On this episode, LA City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson sits down with singer, songwriter, producer, and artistic creator James Fauntleroy. James is a four-time Grammy Award winner and one of the most influential songwriters of his generation. He recently co-wrote "Die With A Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, which won an award at the 2025 Grammys, hit No. 1 (5 wks) on Billboard and became the fastest song to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify on its way to topping the platforms global chart for 200+ days - the longest in the apps history.

James also co-wrote seven songs on Bruno Mars’ multi–Grammy-winning album 24K Magic, including That’s What I Like, which earned Song of the Year and made him the first [pure] songwriter to ever win an Album of the Year Grammy.

Driven by a belief in access and opportunity, Fauntleroy builds platforms that merge creativity with community impact. In addition to a number of creative initiatives, he founded Laboratory, a workforce and entrepreneurship hub located in the Crenshaw District, and co-founded the 1500 Sound Academy, an international music school expanding access for creatives worldwide. Through partnerships with leading brands such as Disney, NFL, Roland, and others, James continues to build projects that bridge music, design, and education. Across all of his initiatives, Fauntleroy is dedicated to creating opportunities for all voices and building pathways to sustainable careers

Resources

www.goodwillsouthflorida.org/about-goodwill/spirit-goodwill-band

www.grammy.com/artists/james-fauntleroy/17853

Community Announcements:

Food Resources in LA

www.instagram.com/p/DQaSSGjEm1U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Brotherhood Crusade Turkey Giveaway

Where: Algin Sutton Recreation Center 8800 S Hoover St, Los Angeles, CA 90044

When: Thursday, November 20th from 10am to 1pm.

Note: First come, first served. Drive Thru ONLY. 

More info: Stacy Hill-Williams (323)846-1649 [email protected]

Cooking With Gabby was founded by Steven “Chef Steve” Vasquez Sr. and his wife Lisa. Their vision was to address the serious health challenges facing children and families—specifically poor nutrition, obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. It began with Chef Steve and his daughter Gabby cooking healthy meals together and sharing the benefits of nutritious eating, fitness, dance, and active lifestyles throughout their community, starting when Gabby was a young child.

By 2006, Cooking With Gabby had formalized its mission: to reduce health disparities in low-income communities, where issues like obesity, diabetes, and poor nutrition are prevalent. As a non-profit, the organization has since reached thousands of children and families, equipping them with tools and education to lead healthier lives from an early age.

Resources:

www.cookingwithgabby.org

Community Announcements

Halloween Events

 Halloween at St. Andrews Park

• St. Andrews Park 8701 S St Andrews Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90047
• Thursday, October 30th 6 to 9 p.m., with a $2 haunted house.
• Friday, October 31st 4:30 to 9 p.m. this time, the haunted house is free!

Haunted Night in the Park!

• King Park Rec Center 3916 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90062
• Friday, October 31st 2:30 to 7 p.m - Completely free for all ages!

Halloween Night Party

• Harvard Park Rec Center 1535 W 62nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90047
• October 31st from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m

Dia de los Muertos

• 24th Street Theatre 1117 W 24th St, Los Angeles, CA 90007
• Sunday, November 2nd, from 6 to 10 PM

On this episode, Los Angeles City Council District 8 staffer, Chavonne Taylor, speaks with Jay McAdams, Executive Director of the 24th STreet Theatre, a unique organization blending professional productions and world-class artists with quality arts education since 1997. Their mission is to engage, educate, and provoke young people and their families with excellent theatre and arts education.  Jay is a producer, having produced dozens of theatrical productions over the last 20 years and won LA Weekly’s 2011 Production of the Year Award. He is also a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and is a 2011 Leadership LA Fellow. Among his other leadership training is LA County Arts Commission’s Arts Leadership Initiative, the Annenberg Leadership Institute, and the prestigious Stanford University Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders, where Jay won a Center for Social Innovation Fellowship.

Resources:

www.24thstreet.org

www.instagram.com/24thst

PHONE: (213) 745-6516

E-MAIL: [email protected]

On this episode, the roles have shifted a little... Producer, Chavonne Taylor, steps into the host role to interview Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson about Proposition 50, the single item on California’s November 2025 special ballot.

At its core, Prop 50 would put new, temporary voting maps in place for the upcoming election — a direct response to efforts in Texas and other states to tilt congressional districts in President Trump’s favor. The measure has sparked confusion and misinformation, with some claiming it ends independent redistricting. In this conversation, we break down what Prop 50 actually says, why it’s temporary, how it connects to national politics, and what’s at stake for Black and Brown communities in California and beyond.

