Dear LA Civil Rights Family,

School is back in session today, and we welcome LAUSD students back for a new school year. Students and teachers are preparing for success this year, and LA Civil Rights is cheering you on! Listen to an upbeat back-to-school song by local teachers to start the school year off right!

Our public schools are not just centers of education but also pillars of food security, safety, and childcare for many LA families. In our efforts to create an equitable #LAForAll, I recently visited Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA) to help prepare nutritious meals for many in need across our city. OBKLA offers fantastic volunteer opportunities for groups and individuals, fostering a strong sense of community and unity. Click here to get involved in this noble cause.

When you think about the significance of supporting others, we appreciate how our society united during the Olympics. The Olympics exemplified the spirit of unity by promoting inclusion, diversity, and equality. Over the last several weeks, we cheered for American athletes regardless of their race, gender, immigration status, or age. As Mayor Bass and many other notable Angelenos accepted the Olympic flag, let us all take on the role of embracing an LA For Everyone - just as we celebrated our diverse athletes.

While the Olympic torch was extinguished during last night's closing ceremonies, the Summer Paralympics torch will soon reignite our hearts with inspiration. Starting August 28th, we’ll witness the extraordinary resilience and talent of diverse athletes from around the globe, while remembering the human spirit shines brightest when faced with challenges! The Olympics may not come to LA until 2028, but our city and LA Civil Rights are already carrying the torch for an LA For All, working to reduce bias and injustice while leveling the (literal and figurative) playing field for all, including more events and resources for persons with disabilities from the City's Department on Disability.

Keep the faith and keep the fight!



Capri Maddox, Esq.

Executive Director

LA Civil Rights Department

P.S. Loved seeing my Fairfax High School classmates, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who shared the best of LA - Olympics style!!!

Closing the Play Equity Gap with LA84

Recently, Executive Director Capri Maddox met with Aretta Lamborn, the LA84 Foundation's Director of Development, to discuss their shared focus on play equity.

The LA84 Foundation, a private nonprofit established by the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, was created to manage Southern California's endowment from the 1984 Olympic Games. It is a nationally recognized leader in supporting youth sports programs and educating the public on the role of sports in positive youth development.

With 30 years of hands-on experience, the foundation has supported thousands of youth sports organizations across Southern California through grant-making, coaching education, research, and thought leadership on critical youth sports issues. LA84 levels the playing field to make sports accessible to all children, while elevating youth sports as an essential part of American life.

At LA Civil Rights, we look forward to collaborating with LA84, which is led by the amazing CEO Renata Simril - along with other visionary leaders committed to creating play equity and a better LA.

RSVP NOW: Reparations Report, The Impact of the Black Experience in Los Angeles

LA Civil Rights is making history, and we invite you to join us. In collaboration with our Reparations Advisory Commission, we are releasing a report as part of a wide-ranging study on the Black experience in Los Angeles. The study, including survey responses and original historical research from California State University, Northridge, is the first city-sponsored analysis of historical and contemporary harm faced by Black Angelenos. Covering Black Los Angeles from 1930 to 2022, the first-of-its-kind study will provide the basis for a future reparations proposal.

Join us on Tuesday, August 27th, at 5:30 P.M. at CSUN’s Student Union for the official release and panel discussion. For more information, call 213-978-1845 or visit LAisForEveryone.com.

Be part of this monumental moment!

Throw On an Apron, Let's Get Cookin'

Executive Director Capri Maddox and LA Civil Rights Executive Officer Mayra Medel teamed up with Baby 2 Baby, trading in their heels for hairnets and aprons as they volunteered with Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles. Together, they prepared more than 300 nutritious meals, including 600 mouthwatering chocolate chip cookies, to combat food insecurity in LA. 

Food insecurity occurs when people don't have enough to eat and are uncertain about where their next meal will come from. Despite the picture-perfect appearance of LA's palm trees and sunny days, many Angelenos face this harsh reality. In the United States, 34 million people - including 9 million children - are food insecure. This partnership with Our Big Kitchen is just one example of how working together can make a more equitable #LAForAll. Together, these organizations are force multipliers, making a difference in hundreds of lives by providing healthy meals, love, and unity.

One Last Movie Night in the Park

As summer winds down, we trade in movies in the park for homework after dark. At the final Community Movie Night, LA Civil Rights joined Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez and engaged families in MacArthur Park, sharing insights about the department’s efforts to promote equity and inclusion. These events not only provided entertainment but foster community connections, offering a fun and enriching experience for all ages during the summer months.

Various organizations and City Departments, including Department of Recreation and Parks, Central City Neighborhood Partners, MacArthur Park Neighborhood Council, Westlake South Neighborhood Council, cultivaLA, LA Neighborhood Land Trust, and Homies Unidos, were present at the Movies in the Park events, offering valuable information and resources.

Keep up with upcoming family events on our website!

File a Civil Rights Complaint

Discrimination can happen to anyone, and that includes at school. If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination in a private education setting—such as a private school, after-school program, daycare, or any other extracurricular activity related to education—our Civil Rights Enforcement Unit is here to help.

Filing a claim is as simple as 1, 2, 3:

1. Scan the QR Code or visit LACivilRightsClaim.com.
2. Call us at 213-978-1845.
3. Email CRE@lacity.org to start the process.

It’s easy, hassle-free, and completely cost-free. Once a claim is filed, one of our staff members will respond within 1-3 days.

Don’t dismiss discrimination as just a bad day in LA — we're here to help you!

For more information, visit our LAisForEveryone.com.