MHD Off the Record

On this episode of MHD Off the Record, Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson sits down with Adrianne Shropshire, founder and Executive Director of BlackPAC and the Black Progressive Action Coalition (BPAC). A Los Angeles-based political strategist and community organizer, Adrianne has spent her career building lasting civic engagement and strengthening Black political power.

With the midterm election approaching, they discuss the fight over voting rights, BlackPAC’s voter outreach, and the Senate races and state contests that could shape the country’s political future. Adrianne also reflects on coalition-building in Los Angeles, generational tensions in Black political leadership, and the role of young people in the movement.

Adrianne shares her path from interning in Mark Ridley-Thomas’s City Council office during the 1992 uprising to co-founding BlackPAC in 2016.

In this episode:

• The midterm election landscape, voting rights, and redistricting
• BlackPAC’s canvassing and issue-based messaging
• Senate races featuring Black, Native, and Latino candidates
• The effects of fractured coalitions in Los Angeles
• The history of the progressive agenda and Jesse Jackson’s 1988 platform
• Generational tensions in Black political leadership
• Building political homes for young people
• Black voter participation and media narratives
• Adrianne’s journey from USC and City Hall to community organizing
• Voter suppression and California’s Proposition 39

Community Announcements

Make Your Plan to Vote

• Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Vote by mail or in person at an LA County Vote Center.
• Vote Centers are open now. Eligible voters who missed the October 19 registration deadline can still register and vote in person through Election Day.
• On November 3, Vote Centers are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Find Vote Centers and ballot drop boxes, or learn about voting options, at LAVOTE.GOV.

Halloween Events in CD8 Parks

• Free, family-friendly Halloween events are happening at recreation centers across the district.
• October 22 and 23: Haunted House at Algin Sutton Recreation Center, 5–9 p.m.
• October 29 and 30: Haunted Park at Harvard Park, 4–8 p.m., with a haunted maze, pumpkin decorating, and trunk-or-treating.
• October 30: Spooktacular Halloween Festival at Martin Luther King Recreation Center, noon–4 p.m.
• October 30: Haunted Halloween celebration at Loren Miller Recreation Center, 4–8 p.m.
• October 31: Fall Festival at Van Ness Recreation Center, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

In this episode of MHD Off the Record: South LA Highlights, we sit down with Nicole “Neekko” Lindsay, founder and CEO of Education Is Key, a Los Angeles nonprofit that helps underserved students pursue their educational goals through scholarships, mentorship, and community programming.

Neekko shares how her experience as a first-generation college student inspired her to create Education Is Key, and how the organization grew from a community fundraiser into a resource for students pursuing many different paths after high school.

We talk about the pink key that became a symbol of the organization, the students and families the nonprofit supports, and why success can look different for every student—from attending a university or trade school to earning a certification or finding a job.

In this episode:

• How Neekko’s first-generation college experience inspired Education Is Key
• The story behind the organization’s pink key
• Why Education Is Key supports students pursuing college, trade school, vocational programs, and certifications
• How scholarships help cover costs beyond tuition
• The importance of welcoming students with different backgrounds and life experiences
• Education Is Key’s mentorship, financial literacy, and personal development programs
• How the organization grew through community support
• How to support Education Is Key through donations, merchandise, and partnerships

Resources

• Donate or learn more at eduiskey.org
• Follow @education_is_key on Instagram
• Email [email protected] about partnerships, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities
• Merchandise proceeds go directly to scholarships and programming

Community Announcements

Bike to the Polls

• Watts Learning Center, 310 W. 95th Street
• Sunday, October 25, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Free food, a resource fair, community altar, voting booth, and harvest festival
• Bring your bike, ballot, and Halloween costume
• Hosted by the Broadway SOAR Street Safety and Beautification Project

LA Recreation & Parks Licensed Preschool Program

• Free or low-cost care for eligible families at Iris E. Massey, Jim Gilliam, and Ralph M. Parsons Child Care Centers
• Early childhood education, STEAM activities, and meals included
• Learn more or enroll at recreation.parks.lacity.gov/childcare

On this episode of MHD Off the Record: South LA Highlights, we sit down with Traci Bivens-Davis, Interim Executive Director of the Los Angeles African American Women’s Public Policy Institute (LAAAWPPI), an organization dedicated to preparing women for meaningful leadership and engagement in government, public policy, campaigns, community organizations, and public affairs.

