MHD Off the Record

Latest Episodes:

South LA Highlight: Low Rider Solidarity and Unity Ride Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Los Angeles City Council Staffer, Chavonne Taylor, sits down with Andre Christian of Watts Life United, Roman Maldonado from Thee Illusions Car Club, and Dwight Lewis of the National Lowrider Association. These men are some of the organizers behind the Stop the Hate & Stop the Raids Solidarity Ride taking place August 10th and kicking off 9am at Mcarthur park. This event was created in direct response to the recent wave of ICE raids across Los Angeles, especially in South Central. It aims to demonstrate solidarity and support within communities facing political turmoil. The ride is explicitly designed as a Black and Brown initiative, emphasizing moving together as one.

We talk about how the lowrider community is using culture as protest, as protection, and as a tool to strengthen Black and Brown unity during a time of fear and rising tension.

Resources:

For questions about the event email wattslifeunited@gmail.com or call Nira at (323)213-7588

Community Announcements:

South LA Pride: www.southlapride.com

LA Legacy Business Grants: bit.ly/LAlegacy (link is case-sensitive)

LA Business Source Centers: bit.ly/BusinessSource10 (link is case-sensitive)

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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!

South LA Highlight: 27th Street Bakery Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Los Angeles's own Jeanette Bolden-Pickens is the third-generation owner of 27th Street Bakery, a historic South LA business known nationwide for its legendary sweet potato pies. A proud Angeleno, she took over the family legacy started by her grandfather in 1956—keeping its deep community roots while expanding its reach across the country. Under her leadership, the bakery has weathered everything from economic shifts to a global pandemic, all while staying true to its mission of serving tradition by the slice.

Before returning to the family business, Jeanette was a world-class sprinter and Olympic gold medalist. She later became one of the most respected coaches in the sport, leading the UCLA women’s track team and making history in 2008 as the first Olympic gold medalist to head the U.S. women’s track and field team at the Olympics. Her path from the Olympic podium to running one of LA’s most iconic family businesses reflects a lifelong commitment to excellence.

Resources:

www.27thstreetbakery.com

Instagram: 27thstreetbakery

Community Announcments

FamilySource Centers: LA4Families.org

Legacy Business Grants: bit.ly/LAlegacy (link is case-sensitive)

LA Business Source Centers: bit.ly/BusinessSource10 (link is case-sensitive)

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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!

South LA Highlight: Breaunna Alston of Destination Crenshaw Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Breaunna Alston is the Communications and Marketing Specialist for Destination Crenshaw, a community-led public art and cultural infrastructure project along Crenshaw Boulevard. Originally from Sacramento, she brings a strong background in media arts and a passion for storytelling to her work. After transferring from UC Merced to Clark Atlanta University, she earned her degree in Mass Media Arts, gaining hands-on experience at CAU TV and WCLK Jazz Radio. She joined Destination Crenshaw as an intern before transitioning into a full-time role. Through her communications efforts, she helps amplify Crenshaw’s story and create space for Black Angelenos to connect, celebrate, and thrive. Outside of her professional work, she’s also a music artist, using creativity as a personal outlet and form of expression.

Resources:

www.DestinationCrenshaw.la

Events for July 7th-14th

Summer Night at the Museum
Paint and Sip with Live Music
July 11, 2025 6-9 pm
961 W Compton Blvd. Compton, CA 90220
Visit: nhm.org/summernights
Black LA Food Tour
July 12th Party Bus Food Tour
July 19th Crenshaw Crawl
July 26th Party Bus Food Tour
Location: All Chill Hip Hop Ice Cream 3415 West 43rd Pl Los Angeles, CA 90008
www.blackfoodtour.com (IG: @daisysblacklafoodtour)

Everyday People
Day party and music
July 13th 4 PM - 10 PM
Location: The Beehive 961 E. 61ST ST
Link: www.instagram.com/p/DL0ZVGjOyo3 (IG: @everydayppl)

BreatheGood
Yoga
July 13th 9:30 AM -12:00 PM
Location: The WalkGood Yard 4019 W Pico Blvd
Link: www.walkgoodla.org IG: @walkgoodla

Breathe Good: The Best Man (movie screening)
Movie in the park
July 13th 8 PM
Location: The WalkGood Yard 4019 W Pico Blvd

Afro Latino Culture Fest
July 19th // 3 PM - 11 PM
Location: LA Plaza De Cultura Artes 501 N. Main St., Los Angeles, CA
Free Entry
Link: https://lapca.org/event/second-annual-afro-latino-culture-fest-free

The warmest Winter Ever (Concert)
Performance from iconic artist and songwriter James Fauntleroy
July 19th
Los Angeles
Link: jamesfauntleroyii.com

The Playground Adult Field Day
July 20, 2025 1 PM - 7 PM
Flag Football, Tug-o-war, 3-legged race and more
Location: Kenneth Hahn Park 4100 S. La Cienga Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90056
Link: https://peerpop.io/view/events/theplaygroundanadultfieldday+2025-07-20

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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!

LA Resource: Know Your (Immigration) Rights Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of MHD Off the Record’s LA Resources, Los Angeles City Council Staffer, Chavonne Taylor, speaks with Ritu Mahajan Estes of Public Counsel about your rights regardless of immigration status, what to do during an ICE encounter, and how communities can safely support one another during times of increased enforcement.

Rithu Mahajan Estes is the Directing Attorney of the Community Development Project at Public Counsel. She leads the team providing pro bono legal and policy support to nonprofits, small businesses, street vendors, and community coalitions across Los Angeles County. Under her leadership, the project achieved a major victory in securing a groundbreaking settlement with the City of Los Angeles to eliminate discriminatory “no vending” zones and reimburse affected vendors. A former Supervising Senior Staff Attorney, Ritu brings deep experience in transactional legal services, impact litigation, and community organizing.

