WSSN Stories

Grant will fund the Los Angeles County Human Trafficking Task Force Program; since 2015, the task force has made 1,624 arrests in connection to human trafficking activities and rescued 324 victims

Torres previously led efforts to secure nearly $70,000 in federal funding to fight human trafficking and prostitution in the Inland Empire

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded a $749,982 grant to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to combat human trafficking. The grant will fund the Los Angeles County Human Trafficking Task Force (LACHTTF) Program to develop, enhance, and implement collaborative approaches to identify victims of human trafficking within the County, investigate and prosecute sex and labor trafficking cases at the local, state, and federal levels and address the individual needs of victims through the provision of comprehensive array of quality services.

“Human trafficking isn’t something that only occurs in faraway places, it’s happening in our own backyards every single day. To crack down on this horrible crime, we need to ensure that our local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to put perpetrators behind bars and keep our communities safe,” said Congresswoman Torres.

 “This support from the Department of Justice will enable the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to enhance its already successful efforts to thwart human trafficking in the Inland Empire and provide survivors with the justice and services needed to help them reclaim their lives. Local agencies should take advantage of the training opportunities available to them by joining this task force—it’s the first step to make certain that this vital program continues.”

“I would like to thank Congresswoman Norma Torres for her tireless work in the field of combatting the scourge of human trafficking. Her bipartisan efforts as part of the Congressional Human Trafficking Caucus have helped secure funding for this very important law enforcement and humanitarian effort,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. 

“Today’s grant award will help continue to fund the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force.”

Last year, Torres led a bipartisan group of Members of Congress in a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations calling for $50 million in funding nationwide for DOJ grant programs that support anti-human trafficking task forces, such as the LARHTTF. Torres is also a member of the Congressional Human Trafficking Caucus. She previously helped secure nearly $70,000 in DOJ grants to combat human trafficking and prostitution in the City of Pomona.

Torres is a member of the powerful House Appropriations and Rules Committees.

By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— It’s called the principle of sowing and reaping. The nation of Israel had to learn this in a very personal way. Their waywardness and failure to do what God instructed them to do often placed them in a position where they would not have His blessings. The Lord gives principles in Scripture to serve as warnings and as an encouragement. It is insane to do the same thing over and over again … knowing it has never worked out well before. It doesn’t work: never has, never will. To change the result you have to change the path. Different actions are required for different results. The premise of the quote is if you want something different out of your life you have to put something different into it.  Because “If you always do what you’ve always done- you will always get what you always got.”  

I want you to know that God created us to succeed; you and I were made to win! And God has given us everything we need to succeed in life, but we need to understand today that Biblical success is different from the world’s definition of success, and Biblical success is not something we just stumble into. If you want success God’s way then you’ve got to go after success God’s way! What it comes down to is taking a risk, being bold, uninhibited, stepping out your comfort zone. I ask you, do you want to be this person who won’t jump, looking into the unknown, but turning around; Or, do you want to be the person taking a leap of faith and throwing caution to the wind. Because if you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you always got.

I just want you to understand, that you and I will never possess what we will not pursue. If you want a deeper relationship with the Lord, you’ve got to pursue it. If you want a happy marriage, you’ve got to pursue it. If you want a degree, you’ve got to pursue it. If you want to get out of debt; you’ve got to pursue it. If you want to own your own business; you’ve got to pursue it! If you want to lose weight, you’ve got to put down that candy bar, step away from those cookies and doughnuts and pursue it. If you want to live a successful life God’s way, then you’ve got to stop waiting for your ship to come in and get on board with God’s program and set sail towards the horizon of God’s destiny for your life!

With the understanding that success is not having money, power, or avoiding criticism. Success is not having prestige, position or prominence. Success is not having your name up in lights and enjoying the applause and accolades of men. Success is discovering and doing the will of God for your life. Success is fulfilling the purpose for which God created you in the first place. Success is discovering your God-given gifts and using them to fulfill your God-given destiny.

God’s Word is our blueprint, God’s Word is our road map, God’s Word is our play book, and God’s Word is the authoritative standard for every detail of our lives and in His Word He has given us all the information we need to start living a life of success.

