Staff and Wire Reports
LOS ANGELES — City Councilwoman Heather Hutt has introduced a motion seeking to ban cashless retail businesses in the city in an effort to empower residents who may not have bank accounts or have been denied access to credit.
“Cashless businesses create an economy in our city that is not inclusive and accessible for all people,” Hutt said in a statement Aug. 15. “There are many unbanked groups … that rely on cash to pay for goods and services.”
“As a city that has promised to be a safe and fair place for all, we must be proactive in ensuring that all our systems create fairness and equity for each and every individual,” she added.
Hutt’s motion states that the city encourages residents to participate in its economic development, including the practice of purchasing goods and services. But there are millions of Americans who do not have bank accounts or have been denied access to credit, preventing them from being able to “engage in consumer transactions unless they are able to pay for goods and services in cash.”
Not accepting cash payments systematically excludes low-income communities of color, young people who do not meet the age qualifications for credit or debit cards, and seniors who have not transitioned to card or digital payment modes, the motion stated.
Organization plans
community art gallery
SOUTH LOS ANGELES — Strategic Concepts in Organizing and Political Education (SCOPE) will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a grand opening of a community-based art gallery that celebrates 30 years of fostering and building community power and legacy through organizing.
The gallery entitled “Our Legacy is NOW!” is a multidisciplinary community exhibit that centers the memories, moments and lives of the people that call South Los Angeles home, the organization said.
Featured artists include Cassandra Aranda, Eddi Castellano, JAyP, Josiah Green, Karina Esperanza Yanez, Makayla Franklin, Pepe Te Adoro, and a curated photo collection led by South L.A. residents.
An opening night reception will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at the SCOPE office, 1715 W. Florence Ave.
The exhibit will be open and free to the community from Aug. 17 to Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
for more information, contact sarias@scopela.org.
Foundation offers
scholarship funds
LOS ANGELES — The Gene Hale Foundation, a nonprofit based locally, has donated $25,000 to the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce Education Scholarship Foundation to support a program designed to assist college-bound students.
The recipients of those scholarships will be students from Susan Miller Dorsey Dorsey High School, Crenshaw High School, Washington Prep High School, Jordan High School or Hamilton High School.
Hale and his wife, Crystal Hale, are dedicated philanthropists who support numerous charitable causes.
Hale is currently chair of the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce and the Gardena Police Foundation. He also serves on the Los Angeles County Small Business Commission.
Info sought on
hit-and-run crash
SOUTH LOS ANGELES — Authorities are seeking the public’s help to find the hit-and-run motorist responsible for badly injuring a woman who was riding a motorized “mini bike” Aug. 13.
The crash was reported about 3:45 a.m. Sunday at 27th Street and Griffith Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Paramedics took the woman to a hospital for treatment of “severe” injuries, police said. Her name was not released.
According to police, the woman was hit by a dark-colored, “box style” passenger vehicle similar to Scion xB, KIA Soul, Nissan Cube or Honda Element.
A standing reward of up to $25,000 has been offered by the city of Los Angeles for information that helps solve a non-fatal hit-and-run.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call LAPD Central Traffic Division Detective Juan Campos at 213-833-3713, or email him at 31480@LAPD.online.
Jazz festival
planned Aug. 26
CRENSHAW — The fourth Leimert Park Jazz Festival, a celebration of jazz, community, and the cultural heritage of its historic neighborhood will be held from 12:30 to 9 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall.
Executive produced by Diane Robertson in association with World Stage, this year’s free jazz festival features both up-and-coming artists and established jazz veterans.
This year’s lineup includes Poncho Sanchez, Carmen Lundy, Keyon Harrold, Gerald Clayton, and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at UCLA Alumni (featuring Darynn Dean (vocals), Billy Mohler (bass), David Otis (alto sax), Jonathan Pinson (drums) and Mira Sprague on piano.)
L.A. Digest is designed to help promote events, activities and initiatives that are serving the interests of residents in L.A. To submit an item, send emails to newsroom@wavepublication.com.
