Connie Rice, is a lawyer and author renowned for coalition legal cases and campaigns that fight systemic injustice to advance multiracial democracy.  Her work has won over $10 billion in damages and policy changes that expanded safety and opportunity for millions in poor neighborhoods. Rice’s advocacy has earned over 50 major awards and prompted Los Angeles Magazine to call her “the voice for LA’s oppressed. In 2013, Rice won the John W. Gardener Award for being “the indispensable architect of the transformation of…Los Angeles’ approach to both policing and to its longstanding gang epidemic.” In 2014, President Barack Obama appointed Rice to his President’s Taskforce on 21st Century Policing. Former LAPD Chief of Police Charlie Beck, whom Rice sued before becoming an ally, called Rice, “The Conscience of [Los Angeles].”Resources:Article: www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-02-15/police-los-angeles-lapd-karen-bass-michel-moore-dominic-choiArticle: www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-12-11/los-angeles-police-department-community-safety-partnershipCommunity Announcements:Friends of Hyde Park Book ClubMeetings take place every fourth Saturday of the month from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Location: Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Library For more information, call (323)750-7241 or visit www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/friends-hyde-park-book-clubCD8 Parks Summer ProgrammingAlgin Sutton Park Summer Block Party kicks off June 8th From 11 AM to 3 PM, join us to meet our CSP Officers and engage with the community. Event includes a resource fair, interactive activities, delicious food, and pool party.Recreation and Parks’ Summer Day Camp from June 17th to August 9th every weekday from 8 AM to 3 PM. Participating locations include Algin Sutton, St Andrews, Harvard, Loren Miller, Denker, Van Ness, and Mt Carmel parks. Contact local park to register. You can find their contact information at laparks.orgTo stay up to date on all of our summer activities and all of our events throughout the year, subscribe to our newsletter (cd8.lacity.gov/subscribe)and follow us on Instagram (@MHDCD8) and Facebook (facebook.com/mhdcd8).

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with Tanisha Hall, founder of the White Hall Arts Academy, a performing and visual arts education facility here in South Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, the White Hall Arts Academy offers a blend of classical and contemporary arts training to children and adults. Tanisha is a graduate of Berklee College of Music with an instrumental focus on voice. She has been teaching private lessons since 2002 and has enjoyed a 15-year career in the music industry before starting White Hall Arts Academy. She, along with her team of highly talented and qualified instructors, specializes in teaching voice, various musical instruments, studio engineering, stage performance, acting, videography, songwriting, microphone technique, music production and so much more.Resources:www.whitehallacademy.orwww.instagram.com/whitehallartsacademy

The 1992 Los Angeles Uprising was sparked after a jury acquitted four LAPD officers who had been charged with using excessive force in the arrest and beating of Rodney King on April 29, 1992. For the anniversary of the civil unrest, MHD and his co-host, Chavonne Taylor, discuss new policing and public safety models with PUSH LA (Promoting Unity, Safety & Health in Los Angeles) convener Leslie Cooper Johnson and former LAPD Officer Brian S. Bentley.Leslie Cooper Johnson is the Vice President of Organizational Development at Community Coalition, or CoCo, a social justice organization in South Los Angeles, where she has worked for the past 15 years. A lifelong resident of Inglewood, she received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. As part of her role at CoCo, Leslie convenes the PUSH LA collective, which stands for Promoting Unity, Safety & Health in Los Angeles.  PUSH LA was formed in response to decades of racist policing and has a mission to “reimagine protect & serve.”Brian S. Bentley is an author and a former LAPD officer. His first book, One Time: The Story of a South Central Los Angeles Police Officer, graphically depicts his involvement in suspect beatings and describes in detail the gratification he and his partners received from their actions. He claims some officers are addicted to violence and can't stop on their own. His book lets readers see firsthand how police brutality is accepted and encouraged in law enforcement. Bentley spent most of his career at Southwest Division. He was one of the few LAPD officers who lived in the division they patrolled. Resources:REIMAGINING TRAFFIC SAFETY & BOLD POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN LOS ANGELESEpisode Spotify PlaylistCommunity AnnouncementsHire L.A. Day Job FairThursday, May 2, from 4 PM to 8 PM at  Los Angeles Southwest College, in the Multipurpose Room located at 600 West Imperial Highway.Visit www.HireLAYouth.com for more information Vermont-Slauson Development Corporation WorkshopsMay Business Workshops Visit vsedc.org/event for schedule or call (323) 753-2335 for more informationBallona Wetlands Ecological Reserve EventOn Saturday, May 4th the LAPL and Los Angeles Audubon Society hosts an Open Wetlands event at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve, with the collaboration of Nature Nexus Institute staff. Volunteers help visitors learn about the unique ecosystems found at Ballona. Binoculars are available to borrow.Nature Nexus will pick up participants for free at the Hyde Park Library and ferry them to the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve! For more information and to RSVP email: baldwinhillsliteracy@lapl.orghttps://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/visit-ballona-wetlands-nature-nexus-institute-1

