WSSN Stories

By Aldon Thomas Stiles | California Black Media

Last week, the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board, and the Riverside County Workforce Development Board held a summit at the March Field Air Museum in Riverside to discuss persistent employment and labor challenges.

The main challenge, they say, is achieving equity.

“A vital component for the equitable economic and sustainable future of California will be determined on the vision and strategic investments in fast growing regions like the Inland Empire,” said Angelo Farooq, Chair of the California Workforce Development Board.

“We are proud of the multitude of High Road apprenticeship grants for employers/workers that our board has been making in the region and its continued impact to support quality jobs for the local economy,” Farooq added.

Equity has become a national buzzword. But what does it mean in when it comes to labor and employment? The state says it aims to make that definition clear and make it work for all Californians, particularly African Americans.

“Inclusive and equitable. Let’s talk about those two words because I love them and I hate them,” said the event’s keynote speaker Secretary Natalie Palugyai of the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency. “I hate them because they get watered-down and thrown around, and people really don’t even know what they’re talking about anymore and when people throw those words out, I want to know exactly what they mean because if they don’t mean something behind it, we’re actually not going to get to those lofty goals.”

Palugyai provided her own definition for what these goals should look like.

“Getting people in the door, that’s equity,” said Palugyai. “If I have an African American population and they aren’t participating in my program, but they represent 10% of my region, what am I doing?”

Palugyai said that the state, traditionally, has not invested in these efforts in an equitable way.

“Let’s just be really frank about this; economic development, state investments, infrastructure, [and] workforce training and development has been done the same way for a long time and what has really changed?” Palugyai asked the room full of workforce officials and sponsors.

The summit panel consisted of workforce representatives from the state and both Inland Empire counties, as well as community leaders throughout the region.

They all spoke about the importance of equity while acknowledging the systemic challenges they’ve faced in that pursuit.

The Economic Policy Institute, and other sources tracking job data, say Black unemployment in California remains higher than the statewide average.

At the state level, the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency wants regional offices to maintain some independence to help encourage participation from the Black community.

“We haven’t been great at outreach,” Palugyai admitted. “During COVID, we learned that the only proper way to do outreach is through community organizations that are connected to the people we’re trying to serve. The old ways of us doing it are just not cutting it anymore.”

She brought up an example of the state supporting regional equity efforts: the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF) which would provide aid to counties based on their needs following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“You want outreach from the people who look like you that are probably going to understand you more,” Palugyai said.

In Riverside County, these challenges are prevalent, according to Leslie Trainor, Deputy Director of the Riverside County Workforce Development Centers.

However, she reports that they have been working on said challenges.

“One of the things we did was look at the numbers of the customers that we’re serving because we wanted to make sure that we were at least serving the number of African Americans in proportion to the number of African Americans in the general population of Riverside County and we are in fact serving a slightly higher percentage,” said Trainor.

She admitted there are “systemic issues to tackle.”

Patrick Ellis, Chair of the Riverside County Workforce Development Board, emphasizes that just getting Black people jobs is not enough to solve the problem.

“I don’t think we can achieve equity if we don’t pay a lot of attention to job quality,” said Ellis. “We have a lot of poor people in California, and we have a lot of poor people in the Inland Empire. Most poor people work, often more than one job.”

Trainor said that the Riverside County Workforce Development Centers can offer help with upskilling, resume updating, mock interviews, and job searches but some people are not aware of these services.

Because of this, Riverside County Workforce Development Centers are looking to connect with the Black community through Black-led community-based organizations, as is the plan for the state’s workforce development programs.

The state and the two Inland Empire counties plan to make this summit an annual event.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

With a 7-0 vote, the Assembly Education Committee approved legislation that would require California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction to identify — and provide targeted funding for — the lowest-performing pupil subgroup in the state.

That sub-group is Black students.

Assemblymembers Akilah Weber (D-San Diego) and Chris Holden (D-Los Angeles), both members of the California Black Legislative Caucus (CLBC), co-authored the legislation: Assembly Bill (AB) 2774.

AB 2774 also requires school districts, charter schools, and county offices of education (COE) to be held accountable to provide additional services and improve academic performance.

Weber and Holden say they wrote the bill to remedy existing racial equity gaps and ensure that all Black students regardless of socio-economic status have the resources they need to succeed.

“This is one of our priority bills,” Weber said of the effort to enhance educational resources for Black students. “We think it is time for California to invest and focus on closing the academic achievement gap. (This bill) will add a new sub-category for the sole purpose of achieving improved test scores.”

The bill is headed to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Holden.

