angeles County supervisor Hilda Solis, after whom the complex is named, and former California Assemblymember and Senator, and current  president and CEO of the Weingart Center Association, Kevin Murray.

The Hilda L. Solis Care First Village is one of the Weingart Center’s 15 locations in California designed to address homelessness. Located next to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, Los Angeles’ county jail, the village opened in May 2021 with $51 million from pandemic relief funds and $6 million from Los Angeles County discretionary funds, according to Solis. She also pointed to the jail as the reason more facilities like the one named after her.

“The biggest institutions [jails] that have more people who should be in these types of housing units because they’re big on mental health issues, substance abuse, many were homeless,” said Solis.

The three-story facility was conceived, approved and built in a remarkably swift span of six months due to a combination of prefabricated units, custom made trailers and 60 shipping containers. Modular designs lowered costs per unit from $531,373 down to $245,689.

Each room is private and includes a television and shower. These items provide a way to allow residents to have personal space and reduce arguments and conflict. There are 232 units, 10 of which are reserved for use by the Los Angeles District attorney’s office and Project 180, a program which seeks to lower recidivism rates.

Site director Chris Castaneda explained that the purpose of the interim housing is to usher residents into permanent housing. The population covers a wide range including the elderly, who make up about 23% and each person has a different set of needs.

“So far we have placed about 25% of our clients into permanent housing,” said Casteneda. “But we’re very happy to have that in the 25% range, which might sound like a small number. But, when you look at all the barriers that we have to work through, it’s pretty good.”

Murray, who is a former chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, led the mayors’ tour and answered questions. He explained the concepts behind many of the facilities spaces, and discussed philosophies leaders and staff ascribe to at the village.

The amenities of the facility are a part of a talking a humanizing approach to addressing homelessness, according to Murray, who guided visitors through safe outdoor areas, views of the living spaces and a dog park.

The center also includes laundry facilities, on-site kitchen, and parking spaces for residents. There are even veterinary services for pets.

For some staying at the facility, this model has afforded them the opportunity to focus on healing.

Judith A. Brown’s room was one of the highlights of the tour. Brown is a cancer survivor and says the services and security she found at the center gave her space to recuperate. She is in remission and has grown her hair back and has had visits from her daughter.

“I mean, since I’ve been at the shelter, I’ve concentrated on my health and mental health,” said Brown.

Another resident said he has been in the village for two years and has not received enough help.

Leaders say the village is not designed as a catch-all. So those with more severe medical or mental issues are referred to locations better equipped for them, according to Murray. It costs about $70 to $80 per person, per day to operate. This includes security and case management.

“I think one of the things about homelessness is you need different kinds of houses. I think the biggest flaw in homeless policy right now is the cookie cutter approach,” said Murray. “Certainly, do some of that but you got to look at every site, every neighborhood, every community every city a little bit differently and see what works for them.”

For others the facility is a second chance at life.

Tommy Mitchell is 67 years old and disabled. He has been at the facility for over three months but was on the street for over two years. A few months ago, he was sleeping in his truck and was robbed by two men who took his money and cut him several times across his stomach. When he was taken to the hospital he was connected to the village where he received help navigating the city’s housing process. On the day of the tour, he received some good news — he qualified for an apartment. His counselor gave him the good news in person.

“This was a blessing. This place really helped me a whole lot,” said Mitchell. This place is a good place if you want help. You follow the steps, do what they ask you and you’ll win.”

By Lou K. Coleman| WSS News Contributor

For it now appears they are ready to play the “end game” card against humanity and go for a total civilization takedown. This means disrupting the food supply chain, the power grid, telecommunications, monetary systems, and the rule of law. The goal is absolute chaos resulting in massive death on a global scale. Gird your loins because the stage is set! The prophecies of the Bible and Satan’s plans for ruling the world are ready to reach their conclusion! The awakening is accelerating, and they are hellbent on causing death, destruction, and chaos.

Certainly, you are not ignorant that evil, the workings of Satan, are all around us. For the Bible speaks of “principalities and powers” [Ephesians 6:12], forces of influence and control that operate behind the scenes, and according to the Scriptures, these entities, aligned with Satan, manipulate the world’s affairs. These entities exert significant influence over the systems of our world, shaping narratives and dictating the limits of permissible action for those beneath them in the hierarchy of power. Wake up!  I ask you, “Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?” [Mark 8:18].

