Allen Crabbe Hosts Free Bas- ketball Camp at Price High School Brianna Davison Gives Back to (See page B-1) Kids with Cancer (See page D-1) VOL. LXXVV, NO. 49 • $1.00 + CA. Sales Tax THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12 - 18, 2013 VOL. LXXXV NO. 33, $1.00 +CA. Sales Tax“For Over “For Eighty Over Eighty Years Years, The Voice The Voiceof Our of CommunityOur Community Speaking Speaking for forItself Itself.” THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2019 Byron Michael Purcell and Rodney S. Diggs intend to continue the legacy of the firm in representing the community and bringing justice. BY BRIAN W. CARTER Contributing Writer Welcome Ivie, Mc- Neill, Wyatt, Purcell & Diggs—the prestigious and Black-owned law firm in Los Angeles has added two exemplary lawyers to its title. IMW partners, Byron Michael Purcell and Rodney S. Diggs both come with a wealth of le- gal experience between the two of them and prov- en records at the firm. Se- nior partners, Rickey Ivie and Keith Wyatt shared a statement about adding their names to the firm. “Byron and Rodney have been major contribu- (From left) IMW attorneys Byron Michael Purcell and tors to the success and Rodney S Diggs. COURTESY growth of our firm for a (From left) Motown legends Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy PHOTO E. MESIYAH MCGINNIS / SENTINEL long time. The change of dous attorneys, and we are is committed to service, the firm name is in recog- proud and blessed to work I love the commitment to BY IMANI SUMBI Harmony Gold Theater in ford, and of course, mem- nition of their past, pres- with them.”- Rickey Ivie & service—not only to its cli- Contributing Writer Los Angeles. Unforgettable bers of the Gordy family. ent, and future contribu- Keith Wyatt ents but the community as stars such as Mary Wilson Directed by British tions and leadership. We “It’s an honor in terms a whole.” Many of Motown’s of the Supremes, Thelma brothers Gabe and Benja- are confident and secure inof the names and the people “I have been a partner biggest icons were in at- Houston and former Van- min Turner, “Hitsville” trac- the knowledge and expec- that have come before me since 2016, but to be ele- tendance at the premiere dellas member, Betty Kelly, es the history of Motown tation that IMW will con- and to be a part of such a vated to named partner is a of Showtime’s latest docu- graced the red carpet along- Records from its founding tinue to flourish as they distinguished group—it’s feeling like no other,” said mentary, “Hitsville: the side legendary producer, in 1958 in Detroit up to its maintain and strengthen a privilege,” said Purcell. Diggs. “To have my name Making of Motown,” last William “Mickey” Steven- our tradition of excel- “The most appreciative cemented next to legal gi- Thursday, August 8 at the son, songwriter Janie Brad- {See HITSVILLE A-8} lence. They are tremen- thing is how much this firm{See IMW A-10} BY TANU HENRY works as a community out- BY E. MESIYAH MCGINNIS California Black Media reach specialist for a local Staff Writer public health organization. When Coleen Sykes “It’s heartbreaking because Despite the rigors of Ray started an organization we’re good people. I’m leading businesses and cor- with her daughter in 2015 working and I’m college- porations while balancing to help homeless women, educated.” families and various ven- the Stockton, California Ray says she gets why tures, a group of influential resident had no idea that landlords refuse to rent their African American women she too, would be homeless properties to her family. and other executives gath- four years later. Some of them explain that ered at the LA84 Founda- Now, she, her husband they have been burnt many tion in the West Adams and two children live in an times by people who pay neighborhood of South Extended Stay America ho- them with vouchers. Other L.A., to celebrate business- tel in Stockton. The family property owners, she says, women Cynthia Guidry, pays a costly $610 hotel bill tell her that it is a hassle to and Stephanie Wiggins for every week as they struggle have to deal with the Sec- accepting CEO positions to find a place to live. tion 8 administration. at Long Beach Airport and “When you tell land- But, understanding the L.A. Metrolink. lords you have a Section 8 landlords’ reluctance – after The room was filled PHOTO BY E. MESIYAH MCGINNIS voucher, its like saying a going great lengths to im- with a who’s who list of Front: Bob Gilbert, CDO Los Angeles World Airports, Kelli Bernard, CEO AECOM, dirty word,” says Ray, who Cynthia Guidry, Dir. Long Beach Airport, Stephanie Wiggins, CEO LA Metrolink, Jac- {See HOMELESS A-8} {See SISTERHOOD A-14} is African American and queline Dupont-Walker, LA Metro Board Member, Phil Washington, CEO LA Metro. BY JENNIFER BIHM organization and its