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with the owners and founders of Word of Life Christian Bookstore. The bookstore was founded by Joseph and Evelyn Curtiss in 1961 following their move to South LA during the Great Migration. As the oldest operating Black Bookstore in Los Angeles, it has become a community pillar, managed and now owned by their son Jonathan Curtiss and his wife LaShalle, who celebrate 35 years of marriage. Alongside their two adult sons, they ensure the bookstore's growth and its mission to support the community through connections with over 500 churches and faith-based organizations. The Curtiss family's dedication extends through the United Gospel Outreach, a nonprofit offering essential services to South LA families, established by Joseph and Evelyn in 1968.Resources:www.shopwordoflife.com6321 West Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043323-295-8223Community AnnouncementsSCOPE Seeds of Unity FestSaturday, April 20th from 11am to 3pm at Harvard Park Located at 1535 W. 62nd StreetLink to register: https://secure.everyaction.com/grvfVypwikK9xqN1Co52kQ2Crenshaw Farmers MarketEvery Saturday from 10am - 3pm (rain or shine)Located in the Historic Fire Station 54 parking lot at 5730 Crenshaw Blvd (off of Crenshaw and Slauson, adjacent to U.S. Bank)Link: foodaccessla.org/crenshaw-farmers-marketSit Down with a Staffer Resources:Economic and Development Workforce Department (ewddlacity.com)Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (vsedc.org)My LA 311 (myla311.lacity.org)

On this episode, MHD talks about the fascinating and rich history of the great City of Los Angeles with Evan Lovett.Evan Lovett is the dynamic creator of social media mainstay "L.A. in a Minute" and host of its engaging podcast, In a Minute with Evan Lovett.   He emerges from the community of North Hills, fueled by a profound love for Los Angeles. A UCLA journalism graduate, he has worked for the L.A. Times, NBC, and later began working in the AdTech space. Launched in 2022, the series delves into L.A.'s rich history and culture, earning features on KCRW, KIIS-FM, Access Hollywood, KTLA, and more. Lovett's work is a blend of personal storytelling and educational content, aimed at highlighting LA's diverse heritage and intriguing history.Resources:www.instagram.com/lainaminutewww.tiktok.com/@evanlovettCommunity Announcements:SCOPE Seeds of Unity FestThe community organization, SCOPE, is hosting their 3rd annual Seeds of Unity Fest in Partnership with South LA EcoLab Bring the family out to enjoy good music, great food, amazing art, and helpful resources! Saturday, April 20th from 11am to 3pm at Harvard Park Located at 1535 W. 62nd StreetLink to register: https://secure.everyaction.com/grvfVypwikK9xqN1Co52kQ2Free Income Tax Filing (Exposition Park - Bethune Regional Branch Library)Free income tax preparation and filing by UCLA through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.Walk-ins are available, but appointments are strongly preferred. There is no guarantee all walk-ins will be fulfilled.Sunday, April 7th at 1pm Exposition Park- Bethune Regional Branch Library 3900 S. Western AveFor more info: www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/free-income-tax-preparation-and-filing-34Book an appointment: vitaatucla.org

