Jo seph Rouzan - Vermont/Slauson Economic Develop- Victoria Rowell’s New Film ment Corporation Designated Community Unveils The Tragedy Behind Opioid Financial Institution (See page A-2) Epidemic (B-4) VOL. LXXVV, NO. 49 • $1.00 + CA. Sales Tax THURSDAY, DECEMBERSEPTEMBER 12 17,- 18, 2015 2013 VOL. LXXXV NO 50, $1.00 +CA. Sales Tax“For Over “For Eighty Over Eighty Years Years The Voice The Voice of Our of OurCommunity Community Speaking Speaking for for Itself Itself” THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2018 SENTINEL EXCLUSIVE LAPD Chief Meets With Prominent Black Leaders After Officer Involved Killing Mellody Hobson receives Bakewell-Bremond Pioneer of African American Achievement Award E. MESIYAH MCGINNIS/ L.A. SENTINEL LAPD Chief Michel Moore reiterated his promise to lo- LEROY HAMILTON cal leaders during the discussion on an officer involved (L-R) Charisse Bremond-Weaver, President of the Brotherhood Crusade, Mellody Hobson, recipient of the shooting that resulted in the death of Black man at a 24 Bakewell/Bremond Pioneer of African American Achievement Award and Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., Chairman of the Hour Fitness gym in Hollywood. Brotherhood Crusade Board of Directors. BY KIMBERLEE BUCK Sunset Boulevard after a The Brotherhood Cru- risse Bremond-Weaver, ful and deserving honoree in our history. We are Staff Writer receiving a radio call that sade capped of its 50th An- president of the organiza- and Charlie Wilson as our proud at everything we 30-year-old, Albert Ramon niversary Celebration with tion, said she was delighted entertainment was simply have accomplished over On October 29, two Los Dorsey was trespassing. a gala like no other. The that the dinner was such OUTSTANDING. I can- the past 50 years and are Angeles Police Department During the officers attempt annual event, which is held an extraordinary success. not thank everyone who equally as excited about (LAPD) officers responded to escort Dorsey (who was at the Beverly Hilton Ho- “We could not have asked has worked so hard at mak- what the next 50 years.” to a scene at a 24-Hour Fit- tel, is the culmination of a for a better night. Mellody ing this event and this year ness located at 6380 West {See LAPD A-8} yearlong celebration. Cha- Hobson is such a wonder- one of the greatness years {See BROTHERHOOD A-9} E. MESIYAH MCGINNIS / L.A. SENTINEL Community members gather at the LA Sentinel Newspaper for a press conference, announcing a 37.3 million dollar grant allocated for youth reinvestment initiatives. BY LAUREN A. JONES tiatives outside the Los tastic we had about 80 Contributing Writer Angeles Sentinel Newspa- community-based agen- per surrounded by youth, cies from San Bernardino, Assemblyman Regi- community, faith and edu- Riverside, Los Angeles nald Jones-Sawyer an- cation leaders, Rams play- County all here to show nounced a $37.3 million ers and members of the appreciation for 37.3 mil- E. MESIYAH MCGINNIS/L.A. SENTINEL grant that will be allocated LAPD on Tuesday. lion that’s being funneled Kyle-Kyson Clark to youth reinvestment ini- “The turnout was fan- {See GRANT A-9} {See FULL STORY A-8} CITY NEWS SERVICE A 21-year-old man who was fatally shot by a secu- rity guard at a Hollywood Walgreens store was not shoplifting, but was tar- COURTESY PHOTO Jonathan Hart COURTESY PHOTO Located along Cren shaw Boulevard from 48th to 60th streets, this linear outdoor geted because he was black Sunset Boulevard and Vine museum will flank the new Crenshaw/Los An geles Airport (LAX) Metro Rail Line. and gay, an attorney for the Street. man’s family said today. The guard allegedly SENTINEL NEWS SERVICE and culture experience queece Harris-Dawson, Jonathan Hart, 21, who claimed that Hart was shop- celebrating Black Los An- this community-inspired was homeless and was also lifting. Authorities said The first renderings geles under development project will use the- icon known as Sky Young, was there was a brief confron- were released today for along Crenshaw Boule- ic street as a canvas and www.lasentinel.net fatally shot at 8:10 p.m. Destination Crenshaw, a vard. Spearheaded by L.A. anchor for public art and Dec. 2 inside the store at {See WALGREENS A-8} 1.3-mile-long outdoor art City Councilmember Mar- {See CRENSHAW A-9} A-2A-6 LASENTINEL.NETLOS ANGELES SENTINEL NEWSNEWS THURSDAY,THURSDAY,JANUARY DECEMBER 13, 9, 2018 2014 The organization can now provide more direct funding to small businesses in South L.A. that need economic re- sources the most.” In the past, VSEDC was only able to broker funding by packaging loans and sending referrals to financial institutions. They will now be able to receive loan funds from major banking institutions that they can disseminate to businesses in the area, who sometimes see procur- ing funding from those in- stitutions as a hurdle. Now, said Rouzan, they can have For First-Time Homebuyers more direct access to funds from VSEDC. With prod- Looking to buy your first home can mean lots of questions and ucts similar to those pro- vided by mainstream bank- uncertainty. From our Southern California beginnings to over 130 ing institutions, VSEDC locations today, we’ve helped immigrant