WSSN Stories

By Lou Yeboah

“You who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear” [Ezekiel 12:2; Jeremiah 5:21] because of your own obstinate spirit, judgment is already in motion. [Isaiah Chapter 6]. My appeal to you was to seek Me while I may be found, call upon Me while I was near and I will have mercy upon you, for I would abundantly pardon. [Isaiah 55:6-7]. But naw, you wouldn’t listen, I tell you judgment is already in motion, says the Lord.”

“Then I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, ‘Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.” [Revelation 15:8]. “And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit.  He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth.  They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone.  And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them… [Revelation 9: 1-12].

“O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in, it is a great furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, of God, whose wrath is provoked and incensed as much against you, as against many of the damned in hell. You hang by a slender thread, with the flames of divine wrath flashing about it, and ready every moment to singe it, and burn it asunder; and you have no interest in any Mediator, and nothing to lay hold of to save yourself, nothing to keep off the flames of wrath, nothing of your own, nothing that you ever have done, nothing that you can do, to induce God to spare you one moment.” [Jonathan Edwards, in his famous sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God].

Oh, sinner man, repent before its too late! Time is running out! [Romans 13:11].

NATIONWIDE, CA— Calling entrepreneurs, activists and culture shifters. McDonald’s USA today announced the Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders program, an initiative to empower the next group of visionaries who are changing the world, one community at a time. The yearlong campaign is part of the Black & Positively Golden movement which began with the McDonald’s Future 22 program earlier this year. The Golden Arches is excited to lend its platform and award financial resources to a select group of 10 trailblazers, ages 18 to 30, to help support and foster their community-driven missions.

“The McDonald’s Future 22 program opened doors that I didn’t think existed,” said Marcyssa “Horizem” Brown, a competitive gamer and 2022 Future 22 leader. “Because of McDonald’s, I gained new experiences, relationships, and exposure. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for which I am forever grateful. I’m excited for the Change Leaders who will be selected!”

From now through October 9, 2022, change makers can apply at www.McDChangeLeaders.com. In a short video, applicants are encouraged to share their stories on how they are impacting their community. Those selected to be part of McDonald’s Change Leaders program will receive financial support from McDonald’s to further help their cause, an opportunity to raise awareness of their work in a national advertising campaign and be featured on McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Instagram, @wearegolden.

“We know there’s a difference between being in a community and being a part of one. Through the Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders program, we’re honored to celebrate individuals, including our own crew, who embrace giving back to their communities, a value espoused daily by the company and our Owner/Operators,” said Veronica Thompson, Director of Cultural Engagement & Activations, McDonald’s USA. “We look forward to building on the McDonald’s Future 22 platform and shining a spotlight on a new group of incredible leaders as we continue feeding and fostering the communities we serve.”

The McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Change Leaders program is just one of the many ways the Black & Positively Golden movement is serving up bright futures in the communities it serves. For more than 65 years, McDonald’s has uplifted the Black community through scholarships to HBCU students, impactful partnerships with community organizations like the National Urban League, NAACP, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and more. And this year, McDonald’s is proud to celebrate the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association for 50 years of entrepreneurial and community excellence.

To learn more about the McDonald’s Black & Positively movement and Change Leaders program, follow @wearegolden on Instagram and visit blackandpositivelygolden.com.

About McDonald’s USA

McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

By Solomon O. Smith | California Black Media | California Black Media

The #BlackDocsBelong campaign held a rally in Pasadena last Friday calling on Black medical doctors to join their movement dedicated to keeping and growing the ranks of Black physicians.

“We actively support and advocate for Black trainees and physicians facing workplace discrimination,” states the website of Black Doc Village, the group organizing the rally. “We aim to expand the Black physician workforce to improve health outcomes in the Black community.”

The national kickoff for the not-for-profit organization Black Doc Village, began with a breakfast at the Pasadena Hilton hosted by two Black Doc Village cofounders: nephrologist Vanessa Grubbs and educator and physician Aysha H. Khoury.

About 100 young medical students and staff gathered to march to the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. A wide range of ethnicities came to provide support.

A student who chose to remain anonymous shared the contents of a message about the protest from the Kaiser School of Medicine.

