Californians May See Some Monetary Savings with State Legislation That Would Curb Out-of-Pocket Cost for Medicines - by Jawane Hilton

All residents win when we create an equitable place to live. For some time now, residents face barriers to quality life, such as rising rents, food, gas, and health care. For residents who depend on medication to maintain their health, price matters a great deal. What most residents don’t know is that the rising cost of health care is caused by the policies of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and health insurers who work in tandem to pocket savings meant for patients. 

As the Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Carson, I meet residents everyday who struggle with their prescriptions and the costs associated with them. The burden of extra cost is on citizen’s shoulders. Many residents need to choose either paying for their treatments or paying for necessities for their children. The hardship is daunting, and some put their health last in order to take care of their loved ones first. 

A recent study found that Asian, Hispanic, and Black Americans were 20 % to 50 % more likely to not take their blood pressure medications as prescribed due to cost. In addition, a California Health Benefits Review Program (CHRP) analysis demonstrated that if health plans shared 90 % of discounts and rebates, rather than going to big companies, Californians would see $70.8 million in savings at the pharmacy counter. 

How do third parties manipulate the cost of medications? Long before treatments are offered to patients, PBMs and insurers negotiate rebates and discounts on the cost of medicines. These entities pocket the cost savings that should go to vulnerable patients sometimes living with debilitating diseases.  For example, a patient walks into a pharmacy to pay for their $100 medication. At the back end, the health insurer or the PBM has already negotiated a discount of $45 for a net cost to them of $55. A patient with a 25% coinsurance pays $25 for a medicine with a $100 list price (.25x100), rather than the $13.75 (.25x55.)

These unscrupulous and unfair business practices have not gone unnoticed. Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) has authored Senate Bill (SB) 873 which would lower out-of-pocket costs and give back some monetary relief to patients. 

SB 873 is a solid step forward to mend a broken health care system. It would require health insurers and their PBMs to share rebates directly with patients at the pharmacy counter. The result would be cost savings for patients, medication adherence, and tax savings for the state – all positives in a health care industry that should place patients first. 

Jawane Hilton is Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Carson.

https://lasentinel.net/californians-may-see-monetary-savings-with-state-legislation-that-curbs-out-of-pocket-cost-for-medicines.html

PBM 5/19 Updates - National News about Efforts to Reform Pharmacy Middlemen

As Congress intensifies its focus on regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), Pivotal Strategies wanted to send along periodic updates and resources on where things stand with legislation and efforts to help redirect prescription drug savings from PBM profits back to patients’ pockets (see below). Please reach out to them if you have any questions or if you’d like to get engaged on this issue; they look forward to working with you to help lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs.

Happy Black History Month

Black history month is a time where we celebrate who we are as a community and reflect on the impact our ancestors have made. Today we want to highlight a few recourses that does just that!

BBC REEL covers Henrietta Lacks story and it is an informational video to share in any setting!


Viola Davis became the 4th Black person to achieve EGOT status with a Grammy win for her audio book “Finding Me”. EGOT is the “grand slam” in entertainment when one person wins all four awards which includes an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. Whoopi Goldberg was the 1st Black person to achieve the EGOT status in 2002 alongside her is John Legend who achieved it in 2018 becoming the first black man and Jennifer Hudson in 2022.

“Finding Me” by Viola Davis “Finding Me is a deep reflection, a promise, and a love letter of sorts to self. My hope is that my story will inspire you to light up your own life with creative expression and rediscover who you were before the world put a label on you.”

Speaking of books, Octavia’s Bookshelf is a black owned bookstore opening in Pasadena / Altadena. Nikki High is a book lover who is known for recommending books to family and friends. After finding books written by people of color she was opened to a whole world of history, sci-fi, and fiction literature. Now she is taking the leap to provide this world of literature to the public by opening a bookstore that provides the community with an assortment of books written by BIPOC. The bookstore is set to open February 18, 2023!

Octavia's Bookshelf

Happy Juneteenth!!

From the HAAF family to yours we want to wish you a happy Juneteenth. We honor today and acknowledge all the names that this day is known for, “Emancipation day”, “Freedom day”, “ Jubilee day”, and “Black Independence Day”. We are celebrating the commemoration of the end of slavery and acknowledge our ancestors who fought as soldiers in the union against the confederacy of the south to win our freedom. It took two years for our fellow Texan brothers and sisters to learn that slavery had been abolished but once the found their new freedom they celebrated with prayer, dance, song and feasting. We are so grateful for our ancestors, the shoulders that we stand on. It’s with their sacrifice that we have the liberty of today. Juneteenth what a liberating day!!!

Along with that, happy father’s day! We appreciated and commend all of our black fathers who stand strong as role models and hold their families together!

Community Updates 6.15.22

Next Monday, June 20, 2022, 11am-1pm PT, the 37th Annual Kingdom Day Parade will be taking place. Presented by the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE-CA), the Kingdom Day Parade provides a family friendly, fun and entertaining venue for the Los Angeles community to come together to celebrate the life, legacy, and dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is the largest celebration of its kind in the country, with over 250,000 spectators lining the parade route and over 2.5 million television viewers enjoying its live broadcast on KABC-7. If you wish to be part of the parade, be sure to complete their online application, and if you wish to volunteer for the parade, be sure to apply here. For more information on volunteering duties, be sure to see the attached volunteer list of duties.

