MHD Off the Record

Latest Episodes:

South LA Highlight: Los Angeles African American Women's Public Policy Institute Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of MHD Off the Record: South LA Highlights, we sit down with Traci Bivens-Davis, Interim Executive Director of the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute (LAAAWPPI), an organization dedicated to preparing women for meaningful leadership and engagement in government, public policy, campaigns, community organizations, and public affairs.

We talk with Traci about the history of the Institute, its evolution from the Los Angeles African American Women’s Political Action Committee, and the vision behind creating a leadership pipeline specifically designed to help Black women navigate and influence public policy.

We reflect on the life and legacy of LAAAWPPI’s longtime leader Joy Atkinson, whose mentorship, political knowledge, relationships, and commitment to developing women helped shape generations of leaders throughout Los Angeles.

Following Joy’s passing, Traci helped guide LAAAWPPI through a significant period of transition while carrying the 2026 cohort through its training and graduation. In addition to her leadership at LAAAWPPI, Traci brings more than 30 years of experience in health equity, advocacy, workforce development, training, and organizational leadership.

In this episode:

How and why LAAAWPPI was created
The importance of developing a pipeline of Black women in public policy and civic leadership
Joy Atkinson’s leadership, mentorship, and lasting legacy
How LAAAWPPI prepares women for campaigns, government, advocacy, organizing, and public appointments
Traci’s experience leading the Institute through its 2026 transition
The impact of LAAAWPPI’s network of more than 400 alumnae
What leadership and success look like beyond elected office
The barriers Black women continue to face in politics and public leadership
LAAAWPPI’s next chapter and the future of its leadership pipeline

LAAAWPPI Annual Recruitment Reception

Dulan’s on Crenshaw 4859 Crenshaw Blvd.
Monday, September 28, 6-8 p.m.
Learn more and apply at LAAAWPPI.net

Community Announcements

I-110 Corridor Plan Public Workshop Round 2

Nakaoka Community Center, Room A, 1670 W. 162nd Street, Gardena
Wednesday, September 23, 6-7 p.m.
Register at publicinput/g01756 or learn more at engage.dot.ca.gov/D7_110CMCP

Procure South LA: Next Level Business Summit

Metro Hub, 8501 S. Evermont Place, Los Angeles
Thursday, September 24, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Register at bit.ly/ProcureSouthLA

[Re-Air] MHD OTR South LA Highlight: Crete Academy Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

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

[Re-Air] Ep. 32 Can Guaranteed Basic Income Really Break the Cycle of Poverty? Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of MHD Off the Record, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson sits down with Abigail Marquez, General Manager of the Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD), and Michael Tubbs, Founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) and Special Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom. Together, they dive into the realities of Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI)—a policy designed to provide no-strings-attached cash payments to individuals and families in need.

With millions struggling to make ends meet, we ask: Does GBI empower people to escape poverty, or does it foster dependency? Our guests share insights from pilot programs in Los Angeles and Stockton, breaking down the data, misconceptions, and long-term impact of direct cash assistance.

Abigail R. Marquez serves as the General Manager of the City of Los Angeles’ Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD), a position she has held since 2021. With nearly 21 years of experience advancing anti-poverty initiatives in Los Angeles, Marquez plays a key role in overseeing programs designed to disrupt generational poverty and support low-income residents. She is responsible for administering the City’s Consolidated Plan, which allocates around $120 million in federal funds annually to support various capital projects and social services. This includes managing 20 FamilySource Centers and services for domestic violence and human trafficking survivors. Under her leadership, CIFD has implemented notable initiatives, including the Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program (BIG), the largest of its kind in the nation, and the Opportunity LA Children’s Savings Account program, which helps thousands of first-graders build financial security. Prior to this role, she was the Assistant General Manager at the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department (HCIDLA), where she led efforts in community services and development.

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.

Community Announcements

THIS IS A RE-AIR, so information in the announcements is not up to date.

__________

Want to learn more about Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson and LA's Council District 8? Follow @mhdcd8 on Instagram and sign up for the newsletter at mhdcd8.org!

South LA Highlight: LA Native Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

We sit down with Odessa Bowdin-Sierra, the founder and designer behind LA Native, a Los Angeles apparel brand celebrating local pride, neighborhood identity, and the belief that moving up doesn't always mean moving out. A proud Angelino with deep ties to the Crenshaw community, Odessa first made her mark in 2003 with Nobody Jones Boutique, bringing high-quality, fashion-forward clothing to a neighborhood she felt deserved more options. In this conversation, she shares her journey through the fashion industry, the racism that drove her to open her own shop, the origins of LA Native as a "love letter" to the city, and her philosophy on community reinvestment and small business ownership.

Resources

LA Native website: shoplanative.com
LA Native storefront: 4343 Crenshaw Boulevard (across from Leimert Park, next to Taco Mel)

Community Announcements

South LA Economic Development Strategy Meeting Thursday, August 27th | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Council District 8 Constituent Service Center — 8475 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles Conducted in English and Spanish. Accessibility accommodations available upon request.

Keep Los Angeles Beautiful — 8th Annual Beautification Conference Saturday, September 19th | 9:00 AM Friendship Auditorium — 3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles Free and open to all. Workshops, panel discussions, and a community resource expo with 30+ exhibitors.

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South LA Highlight: Guardian Gym LA Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of MHD Off the Record — South LA Highlights, host Chavonne Taylor sits down with Coach Dominic "Nick" Haider, founder of Guardian Project Los Angeles and Omni Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Coach Nick shares his personal journey from a bullied mixed-race kid who found refuge in martial arts through a scholarship, to a professional fighter, to a chef-turned-jiu-jitsu instructor dedicated to serving South LA youth.

