Waters Joins Vice President Ka- Judge Mablean Ephraim - H.U.F. mala Harris on the Initial Release Awards Honor Dynamic Dads and of Funds for Minority Banks and Deserving College-bound Students Community Based Lenders (See Page A-2) (See page A-11) VOL. LXXXVII NO. 25, $1.00 +CA. Sales Tax “For Over Eighty Years, the Voice of Our Community Speaking for Itself.” THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021 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 BY BETTI HALSELL Contributing Writer Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas is devoted to the growth of Leimert Park. The civic leader made the monumental plaza a priority after three years of the area being closed; it’s receiving heightened at- tention and councilmember Ridley-Thomas showcased some of the upgrades dur- ing the Juneteenth reopen- ing celebration. On Monday, May 17, Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas visited the Leimert Park village while it was under construction. He stated, “As Council- member for the 10th Dis- trict, I am committed to working with local stake- holders to not only cel- ebrate the rich cultural and social legacy of Leimert Park Village, but creating a future for the village that is safe, clean and welcom- Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas (center), along with political figures and community members, cuts the ribbon at the Leimert Park Village re- ing for all members of the opening / Juneteenth Celebration. E. MESIYAH MCGINNIS community to enjoy.” Dur- ing the reconstruction peri- ity to the restroom area. Leimert Park Plaza. When public servants to make elected representative for lage.” od, Ridley-Thomas shared Ridley-Thomas is look- reflecting on the work of sure that communities of this community, I am com- Reviving the Leimert that a portion of the teal- ing to bring justice to under- public duty, Ridley-Thomas color have access to op- mitted to investing in this Park Plaza was a collab- colored barrier was coming served communities seen said, “Equity matters – and portunities and resources. community and providing {See JUNETEENTH A-8} down for more accessibil- in the rehabilitation of the it is our responsibility as As a long-time resident and resources to uplift the Vil- SENTINEL STAFF REPORT Flavored tobacco prod- ucts are moving closer to being banned from Los Angeles retailers with ef- forts led by the L.A. City Councilman Curren Price to protect the health of Af- rican Americans. Councilmember Price led the charge alongside fellow council colleagues Mark Ridley-Thomas and Councilman Curren Price Mark Ridley-Thomas Marqueece Harris- Dawson Marqueece Harris Dawson Former President Trump made it his mission to get with a motion presented to sized the actions being tak- are already at a higher risk advantaged communities rid of the law, which has provided millions of Americans City Council to remove an en toward the ban are steps for stroke, heart disease, than with the toll menthol with access to affordable health care, particularly during exemption of menthol fla- that are necessary to protect and cancer without being cigarettes has done to the the coronavirus pandemic. COURTESY PHOTO vored tobacco and include marginalized communities enticed by such a highly health of the Black commu- it in the proposed Citywide that have had to bear the addictive product,” said nity, and it is time to fight BY STACY M. BROWN who depend on affordable ban. brunt of generational effects Councilman Curren Price. back for the sake of saving NNPA Newswire Senior health care, the Supreme As a representative of attributed to the usage of to- “We talk a great deal about lives.” National Correspondent Court rejected the lat- a Los Angeles community bacco products. disparities that run rampant The L.A. City Council est challenge to President made up largely of Black “It is time for us to cut throughout communities of has asked the City Attorney In a significant victory Obama’s signature legisla- and Latino neighbors, our losses; there is too much color and there is no greater to proceed with drafting an for the Biden-Harris ad- tion. Councilman Price empha- at stake. Our communities burden that wears on dis- {See TOBACCO A-8} ministration and Americans {See OBAMACARE A-8} Schools recruiting top athletes could now offer tens of thousands of dollars in edu- Gov. Gavin Newsom AP PHOTO cation-related benefits. COURTESY PHOTO www.lasentinel.net SEE FULL STORY A-10 SEE FULL STORY A-10 A-2 LASENTINEL.NET NEWS THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021 H.U.F. Awards Honor Dynamic Dads and Deserving College-bound Students The Mablean Ephraim Foundation recognizes dedicated fathers and awards $60,000+ in scholarships BY CORA JACKSON-FOSSETT mentoring programs are the greater L.A. area. He Staff Writer supported by funds raised also acknowledged