New World’s Tallest Christ Statue Is A Religious And Tourism Draw In Brazil


By Luciano Nagel

ENCANTADO, Brasil — Encantado, located in Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Brazil, has a unique distinction. 

It houses the largest Catholic sculpture in the world — Christ Protector — at 145 feet in height, which includes the pedestal. Some $800,000 was raised in donations to create the towering sculpture.

From May 2021 to December 31, 2022, this singular structure received more than 130,000 Brazilian and foreign tourists from 40 countries, according to Robison Gonzatti, businessman and vice-president of Friends of Christ Organization.

The construction began in July 2019, atop the Morro das Antenas, 1,300 feet above sea level. The location is considered one of the postcards of Encantado, which claims 23,000 inhabitants and a beautiful panoramic view of Garibaldi Lagoon and Taquari Valley. 

The creator of the audacious project was former Mayor Adroaldo Conzatti. At the time, he met with residents and businessmen in the region to find ways to raise funds to build the structure and turn it into a new tourist hub. 

After much debate, a task force was created with the sale of raffle tickets and requests for voluntary donations. The impact of Christ Protector in Encantado took on such a large and unexpected dimension that gradually, people from other countries began to make donations so the artistry could begin.

The proposal was to build the image of a Christ larger than Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro, at 125 feet high including the pedestal, without raising public funds. Mayor Conzatti died in March 2021, a victim of coronavirus and did not live to see the project completed.

The Christ Protector differs from statues around the world; its viewpoint is the frame of a heart. 

”The interior access to the viewpoint, which will be illuminated in red lights at night, is still under construction, as the installation of glass and elevator is still missing. The installation is expected to be completed by the end of March, said Robison Gonzatti. The ticket to climb in the heart will be charged separately.

The ‘’heart” of Christ Protector is seen from an observation deck on the statute. The statue was funded by donations from people worldwide. LUCIANO NAGEL/ZENGER

Who created the statue?

The sculpture weighs around 1,700 tons and is about the size of a 14-story building. Just the face of Christ took three months to sculpt and weighs 6 tons. The majestic statue was created by Brazilian plastic artist Genésio Gomes de Moura, known as “Ceará,” and his son Markus Moisés Rocha Moura. 

At the top of the hill, around the feet of Christ Protector, parking lots, shops, restaurants, a chapel and public restrooms will be built to accommodate tourists. Also, just before accessing the statue area, the Jardim do Acolhimento will be built. 

The new environment will have a space for contemplation next to a native forest, playground and elevated walkways with viewpoints to the Taquari Valley, reports the mayor of Encantado, Jonas Calvi.

The mayor of Encantado, Jonas Calvi, sit in his office. He predicts a growth in regional tourism, due to the new statue. LUCIANO NAGEL/ZENGER NEWS

The future garden will be located in an area of ​​7.4 acres. ”The proposal is to create a unique environment to welcome tourists before arriving at Christ, without interfering with nature. The space invites visitors to reflect, to breathe the fresh air, enjoy the green of the forest and the singing of the birds,” said Mayor Calvi. 

Rafael Fontana (right) shows the drawing made by the artist Markus Moisés Rocha Moura (left). The new statue has displaced the more famous statue in Rio de Janeiro as the world’s tallest. RAFAEL FONTANAZENGER NEWS

The work is expected to begin this month and the budget is $562,000 paid by the city. The access road to the hill is under construction and will soon receive asphalt. Along the nearly two-mile route, there will be a bike path and space for walking. The funds will come from the city and the state government.

According to Rafael Fontana, part of the Friends of Christ Organization, despite not having its surroundings completed, the mega sculpture can be visited by tourists during weekends, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

‘’The donation costs $5.60 and the money raised will be invested to continue the works of Christ himself. Seniors over 60 pay half price and children under 12 pay no charge. Residents of Encantado have a 50% discount by showing their SUS card,’’ said Fontana.

”The installation is expected to be completed by the end of March,” said Gonzatti.

