Los Angeles

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Jan 31 2009

M.A.M.A. targets battered women

“I was in a bad relationship, and I prayed to get out. God said ‘don’t worry, I got you, help this other lady,’” recalls Los Angeles resident Arlene Dyer.

The “other lady’s” boyfriend had broken her collar bone twice, and after being put in jail, called from the lock up and threatened the woman with more bodily harm.

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Jan 31 2009

Old film gains new audience

When Charles Burnett made the film “Killer of Sheep” back in 1997, his goal was simple: He wanted to show everyday life in black Los Angeles through the eyes of the people who lived it, and he wanted to demystify the whole concept of filmmaking within his community.

Consequently, the actors he used were all amateurs; mostly friends and acquaintances.

Jan 24 2009

Black History Month Salute

Veteran trombonist, Phil Ranelin, will kick off Black History Month with a Jazz Performance Series in a salute to late jazz greats.

Ranelin’s series is self-produced and will take place in partnership with various high-end Jazz venues throughout the Los Angeles area on the following dates:

Salute to Dexter Gordon, February 1, 8-10:30 p.m., Hollywood Studio Bar & Grill, 6122 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028, (323) 466-9917.

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Jan 17 2009

Pro-line co-founder shares his life and business philosophy

In economic terms, the best way to describe an $80 million return on an investment of less than $1,000 is: Good business.

Looking at his life, it is easy to see that “good business” is a mantle Alabama-born Comer Cottrell can wear quite comfortably. It is also an integral part of the way he built his company, Pro-Line, into one of the largest ethnic hair care products firms in the world.

Jan 10 2009

Pilot program allows a bigger voice at City Hall

Under a pilot program approved Tuesday, Los Angeles Neighborhood Councils (LANC) would be able to hand up motions or resolutions to the City Council.

The two-year program would allow the 89 LANCs to introduce three motions and/or resolutions per year, of which must be seconded by another LANC before being filed with the City Clerk’s office for inclusion on an agenda.

The program will come before full City Council for a vote next Tuesday.
 

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.