the sup- through the H.U.F. Awards port of the sponsors such as The 19th Annual Honor- Entertainer and comedi- Mae Stewart, Judge Anita ing Unsung Fathers (H.U.F) an Michael Colyar, the Carothers, Dr. Chaundra Awards was held virtually, Jones, Lonnie Bronny, but that didn’t decrease the Willie Ward, Donna Goodell level of excitement and and Goodell Productions, entertainment offered by the Byron Reed and United Par- Mablean Ephriam Founda- cel Service. “To all of you tion (MEF). who joined us today, may The inspiring event rec- your lives continue to thrive ognized dedicated, though and be blessed,” Jackson often overlooked, dads and said. saluted intelligent and “I told you,” Colyar focused college-bound stu- joked after Jackson’s KEEMON LEONARD/SEAN PENNINGTON dents. Also, top-notch remarks, “Freddy Jackson is Judge Mablean with the students who received scholarships. celebrities appeared to the 100-grand man. A lot of applaud the achievements of babies came into the world Dad Award honoree was CIT/One West Bank Actress and comedienne the honorees and the young FILE PHOTO because of the smooth Eddie C. Connor, who executive Byron Reed pre- Tiffany Haddish presented people. Judge Mablean Ephraim sound he was laying down!” served 24 years in the U.S. sented additional college the Founders Award to “The H.U.F. Awards Colyar gave equal kudos to Navy and teaches govern- scholarships to Nailah Byron Allen, CEO of Enter- were created to honor those show’s host, opened the pro- musician Michael Phillips, ment and economics in the Robinson, Jacob C. Scant- tainment Studios, a global fathers who go about their gram with an enthusiastic who gave a soulful and cre- Inglewood Unified School on-Belgarde Mackenzie D. media production and distri- day caring for and nurturing greeting. “I’m glad, glad, ative saxophone rendition of District. Davis, Asa E. Devers, Kyren bution company. their families, but are often The Fatherhood Forever Kennedy, Jalen Scott, Gary In her concluding unnoticed,” explained Judge Award, which recognizes White and Ramon Flowers. remarks, Judge Mablean Mablean Ephraim, the event divorced fathers who main- creator and producer. tain a viable presence in “Society tends to paint a their children’s life, was pre- broad, negative image of sented to Kerry Ephriam. Black fathers, but this event Cleveland Johnson, who is designed to dispel that was married for 55 years, myth that Black men are served decades in the U.S. ‘deadbeat dads’ and ‘no Air Force and is a member good men.’Each of our hon- of the Moreno Valley School orees shows us the best of KEEMON LEONARD/SEAN PENNINGTON Board, was the Living Lega- men. They are hard work- Byron Allen and Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard cy Award recipient. ing, take care of their wives Actress Renee Lawless and children, and have glad to be here. I’ve been Earth, Wind and Fire’s clas- announced the scholarship learned to balance career involved with at least 15 of sic, “Can’t Hide Love.” recipients, who are all grad- and family and they do it these shows,” he shouted as M.C. Lyte, a trailblazing uates of Thomas Jefferson well,” she insisted. he wore a variety of hats and hip-hop artist, presented High School where MEF “Also, this is an event delivered a running com- awards to five H.U.F. hon- focused its mentoring efforts with a purpose. The mentary of jokes throughout orees. They were Jason over the past school year. Mablean Ephriam Founda- the event. Edwards, an educator in Jeni Ortega-Leon, who will tion is on a mission to edu- Vocalist Freddy Jackson, New Jersey school system, attend UCLA this fall, cate minds and empower who served as honorary who received the Solo War- received the nursing schol- our citizens, thereby creat- chairman, applauded the rior Award. The Love Cares arship. The other recipients ing better communities,” foundation’s SAT, prep and Award went to Larry Fuller, were Marilyn T. Figueroa, said Ephriam, who added STEM programs, which a caregiver, mentor and enrolled at UC Irvine; and KEEMON LEONARD/SEAN PENNINGTON that MEF’s scholarship and have aided many students in sales executive. The Village Yahir Flores, bound for UC At top are Kerry Ephriam and Cleveland Johnson. At bot- Santa Barbara. tom are Edward C. Connor and Jason Edwards Four college students received scholarships to Vanessa Bell Calloway said, “I hope you walk away assist them in continuing bestowed the Board of today ready to nominate a GoingGoing back back to to work? work? PreparingPreparing to to travel? travel? their education. Sydney Directors Award upon the father for one of these Stephens, a sophomore at Right Rev. J. Drew Sheard, awards next year.” She Arizona State University; the newly elected presiding added that the MEF award- and Jasmin Melgar, a stu- bishop of the Church of ed more than $60,000 in DON’TDON’T GUESS.