“Students who choose to participate in the demonstration tomorrow will not be penalized or retaliated against for doing so,” reads an email by senior associate dean for student affairs Dr. Anne M. Eacker, “and absence from class or clinical sites tomorrow morning will be considered an excused absence.”

The Kaiser School of Medicine was named the 6th Most Diverse Medical School in the nation and ranked 2nd in California by U.S. News & World Report after the School of Medicine at the University of California Davis.

With handmade signs and white lab coats the rally set off for a two-block march to the medical school. Walking in a single file line the doctors raised their voices in a shouted call-and-response chant.

“Stop pushing,” they shouted followed by the comeback, “Black docs out.”

Black medical professionals from across the country came to support the Black Doc Village rally.

Dr. Robert Rock, who practices on the East Coast, says he was inspired to go into medicine by his grandmother and the strength she exhibited when she “refused to be disrespected” by medical professionals during her care. He witnessed a racist act aimed at a patient which he described as shocking.

“We were deterred from talking about it,” said Rock. “It was then that I lost my faith (in the system).”

Jessica Isom is a Boston-based psychiatrist and an advocate for equity and justice for BIPOC patients. She has been an outspoken resource and advisor in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs through her company Vision for Equality, which has worked with several major brands and medical institutions. She sees part of the issue as a flaw in the culture of medicine which makes changing it difficult.

Isom says resistance to change is “perpetuated through training” and that people may not be conscious that change is needed. She referred to an article written by Rhea W. Boyd, a pediatrician who has spoken before Congress about racism in the medical profession.

“People see it. The person who serves you your food looks like me. The person who provides you your medical care often does not, and that is an intentional process of segregation,” says Isom.

Doctors were not the only ones who want more Black physicians and medical professionals in the industry. Robert Phillips was looking for a Black nephrologist, a doctor specializing in diseases and functions of the kidneys and found Dr. Grubbs. He felt ignored and unheard by White doctors.

Scores of studies show that health outcomes for African Americans have historically been among the lowest, according to various metrics. The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) recently reported African Americans have the highest rate of infant mortality of any ethnic group. The number of Black doctors is also disproportionately low, at just 5 %, according to a 2019 survey by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Some at the rally are in litigation against Kaiser, including Khoury. She is well-known for a viral thread on Twitter relating her story of how she was removed from Kaiser Medical School.

Kaiser has released a statement disputing Khoury’s claim.

“Regarding Dr. Aysha Khoury, one of the founders of the Black Doc Village organization, the school has been clear that Dr. Khoury was not placed on leave because she brought content related to anti-racism to the classroom or because she shared her experiences as a Black woman in medicine,” the Kaiser statement says.

Khoury and Grubbs say that issues with Kaiser are a small part of a bigger problem in the medical community and are hoping that their stories can be the jumping-off point for action.

“Kaiser is where we are today, but this is everywhere, not just there,” said Khoury. “This is why we need the whole village.”

By Lue Dowdy | LUE Productions

Congratulations to the first-place winners of LUE Productions Community Umbrella Services Summer Youth Talent Competition and Showcase. These young ladies came ready with fire in their eyes to take the prize. The crowd went wild when they ended the routine with their death drop move to the floor. The team looked amazing all decked out in their emerald green and black uniforms with their sneakers that lit up as they danced. I remember when they came into the auditions, the girls were a little shy and not quite all together. After talking to them, I saw the determination in their eyes and that they really wanted it. These girls worked hard, and it showed. The event took place Saturday, July 30 in the beautiful city of San Bernardino at the San Bernardino Women’s club. Once again congratulations, DDC!

MORE ABOUT THE DANCE COMPANY:

What is the meaning of NLAA DDC?

(Next Level Athletics Association) Dare Dance Company

List Board members and coaches

President/choreographer: Imani Travis

VP/secretary: Ernestine West

General Manager: Sonya Bellamy

Historian/ choreographer: Deja Brown

Assistant Coaches: Nikita Harris & Kayla Mitchell

Why was DDC started?

“DDC” was created to give our young boys and girls an opportunity to develop good work ethics and strive at their talent of dance. DDC is a non-profit organization that provides the youth with dance instruction that builds self-esteem, coordination, leadership skills, and the value of teamwork.

