California Senator Kamala Harris Makes History As the First Black Woman to Compete on a Major Party's Presidential Ticket
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2020 State of Black America L.A. City Planning Department Focuses on COVID-19 Effects to Names Faisal Roble First Chief the Black Community Equity Officer (See page A-2) (See page A-11) VOL. LXXXVI NO. 33, $1.00 +CA. Sales Tax “For Over Eighty Years, The Voice of Our Community Speaking for Itself.” THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 VOL. LXXVV, NO. 49 • $1.00 + CA. Sales Tax “For Over Eighty Years The Voice of Our Community Speaking for Itself THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2013 California Senator Kamala Harris makes history as the first Black woman to compete on a major party’s presidential ticket. mother of young adult chil- facing a major racism cri- dren who represent a gen- sis, where the treatment of eration of Millennials, un- African Americans by the certain about surviving in police and within society in a country that is struggling general, have become ma- with unemployment, sky- jor social issues in America rocketing-housing costs, and throughout the presi- and college tuition loans, dential campaign. leaving them burdening in Joe Biden is 77-years- debt before they ever really old and if he wins, will get started in life. have turned 78 before his Senator Harris checks inauguration. By the end all of the boxes that Biden of his first term, he will be needs to ensure victory 82. He needs to have a run- come November 3, 2020. ning mate who is part of Harris joins Biden in the and can relate to the young- COURTESY PHOTO California Senator Kamala Harris BY DANNY J. BAKEWELL, JR. term. On Tuesday, August In selecting Harris, ing in a national campaign. Executive Editor 11, 2020 former Vice Presi- Biden has put aside issues Senator Harris is dent Joe Biden took one which came up when the 55-years-old. Born in Oc- By all accounts, Joe step closer to becoming the two candidates debated tober of 1964, she is the COURTESY PHOTO Biden should easily walk 46th President of the United when competing for the last of the Baby Boomers Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are running mates for into the White House fol- States by selecting Califor- presidential nomination. and born on the cusp of the 2020 presidential election. lowing the November elec- nia Senator Kamala Harris Biden selected his former Generation X. She is part tions. Donald Trump should as his Democratic running presidential rival over a of the next generation; a 2020 race at a moment of er generations of voters. be a one term-president, and mate. A historic selection, host of other highly quali- generation not quite ready unprecedented national cri- Obviously, putting to- America could be rid of the Harris becomes the first fied women. He has, how- to retire, but who con- sis. COVID-19 has claimed gether a team that will win nightmare we’ve been in for Black woman to run on the ever, selected a seasoned templates how they will the lives of more than in November is key for the past 3 ¾ years, leading Democratic Party’s national politician who understands make ends meet if they do. 160,000 people in the U.S. to the end of his four-year ticket for vice president. the challenges of compet- Furthermore, Harris is a Furthermore, the U.S. is {See HARRIS A-10} AMANDA SCURLOCK Sports Writer Kabuye performed a song and rap in honor of the Hundreds gathered at slain 14-year-old. Compton City Hall on “I feel like basketball Thursday to celebrate the was a huge part of his life, life of young basketball but at the same time, only prospect, Semaj Miller. The a small portion of who he 14-year-old was gunned actually was.” Kabuye down in South Los Angeles said. “He was a really on July 29. goofy kid, loves to have The vigil had numerous fun, jokes in every situ- speakers and performances COURTESY PHOTO ation, had a humongous to pay tribute to a young Semaj Miller becomes another casualty to inner-city heart.” man who was passionate gun violence. The 6’6” student ath- about basketball. Speakers lete was bound to play AP PHOTO said prayers in English and vigil and donated new shoes Semaj Miller, my last name basketball for Compton The lawsuit claims the share going to private schools Arabic, the All That Dance and masks to the youth who is Miller, that could have High School this fall. Al- should have its basis on the number of Title I students Crew and the L.A. Limited were in attendance. been my kid. And it’s sad though other schools were attending those schools. DeVos did not follow that rule, Addition Drumline also “We got to stop kill- that we’re going through interested in him, Miller the