Dimensions of Christ Protector 

Pedestal height: 19.68 feet 

Height of the statue: 123.03 feet  

Arm span: 127.95 feet  

Estimated total weight: 1,700 tons

Altitude above sea level: 1430.43 feet  

Height above the city: 1240.14 feet  

 

 

 

 

 

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Letter to the Editor: Inglewood Calls on Its Legislators to Help Return local Control to City’s Schools

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) will soon announce its choice for the next County Administrator for the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD).

In the job description applicants were told “the district has made significant strides toward recovery and is within 3-4 years of being able to meet the minimum milestone for self-governance, offering the successful candidate a rare leadership opportunity.”

If history is any indication, IUSD has had eight State/County Administrators (including 3 interim) in a little over 10 years. The odds are against the ninth administrator being around to coordinate IUSD’s transition back to local control.

The IUSD Board of Education should be selecting the next leader for the school district, not LACOE. But, in 2012 facing the possibility of insolvency, Senate Bill 533 authorized a state loan and gave the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI), Tom Torlakson control over IUSD. In 2018, Assembly Bill 1840 transferred authority to LACOE Superintendent Debra Duardo.

Since 2012, IUSD’s five-member Board of Education has been serving in an advisory role to the revolving door of appointed State and County Administrators.

Existing laws governing receivership say that a school district will regain control when it shows adequate progress in implementing the recommendations of a comprehensive review conducted by the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance (FCMAT) in five operational areas (financial management, personnel management, community relations and governance, facilities management, and pupil achievement).

FCMAT is an independent and external state agency that provides financial management assistance and general consulting to the state’s school districts. Their latest review of IUSD generated 885 recommendations for implementing 153 operational standards spread across the five operational areas.

IUSD has achieved proficiency in just two of the FCMAT operational areas – governance and personnel management – after 10 years under State and County control.

Existing laws give Duardo, with the concurrence of SPI Tony Thurmond and State Board of Education President Linda Darling-Hammond, the power to determine when IUSD can resume local control. However, many Inglewood residents familiar with the school district believe it’s Duardo’s choice of administrators that are failing to conform with FCMAT standards.

The nine reviews FCMAT conducted show that constant turnover of leadership and the number of poor leader choices by the State and County have led to inconsistency in developing and executing effective recovery plans for IUSD, stunted academic progress for the students, and inadequate maintenance of IUSD facilities.

When Torlakson took over IUSD, he said, “The State Administrator will control the district until fiscal insolvency has been eliminated, between two to six years.

The commentary I wrote titled, “After 10 Years it’s Time to Return Control of Inglewood Schools to the Community,” showed that ten years of state intervention is not a guarantee that a school district in receivership will be better managed.

While existing law mandates that the state controls IUSD to protect its $29 million loan, the opportunity cost to IUSD of the state’s mismanagement has been significantly more than the amount it borrowed.

For example, before receivership, the Los Angeles World Airports (“LAWA”) agreed to fund noise mitigation measures for IUSD not to exceed $118.5 million. The State/County Administrators who took over have only secured $44 million of the funding, leaving $74.5 million on the table.

City Honors High School is a dependent charter school run by IUSD that was recognized by U.S. World and News Report as a silver-medal finalist. When the Charter Schools Facilities Program was awarding grants for charter school construction, Don Brann, who Torlakson had appointed to oversee IUSD, didn’t apply for a state grant. But, DaVinci Charter schools which Brann helped found in the Wiseburn Unified School District located next door to IUSD applied and was awarded a $52.7 Million grant. Had IUSD applied for a grant for a City Honors building it would have been ahead of DaVinci in line for the limited funds.

Since 2012, IUSD has paid FCMAT about $2.6 Million for the nine yearly comprehensive reviews, an expense mandated by the statue authorizing the loan and paid from the school district’s General Fund.