3.) As part of their Kedren Vaccines Mobile program, the Kedren Community Health Center has a June Mobile Event Calendar they wish to share, which shows the dates and locations in which the team will be present to provide vaccinations. If you wish to visit their home site, they are located at 4211 S. Avalon Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90011, and open Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm. No appointments needed.

4.) President Biden and Vice President Harris are announcing the launch of the White House Internship Program and that, for the first time in recent history, White House interns will be paid. The first session will commence in Fall 2022, and will be hosted in-person on the White House campus from Monday, September 12 to Friday, December 16.(14 weeks). The application period will be 3 weeks, from Monday, June 6 through Friday, June 24. Selected applicants will be notified the week of August 8, 2022. A demonstrated interest in public service and a commitment to the values of the Biden-Harris Administration through schoolwork, extracurricular activities and previous work/intern experience are beneficial to applicants. Applicants must be at least 18 years or older before the first day of the Program, and meet at least one of the three following criteria:

  • Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college, community college, or university (two- to four-year institution)

  • Graduated from an accredited undergraduate or graduate program at a college, community college, or university (two- to four-year institution) no more than two years prior to the first day of the internship Program

  • A veteran of the United States Armed Forces who possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent and has served on active duty, for any length of time, no more than two years prior to the first day of the Program

All those interested in applying or finding more information to share with their communities are able to find the application and all other information, including a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section, at WhiteHouse.gov/intern. Prospective candidates with questions about the Program can reach out to the White House Internship Program team at internship@who.eop.gov.

5.) HHS will be hosting their Building Bridges to Better Health Competition, with the focus being primary health care. This competition is open to the public, and encourages the development of low-cost, scalable technical assistance solutions to help community health centers improve patient access to primary care and reduce health disparities. The deadline for Phase 1 submissions is August 8, 2022. For more information, be sure to view the attached flyer.

6.) The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture, the California Department of Education, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and the Department of Public Health, will provide approximately 100,000 free snacks and lunches this summer to children at 46 county parks.


The 2022 free Summer Food Service Program will kick-off on Monday, June 13, 2022, and conclude Friday, August 5, 2022. The program runs Monday through Friday, lunch will be served between 12-1pm and snacks will be served between 3-4pm. Note: that there will be no lunch and snack on June 20, 2022 and July 4, 2022. Children and youth under 18 years of age are invited to receive a nutritious lunch and snack that includes vegetables, fruits, seeds and healthy dairy products like milk, string cheese, and yogurt. To locate a summer lunch and snack site at an L.A. County Park near you, please visit Free Summer Lunch and Snack Program.

7.) The UCLA Semel Institute Center will be organizing the first live performance of the Veteran Journeys Opera, oratorio style at the UCLA Semel Auditorium with a live stream option, on July 22, 2022, 7pm PT, and July 24, 2022, 3pm PST with music and libretto by Dr. Kenneth Wells, director of the UCLA Semel Institute Center. Created by Dr. Wells, Veterans Journey is based on true stories from interviews of Veterans and family members as well as Dr. Wells' own family members. Veterans and providers of services for Veterans provided input into the opera’s libretto to reflect their experiences.  Premiered as a film due to COVID-19, it has won the Awareness Film Festival Special Jury Courage Award, and the “Docs Without Borders” International Film Festival awards in the category of Docu-drama Feature, Social Issues: a) Excellence in Editing (sub-category); and b) Outstanding Excellence: Original Score (sub-category). If you are interested, you may register here.

Community Updates 6.13.22

The South LA/South Bay African American Infant & Maternal Mortality Community Action Team (SLASB AAIMM) would like to share with everyone the following upcoming events:

  • AADAP Hot Topic Tuesday - How the Alcohol Industry Targets the LGBTQ+ Community: Community Resilience & Protective Factors

    • Tuesday, June 14th, 2022, 4-5pm PT

    • Marlon Pascual, AADAP Community Organizer – Inglewood Prevention Unit, invites the Inglewood Community to attend AADAP's next Hot Topic Tuesday, "How the Alcohol Industry Target the LGBTQ+ Community: Community Resilience and Protective Factors."

    • There will be a kahoot! game sharing history around Pride, how the alcohol industry turrets the Queer community, and have a guest speaker sharing resources and protective factors.

    • To register, be sure to click on the following link.

  • Reimagining Black Family and Child Well-Being in Research, Programming, and Public Policy

    • Wednesday, June 15, 2022, 2-3:30 pm ET (11am-12:30pm PT)

    • As part of their initiative to build a multi-year applied research agenda on Black children and families, Child Trends will be hosting a webinar on reconceptualizing well-being for Black children and their families, and want to shift the national conversation toward a more holistic understanding of Black families and communities that acknowledges their cultural assets.

    • Panelists include research, policy, direct service, and advocate voices who will discuss how common perceptions of Black child and family well-being have influenced policies and programs to date and what an asset-based approach to research, policy, service, and advocacy could look like.