If you do not awake from your slumber and grid your loins, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you, and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” [Luke 19:41-46].

So, wake up and gird your loins for the awakening is accelerating and this time of trouble [Revelation chapters 6 and 8] is here.

By Tanu Henry and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media  

Speaking in Las Vegas on Jan. 27, Vice President Kamala Harris announced a forthcoming federal rule that will extend access to Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to Americans who have been convicted of felonies but have served their time.

Small business owners typically apply for the SBA loans to start or sustain their businesses.

Harris thanked U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, for the work he has done in Washington to support small businesses and to invest in people.

“He and I spent some time this afternoon with business leaders and small business leaders here in Nevada. The work you have been doing to invest in community and to invest in the ambition and natural capacity of communities has been exceptional,” Harris said, speaking to a crowd of a few hundred people at the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall in East Las Vegas.

On her daylong trip, Harris was joined by Horford, SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman, Interim Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Eric Morrissette, and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev).

“Formerly incarcerated individuals face significant barriers to economic opportunity once they leave prison and return to the community, with an unemployment rate among the population of more than 27%,” the White House press release continued.  “Today’s announcement builds on the Vice President’s work to increase access to capital. Research finds that entrepreneurship can reduce recidivism for unemployed formerly incarcerated individuals by as much as 30%.”

By Lou K. Coleman

I want to live and just worry about my everyday life. Well, you go right ahead Boo, Boo. Just know that you will have no one to blame but yourself. For the Bible makes it clear that men are responsible for how they respond to warnings. If you choose not to take interest in the way of escape, then you, and you alone, are responsible for your judgment. The choice is yours. But as a watchman, my job is to warn, that’s it and that’s all.

I have been given a very specific call. And it carries with it great consequences. Those consequences can be God honoring or can bring about death and eternal punishment. For I am reminded in [Ezekiel 33: 1-7] that, if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will be require at the watchman’s hand.” Well not on my watch! As God said to Joel, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm….” You are hearing the sound of the trumpet blowing! Flee for safety without delay! [Jeremiah 4:5-6]. For we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Many of the prophecies are about to be fulfilled in quick succession. No time to waste. Heed the warnings from God! Because past history will be repeated; old controversies will arouse to new life, and peril will beset God’s people on every side…Study Revelation in connection with Daniel, for history will be repeated…. Satan will employ the same policy, manifest the same spirit and work for the same end, as in all receding ages. Except that the coming struggle will be marked with a terrible intensity such as the world has never witnessed. As the Belarusian President said recently: the world is sounding the warning that time is running out for humanity. Do not be a despiser of warning. “Who can I speak to? Who will listen to my warning?” [Jeremiah 6:10].

They failed to listen to the warnings, and tragedies that might have been averted were not.

 

 

 

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

The Hon. Margaret Richards-Bowers, 70, a retired registered nurse, community advocate, and former President of the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) Board of Education, passed away on Jan.16, 2024, following a prolonged illness.

Born on April 15, 1953, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, an island nation in the eastern Caribbean, Margaret Mundus Richards was the eldest of seven children born to Vernon Richards and Enid Banfield Richards.

Richards-Bowers graduated from the prestigious St. Vincent Girls’ High School, where she served as class prefect in her senior year, a role held in high regard and viewed as second only to a teacher in terms of authority and respect. She was the first runner-up in the Miss St. Vincent Teenager contest, and she had the honor of having tea with the late Queen Elizabeth II of England.

In 1972, Richards-Bowers moved to Los Angeles. She worked part-time while studying for an Associate of Arts Degree in Nursing at East Los Angeles College. She later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Service Management from the University of La Verne in Los Angeles County. Although she had interests in acting and singing, she chose a career in nursing for its stability. However, notably, she played a crucial role in the formation of the Pan African Film & Arts Festival, according to Ayuko Babu, the festival’s Executive Director.

