A new model for urban greening could be the cure.

By Alfredo Gonzalez and Jon Christensen | Ethnic Media Services

Parks and tree canopy are literally a matter of life and death in Los Angeles. This is especially true in the middle of an extreme summer heat wave. A recent UCLA study quantified the benefit.

Researchers found that if the areas of Los Angeles County that currently have below average tree canopy cover and park acreage were just brought up to the average, Angelenos alive today would enjoy close to 1 million years of additional life expectancy. And that’s controlling for all other factors, such as household income and access to healthcare.

Think about that for a minute. The benefit is especially poignant for young children growing up in L.A.’s low-income, park-poor, communities of color. A child born in Southeast Los Angeles is likely to die 10 years before a child born on the Westside. Not all of that is due to the lack of park space and tree canopy. But we can do something about parks and trees.

Los Angeles is making important strides to rectify the great disparities in green space, just not fast enough. There are two stumbling blocks. They are related. And both can be solved.

The first is funding. The second is the capacity of municipal governments to absorb funding and implement projects.

In the city of Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass increased the Department of Recreation and Parks budget from $318 million this fiscal year to $337 million next year. That’s a modest 6% increase and not nearly enough to make a dent in the city’s needs.

Los Angeles has a $2.1 billion deferred maintenance backlog in parks and recreation facilities. Many facilities have become unusable. When you factor in the cost of labor expenses and ongoing maintenance costs, it would take 60 years for the Department of Recreation and Parks to catch up on past-due work, much less think about anything new. And the city is about to lose about $4 million a year from park funds provided by our current park bond, Proposition K, which expires in 2026.

Adding insult to injury, last year voters roundly rejected Proposition SP, a hastily conceived ballot measure designed to replace Prop K and generate $227 million a year from a parcel tax for parks.

In Los Angeles County, the Regional Parks and Open Space District is getting nearly $90 million a year out the door from Measure A, a parcel tax approved by voters in 2016. It has allocated millions of dollars to support high-need communities in preparing proposals for park projects. But many smaller, understaffed cities don’t have the capacity to take advantage of the funding.  As a result, millions of dollars are being left on the table.

At the state level, the legislature significantly reduced funding for an exemplary, successful program that funds neighborhood parks in high-need communities out of this year’s budget. If that program were funded at the same level that it has been funded over the past 10 years for another decade, it could cut in half the number of Californians who don’t have a neighborhood park within walking distance of their homes.

The legislature will likely include some funding in a climate and natural resources bond measure that is expected to be put on a statewide ballot next year. That’s good. But the local parks program should not have to stop and start erratically as it has in the past, waiting for new slugs of funding.

At the federal level, an infusion of billions of dollars in infrastructure funding for urban greening is going out so fast, many disadvantaged communities simply can’t gear up fast enough to even track the potential for projects, let alone submit proposals in time.

The problem is that many of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County don’t have the staff to pursue local, state, and federal funding that exists for parks and other urban greening projects. Even some of the bigger cities, like Los Angeles and Long Beach, urgently need help to plan projects and pursue funding.

But there is a way forward.

Los Angeles is pioneering a new model for creating green spaces in low-income neighborhoods that don’t have parks, good tree canopy, or adequate government capacity to build new parks. We call it the Link model because it involves linking a community-based organization rooted in the neighborhood, an experienced nonprofit park-building organization, residents, and local government.

Supported by a philanthropic partnership, we’ve been testing and studying this model with partners in six disadvantaged communities in Los Angeles County: Cudahy, El Monte, Long Beach, Maywood, Panorama City, and South L.A.

It works. A trusted, local community-based organization can do the robust community engagement necessary to identify needs and priorities. An experienced nonprofit can provide the technical assistance to design projects, write grant proposals, and manage construction contracts. Working with willing municipal agencies they can get the job done.

Partners in these communities are successfully drawing on local, state, and federal funds to build new parks and renovate badly deteriorated existing parks.

When we first started working on Link, we thought that municipal agencies might gain the experience and capacity to do this work on their own in the future. But as one administrator in a small city told us, “This is the model.” The city will continue to need the essential services of the Link partners. It literally takes a village.

