MHD Off the Record

Latest Episodes:

South LA Highlight: South Central Spits Fire! May 11, 2026

Show notes

bridgette bianca and GusTavo Guerra Vasquez are co-founders of South Central Spits Fire!, a program created to uplift the cultural and artistic wealth and diversity of literary talent in South Central Los Angeles.

bridgette bianca is a poet and professor from South Central whose work centers the Black experience, storytelling, and cultural memory. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Howard University and an MFA in Writing from Otis College of Art & Design, and is the author of be/trouble, a nationally recognized poetry collection that has been featured on major reading lists and literary platforms. She has performed at venues including the LA Times Festival of Books and The World Stage, and continues to lead workshops and community-centered literary programming across the City.

GusTavo Adolfo Guerra Vásquez is a poet, professor, peacemaker and curator from South Central whose work spans across the United States and beyond. A co-founder of multiple poetry and art collectives, he has organized and collaborated with artists throughout the Americas, including curating the #PoeticPandemic spoken word series during quarantine. His work has been featured in exhibitions and publications, and he continues to use poetry and cultural programming to connect communities and elevate stories rooted in the community. His poetry chapbook “GuatemaLAngelino” has received accolades from educators and mental health professionals.

Resources

www.instagram.com/southcentralspitsfire

[RE-Air] Ep. 34 What Does Real Public Safety Look Like? (Feat. John Kim) Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

The 1992 Los Angeles Civil Unrest, sparked by the acquittal of officers in the brutal beating of Rodney King, exposed deep cracks in the systems meant to protect and serve. More than thirty years later, what actions can we take to create real public safety practices that center justice, equity, and community care?

Joining Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson to explore these questions is John Kim, President and CEO of Catalyst California (formerly Advancement Project California). John shares his personal reflections on the uprising and how it continues to shape his work today. He also discusses how Catalyst California is helping to advance a new vision of safety—one that moves away from traditional policing and invests in community-centered solutions like Alternative Traffic Enforcement.

Resources

John Kim is the President and CEO of Catalyst California (formerly Advancement Project California), a leading racial justice organization that champions systemic change to achieve equity and expand opportunity across the state. Throughout his career, John has been a strong advocate for community-driven solutions that address structural barriers in public education, voting rights, public finance, and public safety. Under his leadership, Catalyst California has been at the forefront of efforts to reimagine justice and safety by investing in alternatives to policing and advancing policies that center the needs and voices of historically marginalized communities. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to building a more just and inclusive California.

Website: www.catalystcalifornia.org

Instagram: @catalystca

Learn more about Alternative Traffic Enforcement programs and community-based safety models at:

www.catalystcalifornia.org/initiatives/reimagine-justice-safety

Community Announcements

Crenshaw Farmers' Market

Open every Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM
Located at 5730 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90043 (Historic Fire Station 54 parking lot)
Accepts CalFresh EBT cards and WIC checks. Offers Market Match, which doubles CalFresh benefits up to $20 per day.
For more information, visit foodaccessla.org/crenshaw-farmers-market or follow on Instagram: @crenshawfm

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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!

[Re-Air]Ep. 25 How Do Our Artists Stay Rooted and Invested in the Community? Feat. D Smoke Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

On this episode, LA City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson 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.com

www.instagram.com/dsmoke7

Episode Playlist:

https://playlist.sptfy.com/mhdotr25

Community Announcements:

Line Dancing Class

Fridays 10:00am - 11:30am
Constituent Services Center, 8475 S. Vermont Ave, 90044
www.instagram.com/p/C3vHUk7OTSh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

South LA Highlight: Crop Swap LA Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Jamiah Hargins is the founder and president of Crop Swap LA, a Los Angeles urban farming nonprofit rooted in Leimert Park and dedicated to making fresh, locally grown food accessible to South LA communities. Founded in 2018 as a simple neighborhood produce swap, Crop Swap LA has grown into a globally recognized movement operating multiple microfarms across the city, feeding dozens of families weekly with organically grown produce using rainwater capture and solar energy. Jamiah has been honored by Adidas as part of their Honoring Black Excellence initiative with a commissioned mural unveiled on Degnan Blvd in Leimert Park, named a 2022 LISC Michael Rubinger Community Fellow, and recognized as a Climate Hero by One Earth.