“Margaret’s unique perspective, stemming from her Caribbean roots in St. Vincent, and her Los Angeles experiences enriched the festival’s Pan African outlook. Her contributions were pivotal to the festival’s development and will always be cherished,” Babu said.

After becoming a Registered Nurse, Richards-Bowers began her career as Nurse Manager at Pico Psychiatric Medical Clinic. She later joined Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital in Inglewood, where she served in various roles, including Staff Registered Nurse in the Oncology Unit and Charge Nurse in the Coronary Care Unit. In 1990, she joined Kaiser Permanente, West Los Angeles, serving as a Staff Registered Nurse and Relief Charge Nurse in the Urgent Care Clinic.

While at Kaiser, Richards-Bowers served as the Chairperson of the Employee Congress Committee. She authored the committee’s mission statement and initiated “The Culture of Courtesy” program that promoted an environment of courtesy and respect. In 1998, Richards-Bowers left Kaiser to focus on raising her sons.

Richards-Bowers was deeply involved in volunteer activities. She served as a member of the Los Angeles County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Sheriff’s Community Advisory Committee and as a volunteer deputy at the Ladera Heights Sheriff Community Service Center. She was a director and Vice-President of the Ladera Heights Civil Association in unincorporated LA County, and was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., and the National Council of Negro Women.

Richards-Bowers was a community health advocate and Board member of the Citizens Coalition for a Safe Community. She testified before the LA County Planning Commission on the Inglewood Oil Field Community Standards District. She also advocated for environmental considerations and community involvement in a school construction project before the IUSD School Board.

Richards-Bowers, who became a U.S. Citizen in 1996, was deeply involved in political activism even before she could vote. She helped elect local and national candidates that shared her values, like Mervyn Dymally, a fellow Caribbean immigrant, to Congress. Eventually, she became a deputy registrar of voters.

Richards-Bowers participated in several campaigns for former LA Police Chief and City Councilman Bernard Parks who admired her dedication, saying, “Margaret channeled her unwavering political passion into tangible actions. Her journey from grassroots campaigning to becoming a national delegate is a testament to her relentless advocacy. Her legacy will continue to inspire us.”

Furthermore, Richards-Bowers was a member of the New Frontier and Culver City Democratic Clubs, the National Women’s Political Caucus’ South Bay Chapter, and Organizing for America. In 2008, she served in various roles for the Obama for America Campaign, including Precinct Captain, and Volunteer and Resource Coordinator for the 33rd Congressional District. She was elected as a District Delegate for the 2008 Democratic National Convention held in Denver. She had the unique privilege of engaging in conversations with Presidents Clinton and Obama.

Richards-Bowers was a passionate advocate for public education. She held leadership roles, including Co-President of the Frank D. Parent School PTA, and was a member of the IUSD Budget Advisory Committee and Measure GG Bond Committee, which secured $90 million for school facility improvements. She co-founded the Education Equity Coalition when IUSD went into state receivership and advocated for an audit of district management, appearing before the State Legislature twice until the audit was approved.

Richards-Bowers also sought to effect change through elected office. Although her first attempt to join the IUSD School Board was unsuccessful, she persevered and won a seat, eventually serving as President of the Board. Unfortunately, health issues prevented her from running for re-election.

According to current IUSD Board President, Dr. Carliss McGhee, “Margaret Richards-Bowers was my soulmate on the Inglewood school board. Her tireless dedication, love for students, and her spirit and tenacity for progress in education reflect her genuine commitment to ensuring a brighter future for the students she served. Her absence will be felt, and she will be sorely missed.”

Richards-Bowers was not only a dedicated professional and community advocate, but also a published poet, runner, music enthusiast, and an art aficionado.

Richards-Bowers leaves behind a loving family. She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Joe William Bowers Jr., eldest son Shawki Haffar Jr., son Jason Takao Bowers and his wife Roslyn, and cherished grandchildren, Wolfgang and Sachiko. She is also survived by sisters Merlyn, Bernadette, and Jacqueline, and brothers Robert, Leon, Bernard, and Claudon.

The funeral for Richards-Bowers is scheduled for Feb. 5 at the Holy Cross Mortuary, located at 5835 West Slauson Ave, Culver City, CA 90230. The viewing will start at 10:30 AM, followed by services from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.