We’re excited to see this success. But six communities are not enough. We need help from every level of government to fund and scale this approach to more high-need communities sooner rather than later. This is about more than equity, as important as that is. This is about life-and-death for many Los Angeles communities.

Alfredo Gonzalez is Southern California Director of the Resources Legacy Fund. Jon Christensen, a researcher in the Luskin Center for Innovation at UCLA, recently completed a study of the Link initiative. (Feature image via Wikimedia Commons)

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

Ain’t nobody preparing for Christ Return. That’s a darn shame!  Jesus Christ is coming back and according to [1 Corinthians 7:29] the appointed time has grown very short. That stands as both a warning and a promise. Why are you not preparing for Christ return? Christ’s return is imminent, and his timeline makes it urgent. And given the urgency of the time, how then shall we live? I tell you, everybody prepared for the Solar Eclipse, but ain’t nobody preparing for Christ Return. That’s a darn shame!

Jesus calls us to watch for his return. Why? “For we know neither the day nor the hour” [Matthew 25:13]. I admonish you to beware of the warning “As A Thief in the Night” [1 Thessalonians 5:2] because unlike man who gives us a date when they have things planned… the Lord’s return will be surprising to us [2 Peter 3:7-12] so prepare now! Make your election sure because if you are caught unprepared when Christ returns, you are going to live with regret for the rest of your life and you will have no one but yourself to blame, because God’s Word has already given you such ample warning that His coming will take place unexpectedly. Please do not let that warning go unheeded. Act upon it now!

For the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. [Matthews 24:35; 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 20:11].

Please be ready for His return! For the great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, [Zephaniah 1:14].

By Antonio Ray Harvey, Maxim Elramsisy, Lila Brown and Joe W. Bowers Jr.| California Black Media

On April 9, the California Senate Judiciary Committee voted 8-1 to advance Sen. Steven Bradford’s reparation legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 1403, or the “California American Freedman Affairs Agency” bill.

The bill, formerly entitled SB 490, moves on to the Committee on Governmental Organization.  SB 1403 would create a new state agency responsible for the administration and oversight of reparations as determined by the Legislature and Governor.

Creation of the agency is one of more than 115  recommendations the nine-member California reparations task force included in its final report. The bill would require the agency to determine how an individual’s status as a descendant of an enslaved person in the United States would be confirmed.

The SB 1403 would require proof of an “individual’s descendant status” to be a qualifying criterion for benefits authorized by the state for descendants, as stated in the bill’s language. To reach these goals, SB 1403 would mandate the agency to be comprised of a Genealogy Office and an Office of Legal Affairs.

In 2020, California established the first-in-the-nation task force to study reparations for African Americans.

Los Angeles-based attorney Kamilah Moore, the chairperson of the task force during its two-year study, was at the State Capitol to address the members of the Judiciary Committee as an expert witness. The attorney and scholar said the bill aims to serve individuals based on lineage rather than race.

“Today, I advocate with a sense of urgency and purpose for the passage of SB 1403, a groundbreaking bill poised to establish the California American Freedmen’s Agency,” Moore told the panel. “This agency symbolizes a crucial stride towards reparative justice, particularly for those whose lineages trace back to enslaved ancestors.”

By Antonio Ray Harvey, Maxim Elramsisy, Lila Brown and Joe W. Bowers Jr.| California Black Media

A member of a White supremacist group wrote a racist letter addressed to members of the California Legislature and Attorney General Rob Bonta claiming deaths of Black mothers and children during childbirth are God’s will.

Earlier this month, the Assembly Committee on Health voted 12 to 2 to advance Assembly Bill (AB) 2319, the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act, legislation crafted to address the high infant mortality among Black women.

Opposing that decision last week, a person claiming to be a member of two racist, White Supremacist organizations sent a letter to the office of Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City).

Wilson, Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), is the author of AB 2319.

“I submit this letter in strong and vehement opposition of AB 2319,” the letter obtained by California Black Media stated. “We believe that every non-White birth in this state is a drain on the taxpayers and that any miscarriage or complication that results in death or defect of the mother, or the child, is God’s way of ensuring population control among Blacks and other minorities.”

Wilson said she and her staff were shocked by the raw hatred expressed in the letter.