Before the vote, educators, students, and faith leaders held a rally at the State Capitol in support of AB 2774.

If approved, the legislation would provide $400 million per year in additional funding for the lowest-performing subgroup.

In 2019, testing data showed that Black students are the lowest-performing subgroup on state standardized tests with 67% not passing English Language Arts (ELA) and 79% not meeting the Math standard.

The legislation, the authors say, is designed to address longstanding equity issues with the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), which was created to provide additional funding for the highest need students in California. The LCFF was enacted in 2013.

Supporters of AB 2774 say that over one-quarter of Black students are not receiving supplemental funding through LCFF.

“This is not the first time this bill has been introduced. It was previously introduced by my mother Dr. Shirley Weber who is now our Secretary of State,” Weber said. “Although we did not get everything that we wanted, our persistence will ensure this time we will get it passed. We fought hard to make sure we got this hearing.”

The language in AB 2774 states that the subgroup identified for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, based on the 2018-19 the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) scores “shall be included within the ‘unduplicated’ pupil count until its scores equal or exceeds the highest performing subgroup (Asians).”

Existing law provides school districts, charter schools, and County Offices of Education (COEs) with a base level of funding based on the enrollment of pupils who are either English learners, low income, or in foster care. But students that fall into more than one category are counted only once for LCFF purposes, hence the term “unduplicated pupil,” AB 2774 language explains.

Along with Weber, other advocates for Black students attending the rally included Dr. Margaret Fortune, Founder and CEO of Fortune School of Education, a network of seven charter schools in Sacramento and San Bernardino; Dr. Ramona Bishop, co-founder of Elite Public Schools, a charter school focused on technology based in Vallejo and former Superintendent for Vallejo Unified School District; the Rev. Tecoy Porter, Executive Director of National Action Network Sacramento; and the Rev. Jonathon Mosley, Director of National Action Network Western Region.

Other attendees were Joette Spencer Campbell, NAACP San Bernardino; Tak Allen, International Faith Coalition; Dondrell Swanson, Alpha Community Education Initiative; and Bina Lefkovitz, Trustee Sacramento County Board of Education; and Tracie Stafford Chair of the Sacramento Democratic Party.

Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Gardena), chairperson of the CLBC, and Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Sacramento) also attended the rally.

“This is going to be a collective effort to show that we all care, and all are accountable for the achievement of Black students,” Fortune said. “This is the third time we’ve gone after this bill, and the third time with Dr. Akilah Weber it is going to be the charm.”

By Lou Yeboah

Because the “Final Antichrist” is about to announce himself! The world stage has already been prepared. They have everything already planned so that in the midst of the chaos, the crisis that the world is now experiencing, the Antichrist may appear as peacemaker and savior of humanity. Do not be deceived! He is already among us; He is waiting in the wings. Be alert and be vigilant! You will recognize his appearance when he makes his world declaration “My children, I bring you, my Peace.”

“And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” [Revelation 13:1-4]. He will be strong-willed and reckless in his determination to have his way. He will boast non-stop about himself [ Daniel 7:8]. He will be “given a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies” [Revelation 13:5]. He will show contempt for human traditions and will, and he will speak great words against the Most High and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time [Daniel 7:25; 11:36]. He will be possessed by Satan, just as Judas was [Luke 22:3]. His power will be mighty, “but not by his own power” [Daniel 8:24]. His coming will be “in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders” [2 Thessalonians 2:9]. He will be a “worker of deceit. [Psalm 52:2]. His speech will be “smoother than butter” but his heart will be filled with war. [Psalms 55:21]. He will be “a man of bloodshed and deceit.” [Psalms 5:6]. He will confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week, he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” [Daniel 9:27].

Be Alert! Be Vigilant! For the Antichrist energized by Satan [Daniel 8:24] will seem to have all the answers to the world’s problems. He will take over the European Union through skillful intrigue [Daniel 8:23] and will establish his headquarters in Rome [Revelation 17:3,9,18]. “The Final Antichrist” who will be proud, arrogant, lawless, evil, powerful, a blasphemer, a slanderer, a destroyer, a deceiver, an impostor, a truth-hater, a liar, a persecutor, a murderer, a devilish man, a Satanist, is waiting in the wings. Keep your eyes wide open because he, the “Final Antichrist” will be a key instrument, a critical player in the time before Christ’s return.

God will allow him to make himself known only after the Warning… Urgent call from Jesus the Good Shepherd to His Flock. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, the coming Antichrist, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

“He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Don’t you remember that when I was with you, I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. [2 Thessalonians 2:3-11].

Might you be awake. Might you be alert. [Romans 13:11].