    • For more information and to register for this event. be sure to click on the following link.

  • AAIMM Baby Café – hosted by Black Infants & Families L.A. & BreastfeedLA

    • Thursday, June, 16, 2022, 10am-12pm PT

    • The AAIMM Baby Café is an informal drop-in breastfeeding support group for Black/African American pregnant and postpartum people, free to join.

    • This is a space to celebrate infant feeding and offer support wherever needed, and is hosted every Thursday,

    • To join, please click on the following link.

  • Black Vax Vaccine Clinic

    • Saturday, June 18, 2022

    • Join the following locations for a summer celebration of culture, featuring free vaccinations, home covid-19 testing kits, swag bags, meals, and a $20 target gift card for the 1st 20 people who come by to get vaccinated:

      • Lincoln Memorial Congregational Church, 10am-2pm - 4126 Arlington Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90008

      • South Park, 10am-2pm - 345 East 51st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90011

      • 1st Annual Juneteenth Film Festival Gardena Cinema, 3-7pm - 14948 Crenshaw Blvd. Gardena, CA 90249

    • For more information, be sure to contact Shavon Moore Cage at smoore.scpc@gmail.com.

  • AADAP Health Intervention Program - NEW YOU Resource Fair

    • Thursday, June, 23, 2022, 12-4pm

    • The New You, at the Curtis Tucker Center for Community Wellness - 123 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, CA 90301 - will celebrate Juneteenth, Pride, Father's Day, and National HIV Testing Day.

    • There will be free haircuts for participants, as well as HIV Testing & PrEP info, COVID vaccinations and boosters, fly shots, health and harm reduction services, and hygiene kits.

    • Any questions, please contact Stephanie Haynes at shaynes@aadapinc.org or (424) 331-5799.

Women's History Month \ Founder Dr. Loretta Jones

Dr. Loretta Jones

Women’s History Month is a time to look back on women who paved the way and our founder Dr.Loretta Jones was the cornerstone in bridging the gap in our communities. She fought every day to shed light on injustice in all aspects of life including health disparities. Her career spanned more than 40 years as a civil rights activist, health policy advocate, and social architect. Dr. Loretta Jones was a person who fought for people who weren’t able to be in the room. She pioneered Community Partnered Participatory Research (CPPR), a community-academic research model for connecting academic medical center researchers to the community. In 2017 Dr. Jones was presented the UCLA Medal, the university's highest honor. She was the first African American non-medical woman to be published in JAMA. She was also published in Ethnicity & Disease and is a co-author of more than 50 peer-reviewed articles. While there are many more accolades that show how hard she worked for her community, we believe that who she was as a person speaks louder. She was a mentor to all and was always generous with her time and knowledge. Along with that, she kept an open door to anyone who needed help. She gave her heart to all those who needed love and many people of the community looked to her as a friend, mother, and grandmother. Dr. Loretta Jones was a person who believed in the betterment of all.

Community Updates 3.15.22

Artists and Activists for Health Equity will be hosting their inaugural Dance for Life event, a dance festival to benefit the fight against HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, and other health issues confronting Black and other people of color in Los Angeles. Artists and Activists for Health Equity is a collective of artists and activists raising awareness and resources to help confront global public health issues like HIV/AIDS and COVID-19. While they aspire to grow to a three-day festival, this inaugural event will be a one-day event with matinee and evening performances. It takes place at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 2pm and at 7pm, followed by a VIP reception with the dancers and major donors. Performing companies in this event include:

If you are interested, you may buy tickets here or become a sponsor here.


The Mansfield Chamber Singers will be hosting its Spring 2022 Concert Program Sure on This Shining Night - Empathy and Re-Connection in America, at Sunday, May 1, 4pm PT. This concert will be presented with all current COVID-19 precautions required by the venue and the state of California. The concert will be located at the St. Augustine by-the-Sea Episcopal Church at 1227 4th St., Santa Monica, CA 90401. For more information, please call (310)-471-1247.


Happy Women's History Month!

March is Women's History Month, and the theme for this year is Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope. Join the Los Angeles Center for Women's Health on Thursday, March 24 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM for a fun evening that will be offering free blood pressure and glucose screenings, appetizers, goodie bags, and raffles. The event will take place at 1513 S. Grand Ave., Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90015. You may register at the following link. Please see the attachment for more information.

Black Infant Health is hosting a virtual enrollment fair from 11:30 am to 1 pm at the following days:

  • Wednesday, March 16, 2022

  • Friday, March 18, 2022

The Black Infant Health Program aims to improve health among Black mothers and babies by empowering pregnant and mothering Black women to make healthy choices for a brighter future. To enroll, you must identify as African-American, 18 years or older, and at most 30 weeks pregnant. You may register today through their IG link in their bio @blackinfanthealth_tcci, or through the QR code in the attached flyer. For more information about Black Infant Health, be sure to visit the following link.

Asian Women for Health will be hosting three virtual events this month. Feel free to register for them and share with people you know:

  • Women's Health Webinar Series: Breast Cancer - Tuesday, March 15, 7pm EST (4pm PST)

    • Learn the facts about how breast cancer affects Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and debunk the myths surrounding breast health.

