Author Archives: Manny Otiko OW Contributor

Questions are being raised about the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)’s management of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP.) ADAP provides assistance to AIDS/HIV patients who are uninsured or underinsured enabling them to have access to life-saving medication. The program serves about 30,000 Californians.
According to a CDPH press release, the agency decided to terminate the contract with A.J. Boggs to oversee ADAP. California Black Media first reported on CDPH’s decision to award the contract to manage ADAP to A.J. Boggs last summer.

Kareem Cook and Claude Tellis, are two entrepreneurs, who are on a mission to save more black lives by changing the way African Americans eat. Cook and Tellis are the owners of VeganSmart, a health food company that makes a vegan nutritional shake.

For Southern California Muslims, the election of Republican Donald Trump was the worst case scenario. Trump’s campaign centered around scapegoating illegal immigrants and Muslims, and predictably his electoral success has unleashed a wave of racial attacks. At the last count, the Southern Poverty Law Center had documented more than 800 incidents across the country of people being targeted for racial and religious harassment. These incidents include Muslim women who wear the hijab (head scarf) being threatened, Black people being told to “go back to Africa,” and Jewish property being grafittied with swastikas.

After playing for 13 years in the NFL, Thomas Q. Jones, didn’t go into broadcasting or coaching, like most former players. He admits that when he retired he felt aimless.
“When I retired I didn’t know what to do,” said Jones.
So he headed out west to Hollywood. Jones said that he began dabbling with acting after his production company launched a film division. He said he was encouraged to pursue acting by actor Clifton Powell, who recognized his talent.
“He noticed I had a natural ability and pushed me,” said Jones.