We talk with Traci about the history of the Institute, its evolution from the Los Angeles African American Women’s Political Action Committee, and the vision behind creating a leadership pipeline specifically designed to help Black women navigate and influence public policy.

We reflect on the life and legacy of LAAAWPPI’s longtime leader Joy Atkinson, whose mentorship, political knowledge, relationships, and commitment to developing women helped shape generations of leaders throughout Los Angeles.

Following Joy’s passing, Traci helped guide LAAAWPPI through a significant period of transition while carrying the 2026 cohort through its training and graduation. In addition to her leadership at LAAAWPPI, Traci brings more than 30 years of experience in health equity, advocacy, workforce development, training, and organizational leadership.

In this episode:

• How and why LAAAWPPI was created
• The importance of developing a pipeline of Black women in public policy and civic leadership
• Joy Atkinson’s leadership, mentorship, and lasting legacy
• How LAAAWPPI prepares women for campaigns, government, advocacy, organizing, and public appointments
• Traci’s experience leading the Institute through its 2026 transition
• The impact of LAAAWPPI’s network of more than 400 alumnae
• What leadership and success look like beyond elected office
• The barriers Black women continue to face in politics and public leadership
• LAAAWPPI’s next chapter and the future of its leadership pipeline

LAAAWPPI Annual Recruitment Reception

• Dulan’s on Crenshaw 4859 Crenshaw Blvd.
• Monday, September 28, 6-8 p.m.
• Learn more and apply at LAAAWPPI.net

Community Announcements

I-110 Corridor Plan Public Workshop Round 2

• Nakaoka Community Center, Room A, 1670 W. 162nd Street, Gardena
• Wednesday, September 23, 6-7 p.m.
• Register at publicinput/g01756 or learn more at engage.dot.ca.gov/D7_110CMCP

Procure South LA: Next Level Business Summit

• Metro Hub, 8501 S. Evermont Place, Los Angeles
• Thursday, September 24, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Register at bit.ly/ProcureSouthLA

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

On this episode of MHD Off the Record, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson sits down with Abigail Marquez, General Manager of the Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD), and Michael Tubbs, Founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI) and Special Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom. Together, they dive into the realities of Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI)—a policy designed to provide no-strings-attached cash payments to individuals and families in need.

With millions struggling to make ends meet, we ask: Does GBI empower people to escape poverty, or does it foster dependency? Our guests share insights from pilot programs in Los Angeles and Stockton, breaking down the data, misconceptions, and long-term impact of direct cash assistance.

Abigail R. Marquez serves as the General Manager of the City of Los Angeles’ Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD), a position she has held since 2021. With nearly 21 years of experience advancing anti-poverty initiatives in Los Angeles, Marquez plays a key role in overseeing programs designed to disrupt generational poverty and support low-income residents. She is responsible for administering the City’s Consolidated Plan, which allocates around $120 million in federal funds annually to support various capital projects and social services. This includes managing 20 FamilySource Centers and services for domestic violence and human trafficking survivors. Under her leadership, CIFD has implemented notable initiatives, including the Guaranteed Basic Income pilot program (BIG), the largest of its kind in the nation, and the Opportunity LA Children’s Savings Account program, which helps thousands of first-graders build financial security. Prior to this role, she was the Assistant General Manager at the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department (HCIDLA), where she led efforts in community services and development​.

Michael Tubbs is the Founder of the Non-profit organization, End Poverty in California (EPIC), the Founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI), and the Special Advisor to California Governor Gavin Newsom for Economic Mobility and Opportunity. In 2016, he was elected Mayor of Stockton at 26-years-old. He was the city’s first African-American Mayor, and the youngest Mayor of any major city in American history. As Mayor, Tubbs was lauded for his leadership and innovation. He raised over $20 million dollars to create the Stockton Scholars, a universal scholarship and mentorship program for Stockton students. Additionally, he piloted the first mayor-led guaranteed income pilot in the country. His book, The Deeper the Roots: A Memoir of Hope and Home, where he details the experiences of his life is available now wherever books are sold.