By Lou Yeboah

Listen, God sent warning through Ezekiel conveying that He was finished with disobedience and hard hearts, and He was ready to judge and punish His people for their rebellious spirit and actions. For Thus saith the Lord, “Behold, I Myself am going to bring a sword on you, and I will destroy your high places; And I will send My anger against you; I will judge you according to your ways and bring all your abominations upon you. My eye will have no pity on you, nor will I spare you; then you will know that I am the Lord!” [Ezekiel 7: 4-9].

Listen, God gave Ezekiel three specific prophecies 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.

But the people could not believe God would punish or hurt them, so they ignored the prophecies which instructed them to repent and turn to their own. [Ezekiel chapters 4-7]. Don’t you do it! Don’t you be like disobedient Israel. God’s patience was all used up and the penalty for their disobedience was coming no matter what. [Ezekiel 23:35]. Instead of trusting God, they refused to enter the Promised Land. As a result, they missed settling in their own homeland and instead wandered in the desert for 40 years until that generation died.

You see all throughout the Bible, God has tried to get us to do right, but naw, we want to do what we want to do. Well, I got news for you; continue to do you boo, boo, and see what happens. Soon and very soon you will regret your rebelliousness toward the Lord. God desire is for us to “learn and turn.” Don’t be a hard head like the rebellious Israel who died after wandering in the desert for 40 years. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. [Matthew 7:13]. So, if your hand cause you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched–where ‘Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched–where ‘Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire–where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched. [Mark 9:43-48].

I tell you every day God is doing everything possible to keep us from going into that awful, inconceivable place. God wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth [1 Timothy 2:4]. So repent before it’s too late! As the Apostle Peter says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise . . . but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” [2 Peter 3:9]. So, I ask you what will it take before you heed the word of God? Keeping in mind that there could come a time when God says, “Enough is Enough!”. Shudder at the thought. Do not take God’s forbearance for granted, for if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall you escape if you neglect so great a salvation, which at first spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. [Hebrews 2:1-3]. You ought to know that God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked but would rather that we should turn unto Him and live. [Romans 2:4]. Turn and be saved, for Jesus says of those who refuse to be saved, “These shall go away into everlasting punishment [Matthew 25:46] and be lost forever.

A Voice from Hell. [Luke 16:19-31]. “In Hell, he lifted up his eyes being in torment” It is an awful cry, “Cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.”

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

On August 15 on what would have been his 37th birthday, the late Grammy-nominated rapper, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Nipsey Hussle’s was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

He is the 11th rapper to have a Walk of Fame star.

Hussle’s fans, family and friends from the industry attended the ceremony.

“I think I speak for the entire city of LA when I say that we’ve known Nip was destined for greatness,” said Lauren London, Hussle’s longtime girlfriend who spoke at the ceremony. “This moment only amplifies that for us. Nip would have been honored by this moment. I think he would want everyone to remember that you can’t get to what’s possible unless you commit to moving forward. It doesn’t mean forgetting where you come from, but it requires acknowledging the reality you were born into and the power you must change that reality for the better.”

Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson declared Aug. 15, Nipsey Hussle Day in Los Angeles.

“Today, on his born day, we finally got him a star on the walk of fame. Rest in Paradise Nip” Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) a guest in attendance at the 30-minute ceremony posted on Twitter.

Born Airmiess Joseph Asghedom, Hussle was a Los Angeles native who rose to fame in the mid-2000s. After gaining notoriety locally following the release of a string of mixtapes, his gritty sound and inspirational spirit captivated listener’s imaginations.  He became more famous as he sold physical copies of his mixtapes for $100 each, an unheard-of strategy given the music was available digitally for free. This declaration of self-worth caught the attention of his fans and the music industry at large. Jay-Z famously bought 100 copies of the mixtape in a show of respect and support.

Hussle’s crowning musical achievement was the release of his 2018 album ‘Victory Lap’. The effort received a Best Rap Album Grammy nomination in 2019. In 2020, at the 62^nd Grammy Awards, he posthumously earned three more nominations and took home two wins for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap/Sung Performance.

