MHD Off the Record

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 30 What is The Value of Youth Music and Arts Education? Feat. Patrice Rushen Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

On this episode, MHD speaks with music icon, Patrice Rushen about her journey as a youth learning and performing music to becoming one of the most accomplished musicians in the world. She shares insights into how her musical education started in her early childhood and why it is important to continue to invest in youth arts education today.

Patrice Rushen is an award-winning musician, composer, and one of the most sought-after artists in the music industry. A classically trained pianist, she gained fame in the '70s and '80s with her fusion of jazz, pop, and R&B, including the hit "Forget Me Nots." A four-time Grammy nominee, Rushen has composed scores for film and television and served as the first female musical director for major award shows like the Grammys and Emmys. Renowned as a top jazz pianist, she has performed with legends like Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock. She has also held prominent academic roles, including as the Ambassador of Artistry in Education at Berklee College of Music and Chair of the Popular Music Program at USC's Thornton School of Music. Additionally, she works with various organizations to support music education and mentorship for underprivileged youth.

Resources:

www.patricerushen.com

www.music.usc.edu/patrice-rushen

www.college.berklee.edu/people/patrice-rushen

Community Announcements:

Hire LA’s Youth Program

Job programs available include:

LA:RISE Youth Academy which provides 250 hours of work experience for housing insecure Angelenos between the age of 18 an 30.
LA Community College-City Pathways an internship program designed to provide college students with invaluable exposure to wide range of career opportunities available with the City
Summer Night Lights program which hires young people ages 16 to 24 to coordinate activities at our participating parks and recreation centers
To view the full list of available programs and to apply, visit hirelayouth.com

South LA Pride

Save the date for South L.A. Pride Saturday, July 13th from 12 pm to 8 pm at the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex
Event will include live performances, food, shopping and more
South LA Pride Committee is still accepting applications for vendors and volunteers
For more information visit southlapride.com

Council District 8 Resources:

www.mhdcd8.com

www.instagram.com/mhdcd8

www.facebook.com/mhdcd8

Ep. 29 The Crossover? Feat. Nick Hamilton, Isaac Bryan, and Karim Webb Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

For this episode, MHD talks basketball, entrepreneurship, voting and more with Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, Social Entrepreneur Karim Webb and guest host Nick Hamilton of The Nick Hamilton Experience.

Nick Hamilton is the founder of Nitecast Media, a platform created to address the perspectives and needs of Black communities and other communities of color. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Nick's passion for writing began in high school under the guidance of his teacher, Mr. Larry Strauss. Despite facing challenges and doubts, Nick's dedication to media led him to create a company that emphasizes authentic storytelling in sports, entertainment, and tech. Nick has worked in the media industry for over 15 years, with his work featured on SIRIUSXM, SB Nation, NBC, AXS.com, AP, iHeartMedia, BBC News, KCBS (Los Angeles), and Forbes. He holds an AA degree in Journalism and Communications from El Camino College. Nitecast Media has covered prestigious events such as The Oscars, ESPYs, BET Awards, and Super Bowls, providing a platform for voices often overlooked by mainstream media.

www.instagram.com/nickhamiltonla

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nh-experience/id1263300531

Isaac G. Bryan represents California's 55th Assembly District, including Baldwin Hills, Culver City, and parts of South Los Angeles. He is Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources and the Select Committee on Poverty and Economic Inclusion and serves on several other committees, including Appropriations and Judiciary. Elected Secretary and Treasurer of the California Legislative Black Caucus in 2022, he is a founding member of the Renters Caucus. His legislative achievements include phasing out oil drilling near homes, ending prison gerrymandering, and protecting students from predatory insurance practices. Before his Assembly tenure, Bryan led initiatives addressing racial injustice, served as Director of Organizing for the Million Dollar Hoods project, and authored the first holistic report for Los Angeles on the needs of formerly incarcerated Angelenos.