Community Announcements

THIS IS A RE-AIR, so information in the announcements is not up to date.

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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!

Sign up for MHD Off the Record Newsletter at beacons.ai/mhdcd8

We sit down with Odessa Bowdin-Sierra, the founder and designer behind LA Native, a Los Angeles apparel brand celebrating local pride, neighborhood identity, and the belief that moving up doesn't always mean moving out. A proud Angelino with deep ties to the Crenshaw community, Odessa first made her mark in 2003 with Nobody Jones Boutique, bringing high-quality, fashion-forward clothing to a neighborhood she felt deserved more options. In this conversation, she shares her journey through the fashion industry, the racism that drove her to open her own shop, the origins of LA Native as a "love letter" to the city, and her philosophy on community reinvestment and small business ownership.

• LA Native website: shoplanative.com
• LA Native storefront: 4343 Crenshaw Boulevard (across from Leimert Park, next to Taco Mel)

South LA Economic Development Strategy Meeting Thursday, August 27th | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Council District 8 Constituent Service Center — 8475 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles Conducted in English and Spanish. Accessibility accommodations available upon request.

Keep Los Angeles Beautiful — 8th Annual Beautification Conference Saturday, September 19th | 9:00 AM Friendship Auditorium — 3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles Free and open to all. Workshops, panel discussions, and a community resource expo with 30+ exhibitors.

Rate, subscribe, and review MHD Off the Record — leave a review and get a shout-out on the show!

In this episode of MHD Off the Record — South LA Highlights, host Chavonne Taylor sits down with Coach Dominic "Nick" Haider, founder of Guardian Project Los Angeles and Omni Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Coach Nick shares his personal journey from a bullied mixed-race kid who found refuge in martial arts through a scholarship, to a professional fighter, to a chef-turned-jiu-jitsu instructor dedicated to serving South LA youth.

The conversation explores how Guardian Project LA provides free jiu-jitsu training, mentorship, meals, and wellness resources at Harvard Park, South Park, and Algin Sutton Park through the LAPD's Community Safety Partnership (CSP) program. Coach Nick explains his philosophy of creating a safe, non-militarized space where kids can build confidence, resilience, and agency — drawing on lessons from his own childhood and his years running restaurant kitchens with a culture of care.

Resources

Website: guardianlosangeles.org

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Community Announcement

Metro Vermont Transit Corridor Project — South LA, help shape the future of transit on Vermont Avenue. Metro's Vermont Transit Corridor Project is moving toward construction, and the decisions made now will affect how families, workers, students, and seniors travel for years to come. Join a community meeting August 10–15, in person or online, and make sure our neighborhoods are heard.

🔗 Learn more: metro.net/vermont

In this episode, Jeff Chang joins Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson to discuss the cultural significance of hip-hop as a language of place, its role in expressing community truths, and how each generation redefines its voice through music, graffiti, and dance.

Jeff Chang is an author, journalist, cultural critic, and organizer whose work helped define hip-hop as a political, social, and cultural force. He is the author of Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation, a foundational book on how hip-hop emerged from youth culture, organizing, migration, race, and urban crisis. He also wrote Who We Be: A Cultural History of Race in Post-Civil Rights America and We Gon' Be Alright: Notes on Race and Resegregation. His newest work, Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America, looks at how a cultural icon can become a symbol of identity, resistance, and possibility. Chang's work treats culture as a place where communities explain themselves before institutions are ready to listen. That’s why he is perfect for this conversation about hip-hop, social messaging, Nipsey Hussle's legacy, and what the city's cultural future says about its political future.

Key Topics

• Hip-hop as a cultural language
• Representation of community truths in music
• Generational evolution of hip-hop
• Hip-hop's role in urban identity
• Jeff Chang's perspective on hip-hop and culture

Resources:

www.jeffchang.net

Community Announcements

Visit bit.ly/CD8Summer for Summer Events in CD8

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

In 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