MHD Off the Record

Latest Episodes:

MHD OTR South LA Highlight: Crete Academy Sep 04, 2023

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

MHD OTR Bonus Episode: The State of Hip Hop (Celebrating the 50th Anniversary) Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

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.

MHD OTR South LA Highlight: Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with Corey Dantzler, Executive Director of the Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center, a nonprofit agency providing free afterschool and low-cost summer programs for students in grades 3-12. They provide a safe and nurturing environment committed to good citizenship and academic excellence. Corey joined the Wooten Youth Center in December of 2022 after a career spanning some 30 years in youth center administration. He grew up in South LA and currently holds his BS in health and physical education/fitness from Cal Poly Pomona.

Resources:

www.wootencenter.org

MHD OTR South LA Highlight: Westmont Counseling Center Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with Joel McLafferty, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the founder and Executive Director of the Westmont Counseling Center which provides quality, affordable counseling and other mental health services to the residents of Westmont and surrounding communities in South Los Angeles. These services are designed to help people build resilience, recover from trauma, live in peace, and improve the quality of their lives. Joel previously worked for several community mental health clinics, including Open Paths Counseling Center where he served as Clinical Director and he was also an Adjunct Professor at Antioch University Los Angeles.

Resources:

⁠www.westmontcounseling.org⁠

MHD OTR South LA Highlight: Unite a Nation Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with Danielle Lafayette, founder and Executive Director of Unite a Nation, Inc, an award-winning nonproﬁt organization with the vision to close the wealth and achievement gap for Black and low-income communities in South Los Angeles. Unite a Nation’s resources include mentoring, life skills programs, ﬁnancial literacy programs, employment resources, job readiness, and training. Their mission– to change the world by building a social movement and driving positive community and economic empowerment. Resources:

www.uniteanation.org

www.instagram.com/uniteanationinc

MHD OTR South LA Highlight: N.O.A.H.'s Foundation Jul 10, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with Brittney Frazier, founder and president of N.O.A.H’s Foundation Inc., an organized movement advocating for the social and economic disparities of families and individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness. Their focus is to provide transitional and affordable housing, intensive homelessness services, direct case management and economical resources to society’s most vulnerable. Their vision is to see families with their own, safe home; individuals obtaining good and sustainable careers and healthy children with access to quality education and the ability to pursue their dreams, however big they may be.

Resources:

www.noahsfoundationinc.org

Instagram.com/noahsfoundationinc

Email: info@noahsfoundationinc.org
Phone: (424) 307-4531

MHD OTR South LA Highlight: Mothers in Action Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with Tracy Mitchell, President of Mothers In Action, a nonprofit organization founded to improve the quality of life of underserved children and families in South Los Angeles. She took on this role following the passing of her mother, Brenda Marsh-Mitchell, who was a community leader and the Founding President of Mothers In Action. Under Tracy's leadership, Mothers In Action has expanded its programs and services, benefiting thousands of underserved families each year. Today Mothers In Action is an active group of over 5,000 members and volunteers composed of concerned citizens, businesses, and community agencies who execute established Mothers in Action projects such as food distribution, job placement, homeless outreach, Back to school fairs, and other services that bring much needed valuable resources to families in need.

Resources:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064561637922&sk=about

Email: mothersinactioninc@aol.com

Phone: (323) 290-0456

MHD OTR South LA Highlight: White Hall Arts Academy Jun 12, 2023

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.org

www.instagram.com/whitehallartsacademy

MHD OTR South LA Highlight: The AMAAD Institute May 29, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with Gerald Garth, the executive director of the AMAAD Institute. AMAAD, which stands for Arming Minorities Against Addiction and Disease, facilitates personalized individual access to programs and services that foster safe and supportive healthy environments for people to live, learn, and develop to their fullest potential. Gerald has led health equity work for over ten years, previously serving as Chief Operations Officer of AMAAD and Manager of Prevention and Care with the Black AIDS Institute. He most recently served as the first Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Los Angeles LGBT Center. He serves as co-chair of the Black Caucus of the Los Angeles Commission on HIV and is also the President of LA Pride, the first Black man to hold the position.

Resources:

www.amaad.org

www.instagram.com/amaad_institute

MHD OTR South LA Highlight: Black Star Lacrosse Club May 15, 2023

Show notes

On this episode, Chavonne Taylor Speaks with Nesly Geffrard, founder and president of Black Star Lacrosse Club an organization that works to improve the quality of life of underrepresented groups and empower youth to overcome barriers to success, happiness, health, economic prosperity, academics, leadership and self-confidence through the game of lacrosse. Nesly, AKA Nes, is a Brookln, NY native who has been playing lacrosse for 15 years and coaching lacrosse for 9. He played lacrosse for The State University New York at Albany where he graduated with his Bachelor’s degree and in 2017 he played professionally on the Men’s Jamaican Lacrosse team before founding Black Star Lacrosse Club in 2020.

Resources: www.blackstarlacrosse.org

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