His impact on the community impact grew with the opening of his Marathon clothing store in the heart of the Crenshaw commercial district. The store gave customers access to exclusive music along with the clothing. Hussle would go on to buy the entire shopping mall that surrounded the Marathon clothing store, in which he invested in STEM technology workspaces and housed other local entrepreneurs.

On March 21, 2019, Hussle was killed outside of his Marathon store by Eric Holder who last month was found guilty of first-degree murder. Following his death, there was an outpouring of tributes. People in his community, across California and around the country honored his life with murals, vigils and other remembrances, reflecting the impact Hussle had on California and the hip hop community worldwide.

While the Marathon store has closed, the location remains a memorial to Hussle where fans pay daily tribute to his memory. There are plans to open a second store on Melrose Avenue. However, no date has been set for its opening.

Writer and sports media personality Justin Tinsley narrated an ESPN 30 for 30 special about Hussle and his close relationship with athletes and the sports world, particularly LA Sports.

“That star on the Walk of Fame is symbolic of so much,” said Tinsley. “Nipsey is one of those people who will always be remembered, yes, as an incredible rapper. But even more than that, he was a man who had a vision for himself and his people. He put that into action and the result of which will keep his name alive for generations of Black folk. That’s so beautiful and it’s inspiring that he cared so much to do everything he did. But that star is also symbolic of everything we lost with him to. Everything he was yet to think of. Everything he was supposed to do and accomplish.”

Tinsley said he feels the sadness following the senseless murder of Hussle still lingers amongst his supporters but that the joy, pride and motivation he brought to many cannot be forgotten.

“Losing Nipsey in the physical sense will never truly make sense. It’s something God — or whomever you pray to — can truly answer. But it’s such a blessing that we were all given the time to be impacted by him whether up close and personal or from afar. And through all the pain that’s still there — and will always be there — that’s how we got to look at it. Grief is a very real emotion. But it shouldn’t be the only one when we talk about Nipsey Hussle.”

The concept of ‘The Marathon’ was a staple in Hussle’s music. Persevering through obstacles to reach your goal and enduring the pain that inevitably comes when striving for greatness. At the conclusion of London’s Walk of Fame induction speech, she referenced this concept and left a message for everyone visiting Hussle’s monument.

“Whenever you’re in the City of Angels and you see this star, I hope it encourages you to break away from whatever might be holding you back and for you to run your marathon until God says that it is finished,” she said.

By Lue Dowdy | LUE Productions

Once again folks it’s ya’ girl LUE DOWDY here to tell ya’ about an amazing talent. I’d like to congratulate Recording Artist, ‘LJ Savvy’ on taking Second (2^nd) place at ‘LUE Productions Community Umbrella Services’ Youth Talent Competition and Showcase. Straight out of ‘P TOWN’ (Pomona) and a senior at The School of Arts and Enterprise, this young man had the stage LITT with his energy, and the Mic on fire with his dope lyrics.

My first encounter with LJ Savvy was back in April at San Bernardino Valley College. He was one of the youth performers performing at a youth showcase presented by ‘CHORDS YOUTH ENRICHMENT CENTER’, overseen by Founder/CEO Edwin Johnson. From the moment the beat dropped he had me hooked. LJ Savvy has several gifts and he’s been performing since the age of 12. He plays instruments and writes poetry. Currently, Savvy is working on designing his own show and will be dropping new music throughout the year. His team is working on a music video for his song, titled, ‘Getting It’.

“Drake and Kendrick are two of my biggest influences musically and Kyle influences my performances. I also get inspiration from my need to grow and impact people through my music, and of course, having fun”! Savvy states.

This aspiring rap artist, under the guidance of his parents, is one to watch for. Make sure you look him up on all social media platforms under, ‘LJ SAVVY’.

For more information on events and showcases provided by LUE Productions please visit our website at lueproductions.org, or visit us on social media. Please call or email us at 909.567.1000 lue.info@yahoo.com

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

At its last meeting, the California Racial and Identity Profiling Advisory Board (RIPAB) discussed the discrepancies in the racial profiling data reported by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD).

RIPAB co-chair Melanie P. Ochoa told her board colleagues that there is “sufficient evidence” that data concerning police stops are not being reported by LASD as required by Assembly Bill (AB) 953.