NAACP contends, spelling out that hundreds of mil- performed. ing our future; that’s what this.” wanted to be a Compton lions of dollars in CARES Act funds would immediately Rapper Percy “Mas- we’re doing,” Master P said. Miller’s mother, Taloma, divert from public schools to affluent private schools. {See MILLER A-8} ter P” Miller spoke at the “What is sad about this ... and his godfather Ignatius {See NAACP A-10} Despite the difficulties of COVID-19, the organization is still dedicated to helping youth meet their educational needs. BRIAN W. CARTER thanks to COVID-19. Many at Exposition Park (Green Contributing Writer local youth will be at home Lot), located at 3998 this school semester, shel- Hoover Street, Los Ange- They’re going back to tering-in, while they receive les, CA 90037. Due to the school—but not like in their education. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the years past. This school year new normal, Mothers In Ac- festival will be a drive- is going to be very different tion is still making sure that thru only to keep every- local students will be pre- one safe and protected. pared for this unusual school Pre-registration is also re- year. quired for all participants. The 22nd Annual Moth- “This year will look ers In Action’s (MIA) Back very different due to the to School Health Fair will FILE PHOTO COVID-19, and will be take place on Saturday, Au- This year’s back-to-school fair will be a drive-thru only due to the COVID-19 pan- gust 15, from 8a.m.-12p.m. demic. {See MIA A-8} www.lasentinel.net A-2 LASENTINEL.NET NEWS THURSDAY,AUGUST 13, 2020 L.A. City Planning Department Names Faisal Roble First Chief Equity Officer Largest U.S. planning department stewards its first chief equity officer appointment SENTINEL NEWS SERVICE we still experience today. City Planning recognizes it City Planning, the is uniquely positioned to largest planning department intentionally partner with in the United States, has the community and stake- named its first Chief Equity holders to make culture- Officer Faisal Roble to lead shifting decisions. in a newly-created position “The current national to spearhead racial justice movement has shed light efforts within the depart- on a systemic racism that ment. This role will also permeates in every sphere help address implicit bias in of our civic lives including, City Planning policies and but not limited, to climate outreach. With more than 30 events, housing, health dis- years of experience and parities, inequitable zoning most recently holding the practices, and lack of eco- title of Principal City Plan- nomic development in ner, Roble will help craft communities of color,” said City Planning’s Racial Equi- Roble. “It would be irre- ty Action Plan that will bet- sponsible to not recognize ter guide diverse outreach and atone for the discrimi- and engagement that nating land use practices informs 35 distinct commu- our local government has nities during the City Plan- contributed which pro- ning process. duced inequities. I look for- Appointed by the Direc- ward to guiding the depart- tor of Planning Vince ment in more racially equi- Bertoni in response to table practices.” Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Exec- Regarding next steps, utive Order No. 27 on City Planning will submit its Racial Equity in City Gov- Racial Equity Action Plan to ernment, Roble has a robust the mayor’s office as well as history of serving various join the City of Los Angeles community groups around Racial Equity Task Force, Los Angeles. His experi- COURTESY PHOTO both to promote citywide ence includes managing Faisal Roble diversity and equity. Roble visions for South, Southeast and his team will dedicate and West Adams-Baldwin the South L.A. community, prominence at City Plan- in time where we reflect on equitable Los Angeles. As a work effort to implement the Hills-Leimert communities. including the redevelop- ning for mentoring plan- the social, political, and department of over 400 priorities identified in the Part of his work helped ment of Jordan Downs from ners by instilling confi- economic injustices that staff, each civil servant Action Plan.The work to address racial injustice, 700 units of public housing dence and guiding them have challenged our Black, plays a role in either perpet- dismantle systemic racism equity, as well as economic into a 1,073 unit, mixed- professionally. He has been Indigenous and, communi- uating or calling out sys- will require committed disinvestment. His leader- use, mixed-income neigh- an advocate for many plan- ties of color for genera- temic racism. Many land use resources, and involve both ship in over 20 projects has borhood with a full-service ners of color as well as tions.