By Lue Dowdy, LUE Productions

It’s ya girl Lue Dowdy and I’m calling all my wine lovers! I always enjoy a good glass of wine, especially when I have had a rough a day. This week, I’d like to highlight two beautiful inspiring Queens with their own wine business. SHEWines was created by two momprenuers who love sippin’ wine, traveling, and supporting one another.

Tabitha Cole and Jennifer Oglesby decided to follow their passion and vision in creating a wine brand that would not only taste great but build empowerment for other women as well. The ladies plan on doing this by creating safe places where women can share their experiences in business and in life.

Tabitha Cole states, “Good or bad because there is a lesson in it all, and it may help empower someone else who could be going through the same situation. We want to motivate and create an overall support system to empower other women across the world”.

Creating two exclusive wines these ladies are ready to show the world what their made of. Their first is a Vintage 2019′ Merlot and the second is a 2020 hibiscus Rosé. Take a moment to follow their journey via Instagram @she.wines.

For more details on how to support these amazing Queens please visit the website at she-wines.com.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

Last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta called on the federal government to outlaw additional fees companies charge homeowners for paying their mortgages.

California is joining 20 other states and the District of Columbia in the effort.

“Some financial service providers charge fees if a consumer decides to use a certain type of payment method, such as making a payment over the telephone, through a website, or through a third-party service,” Bonta and other attorneys general wrote in a letter they co-signed addressed to Rohit Chopra, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The Hawaii Office of Consumer Protection also signed the letter.

“While these type of “pay to pay” fees are charged by service providers in several different markets, the issues raised by these fees are particularly insidious in the mortgage industry because, unlike most marketplaces, homeowners have no choice in their mortgage servicer,” the letter continued.

When homeowners decide to take out a mortgage, many believe that they are entering into a long-term relationship with a specific financial institution. That is not always the case, according to the California Department of Justice (DOJ).

After origination “many mortgage loans and their servicing rights are sold in secondary markets,” and could be “sold many times over the course of the loan,” the DOJ states.

“This means that homeowners don’t and can’t know who will service their mortgage loan and are therefore unable to avoid ‘pay to pay’ fees by taking their business elsewhere,” The DOJ explained.

Bonta said the problem is critical in California because the state is already facing a housing affordability problem.

“As costs of living continue to rise, the last thing Californians need is mortgage servicers taking advantage of this captive market in order to pad their bottom lines,” Bonta said. “I urge CFPB to put a stop to these abusive junk fees.”

Homeowners and renters in California struggle with the costs of housing costs and taxes. Additional fees companies tack onto payments increase those burdens on consumers in the Golden State, where only about 31 % of households can afford to buy a median priced home, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

African American homeowners in California also potentially face increased costs due to documented discriminatory practices common in the homebuying and selling processes.

Last year, Gov. Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 948 after several reports revealed home appraisers valued homes owned by Blacks and other minorities at much lower prices than ones owned by Whites.

Wells Fargo has come under fire more than once for its discriminatory lending and banking services. According to findings of a Bloomberg News analysis released last month, the global San Francisco-based financial services company rejected 53 % of Black homeowners who applied for refinancing loans during the pandemic in 2020. It only rejected 28 % of White applicants.

The board of the California-Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP met this weekend to discuss Wells Fargo’s record on providing its services to African American customers.

Among the country’s major lenders, Wells Fargo’s gap between Whites and Blacks the company approved for loans was the widest.

According to Zillow’s Consumer Housing Trends Report released last year, Black and other minority renters pay more in application fees and security deposits when renting apartments. They also fill out more rental applications, on average, before finding a place to live than White renters.

The multistate coalition’s letter says, “There is no uniformity in convenience fees among mortgage servicers. Some charge them and some don’t.”

And the charges can add up.

For example, the letter spotlights one servicer that currently charges its borrowers $7.50 to make an online payment or pay via telephone through an automated service. If consumers want to speak to a live operator to make their payment, they will be charged $17.50.

Based out of New Jersey, the mortgage company that provides this service calls the process “SpeedPay,” which is one of the “one-time payment options” that a borrower may use to make his or her monthly mortgage payment, as stated on the company’s website.

States joining the initiative are Illinois, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington.

Bonta agrees, adding that the payments are “one example of junk fees charged to consumers in a multitude of financial products and services” offered by some banks, credit card companies, pre-paid debit card providers and others.

“For struggling homeowners trying to make their monthly mortgage payment, ‘pay to pay’ fees only rub salt in the wound,” said the California Attorney General.