families achieve the life will offer mortgage financ- they’ve imagined for themselves. Our loan specialists will provide you ing for low to moderate -income, small businesses, with the guidance and financing options to suit your needs. and lending for commu- COURTESY PHOTO nity facilities. Considering • Down payments as low as 3% Vermont/Slauson Economic Develop ment urban communities often • Assistance available for down payment and closing cost Corporation executive director, Jo seph Rouzan endure more stringent re- • Flexible qualification guidelines quirements when attempt- ing to qualify for financial • Competitive rates BY JENNIFER BIHM ties, by growing new busi- products, VSEDC bridges Contributing Writer ness, making it easier for established busi- John May In October, the Vermont/ nesses to get loans Mortgage Business Development Officer Slauson Economic Develop- and creating jobs. ment Corporation was desig- “We are thrilled NMLSR # 1058713 nated a Community Devel- to provide financial 626.228.4770 opment Financial Institution, resources that allow [email protected] giving it the power as an Angelinos, particu- organization to receive and larly those in South distribute funding for small Los Angeles, achieve businesses in the South Los self-sufficiency and Angeles area. The designa- excel in business and tion was granted after a nine beyond,” said Rouzan, who the access gap allowing month effort by VSEDC is the executive director. residents to economically members to procure it. Said “Our team looks for- engage and thrive. All rates, fees, products and program guidelines are subject to change or the organization’s leader Jo- ward to providing loans, All they have to do is discontinue without prior notice. Other limitations and restrictions may apply. All loans are subject to East West Bank’s application, underwriting, appraisal, and seph Rouzan, their new dis- business assistance, finan- come to VSEDC for an as- credit approval. Program is available in selected counties of California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Texas and Washington. tinction will provide a three- cial planning, and more sessment Rouzan told the fold benefit to the Council with the ultimate goal of Equal Housing Lender Member FDIC NMLSR ID 469761 {See VSEDC A-14} District 8 and 9 communi- improving communities THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2018 NEWS LASENTINEL.NET A-3 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2018 NEWS LASENTINEL.NET A-3 A-4 LASENTINEL.NET NEWS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2018 © 2018 The Coca-Cola Company. All Rights Reserved. The Coca-Cola Company. © 2018 JOY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2018 NEWS LOS ANGELES SENTINEL A-5 Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington Honored at Los Angeles Sustainability Coalition Annual Awards Dinner Sponsored by Balfour Beatty, outstanding leaders in sustainability were recognized for contributions to accelerate key environmental and infrastructure goals at Downtown L.A. City Club on December 4, 2018 Sentinel News Service major highway and transit inner-city youth of Los Transportation Deputy.) In projects is currently meeting Angeles District 9 and Dis- addition, Larry McCallon, The Los Angeles Sus- or exceeding its schedule.” trict 10. Mayor, city of Highland and tainability Coalition hosted He also emphasized Metro’s Tamara McCrossen-Orr, Metrolink board member its annual Sustainability initiative to establish a voca- chief planning officer at received the Metrolink Out- Awards Dinner at the Down- tional and college-prepara- LAWA was on-site to accept standing Sustainability Pro- town Los Angeles City Club tory boarding school, tightly the 2018 Los Angeles Sus- grams Award, Dr. Cris on December 4, 2018. tailored to prepare at-risk tainability Public Agency of Liban, P.E., executive offi- Keynote speaker and hon- and foster youth for careers the Year Award, and shared cer of environment and sus- oree Phil Washington, chief in transportation. “Foster- the airport’s excitement tainability accepted the executive officer of the Los care and at-risk youth can go about having begun con- Metro Sustainability Coun- Angeles Metropolitan Tran- anywhere in the world with struction on an Automated cil Award, and Community sportation Authority, was their trade,” said Washing- People Mover, which pro- Service Awards were pre- among several leaders rec- ton of the plan to boost jobs vides a cutting-edge electric sented to Los Angeles ognized for their outstand- and fill the demand for qual- train system to reduce car- County Supervisors Janice ing contributions to un- ified transportation workers. bon footprint and ease trans- Hahn and Kathryn Barger PHOTO COURTESY OF LOS ANGELES SUSTAINABILITY COALITION precedented innovation in “The focus shouldn’t be on a portation during major (accepted by Youn-Gi Kim LA Metro CEO Phil Washington received the 2018 Los resource conservation and job, but a career pathway.” Angeles Sustainability Coalition Leadership Award from upcoming events in Los Harabedian and Dana Van- infrastructure initiatives for Following cocktails and executive director, Dr.