CivitasLA

Reports suggest Latinas, a fast-growing segment of the U.S. population, will represent 30% of the female population by 2060. However, statistics have also shown that 3 in 10 Latina households have zero or negative wealth. Recognizing the wealth gap as a call to action, New Economics for Women was founded – in 1984 – with a mission to provide a voice and leadership for low—income and low-wealth immigrant Latinas and their families.

CivitasLA is joined by Bea Stotzer, Co-Founder of New Economics for Women (NEW) to discuss their efforts to build community and spark economic mobility for women through wealth creation, housing, education, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. NEW has built spaces and designed solutions, educated people, and invested in communities across the Greater Los Angeles region, while the organization's social enterprise has cultivated 13 different private/public partnerships and developed another nonprofit organization.

Bea, a nationally recognized business leader and family advocate who has devoted her life to creating economic and business solutions for poor families, leveraged an initial $97,000 grant into $300 million in investments for NEW. Bea currently chairs the Los Angeles County Women and Girls Initiative Governing Council. To learn more about NEW and to get involved, please visit: https://neweconomicsforwomen.org/.

For more information, please visit www.CivitasLA.com and we also hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

The actress, Greta Gerwig is quoted as saying: "Los Angeles is a place where if you have the right person with you, there are all these little worlds that you would never guess by just looking at the exterior of what the city is."

In this mini episode, let's recap a few of our region's "hidden gems" as shared by previous guests, in their words. Whether you're local or visiting the region, we hope you find time to explore these hidden treasures of the region.

For more information, please visit www.CivitasLA.com and we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

While most studies warn of the health risks of alcohol consumption, researchers at the University of Oxford have looked at whether having a drink may play a role in improving social cohesion, given its long association with human social activities. The study further shows that frequenting a local pub can directly affect people's social network size and how engaged they are in their local community.

In this mini episode, we recap a few of our region's favorite watering holes as shared by previous guests, in their words. And remember, if you are going to one of these, please "drink responsibly."

For more information, please visit www.CivitasLA.com and we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

Jonathan Gold, the late Los Angeles Times food critic noted:

"Heraclitus once wrote that it is impossible to step in the same river twice. In Los Angeles, it can be nearly impossible to eat in the same restaurant twice. This is, I believe, what the economists call creative destruction. And it is not impossible here to experience extremes — restaurants that are born and die in a single evening; restaurants in suburbs so distant that they may as well be theoretical; restaurants so hard to get into that they may not actually exist outside of blogs. Los Angeles is where the modern restaurant was born, the good, the bad and the ugly of it, and we're too far gone to stop now."

In this mini episode, hear our region's civic leaders share their favorite restaurants in our region in their words. So, whether you're local or visiting, we hope you'll be inspired to check out on these LA favorites.

For more information, please visit www.CivitasLA.com and we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

Founded in San Francisco in 1942 to train young veterans in the leadership skills necessary to assure that our democratic system of government could more effectively meet the needs of its citizens, Coro Southern California has operated since 1957, with a mission to strengthen the democratic process by preparing emerging leaders for effective and ethical leadership in public affairs.

Join CivitasLA in conversation with Natalie Samarjian, President and CEO of Coro Southern California (herself a Coro alum) as we discuss their work in redefining what leadership means and looks like and their efforts towards building the next generation of community builders and leaders in our region who can engage in systems thinking and possess the ability to collaborate with other innovators across sectors, ideologies, and backgrounds.

Under Natalie's leadership, Coro has developed a new strategic plan, expanded programs, partnerships, and revenue, and cultivated a growing community of Coro alumni who are transforming communities across the country. (https://corola.org/people/natalie-samarjian/) To learn more and get involved, please visit: https://corola.org/

For more information about CivitasLA, please visit www.CivitasLA.com and we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and/or Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

Civic engagement involves "working to make a difference in the civic life of one's community and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes." And, as Pew Research Center reports, with over 90,000 government units in the U.S., roughly 2% have ever run for federal, state, or local office.

CivitasLA is joined by two distinguished civic leaders – Los Angeles City Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson & Mark Ridley-Thomas - who share their journey from community leaders to elected leadership and help answer the question "Why Serve?" for those who may feel disengaged from civic life and political participation. Representing over 500,000 citizens across their respective districts, they account for more than 30 years of combined elected service to community at the local, county and state levels of government. To learn more and get involved, please visit: www.mhdcd8.com and www.markridley-thomas.com.

And for more information about CivitasLA, please visit www.CivitasLA.com. We hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

Founded on July 4,1905 by industrialist Abbot Kinney, the iconic community of Venice was designed as a seaside resort to resemble Venice, Italy. Many of Abbot Kinney's first employees, those that built Venice, were African-American, largely residing in the Oakwood neighborhood. Over time, in the 1950s and 1960s, the Beat Generation came to Venice and brought with it their art and poetry. Later, musicians such as Jim Morrison and artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat lived and worked in the area.

