A month of remembrances
African American Angelenos celebrated
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, accompanied by 9th District Councilmember Jan Perry, celebrated the contributions of African American Angelenos during the city’s African American Heritage Month opening ceremonies at City Hall on Friday. Among those being feted were actor-director-producer-writer LeVar Burton, far left; actor-philanthropist Danny Glover, between Perry and Villaraigosa, and actor-rapper-philanthropist LL Cool J, right. The three artists received the city’s “Hope, Dream, and Spirit of Los Angeles Award.” Bernard and Shirley Kinsey were presented a special recognition for their commitment to the collection and preservation of African American art and artifacts. The ceremony, which was open to the public, was followed by food and live entertainment at Fletcher Bowron Square.
Carter G. Woodson’s initial 1926 “Negro History Week” included both the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. But even the now-expanded monthlong commemoration is too short to contain all the exciting goings-on. Case in point—the Pan African Film Festival.
Longtime civil rights attorney Carl A. Earles celebrated his 90th birthday on June 24 at his home with a small group of friends and neighbors and congratulations from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Gov. Jerry Brown, Los Angeles County Second District Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles City Council members Bernard Parks (8th District) and Jan Perry (9th District).
You still have five days to enjoy and be a part of the 2009 17th Annual Pan African Film Festival (PAFF). Check out their Web site, select movies or panels and make it a point to be a part of African American film history.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will visit Beijing, China, later this month to tout Los Angeles as a trade hub and tourist destination, and to attract Chinese investment to the city.
Villaraigosa will be accompanied by harbor, airport and tourism officials from May 26-29 as he meets with Chinese government officials and businesses.
The Port of Los Angeles and Los Angeles World Airports will foot the bill for the $80,000 trip, using non-taxpayer funds, officials said.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other civic and religious leaders took part in a silent prayer on the steps of City Hall today for victims of the Boston bombings.
“We’ve demonstrated here in Los Angeles we will not live in fear,” Villaraigosa said.