And the Lord said to Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

If you’re going to have success God’s way then you’ve got to do things God’s way. Success starts with changing your perspectives and practices and embracing God’s perspectives and practices.  Because “If You Keep Doing What You’ve always Done – You Will Get What You’ve Always Got.”  

By Rich White

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK— ENN)— Hitting a pothole can adversely affect a vehicle’s handling and performance. It can be difficult to know if and to what extent your car has been damaged, so the Car Care Council urges motorists to watch for three warning signs to help determine if hitting a pothole has damaged their vehicle.

1. Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming out on city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are key safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine a vehicle’s ride and handling.
2. Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear, are symptoms of an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is important for the lifespan of tires and helps ensure safe handling.
3. Low tire pressure, bulges or blisters on the sidewalls, or dents in the wheel rim will be visible and should be checked out as soon as possible, as tires are the critical connection between the vehicle and the road.

Because hitting a pothole with your car can do a real number on tires, wheels, steering and suspension, and alignment, it is a good idea to describe the symptoms to a professional technician who can then check out the vehicle and make the necessary repairs to ensure safety and reliability.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA— To commemorate Smokey Bear’s 75^th year of delivering wildfire prevention messaging, replicas of iconic Smokey Bear scenes by artist Rudolph Wendelin will be on display through April 16 at the Gateway to Nature in El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. This is the only stop in Southern California where the exhibit will take place during regular business hours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. This is a free family friendly event. This exhibit is hosted locally by the Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability (LA Urban Center) as a stop on a larger national traveling exhibit.

Since 1944, Wendelin created hundreds of Smokey representations that highlighted national resource conservation and wildfire prevention. It is Wendelin’s more humanized representation of Smokey Bear that is commonly known today. Under his direction Smokey assumed his ranger hat, jeans and shovel. The touring exhibit consists of 16 replica pieces of artwork from the National Agricultural Library. For additional information please call the LA Urban Center at 213-628-3718.

Black & Positively Golden celebrates a new movement to uplift communities & inspire excellence through education, empowerment, entrepreneurship

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— McDonald’s USA announced the launch of Black & Positively Golden, a new campaign movement designed to uplift communities and inspire excellence. It highlights all things positive and focuses on stories of truth, power and pride, while celebrating Black excellence through education, empowerment and entrepreneurship.  Being an active member in the communities McDonald’s serves has been fundamental to the business since its inception. Black & Positively Golden is a natural extension of the brand’s long-term commitment to the African-American consumer, and part of its larger efforts to reconnect with customers and build a better McDonald’s.

“At McDonald’s, we strive to connect with our customers by showing up in ways that matter to them,” said Lizette Williams, Head of Cultural Engagement & Experiences, McDonald’s USA. “Prior to launching the Black & Positively Golden campaign, we spent time with our African-American customer base and heard from them on what’s most important. We are leveraging this platform to shine a brilliant, powerful light on Black culture and excellence in a way that matters most to our consumers. This is the largest African-American campaign we have launched in 16 years and it continues to demonstrate our longstanding commitment to this community.”

The new campaign is brought to life in partnership with McDonald’s Black Owner/Operators nationwide. These entrepreneurs bring positive economic opportunities to the neighborhoods they serve in numerous ways, including hiring directly from the community, providing scholarships and engaging in other philanthropic activities.

“McDonald’s has long supported African-American communities. We maintain a commitment to our neighbors through various parts of our business – including scholarship partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, generational wealth-building with franchisee training and partnering with minority suppliers,” said Nicole Enearu, a second-generation Owner/Operator and member of McDonald’s U.S. Marketing African-American Consumer Market Leadership Committee. “Through our new Black & Positively Golden campaign, we aim to further connect with and inspire the African-American customer.”

Continuing the growing momentum of the brand’s economic impact and commitment to diversity, Enearu is one of 300 African-American McDonald’s franchisees representing more than 1,500 restaurants.

In an effort to reach consumers in places where they already live, work and play, Black & Positively Golden commences a yearlong commitment to the YWCA USA, supporting the organization’s Women’s Empowerment 360 Program, an initiative designed to empower women of color who aspire to be entrepreneurs. Currently, more than 70% of participants are African-American. McDonald’s financial support will help empower approximately 5,000 up-and-coming businesswomen across the U.S. with education curriculum and other tools needed for success.