Resources

Website: www.cropswapla.org

Phone: (213) 878-2752

Community Announcements

LADWP Landscape Efficiency Assistance Program: www.ladwp.com/LEAP

[Re-Air] Ep. 13 What Should We Know About Black LA Business History? Feat. Yolanda Hester Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

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 regarding 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.com

www.library.ucla.edu/location/library-special-collections/discover-collections/online-exhibits/community-commerce-oral-histories-african-american-businesses-los-angeles

www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/episodes/shindana-toy-company-changing-the-american-doll-industry

Episode Spotify Playlist

[Re-Air] Ep. 12 Do We Need New Models of Policing and Public Safety? Feat. Leslie Cooper Johnson and Brian Bentley Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

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. With the anniversary of the civil unrest approaching, 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 ANGELES

Episode Spotify Playlist

Ep. 41: What Happens When Black Women Lead? (feat. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Bernita Walker, and Brandy Muñiz) Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

On this episode, LA City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson sits down with three trailblazing leaders featured in the current City Hall exhibition, "When Black Women Lead, Communities Thrive, Everybody Wins". In honor of African-American Heritage Month, the group discusses the pivotal, often unrecognized role Black women play in shaping Los Angeles through housing, health equity, and community advocacy.

The conversation explores the "underground railroad" of support that exists among women leaders, the challenges of balancing direct service with upstream policy change, and the personal sacrifices required to lead community institutions.

Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Founding President of Ward Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), who has led the development of more than 400 units of affordable housing and serves on the LA County Metro Board.
Bernita R. Walker, CEO and Co-founder of Project: PeaceMakers, Inc., a survivor, longtime advocate, and retired Deputy Sheriff whose work in domestic violence prevention spans more than four decades.
Brandy Muñiz, Executive Director of All Peoples Community Center, an 84-year-old institution where she leads housing initiatives and community-centered programs addressing poverty and systemic inequities in Historic South Central.

Community Announcements

When Black Women Lead: Communities Thrive, Everybody Wins Exhibition

3rd Floor Bridge Gallery, Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
February 2–26, 2026 | Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Closed weekends)
Free and open to the public (visitor badge required after security screening)

South LA Highlight: Here to Help Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Tamekia Strayhorn is the Founder Executive Director of Here to Help Foundation, a South Los Angeles–based community development corporation focused on housing stability, economic opportunity, and support services for individuals and families navigating housing insecurity. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its reach by centering dignity, access, and long-term stability for residents often overlooked by traditional systems.

Resources:

Website: www.heretohelpcdc.org

Address: 7409 Crenshaw Blvd

Phone: (323)305-6631

Community Announcements

When Black Women Lead: Communities Thrive, Everybody Wins Exhibition

3rd Floor Bridge Gallery, Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
February 2–26, 2026 | Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Closed weekends)
Free and open to the public (visitor badge required after security screening)

[Re-Air] Ep 7: What is the Role of Community Connection in Mental Wellness? feat. Dr. Cheryl Grills Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson and co-host Chavonne Taylor discuss the importance of viewing psychology and mental wellness from a community perspective with Dr. Cheryl Grills. Dr. Cheryl Grills is a Clinical Psychologist with a current emphasis in Community Psychology. She is also a full-time Professor and director of the Psychology Applied Research Center at Loyola Marymount University as well as a Governor appointee on the California Reparations Task Force and Chair of LA County Sybil Brand Commission.

www.bellarmine.lmu.edu/psychology/parc/ourteam/cherylgrillsphd

Episode Spotify Playlist

[Re-Air] South LA Highlight: Wellnest Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with Paco Retana, Vice President of Programs at Wellnest, a nationally acclaimed, and leading provider of emotional health and wellness services to children, young adults, families, and their communities. As Vice President of Programs at Wellnest, he is responsible for all clinical services, including program evaluation and training. He also oversees the areas of outpatient, early intervention, intensive services and life learning/transition age youth services. He is a licensed Clinical Social Worker who earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Masters in Social Welfare from UCLA.

Resources:

www.wellnestla.org

www.wellnestla.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Wellnest-2021-Annual-Report.pdf

Ring the Alarm The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America