On This episode, MHD talks with A New Way of Life founder, Susan Burton, about her journey to criminal justice activism and the ways we can support those who are coming home after being incarcerated.Susan Burton, an esteemed advocate for criminal justice reform and the founder of A New Way of Life, who has dedicated her life to supporting formerly incarcerated women by providing housing, legal services, and a path to personal empowerment. Having personally navigated the challenges of re-entry after nearly two decades in and out of the criminal justice system, Susan's journey began with her own struggle for recovery following the devastating loss of her young son. Her experiences fueled a commitment to change, leading to the establishment of A New Way of Life in 1998, a beacon of hope and transformation for countless women.Resources:www.beingsusanburton.comwww.anewwayoflife.orgSpotify Playlist: playlist.sptfy.com/SusanBurtonCommunity Announcements:The LA Citywide Residential Speed Hump Program Opening Thursday, March 21st 2024, at 9:00 am. For more information on how to apply for a speed hump and the criteria, visit https://ladot.lacity.gov/projects/safety-programs/speed-humpsWestern Our Way Community Workshop Tuesday March 26, 2024 6:30pm St. Brigid's Catholic Church 5214 South Western AvenueRSVP Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/western-our-way-community-workshop-tickets-847685529237Evermont Housing Info Session In-Person Information Session on Saturday March 23 at 11:00 AM Constituent Services Center 8475 S. Vermont AveOnline Webinar Information Session on Thursday March 28 at 6:00 PM via Zoom.For more information and to register, visit evermontsouthla.org

On this episode, MHD talks about education, family, and community with Inglewood's own D Smoke. Daniel “D Smoke” Farris is an acclaimed American rapper, singer, and songwriter who rose to fame after winning Netflix's "Rhythm + Flow" in 2019. Known for his seamless blend of rap, R&B, jazz, and gospel, and for incorporating both English and Spanish in his lyrics, D Smoke's music often tackles themes of social justice, community, and identity. His debut album, "Black Habits," released in 2020, was critically praised and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. With a background as a music educator and a family deeply rooted in music, D Smoke's work is characterized by its lyrical depth, musicality, and a mission to inspire and educate.Resources:www.dsmokemusic.comwww.instagram.com/dsmoke7Episode Playlist:https://playlist.sptfy.com/mhdotr25Community Announcements:Line Dancing ClassFridays 10:00am - 11:30am Constituent Services Center, 8475 S. Vermont Ave, 90044www.instagram.com/p/C3vHUk7OTSh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Summer Night Lights Hiring HubSaturday March 9th from 8am - 2pmSouth LA Sports Activity Center, 7020 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, 90003.Link: https://www.instagram.com/p/C306IOsrjl1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==CA Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan Program www.CalHFA.ca.gov/dream(877)9 CalHFA

In honor of Black History Month, MHD, co-host Chavonne Taylor, and special guest co-host, Maurice Johnson, speak with Dr. Lorn S. Foster about the history of the Black Church in Los Angeles.Professor Lorn S. Foster is an Emeritus Professor of Politics at Pomona College renowned for his research on race, community, and power, with a focus on the African American experience. His work has particularly explored Black immigration to Los Angeles from 1900 to 1950 and the role of the African American church in social mobility. Foster's research is influenced by significant historical accounts and has been featured in discussions, including PBS panels, on the history of the African-American church in Los Angeles. And be sure to stay tuned after the interview for our new segment "Sit-Down with a Staffer." Later We will hear from CD8 Legislative Deputy Maurice Johnson about the ways our office supports the faith community in the district.Resources:www.pomona.edu/directory/people/lorn-s-fosterwww.pomona.edu/news/2021/02/24-emeritus-professor-lorn-foster-takes-us-and-pbs-church

To kick off Black History Month, MHD and co-host Chavonne Taylor discuss the legacy and historical impact of Black Los Angeles with historian Larry Earl Jr. Larry Earl Jr. is a Leimert Park resident and owner of 1619 Exhibits, a dynamic boutique arts firm that specializes in designing distinctive exhibitions, providing expert archival solutions, producing engaging public programming, and activating public spaces with vibrant civic art and cultural projects. With well over two decades of experience in museums and the field of cultural arts, Larry has been associated with some of our nation’s preeminent cultural institutions. Prior to founding 1619 Exhibits, Larry served as Executive Director of the Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum located in Culver City, CA and was the Founding Executive Director of the Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC).

