Ralph L. Franklin
On September 16, 2003, Ralph L. Franklin was elected to the Inglewood City Council to represent the 4th Councilmanic District. His charismatic character and outstanding leadership qualities resulted in him being elected to his second term of office in April 3, 2007.
He was the City of Inglewood’s Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission and served on that Commission for twelve years prior to his election as Council Member.
For nearly three decades, Councilman Franklin continues to demonstrate his civic commitment by serving as Board Member on the State Employment Panel Commission; Chairman of the South Bay Metropolitan Transit Authority; Board Member on the South Bay Cities Council of Governments; Board Member with the Joint Powers of Authority; and a Representative and Board Member on the Independent Cities Association.
Councilman Franklin worked diligently to prevent the Wal-Mart development from moving into the City of Inglewood. Low employee wages, substandard employee health benefits, discrimination between male and female workers, and significant negative impact the project would have on small businesses in the Inglewood community caused residents to vote overwhelmingly against Wal-Mart coming to Inglewood.
Councilman Franklin was instrumental in bringing new business development projects to District 4 including the very successful Village at Century Shopping Center located on Century Boulevard. The Village at Century celebrated its grand opening in May 2006, and is a wonderful example of community revitalization boasting national name brand retailers and restaurants including Ross, Bed, Bath & Beyond, and Children’s Place, Michael’s Crafts, Office Depot, Chili’s Restaurant, Red Lobster Restaurant and many other exciting stores.
The new Imperial/Crenshaw Shopping Center is home to Burlington Coat Factory and it celebrated its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony in September 2008, and has been a tremendous addition to the city along with other name brand retailers including CVS Drug that opened during the summer of 2009 to be followed by the opening this Fall of Louisiana Fried Chicken.
Both of these developments have reinvigorated our community by removing blight; have provided jobs and a very satisfying shopping experience for residents who now have a choice to patronize a wide array of name brand and specialty stores and food establishments.
The newest of a multi-year development wave in the City is the 238 acre parcel of the Hollywood Park project. This enormous project will house over 620,000 square feet of retail, nearly 3,000 market rate homes, and 4 acres of Civic use development in District 4. It will also provide an array of stores, homes and prevailing wage jobs to the Inglewood community.
Councilman Franklin hosts quarterly District 4 Town Hall Meetings to keep District 4 residents up-to-date on various programs, events and activities happening in the City of Inglewood while focusing on topics of interest to the District 4 constituency. He also hosts a monthly “Come Meet the Councilman One-on-One” meeting to hear and address specific concerns expressed by residents.
Each year Councilman Franklin spends several months preparing for various District 4 Community activities such as Community Clean-Up Day which recruits numerous community volunteers to help beautify the neighborhoods, and the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life of Inglewood that raises desperately needed funds to help find a cure for cancer. During the holiday season he hosts an Annual Christmas Celebration that solicits local businesses, organizations and residents to donate food, toys and household goods to assist needy families within his community by providing families with various holiday foods, opportunities to take photos with Santa, and a gift for each child in attendance.
Councilman Franklin is active with the Boy Scouts of America where he has served in many leadership positions including Cub Master, Scout Master, District Commissioner, Wood Badge Staff, and District Silver Beaver Chairman. He was awarded the Cub Master of the Year, Scout Master of the Year, and the Silver Beaver Award for his outstanding leadership and volunteer efforts in preparing boys to become quality young men.
Councilman Franklin is an avid reader and goes to (4) elementary schools in the Read-a Loud Program at each school and regularly participates in career days and job shadow day programs made available through the Inglewood Unified District and the Inglewood/Airport Area Chamber of Commerce. He also has adopted many schools in District 4 and has provided personal financial assistance, as well as his time, to assist in obtaining much needed items and services for the various campuses including the School Campus Beautification Program at Monroe Middle School, Century Park Elementary, and Bennett-Kew Elementary Schools.
Councilman Franklin earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Minor in Public Relations, from Woodbury University, a Special Certificate in a 2-year Food Marketing Management Program from the University of Southern California, and an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Management from Los Angeles City College. Councilman Franklin and his wife Juanita have been residents of District 4 for over 35 years and have three adult children -- Felicia, Gabriella and Ralph II.