a55.asmdc.org

www.instagram.com/ib2_real

Karim Webb is an Entrepreneurial Activist and Principal at Webb Investments, focusing on economic opportunities in underserved areas. He co-founded Positive Cash Flow (PCF) Restaurant Management, a Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee in Los Angeles, and earned a spot on the 2021 NRN Power List for his industry leadership. Webb serves as President of the Board of Airport Commissioners for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and holds various board positions, including the California Community Foundation and Everytable. He is also a Venture Partner at Slauson & Co., a Partner at Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, and a spokesperson for BLOOM, a CCF initiative supporting young Black males in South Los Angeles.

www.karimwebb.com

www.instagram.com/karimwebb

Community Announcements:

Friends of Hyde Park Book Club

Meetings 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-club

Crenshaw Farmers Market

Every 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-market

Ep. 28 Can Holistic Strategies Curb Violence in Los Angeles? Feat. Connie Rice May 27, 2024

Show notes

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-choi

Article: www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-12-11/los-angeles-police-department-community-safety-partnership

Community Announcements:

Friends of Hyde Park Book Club

Meetings 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-club

CD8 Parks Summer Programming

Algin 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.org
To 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).

[Re-Air] MHD OTR South LA Highlight: White Hall Arts Academy May 13, 2024

Show notes

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.or

www.instagram.com/whitehallartsacademy

[Remixed] Ep. 12 Do We Need New Models of Policing and Public Safety? Feat. Leslie Cooper Johnson and Brian Bentley Apr 29, 2024

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. 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 ANGELES

Episode Spotify Playlist

Community Announcements

Hire L.A. Day Job Fair

Thursday, 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 Workshops

May Business Workshops
Visit vsedc.org/event for schedule or call (323) 753-2335 for more information

Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve Event

On 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.org
https://www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/visit-ballona-wetlands-nature-nexus-institute-1

South LA Highlight: Word of Life Christian Bookstore Apr 15, 2024

Show notes

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.com

6321 West Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043

323-295-8223

Community Announcements

SCOPE Seeds of Unity Fest

Saturday, April 20th from 11am to 3pm at Harvard Park Located at 1535 W. 62nd Street
Link to register: https://secure.everyaction.com/grvfVypwikK9xqN1Co52kQ2

Crenshaw Farmers Market

Every 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-market

Sit 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)

Ep. 27 How Can we Learn about LA's Robust History and Heritage? Feat. Evan Lovett Apr 01, 2024

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

Community Announcements:

SCOPE Seeds of Unity Fest

The 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 Street
Link to register: https://secure.everyaction.com/grvfVypwikK9xqN1Co52kQ2

Free 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 Ave
For more info: www.lapl.org/whats-on/events/free-income-tax-preparation-and-filing-34
Book an appointment: vitaatucla.org

Ep. 26 How Do We Support Justice-Involved Individuals in South LA? Feat. Susan Burton Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

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.com

www.anewwayoflife.org

Spotify Playlist:

playlist.sptfy.com/SusanBurton

Community 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-humps

Western Our Way Community Workshop

Tuesday March 26, 2024 6:30pm
St. Brigid's Catholic Church 5214 South Western Avenue
RSVP Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/western-our-way-community-workshop-tickets-847685529237

Evermont Housing Info Session

In-Person Information Session on Saturday March 23 at 11:00 AM
Constituent Services Center 8475 S. Vermont Ave
Online Webinar Information Session on Thursday March 28 at 6:00 PM via Zoom.
For more information and to register, visit evermontsouthla.org

Ep. 25 How Do Our Artists Stay Rooted and Invested in the Community? Feat. D Smoke Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

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.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==

Summer Night Lights Hiring Hub

Saturday March 9th from 8am - 2pm
South 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

Ep. 24 What is the Impact and Legacy of the African-American Church in Los Angeles? Feat. Dr. Lorn Foster Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

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-foster

www.pomona.edu/news/2021/02/24-emeritus-professor-lorn-foster-takes-us-and-pbs-church

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