NATIONAL NEWS—- Director Lee Daniels and Mo’Nique have moved on from their longtime feud.

Daniels and Mo’Nique famously collaborated on the 2009 film Precious, with the latter landing an Oscar for her turn as the title character’s abusive mother; in the 13 years that followed, they did not speak. The feud stemmed from Mo’Nique’s public accusation that Daniels, Oprah Winfrey, and Tyler Perry blackballed her for refusing to promote the film during awards season. She explained that it wasn’t in her contract at the time, and she simply didn’t want to spend time away from her family.

In a recent social media posting, Mo’Nique was on stage during a comedy event in New York when Daniels joined her and offered a public apology in front of the crowd.

I am so sorry for hurting you in any way I did,” Daniels said to the comedian, leading her to put her hand to her heart and appear emotional. “Y’all, and she was my best friend — my best friend. Y’all think that Precious was just — that was God working, through both of us.”

He continued, “And we’re gonna fk*ing do it again!” as the two then briefly danced onstage. Daniels concluded his onstage moment by telling the star, “I love you,” she also told him she loved him.

Deadline has reported that Mo’Nique will star in Daniels’ Demon House for Netflix, joining the previously cast Andra Day, Glenn Close, and Aunjanue Ellis. She is replacing Octavia Spencer, who had to bow out of the film because of a scheduling conflict with her Apple TV + television show Truth Be Told.

By Lou Yeboah

I writhe in pain! Oh, the pain in my chest! My heart pounds within me; I cannot be silent. For I have heard the sound of the horn, the alarm of battle. [Jeremiah 4:19]. Fear and a snare is come upon us, desolation, and destruction. [Lamentations 3:47; Jeremiah 50:22]. “I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar, which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.” The four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, day, month, and year, to kill a third of mankind. I also heard the number of the horsemen to be two hundred million” [Revelation 9:13-16]. My Anguish, My Anguish! I cannot be silent.

“For the spoilers shall come unto her from the north, saith the Lord” [Jeremiah 51:48]. They themselves will be terrorized by the destruction and havoc they unleashed upon the earth. “The Lord of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth. He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the Lord hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong hold thereof [Isaiah 23:9,11]. Soon, very soon, a nightmare will explode into reality. It will come suddenly and without warning. [Jeremiah 51:13] and few will escape. In one hour, it will all be over! Our days are numbered. Judgment is at the door!” And the church is asleep, the congregations are at ease, and the shepherds slumber. Oh, the pain in my chest! My heart pounds within me; I cannot be silent. I have heard the sound of the horn, the alarm of battle.

“The Second Woe is past, and behold, the Third Woe is coming quickly. Once the seventh seal is opened the trumpet judgments begin. These seven trumpets are “The Day of the Lord.” They are God’s wrath on mankind for refusing to believe. “Then I looked and heard an Eagle flying in mid-heaven saying with a loud voice, woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth because of the remaining blast of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound [Revelation 8:13]. Open your ears. The trumpet is blowing!

For it is a matter of God’s judgment that this world has been given more than enough time and information to know and to understand what is about to come upon it in the form of a final war. But how will they scoff and laugh at this message. Theologians will reject it because they can’t fit it into their doctrine. The pillow prophets of peace and prosperity will publicly denounce it. I no longer care. God has made my face like flint and put steel in my backbone. I am blowing the Lord’s trumpet with all my might. Believe it or not, the world is about to be shaken and set aside by swift and horrible judgments. Judgment is at the door! Prepare, awaken!

But He said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, but he that is able to receive it, let him receive it. [Revelation 19:11-12].

Perhaps only the overcomers will accept and hear the sound of this trumpet blast, but I proceed with these warnings because God called me to be a watchman. I hear the Word of God to Ezekiel ringing in my ears, “[Daughter] of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts and set him as their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blows the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood will be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come and blow not the trumpet. and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; So, thou, O [daughter] of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore, thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me” [Ezekiel 33:2-7]. My Anguish, My Anguish! I writhe in pain!

By Manny Otiko | California Black Media

Some California legislators want to shorten the standard American workweek from 40 hours to 32.

But critics of the proposed law say it will hurt productivity and slash business’ revenues.

Assemblymembers Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) and Evan Low (D-San Jose) introduced Assembly Bill 2932 in February. The legislation aims to limit the work to eight-hour days and 32 hours per week for companies with 500 or employees. However, the bill forbids companies from reducing workers’ pay.

If lawmakers approve the legislation, it will affect 50.4% of California businesses, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy. The other 49.6 % of business in the state have between 1 and 499 employees.

According to the proposed bill, which is currently under review in the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment, work above 32 hours per week would count as overtime.