In this episode, MHD and cohost Chavonne Taylor speak with chef and entrepreneur Keith Corbin about his journey growing up in Watts, navigating gang and drug culture to becoming a celebrated executive chef and co-owner of Alta Adams in South LA. His modern soul food restaurant was named one of the best new restaurants in the country by both Esquire and Thrillist, and has consistently been on the LA Times best restaurant list. Corbin was formerly Director of Operations for Roy Choi and Daniel Patterson’s Locol restaurant group, and also worked for Patterson at his Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant, Coi in San Francisco. He recently released his autobiography, California Soul: An American Epic of Cooking and Survival, which is available online and in stores now.www.altaadams.comEpisode Spotify Playlist

MHD and Co-Host Chavonne Taylor speak with Naima Keith, Vice President of Education and Public Programs at LACMA, about the important role of Black Art in LA History.Naima J. Keith is the Vice President of Education and Public Programs at LACMA. Within her role, she oversees all aspects of and sets the vision for LACMA’s innovative and exhibition-driven educational programming that serves more than 650,000 community members annually.Prior to her position at LACMA, Keith was the Deputy Director and Chief Curator at the California African American Museum where she guided the curatorial and education departments as well as marketing and communications.www.naimajkeith.comEpisode Spotify Playlist

MHD and Co-host Chavonne Taylor speak with former mayor of Stockton, California Michael Tubbs about his rise in politics, the importance of addressing basic human needs to decrease violent crime, and how his pilot Guaranteed Basic Income program inspired other cities (including Los Angeles) to do the same.Michael Tubbs is the Founder of the non-profit organization, End Poverty in California (EPIC), the Founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI), and the Special Advisor to California Governor Gavin Newsom for Economic Mobility and Opportunity. In 2016, he was elected Mayor of Stockton at 26-years-old. He was the city’s first African-American Mayor, and the youngest Mayor of any major city in American history. As Mayor, Tubbs was lauded for his leadership and innovation. He raised over $20 million dollars to create the Stockton Scholars, a universal scholarship and mentorship program for Stockton students. Additionally, he piloted the first mayor-led guaranteed income pilot in the country. His book, The Deeper the Roots: A Memoir of Hope and Home, where he details the experiences of his life is available now wherever books are sold.Resources:www.endpovertyinca.orgwww.mayorsforagi.org

For this episode, Marqueece Harris-Dawson is joined by Martin Draluck, Chef de Cuisine at Post and Beam in South LA, formerly of Hatchet Hall in Culver City. You may know Chef Mark for his work on the Netflix docuseries 'High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America.'Resources:www.latimes.com/food/story/2021-12-07/chef-martin-draluck

African Americans have a long and rich history in the development of Los Angeles and yet, it is only sparsely recognized. MHD and co-host, Chavonne Taylor, sit down with Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson, a historian who has not only researched and documented Black History in Los Angeles but has contributed to its official recognition in communities and cities throughout the county. She talks with MHD about the ways African Americans have contributed to the development of Los Angeles, why Black LA history documentation has been limited, and even her own family history as a third-generation African American Californian.Dr. Alison Rose Jefferson is the author of Living the California Dream: African American Leisure Sites during the Jim Crow Era which examines how African Americans pioneered leisure through their attempts to create communities and business projects, in conjunction with the growing African American population. She is currently working with the California African American Museum as a guest curator on the February 2023 exhibition Black California Dreamin’ which highlights Black Angelenos and Californians who worked to make leisure an open, inclusive reality.www.alisonrosejefferson.comhttps://caamuseum.org/exhibitions/2023/black-california-dreamin-african-americans-and-the-frontier-of-leisureEpisode Spotify Playlist

