Empower Her!

The ladies were in full formation, dressed in their Sunday best, at the 4th annual Inglewood
Women Rock Empowerment Summit.  The keynotes were notable.
Pastor Nicole Stelly of A.R.M.E.D. Church gave an electrifying sermon about how patriarchal
culture has distorted the creation story of Genesis. Stelly remarked when Adam called Eve,
“flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone,” it was a testament that women were created equally in
the image, character, flesh and likeness of men and the Creator.  
We’re all one–a message that is often distorted or flat out denied by our laws, media and social
norms.  Examples are preventing women from making decisions about their own healthcare,
and  believing women are unqualified to be president, even when they are literally the most
qualified (who has more elected political experience than Hilary Clinton?).
Nonetheless, we persist. 
California Assemblymember Tina Mckinnor and State Controller Malia M. Cohen are two
California women  who are rising in political leadership . McKinnor enlightened the crowd about
a bill she’s currently working on to help Inglewood schools.  AB 51 aims to give both the
Inglewood and Oakland school districts more financial control and reinvestment back  into the
classrooms. 
In 2012, the State of California took local control away from Inglewood schools due to
mismanagement and academic underperformance.  The Inglewood Unified School District is still
paying back the $29 million loan, plus $8 million in annual interest.   AB 51 would wipe out
interest and help the district pay off the debt sooner.  
 It’s been a long road to recovery, but Assemblymember McKinnor is hopeful that IUSD will
achieve the remaining 28 progress markers needed to fully satisfy the state receivership
contract.
Cohen gave the women an education on all things state controller. We learned that a state
controller acts as an accountant of sorts, watching over and approving how the state budget
gets dispersed. Additionally, in her role as State Controller, Cohen safeguards unclaimed
property until the property is claimed by its owners, audits government agencies, and helps
administer major pension funds. She  playfully called out some of the honorees informing them
that they had unclaimed property (i.e. money) that needed to be claimed through claimit.ca.gov.
Cohen emphasized the importance of being financially literate and having more people of color
in elected positions to serve our own and hold the city, state, and nation accountable where they
cause disenfranchisement.
The empowerment continued as the ladies dispersed into workshops of their choice covering
mental health, self-love, estate planning, and the importance of the publishing industry. 
Catering by Keokia’s Kitchen provided a delectable spread from an eclectic brunch of donuts,
fruit salad and shrimp and grits to a seafood pasta lunch, we were well fed physically, spiritually
and emotionally by both the food and the workshops.
  

Empowering speeches were given by Judge Mablean Ephriam and music artist Yo-Yo talking
about the importance of mentorship and remembering that there is love in behavioral discipline.
Having standards in your home is not only ok but necessary to raise well functioning adults who
contribute meaningfully to the society that they will inherit. The overarching themes of the day
were speaking truth in love, the importance of  having boundaries and checking in with
yourself–acknowledging and owning your needs and desires so you can run your life
accordingly.
It is safe to say the Inglewood Women Rock Summitt reached  its empowerment goal.  It was
evident from the keynote speakers to the workshops, and even in the beautiful decor.  That
said,  I’m sure the city will only surpass this milestone event at the 5th annual summit next year.
Shout out to the organizers, 4th Distrtict Councilwoman Dionne Faulk and City Clerk