“The recent racist opposition to our efforts to secure equitable health care for every Californian is not only offensive but deeply concerning,” stated Wilson.

“As the Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I unequivocally condemn these views, which are steeped in hate and ignorance. The language used in this letter is not only disgraceful but dangerous and has no place in our society or legislative discourse. I want to make it unequivocally clear: there is no place for hate in California.”

Wilson said she and other colleagues opposed to bigotry — including Republican members, who have also condemned the letter — “are committed to moving forward together, ensuring that our legislative efforts embody our unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the safeguarding of human rights for everyone.”

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On April 12, a significant collaboration between the San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD), California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), and the County of San Bernardino was formalized to combat student hunger. This collaboration is designed to expedite the qualification process for CalFresh, a critical federal aid program that provides monthly assistance for low-income individuals to purchase nutritious food.

The agreement will allow San Bernardino Valley College, Crafton Hills College, and CSUSB to share specific financial information from student’s FAFSA applications with the San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department which manage CalFresh, with the consent of the students.

The urgency of this initiative is highlighted by findings from the California Student Aid Commission, which estimates that nearly 181,000 college students in Riverside and San Bernardino counties are at risk of facing hunger without CalFresh support. San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. reflected on his connection to the cause, stating, “As someone who has studied at both Valley College and CSUSB, I know the impact of food insecurity first-hand. With today’s economic pressures and high costs, addressing student hunger is more crucial than ever. This partnership is about removing barriers to education by ensuring no student goes hungry.”

SBCCD Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez emphasized the broader impact, noting, “Investing in student nutrition is investing in our local economy. Ensuring that students have consistent access to food not only boosts their academic performance but also prepares a stronger, more capable workforce for the future.”

CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales highlighted the critical link between nutrition and learning, saying, “Hungry students cannot effectively pursue their educational goals. CSUSB is proud to participate in the CalFresh Program as it directly supports our students’ well-being and academic success. This data-sharing initiative will help us reach more eligible students and maintain our support throughout their educational journey.”

The MOU is officially effective and will expire on Dec. 18, 2028. CalFresh’s website describes the program as “for people with low income who meet federal income eligibility rules and want to add to their budget to put healthy and nutritious food on the table.”

By Lila Brown | California Black Media

On April 8, U.S. Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) moderated a roundtable focused on Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) strategies to improve Black student performance in classrooms.

Kamlager-Dove, who represents a district that covers parts of Los Angeles County, hopes that ideas shared at the event can be incorporated into models that can impact other regions across California, where Black students continue to fall behind their peers of other races and ethnicities.

Discussions at the event centered on LAUSD’s Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) and other educational initiatives aimed at enhancing learning and boosting test scores.

“The Black Student Achievement Plan is unique in that it takes a community-centered approach to uplifting Black students,” said Kamlager-Dove during the event held at John Muir Middle School in Los Angeles.

“We must implement culturally responsive education in the classroom to challenge our students academically while giving them a sense of purpose,” she continued.

In 2023, nearly 70% of Black children in California fell below a passing mark on the state standardized English Language Arts exam, and only about 20% of those students were performing at grade level based on their scores on the math assessment test.

A variety of public education experts joined Kamlager on the panel, including Dr. Kortne Edogun-Ticey, Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Education; Dr. Robert Whitman, Educational Transformation Officer at LAUSD; Dr. Pedro Noguera, Professor and Dean at the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education; and Keith Linton, founder of the non-profit Boys to Gentlemen.

Jonathan McGee, a student who sits on the BSAP Student Advisory Council, also spoke during the panel.

Representatives from the office of Los Angeles Unified Board of Education Member Dr. George J. McKenna III, and Alberto M. Carvalho, Superintendent of LAUSD, also attended the event.

The BSAP was approved by the LAUSD Board of Education in February of the 2020-21 school year. Funds have been earmarked to address the longstanding disparities in educational outcomes between Black students and their non-Black peers. Dating back to the landmark case, Brown v. the Board of Education of Topeka, Kan., in which the U.S. Supreme Court declared that segregated schools were unconstitutional, positive outcomes for Black students continue to lag behind district and national averages for their non-Black counterparts.

