Although she was primarily noted in contemporary times for her poetry, novels and acting, Maya Angelou had a celebrated background in the arts that began when it was difficult for an African American woman to truly count on making a living as a creative artist.
Author Archives: Cynthia E. Griffin
Posted inEducation, News
Superintendent of Public Instruction: Addressing needs of educational system
The Superintendent of Public Instruction is responsible for carrying out the rules set by the state Board of Education, as well as those dictated by the education code. The person holding this office is responsible for both public and private schools. The individual also acts as the state’s representative at the federal level, and is charged with addressing the financial and academic needs of students, schools and school districts.
Posted inNews-OW
School board chooses special election
Despite listening to three hours of testimony from more than 100 speakers, the Los Angeles School Board voted Tuesday to hold a special election to replace member Marguerite LaMotte.
Posted inNews-OW
LAUSD delays decision on District 1
After hearing the wishes and requests of a parade of speakers, including elected officials such as Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and former state assemblyman Mike Davis, the Los Angeles Unified School (LAUSD) Board voted Tuesday to delay making a decision about how to fill seat left vacant with the death of Marguerite LaMotte.
Posted inLocal Politics
Sebastian Ridley-Thomas headed to state captial
In the 54th Assembly District race, 26-year-old Sebastian Ridley-Thomas handily defeated his rivals to win the right to represent voters in the state government.
Posted inNews-OW
Black parent groups voice concerns
Against a backdrop of achievement numbers that leave no one in doubt that African American students in California and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) are struggling, a coalition of Black parent groups and educational activists met recently at the Baldwin Hills Library to air their concerns about what is happening to their children in the state’s public education system and to recommend actions to begin changing the situation.
Posted inLocal Politics
Diverse is watch word in 54th Assembly District
The three candidates running for office to complete the unexpired term left in the 54th Assembly District when Holly Mitchell was elected to the State Senate are much like the district itself—a diverse collection of individuals.
Posted inLocal Politics
October job numbers remain basically unchanged
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released its monthly employment report, and although the economy added 204,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in October, the overall unemployment rate remained basically the same, up to 7.3 percent in October from 7.2 the month before.
Posted inLocal Politics
Students of color policed more heavily
In a report released Wednesday during a student/community rally and street theatrical performance, The Labor/Conmmunity Strategy Center Community Rights Campaign found that despite an 80 percent reduction in truancy ticketing since February 2012 and as much as a 50 percent drop in school police ticketing across all categories, African American students are still almost six times as likely as White pupils in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to receive tickets.
Posted inLocal, News
Metro summit targeted small firms
The Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) held its first-ever Small Business Opportunity Summit Monday at the California African American Museum (CAAM) and about 300 people turned out for the event, which was designed to help entrepreneurs connect with agency executives responsible for contracting and procurement as well the contractor selected to construct the Crenshaw/LAX light rail.