The commitment with YWCA USA officially kicks off tonight, in the celebrated and largely African-American Leimert Park neighborhood with an interactive, community event at the YWCA Greater Los Angeles. The event will feature a transformative empowerment mural created by LA-based artist Enkone. Attendees will help co-create the community mural by adding their own words of affirmation. There will be an appearance by actress/comedienne Yvonne Orji, a special performance by multi-platinum recording artist Normani and more. The one-of-a-kind event will shine a light on African-American culture and demonstrate the power words have to inspire Black excellence.

“As part of our commitment to the community, we are excited to kick off Black & Positively Golden with an expanded commitment to the YWCA, an organization that shares McDonald’s core values,” Williams said. “McDonald’s has restaurants in many communities that are also served by the YWCA, and we have local ties to the organization. For instance, we’ve supported their Chicago chapter for more than 30 years. With their focus on women entrepreneurs of color, the partnership is a great fit and we’re thrilled to extend our support nationally.”

“We are honored that McDonald’s has chosen to extend their partnership with us. The community-led event and mural project is incredibly special. The mural will live at one of our centers, located in a historic, predominantly African-American community, and will stand as a beacon of positivity and empowerment,” said Faye Washington, CEO and President of the YWCA Greater Los Angeles.

In conjunction with the YWCA launch event, McDonald’s will debut the campaign with a 60-second anthem television spot on Saturday, March 30, during the 50^th NAACP Image Awards. Consumers will also engage with campaign elements in some of their favorite and most trusted digital, print, radio and broadcast outlets all year long. Understanding the importance of social media for engaging the African-American audience and especially millennials, the brand launched a new Instagram channel for the Black & Positively Goldencampaign – @wearegolden, highlighting moments of positivity, exciting programs and consumer experiences, as well as people who are shining examples of Black excellence in the community. The channel also provides resources to help uplift communities through education, empowerment and entrepreneurship.

The Black & Positively Golden campaign also will be supported through a series of events throughout 2019. First up is McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour set to kick off in late April, followed by consumer experiences at BET Experience and Essence Festival. In addition, Black & Positively Golden will provide $60,000 in scholarships to foster educational empowerment among HBCU students through its partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund. For more information visit TMCF.org/McD.

For more information on McDonald’s new Black & Positively Golden campaign, follow @wearegolden on Instagram.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN) LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA— As previously announced by the NAACP, some of the biggest names in film, television and music turned out for the 50th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, March 30, which was broadcast live on TV One from The Dolby Theater in Hollywood.

Hosted by Anthony Anderson, highlights from the evening included Beyoncé being named as the NAACP Entertainer of the Year and NAACP President Derrick Johnson presenting her husband Sean “Jay-Z” Carter with the prestigious President’s Award. Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ fiery acceptance speech energized the audience as she was being honored with the NAACP Chairman’s Award.

Additional honorees included REACH Media nationally syndicated radio host Tom Joynerwho was presented with the Vanguard Award, and Ne-Yo, who was awarded the inaugural Black & Positively Golden Music Honor sponsored by McDonald’s. The Marvel Studios film “Black Panther” took home several awards including Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Ryan Coogler), Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture: Film (Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (Michael B. Jordan), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (Danai Gurira), Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (Chadwick Boseman), Outstanding Breakthrough Role in a Motion Picture (Letitia Wright), and Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture. Anthony Anderson also took home the award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on “black-ish,” which also won Outstanding Comedy Series and garnered other awards.

Viewers of the 50th NAACP Image Awards were able to get an exclusive
preview of the Bobby DeBarge Story trailer, which premiered during the
telecast and premieres on TV One in June 2019.

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50TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS WINNERS

As previously announced by the NAACP, winners took home awards in diverse categories. 

NAACP Entertainer of the Year: Beyoncé 

NAACP Chairman’s Award: Jay-Z

Outstanding New Artist:Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series (Television): Anthony Anderson – “black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Film):Ryan Coogler – “Black Panther” (Marvel Studios)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (Film):Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther (Marvel Studios)

 Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (Film): Amandla Stenberg – “The Hate U Give” (20^th Century Fox)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture: “Black Panther” (Marvel Studios)

Click here for the full press release and complete list of winners. 