African American entrepreneurship has a long and fascinating history in Los Angeles. The period from the 1920s to the 1960s was the era of “race enterprises,” in which black entrepreneurs specifically catered to black consumers. Collectively these enterprises supported a growing middle class and one of the highest rates of African American homeownership in the country. As rich as this history is, so little is discussed in regards to Black business in Los Angeles. So MHD and co-host Chavonne bring it to the surface in an enriching conversation with independent public historian, writer, and researcher Yolanda Hester!Yolanda Hester is an independent public historian, writer, and researcher.  She is interested in highlighting lesser documented stories and helping them find their way to the historical record.  Her work has included exploring the history of Black business in LA (Community and Commerce) for The Center For Oral History Research at UCLA, consulting on the history of The Shindana Toy Factory for KCET (Shindana Toy Company: Changing the American Doll Industry), as well as projects for the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and The National Urban League. She currently manages the oral history project for Arthur Ashe Legacy at UCLA.  Her most recent essay The Legacy of Shindana Toys:  Black Play and Black Power can be found in The American Journal of Play. Resources:www.yolandahester.comwww.library.ucla.edu/location/library-special-collections/discover-collections/online-exhibits/community-commerce-oral-histories-african-american-businesses-los-angeleswww.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/episodes/shindana-toy-company-changing-the-american-doll-industryEpisode Spotify Playlist

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with Jay McAdams, Executive Director of the 24th STreet Theatre, a unique organization blending professional productions and world-class artists with quality arts education since 1997. Their mission is to engage, educate, and provoke young people and their families with excellent theatre and arts education.  Jay is a producer, having produced dozens of theatrical productions over the last 20 years and won LA Weekly’s 2011 Production of the Year Award. He is also a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and is a 2011 Leadership LA Fellow. Among his other leadership training is LA County Arts Commission’s Arts Leadership Initiative, the Annenberg Leadership Institute, and the prestigious Stanford University Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders, where Jay won a Center for Social Innovation Fellowship.Resources:www.24thstreet.orgwww.instagram.com/24thstPHONE: (213) 745-6516E-MAIL: THEATRE@24THSTREET.ORG

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with Rudy and Ana Garcia, owners of Team Garcia Boxing Gym in South Central Los Angeles. TG Boxing Gym has experienced trainers and coaches who can help you reach your goal to compete as an amateur or pro boxer. Team Garcia also gives back to their local community by being a safe space for the local youth through their non-profit which provides sparring and boxing classes for children as young as 7 years old. Rudy is a South Central native who has been boxing since 10 years old, competitively boxing since 14, and has been a coach for about 20 years. In addition to supporting Rudy in gym management, Ana, also a South Central Native, runs their non-boxing Women’s fitness classes. Resources:www.tgboxing.comwww.instagram.com/latgboxingPhone: (323) 561-4677

On this episode, we speak with Yolanda Whittington, founder and Chief Executive Officer of SISTAHFRIENDS, a boutique mental health clinical practice committed to the emotional and psychological wellness of Black Women and Girls overcoming trauma in the presence of structural, systemic, and institutional racism, gender discrimination, social injustice, economic inequality, and health disparities to help Black Women and Girls live a life of fulfillment, abundance, and joy. Through individual therapy, counseling, life coaching, support, and skills strengthening, their dedicated staff of clinical professionals provides a safe, confidential space for sistas to release, reflect, and restore. Yolanda is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 25 years of mental health experience serving BIPOC, LGBTQ individuals, families, and groups in South Los Angeles who experience depression, anxiety, stress, grief and loss, and addiction. In this episode, we will be discussing some heavy topics such as sexual assault and sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised.Resources:www.sistahfriends.org

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with Hattie Mitchell, Founder of Crete Academy, a non-profit charter school in South Central Los Angeles, aimed at serving students experiencing homelessness. Crete provides gifted programming, special education, enrichment, and a rigorous academic model. The Crete Educational Model focuses on the immediate, basic needs of students and their long-term educational needs. Their goal is to provide resources and support services to every student so that they are successful. Hattie earned her BA in Elementary Education and Teaching from Cal State LA, her Master’s Degree in Public Policy at Pepperdine University, and her Doctor of Education in K-12 Leadership from USC.Resources:www.creteacademy.org

In this special edition of MHD Off the Record and in honor of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, MHD and Chavonne sit down to discuss the state of Hip-Hop and how LA's rich history played a significant role in its growth, development, and impact. MHD talks about the early days of Hip-Hop and the ways it shaped South LA even beyond just the music itself but also through it's messaging, discussion of politics, and even the opportunities it presented economically.