Edogun-Ticey spoke about broader investments the federal government is making in education that directly impact Black students through The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans.

‘This administration did not shy away from the idea that we need resources for support which means billions of dollars in investment for HBCUs,” she explained.

“We know that about $2 billion for the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), but how many are aware of what those dollars do for student mental health,” Edogun-Ticey added.

In 2023, LAUSD expanded the BSAP Program by $26 million, demonstrating the district’s commitment to improving education for Black students, who are the lowest-performing subgroup of students in the state, only ahead of students with disabilities.

BSAP strategies include partnering with Black families and local community; supporting the implementation of culturally and linguistically responsive and anti-racist practices; offering wrap-around support structures; and highlighting experiences that uplift the contributions of the Black community as motivation and models to develop positive Black student identity. Additionally, the BSAP provides increased staffing to support Black students’ academic and social-emotional needs.

“School districts across the country must push back against attacks on marginalized students by implementing programs like the BSAP, which should serve as a model for future initiatives,” Kamlager said.

February Outstanding Achievement Awards Recognize District Students, Parents and Staff

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- In Feb., the Board of Education presented the Outstanding Achievement Awards to students, parents and staff of Lincoln and North Park Elementary Schools, Rodriguez PREP Academy Middle School and Arroyo Valley High School (AVHS).

The Board recognizes Outstanding Student Award winners to honor excellence in academics, athletics, fine arts, citizenship, and most improvement. The Board also presents the Outstanding Parent/Grandparent/Volunteer Award and Outstanding Employee Award to individuals who embody the district’s dedication to student achievement and well-being.

Lincoln Elementary School, Principal Dr. Heather Regalado:

Malachi Boyd is a fifth-grader and Outstanding Student. Boyd has shown tremendous growth in reading through his consistent perseverance. He now enjoys learning new words and takes pride in the fact he can read words he couldn’t read before. Boyd wants to become a professional football player.

Abraham Lopez Torres is a dual-immersion third-grader and Outstanding Student. Torres is an English Learner who has worked hard to learn his letter names and sounds in both languages and is now reading in Spanish and speaking English. Torres wants to become a fisherman because he loves the ocean.

Outstanding Parent Award winner Diana Alvarez is dedicated to increasing family engagement opportunities at Lincoln. She has led the work for the fall festival and the Dr. Seuss Literacy event. Alvarez is also an important member of the School Site Council.

Senior Recreation Leader Lucila “Lucy” Garcia makes sure Lincoln is a safe place for students when they are on the playground and in the cafeteria. She is always moving and provides active supervision at all times. She is a great model for the Rec. Aide team.

In one short year, Counselor Ariceli Rodriguez has been able to immerse herself into the culture and bring joy and happiness to students and staff. She uses every opportunity available to help students learn anti-bullying strategies and how to regulate themselves.

North Park Elementary School, Principal Heather Bjornberg:

Samantha Cooley is a third-grader and Outstanding Student. She excels in reading, writing and math. She puts her best effort into completing class assignments and shows attention to detail in her work. She is responsible and displays strong leadership skills. Cooley wants to find a career where she can ride horses professionally.

Elyjah Moore is a sixth-grader and Outstanding Student. Moore is a model scholar. He is usually the first to take the lead in group discussions and contribute and share ideas. He is dependable and is willing to help classmates and teachers. Moore’s dream is to attend USC to pursue an athletic career in baseball, and also pursue a career in law enforcement.

Outstanding Parent Award winner Stevie Young’s tireless efforts in creating a nurturing and conducive learning environment do not go unnoticed. Staff members are deeply thankful for her willingness to lend a helping hand, whether it’s through volunteering in classrooms, assisting with extracurricular activities or supporting other events.

Secretary II Darlene Peters is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Peters is instrumental to North Park. She has demonstrated unwavering dedication and exceptional kindness and professionalism to scholars and families, resulting in significant contributions to the betterment of the school.

Program Facilitator Heidi McQueen demonstrates qualities such as attention to detail, timeliness, effective communication, professionalism and adaptability. She not only ensures the quality of her work, but also fosters an environment of trust, collaboration and continuous growth and innovation.