Ochoa said that “over 50,000 self-initiated stops” were “not captured as Racial and Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) data.” Deputies “failed to report over 18,000 consent searches,” and “over 25,000” or 37% of backseat detentions were not filed.

“It’s a big deal,” said Ochoa, a staff attorney for Criminal Justice and Police Practices at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California. “The overall trends may be accurate but it’s really scary how much certain communities are impacted by this.”

The Los Angeles County Office of the Inspector General (OIG) confirmed data was missing in its June 10 Underreporting of Civilian Stop Data to the California Attorney General report.

OIG reported that LASD’s Sheriff’s Automated Contact Reporting System (SACR) which supplies data to RIPA and its Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD) which tracks patrol-related contacts run independently and do not communicate information.

The SACR system underreported observation-based stops by at least 50,731 entries and underreported reasonable-suspicion stops by 8,625 entries. Reasonable suspicion stops are made by deputies when they suspect a person is engaging in criminal activity.

RIPAB learned about the LASD missing information about 6 months after it released its fifth annual report that found Blacks or African Americans were searched 2.4 times more than Whites in 2020.

Information from agencies reporting data showed law enforcement officers used force against Blacks 2.6 times more than White people.

Board member Lawanda Hawkins, founder of Justice for Murdered Children (JMC) said, “I am concerned that the data received from the biggest (law enforcement) agency in the state is inaccurate. It makes you question all of it. If they are not giving us all the stops…. there’s a problem. And what is the repercussion if they don’t do it?”

AB 953, the Racial and Identity Profiling Act of 2015, requires California law enforcement agencies to report data to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on all vehicle and pedestrian stops, and citizen complaints alleging racial and identity profiling. AB 953 was authored by Assemblywoman Dr. Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), currently the Secretary of State.

On July 1, 2018, the eight largest law enforcement agencies, began collecting stop data and reporting the information to DOJ. According to Attorney General Rob Bonta California is now one of the leaders in the country in collecting and analyzing police traffic stops.

“To date, the state has provided the public with an in-depth look into nearly 9 million police stops. This information is critical and these annual reports continue to provide a blueprint for strengthening policing that is grounded in the data and the facts,” Bonta said.

RIPAB is a diverse group of 19 members representing the public, law enforcement, and educators. Their charge is to eliminate racial and identity profiling, and improve diversity and racial and identity sensitivity in law enforcement.

Ochoa said the missing RIPA data could have a “significant” effect on people’s lives in terms of litigation, policy change, and potential intervention programs, and implementation of Assembly Bill (AB) 2542, the California Racial Justice Act (CRJA).

CRJA prohibits the state from seeking or obtaining a criminal conviction, or from imposing a sentence, based upon race, ethnicity, or national origin.

“There should be an acknowledgment of missing data and the direction this missing data is probably (going). It’s just not randomly missing. It’s just missing in a way to suggest that there are more certain things happening than being reported,” Ochoa said.

Bill Ayub, Ventura County Sheriff and the California State Sheriff’s Association representative on the Board said there could be many reasons why the absent information was not entered as RIPA data.

The report shows that in December 2020 LASD was aware of issues with SACR system data and assured OIG that “steps would be taken” to prevent misreporting of stop data to the DOJ.

But a year later, LASD “conceded” that the department was not “in compliance with RIPA requirements” due to the system being outdated. The CAD system was implemented in the 1980s and is running on hardware and software that are no longer supported by the manufacturer.

Ayub warned that there should be “a word of caution” when considering the data.

“If you look at arrests by my agency you would see far fewer RIPA entries for arrests than arrests that actually occur. Court-ordered remands, warrants that appear for people that are already in custody, and in-custody incidents that result in arrest are all incidents that would not trigger RIPA reporting,” Ayub told the Board.

RIPAB’s latest report analyzes millions of vehicles and pedestrian stops conducted Between Jan. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020, by 18 law enforcement agencies. All state and local law enforcement agencies will be required to report stop data to the California DOJ by April 1, 2023.

About 40 million people live in California, according data from the state’s Department of Finance. 2.25 million African Americans live in the state (about 6.5%).

