Dear LA Civil Rights Family,
Happy Women's Equality Day! As LA Civil Rights' Founding Executive Director, proudly serving under the leadership of Los Angeles' first female Mayor, Karen Bass, I often reflect on the incredible women who’ve come before us. I am deeply grateful for the trails they blazed. Their efforts allow us — and countless other women — to walk paths once unimaginable.
While building the LA Civil Rights Team, I was intentional about selecting staff who reflect our mission to celebrate Los Angeles' mosaic of diversity. Today, when I look at our all-women management team, our diverse staff and commissioners, I see daughters, wives, mothers, sisters, aunts, friends, and sheroes! We rise in service, honoring varying responsibilities while striving for an equitable #LAForAll.
Women often juggle multiple roles, and despite significant contributions, the gender wage gap remains a persistent issue. According to Forbes, women earn, on average, 16% less than men — about $0.84 for every dollar a man earns. The statistics for women of color are even worse, as they are among the lowest-paid workers. In LA, we are fighting to get all Angelenos into the middle class and beyond. Watch this video to support our fellow female-led — Community Investment for Families Department and its General Manager, Abigail Marquez!
A powerful reminder to keep striving for equity - in pay and play - came during the Olympic Closing Ceremonies when Mayor Karen Bass celebrated women's representation by sharing a photo of herself and Simon Biles during the Olympic Flag handoff. Her caption said it best, "Run for gold. Run for office," and reminds us that the pursuit of progress doesn’t stop at the finish line; it extends into every part of our lives. Driven by this commitment, our Commission on the Status of Women is focusing on:
- Reducing violence against women;
- Promoting women in government and leadership positions; and
- Creating more opportunities for upward mobility for women.
Many have called this year's Olympics "one for the girls," as women made up half of the athletes -- a historic first. We're excited to continue making history with our commissions, in the community, and as we prepare for #LA28 in the City of Angels. In the meantime, we look forward to cheering on the athletes participating in the Summer Paralympics beginning this week on August 28th.
Keep the faith and keep the fight!
Capri Maddox, Esq.
Executive Director
LA Civil Rights Department
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TOMORROW, 8/27: Reparations Report Release and Panel Discussion | |
Image Description: Reparation Report Flyer, information below |
LA Civil Rights is making history, and we invite you to be part of this monumental moment! 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 1925 to today, the first-of-its-kind study will provide the basis for reparations recommendations.
Join us for the official release at CSUN’s Student Union, along with a panel discussion moderated by the Journalist and Host of KBLA 1580 AM's "First Thing First," Dominique DiPrima. For more information, call 213-978-1845 or visit LAisForEveryone.com.
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L.A. REPAIR Results Approved by City Council | |
Image Description: Photo of the Executive Director Capri Maddox and L.A. REPAIR Program Manager Allison Wilhite presenting to the L.A. City C.R.E.I.A.D. Committee |
This month, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved the results of our City’s first-ever participatory budgeting pilot program, Los Angeles Reforms for Equity and Public Acknowledgement of Institutional Racism (L.A. REPAIR). In this cohort, voters chose fourteen nonprofit organizations to receive $5.4 million from the total $8.5 million allocated for community improvement proposals.
These results reflect the community's choices earlier this year. The fourteen projects will be implemented in six of the nine REPAIR Zones and will deliver essential services and programming to youth, job-seekers, families, and more.
Once we have final approval from the Mayor’s Office, LA Civil Rights will work with the selected organizations to finalize their budgets and prepare for project launches. The five projects approved last year for Cohort I are now in the final stages of the City’s contracting process and will launch soon. We appreciate the patience and understanding of all the selected organizations from both Cohort I and Cohort II as we work to distribute funds and deliver these crucial resources to the REPAIR Zone communities!