IUSD is no longer in financial trouble. According to the latest 2022-23 budget projections, it will have a positive ending General Fund balance of $94.5 million and positive ending cash balance of $83.7 million. IUSD owes $19.6 million on its state loan.

In a recent review FCMAT conducted, LACOE admitted that IUSD had made little annual progress and is no closer to recovery today than two years ago.

IUSD has gone without local control longer than any school district that’s taken a state loan. It can no longer afford the compromised quality of education being delivered to students by LACOE’s management.

The IUSD community has been expressing its frustration at school board meetings about the quality of the schools the last 10 years, but LACOE lacks the management judgment to effectively respond to community concerns.

Schools LACOE operates not including IUSD, lead all California with the largest gap between Black and White students meeting states standards on the 2022 Smarter Balanced Assessments in English language arts.

Because statues governing state loans offer no way for IUSD to regain local control at this time, legislation amending those statues is needed that recognizes for 10 years State and County administrators have failed IUSD students and that it’s in the best interest of IUSD students to have the school board retain all of its legal rights, duties and powers.

The education system in California is based on local control

The new legislation needs to recognize that a statute of limitations has to be established on how long school districts under receivership have to put up with ineffective state management, especially if the school district is no longer in financial hardship.

Specific agencies have to be identified in the legislation with authority to hold the State or County accountable for addressing the slow progress it is making to qualify the district for a return to local governance. Incentives for quick turnarounds must be offered.

The offices of the legislators representing IUSD – Sen. Steve Bradford (D-District 35) and Assemblymembers Tina McKinnor (D-District 61) and Isaac Bryan (D-District 55) have been approached about the need for legislation to return local control to IUSD. The office of recently elected Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-District 28) was also contacted, but no staff was available to discuss legislation.

Support from the California Legislative Black Caucus is also being solicited.

It will be up to IUSD’s legislators to introduce a bill during this legislative session for the return of IUSD to local control.

Welcome to 2023 – Where Do We Go?

By Dr. Hermene D. Hartman 

When we look at contemporary trends of 2023, it reveals an increasingly interconnected world where technological advances have revolutionized almost every aspect of life. We have experienced a digital revolution and evolution. In the realm of romance, virtual dating has become more popular than ever as people are finding new ways to form relationships. social media has changed how we relate to one another, and this pattern will change further with new apps.

The push for more equitable policies has been gaining momentum in politics, and citizens are given a more excellent voice in shaping their futures. This has created friction and disturbance to the political order, but it is here to stay. Elections are becoming electrifying as candidates present themselves from _Facebook_ to _TikTok_. A candidate today is a media production of personality and cutesy more than message and platforms. This is taking American politics to another place. Yet, with these platforms, democracy is presented and challenged. On the financial front, cryptocurrencies have become a viable investment option, and digital currencies are becoming increasingly popular. Soon this new currency will return to the market but with government regulation in place.

When it comes to health and social issues, 2023 will see considerable advances in medical technologies and treatments that have made a tremendous difference in the lives of people around the world. Social media continues to play an important role in connecting people, offering opportunities for open dialogue about social issues, and providing platforms for activism. Cannabis has become widely accepted, with many countries decriminalizing it or even legalizing its use for recreational purposes. This might be the year when we see cannabis legalized at the federal level. The more states open up cannabis stores, the more pressure will be put on the feds to level the business so they might receive tax benefits.

Finally, 2023 will be a great year for entertainment. The rise of streaming services has brought fresh content to the forefront and made it easier to access new films, shows, and music, that appeal to many tastes. This trend continues as we will recognize new talent and new platforms as we all try to figure it out. There will be specials galore in every category. Who would have thought we would be looking at folk selling real estate or cooking or fixing up old houses on TV? Some of the best shows lend themselves only to your imagination. In the world of TV, we have seen “_I Love Lucy_” become “_I Love the Kardashians._” Content is king and comes in many forms, with new faces, stories, and documentaries. Everybody has a story.

