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By Willie Brown
As our attention turns toward Black History Month, I find myself reminiscing on the role Inglewood Today has played in changing how Inglewood is viewed by the media.
Today, Inglewood is looked upon as one of the most progressive cities in the U.S. Run by a Black mayor, with a predominantly Black and Latino population, the City boasts a state-of-the-art NFL stadium and soon-to-be NBA arena. It is set to host FIFA Soccer in 2026 and the 2028 Olympics. Crime has continued to decrease,
We’ve come a long way from the days when the L.A. Times had folks scared to come to Inglewood—even scared to drive through it.
Headlines depicting the city as a poor, gang-infested, hotbed for drug activity had many residents ashamed to admit where they live. As a long-time Inglewood resident, however, I knew the truth. And it was this truth that motivated me to set the record straight.
I knew that, like any other community, Inglewood had areas that needed improvement. But I also knew the image portrayed by the media was seriously distorted. Inglewood was sometimes blamed for crimes that happened in L.A.
Contrary to public opinion, life in Inglewood was relatively safe. I never feared that I’d be robbed, shot at, and have my vehicle stolen just by going about my daily business.
It’s no accident that much of the negative reporting hurled at Inglewood was rampant simply because it is a city comprised mainly of Black and Latino residents. Positive news was given just minuscule mention or went unreported altogether.
So, in 1994, I set out to publish a vehicle for alternative news—one that would celebrate the positive side of Inglewood and offer hope to those thinking of moving or opening a business here. I knew all too well how a bad reputation could ruin a city’s chances of success.
Even after the first copy of Inglewood Today rolled off the presses. It would take several years before the city would be looked at in a favorable enough light to draw the attention of Fortune 500 companies and billionaires like Rams owner Stan Kroenke.
Day in and day out, my team and I worked hard to highlight the good—publishing upbeat stories about education, business, sports, neighborhood improvement projects, etc.
Nay-sayers said good news does not sell. Yet, here we are today, some 30 years later proving just the opposite. Not only does good news sell but I believe it is what many people want to hear. Let the Times and CNN, talk about doom and gloom, death and destruction. We know that this is what helped bring in more dollars, jobs, reasons to celebrate, and a city people are proud to call home.