    • Register: bit.ly/AWFHMarWebinar22

  • Lunch & Learn Series: Kidney Health - Thursday, March 24, 12pm EST (9am PST)

    • March is National Kidney Month!

    • Learn about kidney health with Asian Women for Health and Dr. Li Li Hsiao

    • Register: bit.ly/AWFHMarLunch22

  • AWFH Monthly Socials: Asian Women's Groups - Thursday, March 24, 7pm EST (4pm PST)

    • Meet other groups supporting Asian women and join our safe space to talk about topics affecting women's health, including domestic violence and mental health and healing.

    • Register: bit.ly/AWFHMarSocial22

Community Updates 3.14.22

The MLK Healing Center would like to share the following community events for the month of March (Attached is their calendar of events for your convenience, as well as flyers for some of their events and events from their partners):

  • Charles Drew University Youth Mental Focus Groups - This research study is an opportunity for youth to share their experiences and viewpoints about mental health, the effects of COVID-19, systemic racism, school and community, and what you would like to see in a mental health education program. Please email ypar.southla@gmail.com or call (323)-357-3454 for more information.

  • The MLK Healing Center and CORECenter will be hosting presentations from 2pm to 3pm that discusses the following topics, such as (dates included):

    • March 3rd: Relapse Prevention

    • March 9th: Marijuana Presentation

    • March 16th: How to Talk to Your Loved Ones about SUD (Substance Use Disorders)

    • March 23rd: SUD and Mental Health

  • Alzheimer's Los Angeles and Healthy Brain Initiative Los Angeles, with welcome remarks from Congresswoman Maxine Waters, are partnering to hold a virtual workshop that focuses on Reducing Your Risk for Alzheimer's, and will discuss topics such as healthy habits to keep your brain healthy, Alzheimer's warning signs, and the next steps to take if you believe you're at risk. This workshop will take place Wednesday, March 16th 6-7:30pm. You may register here.

  • The SEED School of Los Angeles County (SEED LA) is now accepting applications for the fall of 2022 from current 8th-graders entering the 9th grade, and will give priority to students who live in South Los Angeles and the Vermont Manchester area, as well as to students who have experienced homelessness, foster care, are being monitored by probation and child welfare departments, or have a parent who is incarcerated. They have an upcoming community event where anyone who has a child entering high school this fall can join the SEED LA team and learn more about SEED LA. It will take place on Saturday, March 5, 2022, 11am-2pm at Earvin "Magic" Johnson Park, 905 E. El Segundo Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90059. The event will also have free food, music giveaways and more. For more info. contact info@seedschoolla.org.

  • The Prosecutors Alliance California Survivor Policy, Training and Resource Center is proud to announce their monthly training series every first Monday, from 3:30 to 5pm up to June 2022. The series was developed in response to the needs and issues areas identified by those working directly with survivors of violence and crime. Victim Advocates, attorneys and social service providers are encouraged to attend this free training series. You may register for these webinars by clicking on this link. See below for what would be discussed, and the dates:

    • March 7, 2022: How to Access and Utilize Victims Compensation for Survivors of Violent Crime

    • April 4, 2022: Crime Survivor Voices Survey Results and Recommendations

    • May 2, 2022: Collaboration with CBSs to Serve Survivors of Violence and Crime

    • June 6, 2022: Understanding Elder Abuse and Financial Fraud

The MLK Healing Center has also provided information about current job opportunities. For more information, you may view the attachments for these opportunities.. The following opportunities are:

  • Blue California Intern Program - The 10-week program is available for current undergraduate and graduate students who have a commitment to learning and development. Interns will work on real-world projects and initiatives and build a better understanding of the diversity and complexities of working in the dynamic world of health insurance. You may also find out more about this program here.

  • The Archdiocesan Youth Employment services of Los Angeles are offering paid internships for youth. Interns will work 120 hours at a rate of $15/hr. They are looking to hire from the following demographics (please see below for more information; attachments for both demographics are provided):

    • 14-19 years old: CalWorks Recipients who legally reside in Los Angeles are eligible, and enrollment documentation such as a photo ID, Social Security Card, birth certificate, and more are needed. You may call their Central LA office at 213-482-8618 x223, or their South LA at 323-241-5016, or email ayes@aye-la.org for more info.

    • 17-24 years old: Internships include job training programs, childcare assistance, transportation assistance, and more. Their Youth Center Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30am-5pm. For more information, you may contact Maria Murillo at maria@aye-la.org or 213-482-8618 x222.

  • Community Health Councils (CHC) is looking for a Project Manager for the WeCanStopSTDsLA's Young Women of Color Project (Project Fierce). WeCanStopSTDsLA is a movement that brings together people and organizations who live, work, play, serve, and worship in Los Angeles County to reduce the cases of STIs among youth and young adults in our communities. The Project Manager will hold a critical bridging function among current and new stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have strong civic acumen skills and successful experience in coalition development, managing complex and matrixed relationships, working collaboratively and communicating in a teamwork capacity and with multiple demands and shifting priorities. Please email a Cover Letter and Resume as separate attachments to humanresources@chc-inc.org and include the exact title of the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Please see the attachment for more information.