In the area of politics, we wonder, will Donald Trump go to a jail cell, or will he be the presidential candidate for the Republican party? Who knows? It seems by the polls that his popularity is dwindling, but who will step up? I predict there will be an upset, and President Joe Biden will serve a second term. Biden brought civility back to America by being pure and wholesome.

Meanwhile, new politicians and younger politicos will emerge on the local spectrum. A more youthful politician is coming forth. The political landscape represents what America looks like for real, with more women and more people of color will be elected to higher office. The key to campaign winning today is authenticity. People want the real deal, not promises.

On the fashion front, we will see anything goes. Tuxedo and evening gowns will be worn with sneakers. The goal is to be comfortable. Women may never return to day-to-day 4-inch heels when flats will do. Instead, we will see a return to basics with a touch of extravaganza if you wish. During the pandemic years, people got comfortable at home with sweats, and why take them off as we still work from home?

 

Downtown urban areas have a problem. Downtowns have to be recreated. We will see office space become luxury condos. The office worker will continue to work on _Zoom_ with limited office hours. With technological advances, people can work from anywhere. We will see boutiques return with small gourmet shops and specialty stores. These areas will also figure out housing for the homeless ones.

As we look ahead to the coming year, it’s clear that 2023 is set to be an exciting time full of possibilities. From advances in technology and medical treatments to the growing acceptance of cannabis usage and the rise of streaming services, 2023 promises great things for humanity. We’re on the edge of something incredible – so let’s seize this opportunity and make 2023 THE year, not A year.

 

Where It Rains In Color: Former Editor Of The NAACP’s The Crisis, Writes Afrofuturistic Novel

(Black PR Wire) Her skin is like coal mixed with diamonds and her color-rich resort planet is the jewel of the galaxy. But when a series of phantom voices and painful scars force her into exile, she discovers she’s so much more than a dark beauty queen. Her spirit can inhabit the souls of the dead.

This description summarizes “Where it Rains in Color,” (Angry Robot Books) a sci-fi novel that uplifts black women, celebrates the power of melanin, and shines the spotlight on the brilliant Dogon Tribe of Mali, West Africa (best known for their ability to chart stars without telescopes or other devices).

Written by award-winning journalist, Denise Crittendon, the novel plays with universal beauty standards and challenges the structure and system in which they live.

“It’s important to note that the protagonist is not loved and revered despite being black. She is loved and revered because she is black,” says Crittendon, a former features-writer for “The Detroit News.” She adds: “It elevates African culture and what it means to be black. I wanted to usher in a new black aesthetic and project people of African descent into a future that doesn’t strip us of our innate majesty. The inhabitants of my futuristic black planet are powerful, technological geniuses far removed from the misery of the past.”

Listed by Literary Hub and denofgeek.com as one of the best sci-fi releases of December 2022, “Where it Rains in Color,” was number one on Amazon’s Kindle for two weeks and was heralded by “Book Riot” as a novel that will have you “rethinking how you see beauty.”

Crittendon, who was the first woman in the history of the NAACP to be appointed editor of their naitonal magazine, “The Crisis,” is a native Detroiter who was voted one of the “Most Influential Black Women of Metro Detroit.” She’s co-author of “Millionaire Moves: Seven Proven Principals of Entrepreneurship” (written with business mogul William Pickard).

For more information, contact Caroline Lambe at caroline@angryrobotbooks.com or denisecrittendonbooks@gmail.com.

Bruce Family to sell Manhattan Beach Property, Senator Bradford Issues Statement

SACRAMENTO, CA— Following the Bruce family’s decision to sell their property to the County of Los Angeles, Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) released the following statement:

“I fully support the decision made by the Bruce family to sell the property to the County of LA. They are exercising a right that should have never been taken away from them. I understand why the Bruce family would want to sell the property. The current zoning regulations would prevent the Bruce family from developing the property in any economically beneficial manner. Based on that fact it leaves LA County as the only logical purchaser of the property.

