Our Mission Is To Maintain And Strengthen The City's Diversity, Equity, And Accountability.
Greetings!

Happy African American Heritage Month! Also called Black History Month, February gives us a chance to reflect upon, celebrate, and rededicate ourselves to the work of African American advancement and equity.

We have a busy month ahead.

We've got panel discussions, policy projects and a social media campaign - #BuildingBlackLA - which celebrates the people and organizations that serve and support African American communities in Los Angeles. So many of those we are celebrating helped make LA Civil Rights a reality - and we are so grateful for your support.

We hope you can join us for these important events, and we hope you have a powerful and meaningful Black History Month!

Keep the faith and keep the fight,

- Capri Maddox
Executive Director,
Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department
How I Made It: Lessons from African American Entrepreneurs
On February 10th, we are bringing together African-American entrepreneurs, social equity leaders and business trailblazers for "How I Made It" a live televised discussion on creating and growing a business in LA. Join Executive Director Capri Maddox as she speaks with Natalyn Randle of Black Businesswomen Rock, Bryce Fluellen of Everytable, and Meymuma Hussein-Catan of Flavors from Afar.

Black-owned businesses support our communities and our city. So how can we support and empower them? Join us on February 10th at 11 AM on Channel 35 or facebook.com/lacivilrights. Thank you to our sponsors: The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce, Recycling Black Dollars, and the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce.
Standing Up to Anti-Black Hate
On February 17, we're hosting "STANDING UP TO BLACK HATE" with Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, our Human Relations Commission President Anthony Mack, Journalist and Talk Show host Dominique DiPrima, and Robert Sausedo, President & CEO of Community Build. This important and timely conversation will explore anti-Black hate and bias, its causes, and solutions that can serve our community.

Did you know that hate crimes increased in California in 2020 - driven primarily by anti-Black hate & bias? We'll explore these numbers, get a grasp on what's driving them, and unpack misperceptions in the media.

Join us on February 17, 2022 at 11 AM on Channel 35 or facebook.com/lacivilrights to join the conversation.
Equity Analysis on Violence Against Black Women & Girls
On January 8, 16-year-old Tioni Theus was found alongside the 110 Freeway. She had been a victim of an apparent murder.

We don't know much about the investigation into who killed Tioni, but we do know that this is not an isolated incident. Black women and girls faced the highest murder rate of any group in the United States in 2020, but coverage of these crimes remains woefully underreported - influencing how the world understands this issue.

Last week, Councilmembers Curren Price and Marqueece Harris Dawson introduced a motion seeking a reward for Tioni's killer, as well as instructing our department to report back to City Council with an equity analysis on violence and crime facing Black women and girls and policy recommendations for providing equity and justice. We are so grateful to the City Council for their leadership, and extend our deepest sympathies to Tioni's family. Click here to read the motion.

See the full statement from Executive Director Capri Maddox:

The murder of Tioni Theus is shocking in its brutality. But the murders of Black women and girls that go unsolved is nothing new. Time and time again, our community faces higher rates of violence while being treated like less of a priority. We are so grateful to Councilmember Price and Councilmember Harris-Dawson for leading on this important legislation, and we look forward to working with them to shine a light on this issue. Black women and girls matter, their suffering matters, and they deserve justice.
Join the LA City Youth Council!
Calling all youth ages 16 to 25! Join the LA city government's first-ever Youth Council! Applications have just opened for The Olivia Mitchell LA City Youth Council, which will help bring new perspectives and youth voices into city government. Help make change for your city! Check out the @lacityyouth on Instagram and apply below.


RECAP: Virtual Unity Prayer
On Friday, our Faith Leaders Roundtable hosted a Virtual Unity Prayer with faith leaders from Los Angeles and Texas. Following the harrowing attack on a synagogue in Coleyville, Texas, our Faith Leaders Roundtable created a space for healing, solidarity and community across many different faith backgrounds. This was a moving and important event that brought people together across faiths, across communities and across the nation.

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Los Angeles, CA 90012
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