Find the 50TH NAACP IMAGE AWARDS footage guidelines and additional clips of Tom Joyner, Donna Brazille and the “black-ish” cast.

By Aanu Adeoye, CNN

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK)— VIA CNN— Rapper Nipsey Hussle’s death in a shooting near his clothing store was greeted with shock and disbelief by celebrities and fans alike.

The 33-year-old musician, real name Ermias Davidson Asghedom, was shot dead in an attack on Sunday that also left two others injured.The city of Los Angeles where he grew up and dedicated his life to helping kids break out of the cycle of gang violence mourned his passing.

But somewhere, thousands of miles away in east Africa, Nipsey’s death was felt even more keenly by the people of Eritrea.

Just in a day and half, @NipseyHussle visited many places in #Asmara.
Me: 'Aren't you tired?'
N: 'NO, I am VERY excited!'#Eritrea pic.twitter.com/alydCWcvuO

— Hadnet Keleta (@hadnetkeleta) April 20, 2018

His father, Nipsey once said, fled a war in Eritrea to settle in the US.

Hussle visited Eritrea twice in his lifetime: first as an 18-year-old when he spent three months and most recently in April 2018.

With his brother Samiel and their dad, Hussle met the Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and sat down with the Ministry of Information’s website for a wide-ranging interview about his life and experiences growing up in Los Angeles in a culture of gang violence.

@NipseyHussle is an 'A class' rapper and a successful business man. He visited Dolce Vita textiles in #Asmara yesterday to explore the business opportunities in #Eritrea. pic.twitter.com/oJZfqhCwmu

— Hadnet Keleta (@hadnetkeleta) April 20, 2018

Then he spoke of his love for Eritrea and his desire to connect with his extended family after fourteen years since his last visit.

“I am here to visit my family and reconnect with my grandmother, my cousins and everybody else,” Hussle said during the interview.

“I love to be here. The people, the food, the culture, and the lifestyle are extremely good.

“During his trip back to his father’s country, Hussle also visited a local textile factory in the capital Asmara to explore business opportunities.

Eritrea’s Minister of Information Yemane Meskel led the tributes to Hussle after news of his death broke.

Extremely saddened to hear the news of the tragic and untimely death of iconic recording artist/entrepreneur Ermias Asgedom (Nipsey Hussle). RIP & condolences to his family. (Nipsey visited his home country in April last year; Profile interview attached) https://t.co/AM87gfgRPu pic.twitter.com/EPaHJGCzm8

— Yemane G. Meskel (@hawelti) April 1, 2019

“Extremely saddened to hear the news of the tragic and untimely death of iconic recording artist/entrepreneur Ermias Asgedom (Nipsey Hussle),” Meskel tweeted.

“RIP & condolences to his family.”

Billion Temesghen, the Eritrean journalist who interviewed him last year, wrote on Twitter: “Eritreans worldwide feel sorrow for the loss of a talented star, a loving family man & a compassionate compatriot. Condolences to us all.”

Ermias Asghedom AKA Nipsey Husle was an Eritrean rap star, a preformance phenomenon, who had just returned home. In my pleasant talk with him I was delighted to learn of the Eritrean & African pride he carried deep inside him. He is a legend. compassionate compatriot. We miss him pic.twitter.com/ogWbp0HrhA

— Billion Temesghen (@billietemesghen) April 1, 2019

Hussle’s debut studio album, Victory Lap, was nominated for best rap album at this year’s Grammy Awards.

By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— You see, [Proverbs 15:3] says: “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Those who think they have God fooled are only fooling themselves!

Listen, when the Holy Spirit gives you an opportunity, and He begins to touch your life, and He begins to deal with you and point out areas in your life that you need to change and then bring you to a place of repentance, and you say, “Yes, Lord, I repent, and then you turn back and act the same way, you’ve treated that which is Holy as common. You’ve profaned the Holy. You’ve been touched, blessed, convicted, repented–all these things have taken place–you draw near to God–only to go and do the same darn thang. I tell you, you ain’t fooling nobody but yourself, because you sho ain’t fooling God!