The conversation explores how Guardian Project LA provides free jiu-jitsu training, mentorship, meals, and wellness resources at Harvard Park, South Park, and Algin Sutton Park through the LAPD's Community Safety Partnership (CSP) program. Coach Nick explains his philosophy of creating a safe, non-militarized space where kids can build confidence, resilience, and agency — drawing on lessons from his own childhood and his years running restaurant kitchens with a culture of care.

Resources

Website: guardianlosangeles.org

Email: nickh@guardianlosangeles.org or nick@omnijiu-jitsu.com

Community Announcement

Metro Vermont Transit Corridor Project — South LA, help shape the future of transit on Vermont Avenue. Metro's Vermont Transit Corridor Project is moving toward construction, and the decisions made now will affect how families, workers, students, and seniors travel for years to come. Join a community meeting August 10–15, in person or online, and make sure our neighborhoods are heard.

🔗 Learn more: metro.net/vermont

Ep. 43: What Does Hip-Hop Reveal About Power and Place? (Feat. Jeff Chang) Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Jeff Chang joins Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson to discuss the cultural significance of hip-hop as a language of place, its role in expressing community truths, and how each generation redefines its voice through music, graffiti, and dance.

Jeff Chang is an author, journalist, cultural critic, and organizer whose work helped define hip-hop as a political, social, and cultural force. He is the author of Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation, a foundational book on how hip-hop emerged from youth culture, organizing, migration, race, and urban crisis. He also wrote Who We Be: A Cultural History of Race in Post-Civil Rights America and We Gon' Be Alright: Notes on Race and Resegregation. His newest work, Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America, looks at how a cultural icon can become a symbol of identity, resistance, and possibility. Chang's work treats culture as a place where communities explain themselves before institutions are ready to listen. That’s why he is perfect for this conversation about hip-hop, social messaging, Nipsey Hussle's legacy, and what the city's cultural future says about its political future.

Key Topics

Hip-hop as a cultural language
Representation of community truths in music
Generational evolution of hip-hop
Hip-hop's role in urban identity
Jeff Chang's perspective on hip-hop and culture

Resources:

www.jeffchang.net

Community Announcements

Visit bit.ly/CD8Summer for Summer Events in CD8

[Re-Air] Ep. 27 How Can we Learn about LA's Robust History and Heritage? Feat. Evan Lovett Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

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/lainaminute

www.tiktok.com/@evanlovett

[Re-Air] Ep. 26 How Do We Support Justice-Involved Individuals in South LA? Feat. Susan Burton Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

In 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.com

www.anewwayoflife.org

Spotify Playlist:

playlist.sptfy.com/SusanBurton

Ep. 42: What Happens When You Legislate with Authenticity? (Feat. Holly Mitchell) Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell serves on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, representing the Second District, which includes more than two million residents across South Los Angeles, the South Bay, Koreatown, and surrounding communities. A third-generation Angeleno and longtime public servant, Supervisor Mitchell has built her career around equity, expanding the social safety net, and investing in families, children, small businesses, and communities that have historically been underserved. Before joining the Board of Supervisors in 2020, she served in the California State Assembly and State Senate, where she authored more than 100 laws and became known as a strong voice on budget equity, child welfare, economic justice, and racial justice. Her work reflects a deep understanding of Los Angeles County’s role in meeting people’s basic needs while creating pathways for residents to thrive.

Resources:

mitchell.lacounty.gov

Community Announcements

South LA Job Fair

Crenshaw High School
Thursday, June 25th, 10 a.m., featuring free food, free Live Scans, a Kids Zone, and live entertainment.
All are welcome, and justice-impacted community members are encouraged to attend.
Register at southlajobfair.eventbrite.com.

Juneteenth Events

6th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & Resource Fair

George Washington Carver Park 1400 E. 118th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059
Saturday, June 13th 12 to 4 p.m.
Free and open to all, with on-site County services, community resources, family activities, live performances, food trucks, health and wellness resources, tenant and landlord resources, record expungement support, pool time and lessons, live art, and more.
Register at mitchell.lacounty.gov/Juneteenth-2026.

Juneteenth Calling All

Sister Dreamer Sculpture Park 1810 W. 76th St.
Friday, June 19th 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., featuring dancers, marching bands, drill teams, roller skaters, double dutch crews, and more.
Help set the record for the world’s longest Soul Train line.
3 p.m. Soul Train line starts.
7 p.m. “7 Stories of the Soul” film screening.

Keys to the City: Bureau of Street Lighting May 25, 2026

Show notes

Los Angeles has 223,000 streetlights, and the assessments that fund their upkeep haven't been updated since 1996. In this episode, we sit down with two leaders from the Bureau of Street Lighting to break down the ballot landing in property owners' mailboxes right now and what's at stake for neighborhoods like ours if it doesn't pass. The deadline is June 2nd. Listen up and pass it on.

Guests:

Ansar Mustafa is a lifelong Angeleno who has spent 20 years improving the city he calls home. As a licensed Civil Engineer and ENVISION Sustainability Professional, he currently leads the Community Impact Division for the Bureau of Street Lighting — overseeing everything from decorative neighborhood lighting and community banners to major council-funded infrastructure initiatives. Before joining BSL, Ansar managed complex, multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects at the Bureau of Engineering

Rodney Fulton is a seasoned infrastructure professional with nearly three decades of hands-on experience in fiber optics, field leadership, and street lighting systems. He got his start in 1997 with PacBell and rose through the ranks to play a key role in the E-Rate initiative, helping bring fiber connectivity into classrooms across Los Angeles. A proud member of Local 11 for over 24 years, Rodney joined BSL in 2024, where he continues to lead complex fiber projects and mentor the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

Resources

lalights.lacity.org/residents/prop_218.html

For questions or concerns, contact Bsl-assessment@lacity.org