Community Update 3.10.22


1.) The Office of Assembly member Mike Gipson will be hosting a Gun Violence & Gang Violence Conference on April 8 & 9 at California State University, Dominguez Hills (1000 E. Victoria St. Carson, CA 90747. Join them as they discuss how to end gun violence by implementing a systematic plan of action to make communities safer. You may RSVP at eric.washington@asm.ca.gov or at (310)-324-6408.


2.) Community Reflections, Inc. will be having a free food give-away at 10020 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90047 on Friday, March 11, 1-3pm. Free Covid Testing and Giveaways will be provided as well. They are also looking for volunteers from 10am to 3pm. For more information, please call (323)-674-4376.


3.) Someone Like Me is offering virtual parenting classes via Zoom from March 3 to April 7, every Thursday from 7-9pm. For $120, learn techniques to help you communicate more effectively and strengthen the relationships within your families. These classes are based on Dr. Jayne Major's many years of doctoral research in the field of parenting at UCLA. For more information and/or to enroll, please call or text (310-765-5328.


4.) The Education Works Consulting Firm will be hosting a Zoom session titled Voices of Our Youth, an Inglewood Anti-Trafficking Task Force Listening Session. They invite the community to join the session on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from 1-3pm. See the following zoom information:

  • Meeting ID: 727 129 1908

  • Password: 1902

5.) The American Indian Counseling Center Prevention and Early Intervention and the United American Indian Involvement are collaborating together to host a weekly Tuesday session titled Healing the Sacred Self from 3-4:30pm. In this weekly session, you can learn about self-care and healing, improve communication schools, receive education and resources, and more. Be sure to see the attached flyer for the Microsoft Teams meeting. Here is the link just in case.


6.) The Watts Vaccine Task Force will be hosting its Vaccinate Watts - Power of Wellness Fair on Saturday, March 19 from 10am to 2pm. In this free event, they will be providing services such as COVID-19 testing and vaccines, free giveaways and wellness bags, animal services, and on site journaling, healing circles, yoga class, and knitting stations. To learn more about the #VaccinateWatts campaign, click here. If you would like to participate in the campaign visit the media toolkit.

Community Update 2.24.22

1.) Charles Drew University is organizing a research study that analyzes activists' perspectives on the effects of incarceration, which would also provide valuable information for a graduate thesis. They are looking for activists who have worked with an organization for at least 5 years, and interviews will be conducted via Zoom for 1-1.5 hours. If you would like to participate, be sure to contact either Ms. Mary-Joy Marsh at maryjoymarsh@cdrewu.edu, or Dr. Noe R. Chavez at noechavez@cdrewu.edu. Be sure to see the attached flyer.

2.) For those diagnosed with sleep apnea and use CPAP machines, there has recently been a recall of CPAP machines, as they have now known to be manufactured with a polyester-based polyurethane foam. This foam was used to reduce the sound and the vibration that occurs when the CPAP machine is on and it’s generating air. However, when exposed to water and the natural moisture of air, it would break down into tiny particles that could be inhaled, swallowed, or ingested, leading to major health complications. For more information, please read the following article.

3.) The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ Office of Community Affairs invites you to their upcoming Community Health Buzz Spanish webinar, Recomendaciones para combatir el miedo de los niños a las inyecciones (Translation: "Recommendations to combat children's fear of injections"), Monday, February 28, 2022 at 5PM via Zoom. This webinar will be hosted in collaboration with the Mexican Consulate and it will be broadcasted live via Facebook. If you wish to register, please click here.

Black History Month \\ Notes From The Field

We are highlighting “Notes From The Field”, a play written and performed by Anna Deavere Smith. You can watch it now on HBO MAX and please take a look at the trailer below.

“One of the most hailed and provocative theatre artists of our time, Anna Deavere Smith, leads a new installation of powerful first-person storytelling in Notes From the Field. Urgent and inspiring, it depicts the personal accounts of students, parents, teachers, and administrators caught in America’s school-to-prison pipeline. Investigating a justice system that pushes minors from poor communities out of the classroom and into incarceration, Notes From the Field shines a light on a lost generation of American youth. Drawn from interviews with more than 250 people living and working within a challenged system, Anna Deavere Smith continues her mastery of the documentary solo performance by stimulating awareness and, ultimately, change for the better. “ - https://www.annadeaveresmith.org/category/notes-from-the-field/

 

Community Update 2.22.22

1.) The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Sexually Transmitted Diseases Control Branch, Policy and Viral Hepatitis Prevention Section is recruiting a Project Policy Analyst 4 Lead STD Policy Analyst position through the University of California San Francisco (UCSF 64654BR). For more information and to apply for the position, please see the Job Posting on the UCSF website. Note: This position is located at the CDPH campus in Richmond, CA with consideration for a telework schedule. If you know someone who you think might be interested in this position, please feel free to share.