“Any work in excess of eight hours in one workday and any work in excess of 32 hours in any one workweek and the first eight hours worked on the seventh day of work in any one workweek shall be compensated at the rate of no less than one and one-half times the regular rate of pay for an employee,” the bill language reads. “Any work in excess of 12 hours in one day shall be compensated at the rate of no less than twice the regular rate of pay for an employee.”

Last year, Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA-41) introduced a similar federal bill.

Takano says a 32-hour workweek would improve worker productivity and reduce employer premiums spent on healthcare.

“I am introducing this legislation to reduce the standard workweek to 32 hours because — now more than ever — people continue to work longer hours while their pay remains stagnant,” said Takano. “We cannot continue to accept this as our reality. Many countries and businesses that have experimented with a four-day workweek found it to be an overwhelming success as productivity grew and wages increased.”

“After the COVID-19 pandemic left so many millions of Americans unemployed or underemployed, a shorter workweek will allow more people to participate in the labor market at better wages,” the lawmaker continued.

The 32-hour workweek has been experimented with in Iceland, where it was deemed a success. According to the Association for Sustainable Democracy in Iceland, workers who tried the new workweek format reported less burnout, improved productivity and health, and less stress.

The proposed shorter workweek has also been tried in the U.S. at Kickstarter, a global crowdfunding platform, and D’Youville College, a private school in Buffalo, N.Y.

However, some members of the business community in California have already criticized the proposed law, saying it is one more burden that lawmakers are placing on the back of businessowners in the state.

Ashley Hoffman, a policy advocate with the California Chamber of Commerce, described the bill as “a job killer” in a letter to Low.

“This significant rise in labor costs will not be sustainable for many businesses. Labor costs are often one of the highest costs a business faces. Such a large increase in labor costs will reduce businesses’ ability to hire or create new positions and will therefore limit job growth in California,” said Hoffman.

American workers are infamous for working long hours and taking shorter vacations according to workers in other industrialized nations. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the average American worker put in 1,770 hours a year. OECD also stated that American workers labor longer than all workers living in the world’s largest economies.

Chrissy Teigen, John Legend and their kids, Luna and Miles, pose with Minnie Mouse while celebrating Luna’s birthday at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., April 14, 2022. The family enjoyed multiple attractions, including a voyage on ‘it’s a small world,’ complete with a cast of nearly 300 audio-animatronics dolls representing children from every corner of the globe singing the classic anthem.

By Lue Dowdy, LUE Productions

Royale Records Presents the Official Lorie V. Moore Birthday Bash and Video Release Party is taking place this coming Saturday, April 23, at Celebrities Bar and Grill located at 127 W 40th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92407. The bash starts at 2 p.m. There will be a special Live Performance by Lorie Moore and Special Guest, Annyett Royale, CEO of Royale Records. Sound will be powered by none other than Wendell Djwen Patterson. Don’t miss this amazing concert showcasing two very talented Queens. For Table Reservation Please email collectivenetwork2019@gmail.com.

X Factor Semi-finalist, Lorie V. Moore’s first single of the year “Rare Breed” is a product of her sudden growth on TikTok coupled with direct fan engagement. After allowing access to witness the process in creating this song, Lorie’s followers vocalized support during her live streams and donated to help the Chicago native materialize the official music video of which she wore the hats of director and editor. The Single was produced by AJxOTB, written by Lorie V. Moore and mixed and mastered by Johan Lowenstorm, co-founder of Zeptagram (a platform created to help artists sell shares of their music to fans and investors by creating NFTs). Both the Song and the visual are set for release on April 22, 2022. Staying devoted to her fan base, Lorie pays homage by placing elements from her TikTok content like comic relief to tell a complete story.

“Lorie is truly a Rare Breed. As her team, we are elated to be the label that presents this particular piece at this particular time in her career” – Annyett Royale

Longtime friend B. Slade and mentor Tisha Campbell were Lorie’s main industry influences, while the concept of the song itself was inspired by so many of her female-identifying-friends, fans, and supporters. Rare Breed examines the concept of what chivalry looks like today and how women who hold steadfast to their standards may be perceived in today’s environment.
Going beyond normal artist roles and taking on the Directing and Editing of the video, Lorie has developed new skills that have inspired and compelled her to enroll in the Los Angeles Film School where she is now studying Filmmaking. This added talent is sure to bring another dimension and layer to her already unique creative perspective. Be on the lookout for full scale productions from Lorie V. Moore in the future.

For more information, promo requests, or to arrange an interview, email ARroyalerecords@gmail.com.