Here’s a look at the selected proposals for each REPAIR Zone:
South East Los Angeles REPAIR Zone (Cohort II):
- Watts Empowerment Center - $363,000
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) - $1,500,000
Arleta - Pacoima REPAIR Zone (Cohort II):
- El Nido Family Centers - $315,772
- YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles - $499,984
South Los Angeles REPAIR Zone (Cohort II):
- South LA Community Foundation - $499,760
- Girls Club of Los Angeles - $450,000
- Social Justice Learning Institute - $343,462
- LA Urban League - $250,000
West Adams - Baldwin Village - Leimert Park REPAIR Zone (Cohort II):
- Teapot Gardens - $386,714
- NDICA - $500,000
Westlake REPAIR Zone (Cohort II):
- New Economics for Women - $500,000
- Communities In Schools of Los Angeles - $409,220
Boyle Heights REPAIR Zone (Cohort I):
- Proyecto Pastoral - $261,878
- East LA Community Corporation (ELACC) - $450,000
Mission Hills - Panorama City - North Hills REPAIR Zone (Cohort I):
- Cottonwood Urban Farm - $775,000
Harbor Gateway - Wilmington - Harbor City REPAIR Zones (Cohort II):
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor - $500,000
- Harbor Community Development Corporation - $253,615
Skid Row REPAIR Zone (Cohort I):
- Downtown Women's Center - $500,000
- Chrysalis - $272,000
Please note that the dollar amounts are subject to change based on the City's contracting process.
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File a Civil Rights Complaint | Image Description: Flyer for the LA Civil Rights Enforcement Unit and contact information, more details below |
Discrimination can happen to anyone. If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination in a private-sector housing, commerce, employment or education setting our Civil Rights Enforcement Unit is here to help.
Filing a claim is as simple as 1, 2, 3:
- Scan the QR Code or visit LACivilRightsClaim.com.
- Call us at 213-978-1845.
- 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.
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Ready LA Earthquake Preparedness | |
On August 12th, a 4.4 magnitude earthquake shook Los Angeles, and the unexpected jolt was a stark reminder of the importance of earthquake preparation. For tools, City's Emergency Management Department — also female-led — under the leadership of Carol Parks is promoting Ready LA, which urges Angelenos to take this opportunity to practice critical actions for when the shaking begins: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. To learn what to do no matter where you find yourself during a shake, such as in a car or a theater, visit the Earthquake Country Alliance website.
Earthquake Preparedness Tips:
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Download the MyShake mobile ShakeAlert app managed by the U.S. Geological Survey, to detect and automatically alert you about significant earthquakes of magnitudes of 4.5 or stronger.
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Text your zip code to 888777, or sign up online at NotifyLA.com, to receive alerts by phone, email, and/or text about your local neighborhood, school, or business.
- Create or update a disaster plan for home and work place.
- Make disaster kits for your home, work, car and pets. Remember to include extra medication, glasses, and copies of your essential paperwork.
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Join Together in Service:
LA FOOD BANK
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Currently, 1 in 4 people in Los Angeles experiences hunger.
Sign up to join Together in Service and LA Civil Rights at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank to fight hunger on Tuesday, August 27 in City of Industry.
Help assemble food packages for over 29,000 families, and older adults and children facing food insecurity across Los Angeles County. The food packages consist of shelf-stable food items such as grains, canned fruits and vegetables, and protein.
Sign-up now using the link below or scanning the QR Code below:
| Image Description: QR Code to sign up as a volunteer for the Together in Service & Food Bank event on 8/27 |
Upon registration, you will receive an email confirmation with all of the logistics.
If you do not receive the email confirmation, please check your spam/junk folder.
- Minimum age requirement to volunteer 18+, NO exceptions
- All volunteers must wear closed-toe/closed-heel shoes
- Masks are not required to volunteer, but are strongly recommended.
- Parking is available on site.
VOLUNTEER LOCATION:
2300 Pellissier Place
City of Industry, CA 90601
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LA Civil Rights Department
www.LAisforEveryone.com
201 N. Los Angeles St., Suite 6
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 978-1845
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