chief, Contributing Writer David Maggard. Marlo Rich- “Imagine working 20 ardson said she and other of- years with no disciplinary An African American ficers “who look like her,” action, successfully pro- police lieutenant with the are being constantly scru- moting about four times, Los Angeles World Airport tinized, investigated and and in those four promo- Police Department said she overlooked for well-earned tions there were other spe- is anxious about returning promotions. According to the cialized opportunities,” to work after a colleague suits -one also filed by Adon- said Richardson. and she filled discrimina- is Cutchlow - the plaintiffs “… And then, to have tion lawsuits against the are asking for: “All special new leadership come in damages, according to proof; … and basically, all of general damages for emo- your good work becomes tional distress and mental something different. anguish in a sum according You’re being scrutinized, to proof, for exemplary and being called a liar while punitive damages in a sum having done nothing appropriate to punish Defen- wrong … it’s been really dants and set an example for difficult. It’s been very others; for equitable relief; stressful.” for prejudgment interest at Richardson was fired the prevailing legal rate; for Adonis Cutchlow Marlo Richardson COURTESY PHOTO last year for what she and Attorney’s fees and costs as her attorney are calling permitted based on above for both plaintiffs, James long been systematically Richardson, who has “baseless and pre-textual causes of action; and such DeSimone, a culture of dis- maintaining an inconsistent always wanted to do police reasons.” However, the other and further relief as crimination and harassment and discriminatory double- work, she said, has suffered Board of Civil Services this Court may deem just and permeates the department, standard of discipline for high anxiety at the thought Commissioners decided www.lasentinel.net proper…” “and it starts from the top. African American person- of going to work these to honor an arbitrator’s According to the attorney Chief David Maggard has nel, he said.” days. {See LAWA A-10} E. MESIYAH MCGINNIS/L.A. SENTINEL A-2 LASENTINEL.NET NEWS THURSDAY,AUGUST 15, 2019 HBCU in L.A. Premieres Student Film ‘Uchawi’ with Rep. Maxine Waters in Attendance BY IMANI SUMBI Contributing Writer Last week marked the culmination of the 2019 HBCU in L.A. program, an 8-to-10-week summer experience during which HBCU students from across the country gain access to coveted opportu- nities in the entertainment industry through training and internships. As they pursue paid internship positions, they are housed in Los Angeles free of charge, ensuring that they PHOTO BY MAURY PHILLIPS Back Row (from left): Tobi Omodehinde (actress in film), Inger Tudor (actress in film/tal- are not barred from partici- ent); James Bland (Executive Producer of Film, Writer/Creator and star of “Giants”); J. pating due to low-income PHOTO BY JAIMIE MILNER August Richards (student film mentor). Front Row (from left) Troi Henderson (writer); status. HBCU in LA is the Congresswoman Maxine Waters speaks to HBCU in LA I’shanee Ford (actress in film); Congresswoman Maxine Waters; Kelsey Scott (student signature program of the students at the screening of “Uchawi.” acting coach), and Ayo Afolayan (actress in film). Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program screening was held at the doing,” Milner said. “We these past two months, are the Swahili word for screenwriter Troi Hender- (EICOP), a recruitment and headquarters of SAG- are truly creating a pipeline the validation of our “magic” or “witchcraft,” son, associate producer diversity program that AFTRA, one of the enter- for students to have access efforts,” Waters said. “You follows two sisters coping Jonathan Kee, and Stacy seeks to give students of all tainment industry’s largest into what I call Holly- are the metric that matters. with the loss of their moth- Milner. backgrounds the tools labor unions and the host of wood’s coveted inner cir- Your learning and your er. It is evident at the begin- Bland asked the student needed to succeed in the three 2019 HBCU in LA cle.” dedication confirm the ning that their mother’s cast and crew about their entertainment industry. interns. Milner was followed by value of these programs death has brought them various experiences and SAG-AFTRA's Chief Peo- and justifies their continua- together for the first time in challenges on set. Hender- ple Officer Tashia Mallette, tion, expansion and replica- a long while. One of the son talked about drawing who introduced herself as a tion in other industries. sisters finds among the creative inspiration from proud HBCU graduate and Your success will help you things her mother has left Black womanhood and her expressed her pride in the launch your careers.