The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

Hearns introduces AV African American Leadership Council

by M. Dilworth • March 1, 2014

Joining Hearns in announcing the new African American Leadership Council were (L to R) Emmett Murrell, Executive Director of Murrell's Farm and Boys Home; V. Jessie Smith, President of the NAACP-Antelope Valley Chapter; Ansar "Stan" Muhammad, founder of the H.E.L.P.E.R. Foundation; Gwen Cole of the High Desert Alliance of Black School Educators; Pharaoh Mitchell, co-founder of The Community Action League; and Nigel Holly co-founder of The Community Action League.
Joining Hearns in announcing the new African American Leadership Council were (L to R) Emmett Murrell, Executive Director of Murrell’s Farm and Boys Home; V. Jessie Smith, President of the NAACP-Antelope Valley Chapter; Ansar “Stan” Muhammad, founder of the H.E.L.P.E.R. Foundation; Gwen Cole of the High Desert Alliance of Black School Educators; Pharaoh Mitchell, co-founder of The Community Action League; and Nigel Holly co-founder of The Community Action League.

LANCASTER – Lancaster Mayor Emeritus Henry Hearns joined several local community leaders for a press conference Friday to announce the formation of an Antelope Valley African American Leadership Council.

The new nonprofit organization unites and provides a supportive environment for African American leaders serving in various capacities throughout the Antelope Valley, Hearns explained.

“We’re hoping that we can bring about that unity where we’ll speak with one voice,” Hearns said.

Details on specific issues the Council would tackle, who its members are, and when its members would meet are still being worked out, as the Council is still in its infancy stages, Hearns said.

Hearns, who chairs the new organization, distributed a press statement outlining the purpose, mission and vision of the new Antelope Valley African American Leadership Council. Read the statement below:

“The Antelope Valley African American Leadership Council is a coalition of progressive leaders representing African American leaders and organizations in the Valley, ensuring national, state, and local policies are adhered to, and working every day to improve the health, education and social well-being of our community.

The Council’s mission is to provide a supportive environment for African American leaders and organizations in the areas of leadership, unity, policy, and decision making by lending influence to agendas that seek to improve the lives of all African Americans in the Antelope Valley. The Council will serve as a sounding board for directing, advising and empowering African American stakeholders through supportive guidance for African American goals, upward mobility and collective legacy.

Our vision is to support, empower, and hold accountable African American leaders and organizations that have a direct political, social, education, spiritual, and economic impact on the African American community. The Council supports by assisting in organization, development, and implementation; empowers by lending history, influence, endorsements, and guidance; and holds accountable by accessing the goals of the leader and/or organization, and ensuring said goals align with the improvement, health, education, and social well-being of the African American community.”

–

Filed Under: Lancaster

24 comments for "Hearns introduces AV African American Leadership Council"

  1. Anonymous says

    March 3, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    This is the problem with our society. Instead of talking about the entire community speaking with one voice, they are talking about “African Americans” speaking with one voice. As long as a group of people are raised looking at themselves as a separate entity, nothing will ever change.

    • sickofit says

      March 5, 2014 at 3:15 pm

      Yes, again, another divisive and race based group being formed. I’m really tired of the the people who are constantly throwing out the race card being racists themselves. It will never work this way. Either everyone is treated equally, or there is no point, and starting ‘African American’ or ‘Hispanic’ clubs and organizations is counterproductive. Henry should know that already.

    • Citizen of the AV says

      March 5, 2014 at 7:47 pm

      Agreed agreed agreed !

  2. :( says

    March 2, 2014 at 10:37 pm

    Aren’t ALL these guys now on a Rex commission? I know they all are in his back pocket. Wonder what it cost him?

    • sickofit says

      March 5, 2014 at 3:19 pm

      Yes…these people don’t seem to understand that we see through the blatant opportunism and racism. They are not a solution, but a large part of the problem and need to heal their own minds.

  3. Captain Obvious says

    March 2, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    What? No Darren Parker in the photo?? Parker usually NEVER misses a photo op to promote the black man!

    • Darius White says

      March 2, 2014 at 3:23 pm

      Our Deputy Mayor, Cassandra Harvey, has not (to my knowledge) been a member of any of these special interest groups. It would seem that someone as influential and well-connected as Ms. Harvey would be a very welcome addition to these groups. Is she not invited or welcome to participate? Just curious.