Resources:

ICE FAQ for Small Businesses and Nonprofits: https://publiccounsel.org/publications/faqs-on-nonprofit-and-small-business-rights-with-respect-to-immigration-enforcement-ice/
Public Counsel Immigrants' Rights KYR Information: https://bit.ly/KYR-immigration
Public Counsel Family Preparedness Guides: https://publiccounsel.org/publications/a-guide-to-planning-for-your-childs-care-family-preparedness/
LA Street Vendor Campaign Go Fund for Street Vendors Impacted by ICE Raids: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-street-vendors-impacted-by-ice-raids
CLUE Justice Detained Immigrant Bond Fund: https://www.cluejustice.org/support-the-detained-immigrant-bond-fund/

Community Announcements

CHIRLA Immigrant Assistance Line

Call: (888) 624-4752

Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Languages: English and Spanish

Services include:

• Know-your-rights information

• Reporting ICE activity

• Case updates and immigration questions

• Referrals to trusted legal services

Visit: www.chirla.org/resources/immigrant-assistance-line-2

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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!

Keys to the City: South LA's Development Services Center Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

On this episode, Los Angeles City Council staffer, Chavonne Taylor, speaks with Kinikia Gardner, a Senior Planner with the Los Angeles City Planning Department. With more than two decades of experience in urban planning, Kinikia has focused her career on making the planning process more accessible and equitable, especially for historically underserved communities.

She currently leads the South LA Development Services Center, one of only a few centers across the city where residents, business owners, and developers can get in-person help with permits, zoning, land use, and development questions. These centers are part of the Planning Department’s effort to demystify a process that often feels out of reach for everyday Angelenos.

Kinikia is also a member of Black Planners of Los Angeles, a Qualified Minority Employee Organization within the City that helped push for the creation of the South LA center.

Resources

planning.lacity.gov

planning.lacity.gov/project-review/south-los-angeles-development-services-center

appointments.lacity.org/apptsys/Public/Account

South LA DSC

Address: 8475 S. Vermont Avenue, 1st Floor

Email: planning.southla@lacity.org

Instagram: www.instagram.com/planning4la

Community Announcements

Event Name: CicLAvia

Neighborhoods Featured: Historic South Central, Florence-Firestone, Watts

Date: Sunday, June 22nd

Time: 9 AM to 4 PM

Location: Central Avenue & 103rd Street

Website: www.ciclavia.org/ciclavia_historic_south_central_meets_watts25

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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] How Can We Understand Black History Through Art? Feat. Naima Keith May 26, 2025

Show notes

Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harrs-Dawson sitsdown 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.

Resources

www.naimajkeith.com

Episode Spotify Playlist

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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!

*Bonus Episode*: Tackling LA's Budget feat. Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky May 19, 2025

Show notes

Los Angeles City Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky represents LA’s 5th District and currently serves as Chair of the City Council’s Budget, Finance, and Innovation Committee. A native Angeleno and environmental attorney, she brings a policy-driven approach to tackling some of the city’s most urgent challenges, including fiscal responsibility, climate resilience, and equity. As Budget Chair, Yaroslavsky is at the forefront of navigating a billion-dollar deficit facing the city. She is focused on ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the budgeting process while protecting core services like homelessness response, public safety, and infrastructure. Her leadership reflects a balance of compassion and pragmatism, making sure that Los Angeles builds toward long-term stability without losing sight of the people impacted by budget decisions.

Resources

councildistrict5.lacity.gov

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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!

South LA Highlight: Vallarta on Crenshaw May 12, 2025

Show notes

Los Angeles City Council staffer, Chavonne Taylor, sits down with Cesar Gonzalez, COO of Vallarta Supermarkets, about valuing families, communities, and creating access to both jobs and healthy food in South Los Angeles.

Cesar Gonzalez is the Chief Operating Officer of Vallarta Supermarkets, a family-owned grocery chain founded in 1985 and rooted in California’s Latino communities. Under his leadership, Vallarta has expanded to 59 stores, including 27 in Los Angeles County. In 2025, Vallarta opened a nearly 50,000-square-foot store at Crenshaw and Slauson, a predominantly Black neighborhood that had gone without a full-service grocery store for four years. The store brings culturally relevant offerings, local vendors like Dulan’s Soul Food, and over 165 jobs to the area, representing a significant investment in community health, food access, and economic opportunity.

Resources

Location: 3300 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043

Website: vallartasupermarkets.com

Instagram: vallarta.supermarkets

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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!

Ep. 34 What Does Real Public Safety Look Like? (Feat. John Kim) Apr 28, 2025

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!

Keys to the City: Organics LA and the Zero Waste Initiative Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

The Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) is the city department responsible for protecting public health and the environment through waste management, water reclamation, pollution prevention, and sustainability programs that touch every Angeleno’s life. On this episode, Los Angeles City Council staffer, Chavonne Taylor, is joined by Jennifer Pinkerton, Assistant Director of LASAN, and James Roska, Environmental Supervisor, who both play key roles in advancing the City’s OrganicsLA and Zero Food Waste initiatives. Together, they offer insight into how Los Angeles is tackling food waste at every level—from inside city departments to household kitchens across the city.

Resources:

www.lacitysan.org

www.lacitysan.org/organics

www.instagram.com/lacitysan

24-hour Customer Care Center: 1-800-773-2489

Community Announcements

Parks Needs Assessment Survey needs.parks.lacity.gov

LASAN’s Earth Day LA 2025:

Location: Norman O. Houston Park from

Date and Time: Saturday, April 26th10 AM to 2 PM

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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!

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