“The Manhattan Beach City Council stole the land under false pretenses nearly one hundred years ago and deprived the Bruce’s of generations of wealth. I am proud to have authored the legislation (SB 796) and to help descendants of the Bruce family reclaim their land and to have the deed transferred back to its rightful owners.

“In no way does selling the property diminish the powerful example that the return of Bruce’s Beach represents in America. They were able to reclaim what was rightfully theirs.”

Senate Bill 796, authored by Senator Bradford in 2021, cleared the way for the beachfront land to be returned to the Bruce family. In June of last year, the County of Los Angeles Transfer Documents detailed a 24-month lease agreement with the Bruce family and rented the property from them. The Lease Agreement also included the Bruce’s right to sell the property to the County for a purchase price not to exceed $20 million.

How California Is Pulling Racism and Hate Crimes Out into the Open

Black Californians are most affected by criminal offenses based on prejudic

By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media

Officials and advocates across California are pouring resources into pointing out that racism and racial intolerance impact public health — major factors, they say, behind the substantial increase in hate crimes and hate incidents in the Golden State.

In Stop the Hate, a 2021 report focused on hate crimes in Los Angeles County researchers reached several revealing conclusions that line up with trends reported across the state.

Among the findings that stood out in the LA County report were: Black Californians are still most impacted by hate crimes; hate crimes are significantly underreported to law enforcement (by as much 50 %); and they violate human rights as defined by 177 nations around the world in the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights.

Although African Americans in Los Angeles County make up only 9% of the population, they accounted for 46 % of the victims of hate crimes in 2021, according to the Stop the Hate Report.

Statewide in 2021, Black Californians accounted for a disproportionate 44% of the victims of documented hate crimes although African Americans make up about 6% of the state’s population, according to statistics released by the California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office in June.

The Los Angeles County study was spearheaded by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Rights and research for it was conducted in an area encompassing Central and South Los Angeles, neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley, West Hollywood and Hollywood

In nearby Orange County (OC), officials there joined a growing chorus of other Golden State cities and counties that have declared racism a public health crisis.

At their Dec. 6 public meeting, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved “A Resolution of The Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange Declaring Racism and Inequity as a Public Health Crisis.”

The resolution is based on the premise that systemic racism causes persistent discriminatory policies and evidence cited in numerous studies linking racism to negative health outcomes. In it, the OC Board of Supervisors vowed to promote an inclusive and racial equity justice-oriented governmental organization that is aware of “unfairness through robust trainings and continuing education to expand the understanding of how racial discrimination affects individuals and communities most impacted by inequities.”

Orange County Human Relations Council Director of Operations Don Han applauded the Southern California county board’s move.

“This signified that we are serious about stopping hate,” said Han, whose nonprofit is geared toward combatting discrimination in the Southern California county. “That is our goal.”

Han said there is evidence that systematic racism has existed in Orange County — which is 70 % White — like most of the U.S., for generations.

Within the last two years, the cities of Coachella, Goleta, Long Beach, and Los Angeles and counties such as Monterey, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, and Santa Barbara passed resolutions categorizing racism as a public health distress.

The Oakland City Council deemed racism a public health crisis in June and promised to work to advance racial equity.

At the time, Seema Rupani of the Oakland City Attorney’s Office, said the government had a responsibility to address the health problem racism has caused.

“Structural racism has existed for centuries, and it has always impacted communities of color here, but during the pandemic the inequities became more pronounced,” she said. “They were growing. They were becoming more exposed particularly with COVID and housing and homelessness and economic disparities and there was just a responsibility to acknowledge what was happening and to take steps to address it.”

Oakland’s resolution directed $350,000 in the city budget for data analyst and consulting services to aid the city and its department of race and equity to enhance “improvements in systems for collection and processing data to track performance and equity progress,” reads the council’s resolution.

The OC supervisors did not attach a dollar amount to what the county will do to combat discrimination but indicated they will support diversity and inclusion as a core component to the delivery of health and human services for underserved populations, including appropriate allocation of resource to personnel training and public education.