Reporting agencies made over 2.9 million stops during the stop data collection period, with the California Highway Patrol conducting the most stops of any single agency (57.7%). Law enforcement officers searched 18,777 more people perceived as Black than those perceived as White

The law enforcement agencies reporting 2020 RIPA data were the Police Departments serving Bakersfield, Davis, Fresno, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Unified School District, Oakland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose; the Sheriff’s Departments of Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, Sacramento County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County; and the California Highway Patrol.

LASD is the largest sheriff’s department in the world with nearly 10,000 deputies serving almost 10 million people. San Francisco has a population of 888,305 with 2,140 sworn officers and San Diego has 1,415 residents and 1,887 sworn officers.

SACRAMENTO, CA— Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills) announced that he has selected Cafe Aficionado, a family-owned coffee shop in Northridge, as the Small Business of the Year for California Small Business Day 2022.

“Small businesses are the backbone of communities across California, and Cafe Aficionado is the perfect example of why these establishments are so valued,” said Assemblymember Gabriel. “I’m proud to be honoring such an incredible small business that does so much to enrich the lives of those in the West Valley, both through its delicious food and coffee, and even more so through its commitment to serving our community.”

After Reggie Cua returned from service in the United States Coast Guard, he and his wife, Abby, opened Cafe Aficionado in 2018 with a vision to bring coffee culture to the San Fernando Valley and to create a space that all members of the community could enjoy. The cafe frequently hosts trivia nights, meetings for local non-profits, speed dating events, art shows, fundraisers—anything that makes the cafe “feel like home,” as Abby and Reggie have stated.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

A lawsuit filed by the California-Hawaii NAACP Conference on August 2 to remove an election ballot opposition statement to Proposition 26 attributed to a Los Angeles NAACP branch member has been settled.

The statement will be stricken from ballot materials.

The civil rights organization found the statement “false and/or misleading” because it supports Prop 26. Also, according to NAACP bylaws, a local branch is prohibited from taking positions opposite that of the state group.

The statement against Proposition 26 found on the Secretary of State’s website reads as follows:

“We oppose Prop 26 to protect young people from developing lifelong gambling addictions that often lead to ruined finances, relationships, even homelessness and crime.” Minnie Hadley-Hempstead, Retired teacher, and President Emeritus of the Los Angeles NAACP Branch

The lawsuit named Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber as the defendant because removing the quote from ballot materials, requires a court ruling.

A declaration statement made by Hadley-Hempstead for the lawsuit describes how she was misled by the No on Prop 26 Campaign.

The lawsuit also points out that the position ‘President Emeritus’ does not exist within the NAACP, and the only branch that can clear use of the trademarked term NAACP in support or opposition of any legislation is the state branch of the organization. It also claims the use of the term ‘We’ creates the belief that the NAACP supports a NO vote, which it did not.

“We’re glad the card room casino operators did the right thing and removed the deceptive and inappropriate quote from their “No on 26” ballot arguments,” said Rick Callender, President of the California-Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP. “Despite the California-Hawaii NAACP’s strong support for Prop 26, opponents tried to deceive voters into thinking the opposite. Thankfully, voters will not be provided this false and misleading quote in the official voter guide sent to every voter.”

Prop 26, the in-person Tribal Sports Wagering Act would authorize in-person sports wagering at existing tribal casinos. All bets must be placed in-person at a tribal casino with safeguards in place to prevent underage and illegal gambling.

Proponents of the proposition believe it will help create jobs and economic opportunities that support Indian self-reliance, while benefiting all Californians, generating new revenues for public schools, wildfire prevention and other state priorities.

Opponents of the proposition believe it will force local cardrooms out of business and, in turn, cause the state to lose tax revenue.

A statement from the “No on 26” Campaign, respectfully adheres to the wishes of Hadley Hempstead while standing behind the ballot initiative.

“Californians from across the state have been clear with their objections to Prop 26 which includes a poison pill that will unfairly harm communities of color. We appreciate and respect Ms. Hadley-Hempstead and will honor her wishes to remove her previously approved quote from the ballot statement,” it read.

Also named in the NAACP lawsuit, was Jay King, President of the California Black Chamber of Commerce. He told California Black Media opposition to Prop 26 is justified saying, “With the tribes, they want to oversee what cardrooms do and want to legislate cardrooms. We have a body to do that already. I stand on the opposite side of the NAACP statewide and that’s ok.”