Rodriguez Prep Academy Middle School, Principal Kathy Atencio:

Eighth-grader Aalana Jackson is an Outstanding Student. Jackson’s contributions to her school and community showcase her as a role model for her peers, embodying the qualities of a true scholar and citizen. Jackson aspires to enroll at Howard University and pursue a career path in veterinary medicine.

Blake Marquez is an eighth-grader and Outstanding Student. Marquez’s efforts have not only resulted in significant academic growth but have also demonstrated responsibility, respect and integrity within the school community. His positive attitude, hard work and perseverance will serve him well in his future as a computer engineer.

Lucia Hernandez Noriega is an Outstanding Parent. She is an invaluable member of our parent leadership team, where her insights, input and commitment greatly enhance the school’s collaborative efforts. Her unwavering support and active participation in community initiatives underscore her genuine commitment to promoting the educational welfare of students.

Custodian I Leticia Villalpando is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Villalpando is emotionally committed to the school’s success, striving to make it the pride of the neighborhood. She possesses a positive passion for fostering strong relationships with students, and her dedication to service is consistently exceptional.

Seventh-grade Teacher Abigail Tejada is an Outstanding Certificated Employee. Tejada is deeply committed to the academic growth and well-being of her students. Her approach is holistic, focusing on the whole student, not just their academic performance. Her dedication to her students’ success is evident in her inclusive learning environment.

Arroyo Valley High School (AVHS), Principal Manuel Gonzalez:

Brianna Hernandez is a sophomore and an Outstanding Student. Hernandez actively works toward finding solutions and gaining new knowledge. She is a very principled student who is willing to take on student leadership positions. She would love to pursue a career in physical therapy, dentistry or teaching biology.

Senior Yaretzi Medina-Hernandez is an Outstanding Student. Known for her outstanding citizenship, Medina-Hernandez contributes to a positive and inclusive school environment. In addition to maintaining high academic standards in her rigorous courses, she is a dedicated member of the school orchestra. She has plans to study music and dance at the collegiate level.

Yadira Contreras is an Outstanding AVHS parent who has truly made a significant impact on her child’s education and the entire school community. She not only prioritizes her child’s education but also advocates for the well-being and academic success of all students.

Juanita Loya is an Outstanding Classified Employee. Loya is a dedicated Campus Security Officer II whose commitment to the betterment of students is truly exceptional. Loya not only possesses high standards for security protocols but also goes above and beyond to establish a positive rapport with students.

Linked Learning Program Specialist and CTE Department Chair Dimitri Chronopoulos is an Outstanding Certificated Employee. Serving as a visionary leader, Chronopoulos’s commitment is evident in his instrumental role in developing top-notch Career and Technical Education(CTE) pathways, offering students invaluable opportunities for skill development and real-world preparedness.

About San Bernardino City Unified School District:

The San Bernardino City Unified School District is California’s eighth-largest school district and is dedicated to providing a high-quality education that prepares more than 46,000 students for college, career and life. With a focus on equity, excellence and empowerment, the District serves a diverse student population in the San Bernardino and Highland communities.

PASADENA, CA – As part of the California State Assembly’s annual celebration of Women’s achievement and leadership, Assemblymember Chris Holden recognizes Rachael Worby as the 41st Assembly District’s Woman of the Year. Worby is a Pasadena resident and in 2011, created MUSE/IQUE, a performing arts nonprofit formed with the goal of bringing live music experiences to all, regardless of their sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity, or social status. From a tiny, scrappy, startup, MUSE/IQUE has become a multimillion dollar non-profit, with considerable influence on the performing arts throughout Southern California.

“I am thrilled to announce Rachael Worby as Woman of the Year for the 41st Assembly District,” said Assemblymember Holden. “Rachel is responsible for much of the artistic and theatrical preservation maintained across Southern California and has dedicated a great deal of her career to keeping young people engaged in the arts.”

For two years she held the prestigious post of Assistant Conductor of the LA Philharmonic. Then, for twelve years she was the Music Director and Conductor of the Young People’s Concerts at Carnegie Hall.  Rachael was appointed by President Clinton to the National Council on the Arts. She conducted and directed the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra for seventeen years before becoming, for ten years, the Music Director of the Pasadena Pops.