2.) The African American Policy Forum is hosting the following events, which will take an unflinching dive into the truths of the Black history that so fully impacts the present:

  • The Bluest Eye: A Virtual Public Reading (Feb 23 & 24, 4pm PT) - In honor of Toni Morrison's birthday, AAPF recognizes the great novelist's powerful re-imagination of the Black experience and her singular contribution to the world of literature. At a time when Morrison's work is under fire from the forces of racial backlash, we are proud to publish Gene Seymour's appreciation of Morrison's imperishable voice at The Forum! Additionally, join our friends at Literacy Partners for a virtual reading of Morrison's The Bluest Eye. The public reading will feature AAPF Executive Director Kimberlé Crenshaw, Angela Davis, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and others! More info and free tickets at events.literacypartners.org/bluesteye/.

  • Under the Blacklight – "Is This the Last Black History Month? (Feb. 28, 5pm PT) - AAPF is bringing together prominent thought leaders from MasterClass’ "Black History, Black Freedom, Black Love" for a powerful episode of Under the Blacklight. During this episode, AAPF Executive Director Kimberle Crenshaw will join Jelani Cobb, Cornel West, and Sherrilyn Ifill to examine the war against anti-racist ideas and the ways in which Black lives have been imperiled before by organized backlashes—from the Reconstruction period to the resistance to the Civil Rights Movement. RSVP here!

  • Save the Date: Her Dream Deferred 2022! (March 27 - April 2) - Each year at the end of March, in honor of Women’s History Month and the UN’s International Decade for People of African Descent, AAPF hosts Her Dream Deferred, a weeklong series of activities focused on elevating the crises facing Black women, girls, and femmes. This year, Her Dream Deferred will feature a dynamic film festival, talkbacks, and a day of restorative practices.

3.) The UCLA NCSP is looking for a program coordinator who would be very organized and detail oriented that can multitask and handle the busy-ness of the NCSP program seamlessly. You can view the posting by clicking on the following link and using req22471: https://www.uclahealthcareers.org/job-search-results/?keyword=req22471


4.) Community Services Unlimited and the Village Market Place (6569 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA), in partnership with the California Black Women's Health Project present the following:

  • Morning of Wellness - A Family Affair of Black Joy with nourishing foods, movement & self-care, taking place this Saturday, Feb. 26, from 9 am-12 pm. This morning of wellness has the following events:

    • Trap Zumba - 2 sessions, the first one from 9-9:30 am and the second one from 9:45-10:15 am

    • Build Your Own Plant Workshop, a plant seedling workshop by CSU's GROW: South Central Program

    • Coloring & Storytime for Kids

    • Sister Circle by CABWHP, provides an affirming space that uplift healing, dealing, talking, learning, and group support to address anxiety, depression, isolation, and adverse health impacting experiences

  • A vaccination and testing site taking place on Feb. 25th from 10 pm to 4 pm. You may get pre-screened and you may register here.

  • The Paul Robeson Archives, which contain the archives of Paul Robeson, an artist who used his immense global popularity to educate and agitate regarding the collective plight of African Americans and the commonality of peoples’ struggles all over the world; come down to the Village Market Place from Feb. 15 to Feb. 28th to take a look.

  • The Eat Well, Run Well raffle, where South Central Run Club and the Village Market Plaza will raffle off a free month subscription to the large VMP Produce Bag.

  • Green Savings Program, offered in partnership with LADWP, where Community Services Unlimited can help identify and apply for LADWP programs that can save money and the environment.

5.) The LA County District Attorney’s Office will be hosting a town hall discussion titled Has the Legal System Failed Black Women?, taking place tomorrow, Feb. 23, at 6:30 pm. If you are interested, feel free to register here.


Community Update 2.10.22

  • The American Rescue Plan Act Economic Adjustment Assistance funding opportunity is to provide a wide-range of financial assistance to communities and regions as they respond to, and recover from, the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, including long-term recovery and resilience to future economic disasters. EDA advises eligible applicants to submit complete applications no later than March 31, 2022. The link to submit applications is here.

  • The Equitable Community Revitalization Grant gives California communities an unprecedented opportunity to address historic environmental injustices and set a new path for land use that will have immediate and lasting benefits, such as recreational uses (parks and other green spaces), commercial enterprises, and housing. ECRG funding is available to help California local governments, qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and Tribes to conduct Community-wide assessments, Environmental investigations, and environmental cleanups. The deadline is April 4, 2022, and you may apply through the following link.

  • Challenge America offers support primarily to small organizations for projects in all artistic disciplines that extend the reach of the arts to populations that are underserved. The program is rooted in principles that include, but are not limited to populations and geographical areas historically underserved by national arts funding, small organizations facing barriers to grant opportunities, and applicants that may benefit from expanded technical assistance. The deadline is April 21, 2022, and you may apply here

  • The Latino Community Foundation will award grants to organizations working to educate, advocate, mobilize, and steward the equitable distribution and implementation of resources from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

    Learn more about ARPA and this timely LCF funding opportunity at an information session on February 15th from 12 - 1 PM. Latino Community Foundation welcomes all Latino-led organizations ready to leverage the power of this moment to register.


    Feel free to share with anyone you know who would benefit from this information. Thank you, and take care.