With the arrival of Whole Foods, in 2008, and multiple tech companies such as Snapchat and Google moving into the area, giving it the moniker of "Silicon Beach," Abbot Kinney Boulevard was called "the coolest block in America." Join CivitasLA in conversation with two longtime and leading Venice community stakeholders, Robert Schwan, Founding Partner of Gjelina and Elizabeth Benson Forer, Chief Executive Officer of the Venice Family Clinic, to share their perspectives on this unique community. To learn more, please visit: www.venicefamilyclinic.org.

And for more information about CivitasLA, please visit www.CivitasLA.com. And we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

While making up roughly 48% of the global workforce, women account for approximately 22% of labor participation in the traditional energy sector. The numbers get worse when one considers participation in management and senior management. However, the challenges of the energy sector become more pressing as the sector goes through a process of transformation; clean energy transitions will require innovative solutions and business models to be adopted and greater participation from a more diverse talent pool.

CivitasLA is joined by Reiko Kerr, Senior Assistant General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (the nation's largest municipal-owned utility and the first woman to head LADWP's Power System) and Phyllis Currie, who chairs the board of directors of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, a regional transmission organization that runs an energy market and manages transmission assets in 15 states. Join us as we discuss the challenge, and opportunity, to grow the ranks of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and efforts to close the gender gap in the energy and utilities sector as women will play a critical role in driving innovative and inclusive solutions. Both are actively engaged in growing the community of women in the power sector through various civic organizations, including the Association of Women in Water, Energy, and the Environment. (https://www.ladwpnews.com/a-woman-of-power-meet-reiko-kerr/) (https://awwee.org/). Learn more here - https://www.ladwp.com/, https://awwee.org/.

And for more information about CivitasLA, please visit www.CivitasLA.com and we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

Long known as America's oldest black-owned nightclub, Jewel's Catch One opened in 1973 and was considered a radical oasis where queer people of all colors could come and be liberated. At that time, gay black women didn't own nightclubs, especially nightclubs that catered to gay black people. Over time, the bar itself took on immense fame and fortune with visits from celebrities like Sandra Bernhard, Sharon Stone, Thelma Houston, Evelyn "Champagne" King, amongst others. But what was looming as the 80s unfolded and would shake the foundation of the club and of many queer, underground bars in America: the AIDS crisis. Nevertheless, Jewel, and her Catch One, persisted, providing a safe space for people, creating and fostering a community of healing and support in the depths of darkness and pain.

As CivitasLA celebrates Pride Month 2021, join Jewel Thais-Williams, a pioneer who holds the record for the longest running Black lesbian-owned event space in the country, as we discuss the role that her iconic nightclub played in providing a strong sense of community in Los Angeles over the span of decades and its impacts on the history of gay, and Black gay life, in Los Angeles. Her persistence during many trials and tribulations resulted from her never quit attitude. When asked if she ever thought to call it quits, Jewel commented that she'd say to herself, "There's no quit to your game, Jewel. It's no accident you were put in this position to do these things."

For more information, please visit: https://www.lamag.com/culturefiles/jewels-catch-one/ https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/jewels-catch-one-netflix-documentary-lgbtq/) https://holisticintegrativeacupuncture.org/

For more information about CivitasLA, please visit www.CivitasLA.com and we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).

Originally called Sherman, named after the railroad magnate, that built lines between Hollywood and the Beach Cities, the City of West Hollywood wields enormous influence over the L.A. lifestyle and is home to world-class art galleries, fashion boutiques, restaurants, nightclubs, and theaters. The iconic stretch of Sunset Boulevard between Doheny Drive and Crescent Heights Blvd is known as The Strip and is only in West Hollywood. The club scene, with many legendary establishments such as The Roxy, Whisky a Go-Go, Viper Room and Rainbow Bar, have a long history of hosting performances from rock 'n' roll's finest. The Comedy Store continues to showcase the leading names in stand-up as well as emerging stars." Santa Monica Boulevard – called a reflection of its residents and their values, and recently designated by the American Planning Association (APA) as one of 10 Great Streets under the organization's Great Places in America program - is essential to the identity of West Hollywood.

Join CivitasLA in conversation with Councilmember John Erickson; longtime resident and community activist Estevan Montemayor; and Genevieve Morrill, President and CEO of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, celebrating its 100th anniversary, as we discuss how this city of under two square miles, with fewer than 36,000 residents occupies such outsized importance to the region. To learn more about this unique community, please visit: https://www.visitwesthollywood.com/; https://www.wehochamber.com/

For more information, please visit www.CivitasLA.com. And we hope you'll rate and review our show; and connect with us on Facebook (@CivitasLA), Instagram (@Civitas_LA) and Twitter (@Civitas_LA).