“Rachael does not see barriers, she sees opportunity. She holds music dear to her heart as a force that connects all of us and it has been a privilege to witness her share her gifts and passion while opening doors for other women, marginalized people, and young Californians,” said Holden.

Worby became a pioneering member of the first wave of women on the conductor’s podium to achieve national and international renown. Worby’s success in the professional sphere only deepened her ambition to make the world of live music more inclusive. By partnering with over 19 local nonprofits, MUSE/IQUE gives Worby the platform to create lasting, meaningful relationships with people in the community that have often been overlooked. Inspired by her idol Leonard Bernstein, she joyfully interacts with her audience members throughout her shows to make each performance an inclusive learning experience. Worby is staunch in her belief that music belongs to the community.

By Bo Tefu, Antonio Ray Harvey, Lila Brown, and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) vice chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) introduced new legislation related to reparations to the Senate Committee on Housing on April 2 in Sacramento.

Senate Bill (SB) 1007, “establishes the Homeowner’s Assistance for Descendants of Enslaved Persons Program to make financial aid or assistance available to descendants for the purposes of purchasing, owning, or maintaining a home,” the legislation states.

The Senate Housing Committee advanced the bill with an 8-1 vote. It will be re-referred to the Appropriations Committee for consideration.

Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) was the only member who voted against the bill.

“SB 1007 is about starting a long process of paying back a debt that is not only owed, but that was also promised, and is 160 years overdue, to African Americans,” Bradford told the committee chaired by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). “It is the first step in closing the wealth and equity gap created by centuries of slavery and racial discrimination policies.”

The bill aligns with one of the 115 recommendations listed in a two-year study conducted by the California reparations task force, of which Bradford was one of nine members.

Bradford said the report reveals that, in the state of California, a typical Black-owned home is 22% less valuable than a White-owned home.

Various advocacy groups from around the state attended the hearing held at the State Capitol Annex Swing Space. The California Housing Partnership, Bay Area Regional Health and Inequities Initiative, Coalition for A Just and Equitable California, Disability Rights of California, the American Civil Liberties Union of California, and California Community Builders all voiced their support of the bill.

Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas reparations Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 113 passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with a 31-1 vote on Feb. 29 and was adopted with a 10-0 vote on April 2. The bill is a companion of Assemblymember Akilah Weber’s Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 135.

SCR 113 would acknowledge the harms and atrocities committed by the State of California that “promoted, facilitated, enforced, and permitted the institution of chattel slavery and the legacy of ongoing badges and incidents of slavery that form the systemic structures of discrimination” the bill’s language states.

“For the first time, California is acknowledging its role in the perpetuation of the harms and ongoing effects of slavery of Black people across the state and in the nation. This resolution simply acknowledges that,” Smallwood-Cuevas said.

By Bo Tefu, Antonio Ray Harvey, Lila Brown, and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media

The Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray, former pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME) in Los Angeles, died of natural causes April 6 at his Windsor Hills Home. He was 94.

“Today, we lost a giant. Reverend Dr. Cecil Murray dedicated his life to service, community, and putting God first in all things. I had the absolute honor of working with him, worshiping with him, and seeking his counsel,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of the dynamic religious leader whose ministry inspired and attracted millionaires as well as former gang bangers and people dealing with substance use disorder (SUD).

Murray oversaw the growth of FAME’s congregation from 250 members to 18,000.

“My heart is with the First AME congregation and community today as we reflect on a legacy that changed this city forever,” Bass continued.

Murray served as Senior Minister at FAME, the oldest Black congregation in the city, for 27 years. During that time, various dignitaries visited, and he built strong relationships with political and civic leaders in the city and across the state, as well as a number of Hollywood figures. Several national political leaders also visited with Murray and his congregation at FAME, including Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

Murray, a Florida native and U.S. Air Force vet, attended Florida A&M University, where he majored in history, worked on the school newspaper, and pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He later attended Claremont School of Theology in Los Angeles County, where he earned his doctorate in Divinity.

Murray is survived by his son Drew. His wife Bernadine, who was a committed member of the A.M.E. church and the daughter of his childhood pastor, died in 2013.