Over 200 governmental bodies in 37 states have passed declarations concerning racism’simpact on public health.

U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky called racism a public health danger in 2021.

She pointed to how the pandemic impacted communities of color in terms of case numbers, deaths, and social consequences.

“What we know is this: racism is a serious public health threat that directly affects the well-being of millions of Americans,” Walensky said. “Racism is not just the discrimination against one group based on the color of their skin or their race or ethnicity, but the structural barriers that impact racial and ethnic groups differently to influence where a person lives, where they work, where their children play, and where they worship and gather in community.”

In Orange County, hate crimes and related incidents were up 165 percent in 2021 compared to five years ago, according to OC Human Relations Council’s “2021 Orange County Hate Crimes Report.”

Black people were the target of 24 reported hate incidents and 16 hate crimes in 2021, while there were 153 hate incidents and 10 hate crimes committed against Asian/Pacific Islanders.

Han touched on how systematic racism can be traced back to slavery — citing, for example, the U.S. Government never honoring Union General William T. Sherman’s promise to grant formerly enslaved Black people land they after they were freed. He added that people who do not understand history fear what the OC resolution could mean legally.

 “There are a number of folks who have a lack of knowledge on this, and they lash out,” Han said. “But they don’t represent a majority of the county. The resolution signified that we are serious about stopping hate. We are seeing a shining light at the end of the tunnel.”

 

“The Lord is Speaking!”

By Lou K Coleman-Yeboah

That many are not discerning what the enemy is doing in this season. The rat has come in, hiding itself, as though what is being given to the people is wholesome and good, but not so, the rat is deceptive.  Mass, unbridled deception is taken place. Wake up! For the many empty promises, peace, and security, in reality, is the yoking of humanity. Force is now the only rule remaining in Satan-controlled world. Gird your loins! Because soon and very soon, the Antichrist himself will take his position as the leader of the New World Order, and in less than three years, he will attempt to destroy the world. Know that we are no longer waiting for the fulfillment of this prophecy; it has come to pass for the deception that slithered into the Garden now infiltrates the earth. Satan has succeeded in casting his spell of humanism, evolution, and universalism—principles that contradict Scripture and reject the preeminence of Jesus Christ. [1 John 4:3].

So, hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. [Jeremiah 5:21] The End is Near! This is the last hour. As you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many Antichrists have come” [1 John 2:18]. Wake Up!

“And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshipped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”  And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.  It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also, it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear…” [Revelation 13: 1-8].

“Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also, it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.” [Revelation 13:9-18].

“The Lord is speaking but many aren’t discerning!”

Historic Funding First: Supportive Services for Low-Income Housing Residents

National Community Renaissance (National CORE) today lauded Congress for a historic first federal funding for supportive services for low-income residents in federally assisted housing. National CORE also called out Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) for his leadership in introducing legislation to authorize funding for supportive services and for securing this $2.5 million to demonstrate the efficacy of this initiative.

“National CORE commends Congress for recognizing that affordable housing should mean more than just housing low-income families – but should also help those families become self-sufficient, help seniors age in place, and help families with needs that contribute to poverty,” said Mike Ruane, Executive Vice President of National CORE. “We call on the next Congress to build on this historic step by authorizing a program for supportive services and ramping up funding for this critical activity.”

With the adoption of the year-end omnibus spending bill, the Labor HHS appropriations conference report included a $2.5 million initiative spearheaded by Rep. Aguilar for a demonstration program for grants to owners of federally assisted low-income housing to provide supportive services for such residents. Eligible services include family self-sufficiency, homeownership and literacy initiatives, care for the elderly and disabled, after-school programs for children and teenagers, and help with mental health, alcohol, and addiction treatment.

Consistent with previous years, HUD funding in the omnibus bill included approximately $200 million for services programs for low-income housing residents. However, none of these funds are designed to directly fund resident supportive services for the millions of non-public housing units that are federally assisted, such as tax credit properties, Section 8 properties, and Housing Trust Fund properties.

