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“In South Los Angeles, there is no institution with a stronger connection to the community than the church,” Los Angeles City Council candidate Curren Price yesterday told the Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California.
After finishing first in the primary election two weeks ago today, Mr. Price, presently Culver City’s Democratic state senator, said voters in the May 21 runoff are looking for a representative with “the leadership, experience and integrity that has characterized my record in public service.”
To cheers and applause from the audience inside Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in South L.A., Mr. Price said it was “a blessing to speak with people of faith about how we can work together to strengthen and transform our communities.”
In the early going, he is favored to beat first-time candidate Ana Cubas, formerly of Councilman Jose Huizar’s staff, to succeed Jan Perry.
The 9th City Council District, Mr. Price said, deserves “a leader who is prepared to fight for the resources our families so richly deserve, and to build consensus in City Hall around the goals we all share: Safe neighborhoods, more jobs, affordable housing, better schools and clean streets.”
Mr. Price discussed what he said was the “indispensable role” played by the African-American church in boosting civic engagement. He praised faith leaders who help voters better understand their solemn responsibility to participate in the democratic process.
Baptist Ministers Conference President Xavier L. Thompson called Mr. Price “a brother” who long has been in the struggle to bring all people together in South Los Angeles.
The candidate said that as a Councilman, he would establish a 9th District Clergy Roundtable that would bring religious leaders from all communities to advise city officials.
“There are more than 200 active religious institutions in the 9th District,” Mr. Price said.
“They are major landholders, economic development engines and employers. The leadership of these institutions must have a prime seat at the table [and] be respected … and always be part of the regular decision-making process in the 9th District. This group will meet regularly to discuss the challenges we face, and help us find effective, common-sense solutions to our challenges, solutions that work for all of our neighbors.”
Among faith leaders, the Price campaign has drawn broad support. He is endorsed by Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick, Praises of Zion Missionary Baptist Church; Rev. Joyce Kitchen, Emmanuel-HM Turner African Methodist Episcopal Church; Dr. Norman S. Johnson, First New Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church; Rev. A.D. Iverson, Paradise Baptist Church; Rev. Kelvin T. Calloway, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church; Rev. Sonja Dawson, New Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church; Rev. Donald Wilson, True Way Missionary Baptist Church; Rev. Albert Nicholas, Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church; Rev. John Cager, 2nd African Methodist Episcopal Church; Rev. Reginald Lafall, Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church; Rev. K.W. Tulloss, Weller Street Missionary Baptist Church; Rev. Vernon Burroughs, Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church; Dr. Kenneth C. Ulmer, Faithful Central Bible Church; African Methodist Episcopal Presiding Elder Norman Copeland; Bishop T.L. Kirkland, Presiding Prelate of the 5th African Methodist Episcopal District; and Bishop James Walker; Presiding Prelate of the 9th Christian Methodist Episcopal District.
Mr. Kimbrew may be contacted at cafriendsofaacc@gmail.com