You pray and you weep and you repent and you say, “God forgive me. Cleanse me. Set me free, Jesus, please, Lord, pardon my sin.” Then you go and act the same way you did before.  You are in danger of judgment. How can someone be so active in the church and still be lost? How can you sit in so many worship services, and not grow in your understanding of God? How can you go into the presence of the Holy Spirit and not find conviction? Get yourself right! This is the ultimatum. In God’s message through Isaiah his prophet, the ultimatum is made clear. It is God’s way or it is God’s wrath, the choice is given, the consequences are made clear. “If you consent and obey, you will eat the best of the land; “But if you refuse and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” It is as simple as black and white. No gray areas, no need for arbitration, no compromise, no meeting God halfway. It is all or nothing. It is God or the devil. It is blessings or eternal cursing.  [Isaiah 1:18-20]. I tell you, you ain’t fooling nobody but yourself, because you sho’ ain’t fooling God!

We think we are so smart, we think we are able to pull a fast one on God. We ain’t fooling nobody but ourselves.  I tell you, “The time of ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” [Acts 17:30]

The conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— “And the Lord said, [insert your name]! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren [Luke 22:31-32].

Yes, the Devil wants you. He wants to “sift you as wheat.” He wants to expose everything that could bring shame and accuse you before God. Let this be a warning to you. Satan would like to chew you up and spit you out! I tell you, as followers of Christ we must never be so naïve as to think that Satan pays most attention to those who have already surrendered to his demonic powers. No, the opposite is true. It is those who follow Christ and have a reputation for being godly Christians who have Satan on their backs. You better know that you know. And let me just say this, if you have never met the Devil, it is because you and the Devil are going in the same direction.

Satan, the serpent, the Great Dragon, Beelzebub, the ruler of this world, the prince of the power of the air, the evil one, and the adversary, who came to steal, kill, and destroy. Satan doesn’t give a crap about you. He is Satan. And—if you are a follower of Jesus Christ—he hates your guts with a passion. Like a roaring lion he is prowling about seeking to destroy you. You better know that you know!

And be sure of this, Satan is desirous to trip up the preacher, the deacon, the Sunday School teacher and every devoted Christian that he can. He is at work to keep a church fooling around with things that don’t matter while the world goes to hell. He brings friction into the Christian family to cause brokenness and ineffectiveness.  I tell you, there is a lion loose today, and he trying to defeat you, to bind you, to keep you from becoming what God would have you to be. Satan promises the best, but pays with the worst; he promises honor and pays with disgrace; he promises pleasure and pays with pain; he promises profit and pays with loss; he promises life and pays with death. But we can overcome him through our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ as we put on the whole armor of God. I tell you, be watchful! Because our adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” [1 Peter 5:8].

NEVER allow his-sight to see you – search to smell you – chase to catch you – grasp to hold you- tongue to taste you – teeth to crush you – throat to swallow you – stomach to digest you – and never let his lunch be you! NEVER ALLOW HIS- DECEPTIONS to derail you – DELUSIONS to detain you – DISSATISFACTIONS to detour you- DEPRESSIONS to destroy you – and DISAPPOINTMENTS to deny that God lives. The enemy’s schemes are ruthless and cunning. Know your weaknesses. Know where you are vulnerable, know what your Achilles Heel is, because if you don’t, Satan does and he will eat you up and spit you’ out!”

“Therefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.” [1 Corinthians 10:12]

 May God help us to stay alert, awake and anointed in the face of the evil one.

July 24, 1927 to March 16, 2019

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— Anita Joy Dimery-Riley passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the age of 91.

Anita was a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where her passion was working with incarcerated youth through Prison Ministry, as well as being a member of the Eula B. Wheeler Mission Circle. She was also active in many community organizations, including Urban League and Adrianettes.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Riley; her son, Charles Slaughter and his wife Tracy; her son, Rudolph Dimery; and her grandchildren Lauren Dimery, Charles Slaughter and Sara Slaughter. She is also survived by her brother, John Watson and her sister Mary Abalos, as well as many other relatives.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 31 from 3 p.m. to to 7 p.m. at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church located at 1575 N 17th Street in San Bernardino. The service will also be held at New Hope on Monday, April 1 at 10 a.m. Internment will be at the Riverside National Cemetery on Tuesday, April 2 at 9:30 a.m.