Community Update 2.08.22

  • The Community Coalition of South Los Angeles will be having their upcoming Prevention Network meeting, Tuesday, 2/15, 10-11:30am on Zoom. Meeting ID: 921 5786 8807. Passcode: 827307. The Prevention Network is an alliance of social service providers and community residents fighting to increase access to prevention and treatment services in South L.A. and end mass incarceration. The Prevention Network continues to direct policy initiatives and resource distribution according to the real human needs they see and address on a daily basis. Network members remain at the forefront of the movement to increase the state’s investment in programs that help families and local neighborhoods thrive. If you have any questions, please contact preventionnetwork@cocosouthla.org.

  • The Office of Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson announces the CD8 Community Based Organization Grant Fund launch. The funding opportunity will increase the capacities of existing and emerging organizations focused on a variety of prevention and intervention services, business development or support, and mental health services.

    The CD8 Community Based Organization Grant Fund awards will range from $5,000 to $75,000. To determine if your organization is eligible for a grant, you can find eligibility information and registration details on the website here:

  • FFWR (Farm and Food Workers) provides financial support to eligible entities (i.e., State agencies, Tribal entities, and non-profit organizations) to deliver relief in the form of $600 flat-rate payments to eligible farmworkers, meatpacking workers, and grocery store workers who incurred expenses preparing for preventing exposure to, and responding to, the COVID-19 pandemic. They currently have a grant program intended to defray costs for reasonable and necessary personal, family, or living expenses such as, but not limited to: costs for personal protective equipment (PPE), expenses associated with quarantines and testing, and dependent care. For more information, visit the USDA website. The Deadline is February 8, 2022, and you may apply through the following link.

  • The Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program leverages significant public and private dollars to support locally driven strategies that address struggling neighborhoods with severely distressed public and/or HUD-assisted housing through a comprehensive approach to neighborhood transformation. The deadline is February 15, 2022, and you may apply here.

  • The Ocean Acidification Program education mini-grant initiative is a competitively based program that supports coastal and ocean acidification education programs that engage diverse audiences in ocean acidification education and outreach, matching ocean acidification communication needs with existing research, education, and outreach activities while developing innovative approaches for community involvement. The deadline is February 18, 2022, and you may apply here.

Happy Black History Month!

The first week of Black history month has come to an end and we are beginning another week.

We are sharing our favorite movies to watch during this month!

Movie to watch and Resources:

One Night In Miami ( Amazon Prime) - On the night of Feb. 25, 1964, in Miami, Cassius Clay joins Jim Brown, Sam Cooke, and Malcolm X, and they discuss the responsibility of being successful black men during the civil rights movement.

Hidden Figures ( Disney Plus ) - Three brilliant African-American women at NASA - Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson - serve as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race and galvanized the world.

Judas and the Black Messiah ( HBO Max) - Offered a plea deal by the FBI, William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party to gather intelligence on Chairman Fred Hampton.

I Am Not Your Negro (Netflix)- Based on James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript Remember This House and narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, I Am Not Your Negro acts as part documentary, part social commentary on the history of race and racism in the United States. Baldwin’s observations on Black identity examine the public perception and portrayal of Black people and America’s “need” to give a sector of society for the classification of “n*gger.”

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (HBO Max) - Centering on the true story of Henrietta Lacks, an African-American woman whose cells were used to create the first immortal human cell line, this film is told through the eyes of Lack’s daughter Deborah and a journalist. It chronicles Deborah’s search to learn about the mother she never knew, and how the unauthorized harvesting of Lacks’ cancerous cells in 1951 led to medical breakthroughs that last to this day.

Resources

  • MasterClass - As part of the $2 million commitment at MasterClass to make content that inspires and educates on social justice and against systemic racism, for the first time ever an entire class will be available to stream for free. The three-part class, Black History, Black Freedom, and Black Love will be freely available on MasterClass.com during Black History Month. MasterClass has also teamed up with Amazon to make the class available to stream for free on IMDb TV and available for all U.S. Prime Members on Prime Video. The entire class can be viewed at the following link: https://learn.masterclass.com/blackhistorymonth.

  • In the wake of the murder of George Floyd and the global movement driven by Black Lives Matter, the Los Angeles City Council introduced a motion in June of 2020 directing the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), in consultation with community stakeholders, to “report on alternative models and methods that do not rely on armed law enforcement to achieve transportation policy objectives.” The motion has finally passed this month, and people can now apply to be part of the task force. You can find more information about the task force on the LADOT website here, and the link to the Google form application is here. The application period closes on February 25, 2022.

Community Update 1.23.22

1) The California Reinvestment Coalition is hosting free financial empowerment workshops. Join them next Wednesday, Jan. 26th, 4-5pm for a free info session about the upcoming 6-week workshop series taking place at the MLK Healing Center, starting in February 2022. Topics of discussion include banking, budgeting, credit, understanding debit, and more. For questions, please call 323-568-8732, or email sabrina@calreinvest.org.

