By Darlene Donloe Contributing Writer SOUTH LOS ANGELES — It’s been 18 months since Corey Dantzler took the reigns of the Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center. He assumed his new position after longtime Executive Director Naomi Bradley McSwain retired on March 31, 2023, after 16 years of leading the community-based, family business. Her work at…
By Darlene Donloe Contributing Writer Naomi Bradley McSwain, the longtime executive director of the Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center, stepped down from her role Dec. 11 and took an executive consultant position until her retirement March 31. Although she is retiring from her day-to-day duties, McSwain, 62, will remain with the organization as a member…
MAKING A DIFFERENCE By Darlene Donloe Contributing Writer The week before the Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center was set to reopen on June 29, after 15 months of closure due to the pandemic, Executive Director Naomi McSwain was working day and night with contractors on renovations and construction that included a fresh exterior paint job,…
By Bill Vaughan Entertainment Writer Despite having its Hollywood premiere sidelined due to the Los Angeles wildfires, the much-anticipated “One of Them Days” is on track to open in movie theaters Jan. 17. Starring a novel pairing of Keke Palmer (“Nope”) with superstar vocalist SZA making her movie debut, the R-rated comedy is said to…
By Bill Vaughan Entertainment Writer Star Child is getting his own star as George Clinton, the mastermind behind the legendary Parliament/Funkadelic (P-Funk) will be inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Jan. 19 in front of the Musicians Institute (6752 Hollywood Blvd.). The 82-year-old innovative songwriter, record producer and performer who is already in…
By Shirley Hawkins Contributing Writer SOUTH LOS ANGELES — Children at the Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center Oct. 19 received new chrome laptops from AT&T and Human I-T. The laptops were presented to students in grades three through 12 who are currently or formerly enrolled in after-school and summer programs at the center that helps…
By Cynthia Gibson Contributing Writer SOUTH LOS ANGELES — Students studying at an after-school tutoring center will be a lot safer from injury or death from a stray bullet thanks to a $23,000 donation that will go toward the installation of bullet-resistant materials on the exterior of the building. The Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center…
L.A. DIGEST Staff and Wire Reports SOUTH LOS ANGELES — The Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center is presenting a series of workshops designed to empower parents to address their families’ new responsibilities navigating the new learning environment at schools online and onsite. The free Parent Power Group workshops will be held each Monday in April…
By Sue Favor Contributing Writer SOUTH LOS ANGELES — The election of Kamala Harris as the first female vice president of the United States, and the first person of color in the position, has inspired women around Los Angeles. But maybe none more than a group of teens from the Positive Results Center. The organization’s…
By Ray Richardson Contributing Writer SOUTH LOS ANGELES — A funding program that shifted $4.2 million away from the Los Angeles Police Department allowed various organizations in Council District 8 to maintain their staffs, stay open for longer hours, expand career opportunities for ex-offenders and provide additional training for aspiring filmmakers. Those are just a…