As a result, the $2.5 million funding represents a historic first in directing funding for supportive services for residents in such federally assisted housing. Stakeholders will be urging Congress, which convenes on January 3, to enact broader authorizing legislation and dramatically boost this level.

Melanated AI: A New Marketplace Celebrating AI Artists and Creators of Color

Ai art & content is sweeping through the community

NATIONAL—- A new online marketplace, Melanated AI (www.melanated.ai), is dedicated to celebrating and supporting the work of AI artists and creators of color. This unique platform allows these artists to sell their art as digital downloads, prints, canvas, or non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are a digital asset that represents ownership of a unique item, such as a digital artwork. They have become an increasingly popular medium for artists and collectors in the digital art world, allowing for the creation and trade of unique, verifiable digital items.

NFTs offer a new avenue for artists to monetize their work and reach new audiences. By selling their artwork as NFTs, artists can potentially earn a higher price for their work, as collectors are willing to pay a premium for the uniqueness and authenticity of the piece. This can be particularly valuable for emerging AI artists who may not have a large following or established reputation.

Currently there is a debate on the ownership of AI artwork since its generated by crafting text prompt sand feeding them into software. The question of ownership in the context of AI artwork is a complex and often debated topic. On one hand, AI artwork is created using algorithms and software, which raises questions about the extent to which the artist can claim ownership of the final product. On the other hand, many AI artists argue that they play a significant role in the creative process and should be recognized as the creators of the work. Overall, the debate over ownership in the context of AI artwork is ongoing, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, by taking an active role in the creative process and using their own original content as input, AI artists can assert their ownership of the work and claim a significant part of the creation.

Melanated AI was founded with the goal of increasing representation and visibility for AI artists and creators of color within the art world. It is a place where these artists can showcase their talent and reach new audiences, while also monetizing their work.

The platform features a diverse range of art styles and mediums, including digital illustrations, graphic design, and 3D modeling. Customers can browse and purchase artwork by theme, style, or artist, making it easy to discover new talent.

Melanated AI is also committed to educating the public about the role of AI in art and creativity. The platform will also host regular events and workshops featuring AI artists and experts.

“We are thrilled to launch Melanated AI, a platform that celebrates and supports the work of AI artists and creators of color,” said Aquarius Maximus (aka Technologist Tavonia Evans), Founder of Melanated AI. “We believe that representation and diversity in the art world is crucial, and we are excited to offer a space for these talented artists to share their work and connect with new audiences.”

 

Padilla Sworn in as First Latino Elected to U.S. Senate from California

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) released the following statement after being sworn-in to represent California in the United States Senate for the 118th Congress:

“I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve the people of California in the United States Senate. The promise of the American Dream is alive today as the first-generation son of a housekeeper and a short-order cook is sworn in to represent the largest state in the Union. For working families, for small business owners, for underserved communities, and for Californians of every race and creed from the most diverse state in the nation — I will continue fighting to keep that Dream alive.

“We have our work cut out for us over the next six years. To defend the Dream for millions of Americans, we must work to bolster our democracy in the face of escalating threats, so that all Americans can access their fundamental right to vote. We must restore fairness and humanity to our outdated immigration laws, to rebuild an immigration system that better reflects our values as a nation of immigrants. And for the sake of our very future, we must continue to boldly confront the climate crisis head-on.

“The work we do in this moment will shape the course of our country for generations to come. I’m ready to continue working on behalf of families across California and our nation and for all those who strive for their shot at the American Dream.”

The son of immigrants, Padilla grew up in the San Fernando Valley and studied mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was called to politics in response to the passage of California’s anti-immigrant Proposition 187. Padilla was elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 1999 and the California State Senate in 2006. As California’s Secretary of State, he oversaw a historic expansion of voting rights and voter participation. Padilla lives in the San Fernando Valley with his wife, Angela, and their three sons, Roman, Alex, and Diego.