2) Positive Results Center is proud to partner with Thelese Consulting Group, LLC to provide two Weekly Small Group Therapy Sessions for Black Youth, and for Black Adults, free of charge. These are 8-week sessions provided in small group sessions that you must register in advance in order to participate. You may register through the following links:

4) The 100 Black Men of Los Angeles will hold a Kickoff and Orientation for their 2022 Community-Based "See Your Future MALE Mentoring Program" on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 10 am at West Los Angeles College. You may register through the following link.

5) Join CA Black Women's Collective, @CaliforniaBlackMedia, and Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) California for the State of Black Women in CA Issues Forum and Report Release. This event is part of their CA Black Women's Empowerment Series. Join the authors of the report as they provide insights into our issues as well as the legislative and non-legislative solutions that will move our community forward. The event is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 31, 4pm PST. If you wish to register for this event, you may access the following link.

6) Black Women Rally for Action will be hosting their Interfaith Call to Prayer Service on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, 11:55am-12:25 PT. Join them as they offer prayers of hope for the people in times of uncertainty and instability in the face of worsening CoVID-19 numbers. The service will be streamed on Facebook Live. Click here to visit their page.

7) JPMorgan Chase & Co. is offering a pre-internship program that aims to introduce undergrad Black sophomores to the JPMorgan Chase & Co. brand and financial industry called the Advancing Black Pathways Fellowship Program. This six-week paid, full-time fellowship will be held in select offices during the summer months. and will provide students with hands-on experience, mentorship, and projects to help develop professional development skills and establish a pathway to future opportunities. You may apply through the following link.

8) The Los Angeles County Commission for Women (LACCW) is announcing the release of its 2022 Resilience Scholarship application for young women residing in the LA County. The scholarship seeks to support women and girls whose resilience and determination have overcome considerable hardship. It is now available and scheduled to close on Friday, April 1, 2022 at 5pm. You may access the application, which also contains guidelines and eligibility guidelines, through the following link. The application will also be attached to the email.

Community Updates 01.22.22

1) The Nate Holden Performing Arts Center will be hosting Dance for Life, a dance festival, fundraising to help fight HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 on Saturday, February 12. Co-hosted by dance legend Debbie Allen, Dance for Life will feature performances by some of the premiere US contemporary and ballet companies, such as Lula Washington Dance Theater, Ballet Red, Lyrik Cruz Dance, Complexions Contemporary, and more. There will be a matinee performance at 2pm and an evening performance at 7pm.

The Dance for Life festival will benefit the AMAAD Institute. The AMAAD institute facilitates personalized individual access to essential and support services, community support, resources and referrals, centered around specialized strength-based management services and leadership development. These programs and services foster safe and supportive healthy environments for people, especially LGBTQ people of color, to live, learn, and develop to their fullest potential. If you wish to help fight against HIV/AIDs and COVID-19, or if you wish to support the performing arts and the AMAAD institute, you may purchase tickets at the following link. Attached is a flyer for the festival, as well as a blurb that contains more information of the dance festival and how you can purchase tickets at a discount.

2. The Veterans Upward Bound Program empowers the men and women who have sacrificially served our nation in the military to transition more effectively into college. Their mission is to motivate and assist veterans in academic development.This program is funded through the US Department of Education and is free for all military veterans and reservists.

TELACU Veterans Upward Bound wishes to share information on Winter 2022 jobs, upcoming events, resources, and much more for the military veteran community. This information is accessible for all in their google drive folder, which is updated on a weekly basis. If you are interested, be sure to check out their resources. You may also sign up for their eventbrite events.

Dance Festival to Benefit The AMAAD Institute

Tickets are now available for the inaugural Dance for Life dance festival on Saturday, February 12th.  Proceeds from this event will support the Amaad Institute.

A fundraising event to help fight HIV/AIDS and Covid-19, the dance festival will include a matinee performance at 2:00 pm and an evening performance at 7:00 pm. At the Nate Holden Performance Arts Center located at 4718 W. Washington Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016.

Co-hosted by dance legend Debbie Allen, founder of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Golden Globe winner, five-time Emmy winner, and 2021 Kennedy Center Honors recipient; Dance for Life will feature performances by some of the premiere contemporary and ballet companies in the United States, including:

  • Lula Washington Dance Theater

  • BalletRed,

  • Body Traffic,

  • Jacob Jones Company

  • Lyrik Cruz Dance

  • Luminario Ballet, and

  • Complexions Contemporary Dance Theater

  • And others

The event co-chairs are Desmond Richardson, founder of Complexions Contemporary Ballet Company and former principal dancer at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Phill Wilson, founder of the Black AIDS Institute, former FAM board member, and current amfAR trustee.

To purchase tickets at a discount and to benefit the Amaad Institute, please follow these instructions:

  1. Please use the code 002 to receive a discount on your tickets and ensure a bigger donation to Amaad.

  2. Click on the ticket link below (Get your ticket), and then click on the green Tickets button. On the new page that pops up, titled “Dance for Life”, click on the blue link Enter promo code. Enter the code 002 and click on apply. You will then receive a confirmation: “002 applied

  3. Then choose your tickets by entering the quantity form the drop-down menu for the show time and level you want, and them click checkout and proceed to the payment process.

Get Your Ticket

 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dance-for-life-tickets-232427646347