Resources:

Statewide Special Election – November 4, 2025

• Registration deadline: October 20
• Ballots mailed: October 6
• Ballot drop-off locations open: October 7
• Early in-person voting begins: October 25 (in all Voter’s Choice Act counties)
• Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by: November 4 and received by November 12

Every active registered voter will automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot. You can return it by mail, drop box, or directly to your county elections office.

For details, visit sos.ca.gov/elections or call 916-653-6814.

www.instagram.com/mhdcd8

www.mhdcd8.com

Community Announcements

Taste of Soul 2025 – tasteofsoulla.com

___________________________

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!

On this episode, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson sits down with with Maya Suzuki-Daniels and Lupe Carrasco Cardona about immigrant rights, community safety, and the grassroots organizing behind the Harbor Area Peace Patrols. These patrols, launched in San Pedro, are part of a broader effort by the Community Self-Defense Coalition — an alliance of more than 65 organizations across Los Angeles and Southern California working to defend immigrant rights and respond collectively to ICE activity. Maya is a teacher, union leader, and a founding organizer of the Harbor Area Peace Patrols. Lupe is an award-winning Ethnic Studies educator, chair of the Association of Raza Educators in LA, and a steering committee member of the Community Self-Defense coalition. Together, along with many other community members, they’re helping shape community-led models of safety and solidarity that challenge traditional policing and center immigrant justice.

Resources:

www.instagram.com/communityselfdefensecoalition

www.instagram.com/harborareapeacepatrols

Community Announcements

Central Ave Jazz Fest - centralavejazzfest.com

California Secretary of State Voting Info - sos.ca.gov/elections or call 916-653-6814

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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!

Renata Simril is the President and CEO of the LA84 Foundation, a nationally recognized leader in youth sports equity and legacy planning. Under her leadership, the foundation has expanded access to sports for young people across Southern California, particularly in underserved communities, with a focus on closing the play equity gap.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Renata brings a deep understanding of the city’s challenges and opportunities. Her career spans the military, private sector, and public service, including leadership roles at the Los Angeles Times, the Dodgers, and the City of Los Angeles. She also played a key role in the development of the Staples Center and was instrumental in launching the Play Equity Fund where she serves as president, the only nonprofit in the country focused solely on equity in youth sports.

A fierce advocate for inclusion, Renata operates at the intersection of civic leadership, community impact, and youth development. As Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics, she is helping shape a legacy that ensures all Angelenos, especially those in historically excluded neighborhoods, benefit from this global event.

Resources:

www.la84.org

www.playequityfund.org

IG: @renataangeleno

@la84foundation

@playequityfund

Community Announcements:

CicLAvia - www.ciclavia.org/ciclavia_historic_south_central_meets_watts25

California Secretary of State Voting Info - sos.ca.gov/elections or call 916-653-6814

_____________________

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!

On this episode, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson delves into the critical issues of immigrant rights, the profound impact of storytelling, and how both shape justice and community in Los Angeles.

Angelica Salas is a nationally recognized immigrant rights leader and Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (or Chirla), a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization that advocates for the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees, working to advance justice and full inclusion for all immigrants . An immigrant from Durango, Mexico, Angelica came to the U.S. as a child and later became a citizen in 2008. Since joining CHIRLA in 1995 and becoming its director in 1999, she has helped grow the organization into one of the country’s most influential immigrant-led groups, leading major local and national campaigns for immigrant justice—including drivers’ licenses for undocumented people, in-state tuition and aid for undocumented students, and DACA protections. She also helped found key national coalitions like FIRM and NPNA and serves as a powerful spokesperson for immigrant communities across media and policy spaces.

Resources:

www.chirla.org

Instagram: @chirla_org

Ernesto Rocha aka ‘undocubae’, is an organizer, storyteller, artist and TEDx Speaker. He has over 15 years of community organizing and storytelling experience. His work focuses on advocating for systematically impacted communities, immigrant rights and low wage workers in various industries in Los Angeles. Ernesto uses the power of story to explore identity and narrative formation as a process of collective empowerment and liberation. He is a sought after curator and creative director that works with non-profit organizations, governmental agencies and art/cultural centers to produce original storytelling installations/activations to advance the understanding of complex social justice issues. He worked at Community Coalition for 8 years and served as the Associate Director of Art + Culture. He graduated from UCLA with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and Chicana/o Studies and is currently pursuing his Masters in Fine Arts from the USC Roski School of Art.

Resources:

Instagram: @undocubae

linktr.ee/undocubae

Community Announcements

Family Source Centers: l4families.org

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!

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:

Register for the Lowrider Solidarity and Unity Ride at https://bit.ly/unityridela

For questions about the event email [email protected] 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!

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)

__________

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!

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

__________

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!