      • Anonymous says

        March 2, 2014 at 8:11 pm

        No Cassandra Harvey, Linda Jones, Bo Bynum, Fred Thompson, John Mayfield, Linda Hughes, Pastor Ross, Jaime Jones, Rossie Johnson, Wendell Cuffy, Gary Bell, James Lott, Earl Wilson, etc. this looks like another hand picked Rex committee. Will Stan Muhammad utter another anti semetic and homophobic slur? Will Smith and Murell keep suing Palmdale with their lawyer Parris? Very disappointed.

  4. William says

    March 2, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    Does anyone else think that this is connected to the issue of at-large council elections in Lancaster, to paint a picture of Lancaster not being polarized according to Rex’s ‘expert’ on such matters. Looks more like a publicity stunt than anything else.

    Unfortunately, reading the comments below, it looks like Lancaster IS polarized.

    What to do? What to do?

    I wonder what Hearns has to say about Jonathan Ervin’s candidacy. Someone should ask him.

  5. Irena says

    March 2, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    When forming a non-profit organization, it is suppose to already have a mission statement and at least key figures already named in the documents. According to the new article, they don’t even have a defined mission.

    I checked with the IRS to see their status, they aren’t even registered yet. A bit misleading to call one’s self a nonprofit when you haven’t even been granted that status yet..

  6. Emma says

    March 2, 2014 at 9:48 am

    With all the racial tension in this town, Why can’t they a council without ANY racial title, just for a better community for EVERYONE . Why promote more racism??????????????

    • Rosa says

      March 2, 2014 at 9:56 am

      Amen to that!

    • Darius White says

      March 2, 2014 at 11:36 am

      It seems that every time a “race-specific” or “nationality-specific” group is created, problems and/or issues within the demographics of those newly formed groups increase. We don’t seem to hear about any positive results being produced by the creation of these groups.

    • sikntired says

      March 2, 2014 at 1:02 pm

      So very divisive.Mr Hearns,so hypocritical,guess he forgot who voted him in office several years ago,just like Oprah forgetting who made her #1,those terrible “white “people.My guess is there is money to be made from this in the form of grants,etc.

    • yabbadabba says

      March 2, 2014 at 1:42 pm

      I agree. The NAACP is for People of all colors and I am not happy to see that the races will be divided more than ever.
      It seems like the needs of those organizing are looking selfish, and not meant for everybody. What about multi-racial childen?

  7. AVEMT-ORIGINAL says

    March 2, 2014 at 9:20 am

    So when can we start “The Antelope Valley White American Leadership Council”???

    • NIMBY says

      March 2, 2014 at 10:46 am

      Looks like my opinions are being moderated. I will try again…

      Never. Didn’t you get the memo? Any r.a.c.e can form a committee…except w.hit.e.s.

    • ohmy says

      March 2, 2014 at 2:23 pm

      Oh that would make you racist.

  8. Quigley says

    March 2, 2014 at 9:12 am

    Can you all say “Michelle Fletcher”? She should be your first project!?!

  9. sikntired says

    March 2, 2014 at 4:40 am

    All the usual suspects including Stan “the man”Muhammad”.

    • Anonymous says

      March 2, 2014 at 8:27 pm

      Has Stan Muhammad apologized yet to the gay and Jewish communities for his homophobic and anti Semitic slurs?

      • sikntired says

        March 2, 2014 at 9:43 pm

        Not sure but doubt it or it would have been splashed all over the place.Most likely they think people are too disinterested to remember.Even if he did it would be disingenuous,since those are his core beliefs.

        • Anonymous says

          March 3, 2014 at 2:41 pm

          Perhaps people need a refresher to see the real Stan Muhammad.
          http://youtu.be/O40hGfKuwvU

  10. creneeta@gmail.com says

    March 1, 2014 at 10:13 pm

    Great news!!

Recent Comments

  • Kiki on Fatal motorcycle crashes on the rise, local authorities issue safety tips for riding and driving: “This happens so often because everyone is in such a hurry.They drive so fast and desperate to get some where…” Aug 9, 15:15
  • Beecee on Readers Speak Out! (July 2022): “You and Frank definitely come across as the “hit the bar in the morning” types. I do think a little…” Aug 9, 15:08
  • Beecee on Readers Speak Out! (July 2022): ““The election was the most closely monitored election in the history of the United States, and no malfeasance that could…” Aug 9, 14:51
  • Sonya on Readers Speak Out! (July 2022): “Nobody’s saying anything about anarchy or rising up. Which you sure have a boner for. It’s obviously you that is…” Aug 9, 14:31
  • Tim Scott on Readers Speak Out! (July 2022): “Prove it then. Trump failed in fifty courts, and we are a nation of LAWS arbitrated by courts. If you…” Aug 9, 14:27

Copyright © 2022 · The AV Times LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use