Dear LA Civil Rights Family,

As we enter African American Heritage Month, we celebrate not only the enduring historical resilience of African American communities, but also the collective strength of all Angelenos. In this critical moment of rebuilding, the City of Los Angeles stands united in its commitment to recovery and renewal.

Under the visionary leadership of Mayor Karen Bass, the City has mobilized an unprecedented response, providing vital resources to over 4,000 households, businesses, and workers impacted by the recent disasters. Through our City's Disaster Recovery Center, we’ve offered tangible support, fostering hope and healing for those in need. This is a time for solidarity as the strength of our diverse communities guides us forward, ensuring no one is left behind as we rebuild an #LAForAll.

Keep the faith and keep the fight,



Capri Maddox, Esq.

Executive Director

LA Civil Rights Department

Just Say Hello to Our Newest Campaign!

Photo Description: Just Say Hello logo

On January 25, 2025, we unveiled a soft launch of Just Say Hello, an expansion of our award-winning LA For All campaign, encouraging all Angelenos to "Just Say Hello" at the Port of Los Angeles’ 11th Annual Lunar New Year Festival. We celebrated the unforgettable day of community, connection, and culture with our staff, commissioners, the Port's Executive Director Gene Seroka, and Power 106's DJ E-Man.

Click here to learn how you can get involved!

Photo Description: Photos from the launch of Just Say Hello at the Lunar New Year Festival hosted by the Port of Los Angeles

The multi-lingual Just Say Hello campaign is available in 11 languages:

• Russian: Привет (Privet)
• Chinese: 你好 (Nǐ hǎo)
• Korean: 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo)
• Spanish: Hola
• Croatian: Pozdrav zdravo
• Italian: Ciao
• Japanese: こんにちは (Konnichiwa)
• Thai: สวัสดี (S̄wạs̄dī)
• Cambodian (Khmer): សួស្តី (Suŏ sdei)
• Vietnamese: Xin chào
• English: Hello

Photo Description: LA Civil Rights Executive Director Capri Maddox and Councilmembers Hugo Soto- Martinez, Monica Rodriguez, and Tim McOsker selfies are framed in the Just Say Hello border

Photo Description: Flyer promoting the Together in Service event on January 25, full details available on LACR website

Join us on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 2:30 PM at the California African American Museum (CAAM) for an important event hosted by LA Civil Rights and its Reparations Advisory Commission (RAC).

Be part of this pivotal moment as we release the complete reparations study and discuss pathways to uplift reparations recommendations in Los Angeles. The panel discussion will be moderated by Bloomberg Opinion Columnist Erika D. Smith, and will feature LA Civil Rights Executive Director Capri Maddox, Councilmember Curren D. Price, Jr. (CD9), and Former California Senator Steven Bradford ( SD-35). This may be the last chance to give public comment before the Commission drafts its final recommendations to present to City Council.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and contribute to the future of reparations in our City. We can’t wait to see you there!

For more information, visit LAisForEveryone.com or call 213-978-1845.

Photo Description: Flyer promoting "The Story of Us" art exhibit honoring Leroy Hamilton

In celebration of Black History Month 2025 and in collaboration with Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, we are thrilled to invite you to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Story of Us, a photography exhibition by acclaimed Los Angeles photographer Leroy Hamilton. Join us on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 9:30 AM in the Henry P. Rios Bridge Gallery (third floor of City Hall East) for this special unveiling.

Inspired by this year’s National Black History Month theme, African Americans and Labor, Hamilton’s work highlights the transformative role of Black labor in shaping history and community. His striking images offer a powerful visual narrative of the resilience, contributions, and enduring legacy of Black Angelenos.

Following the ribbon-cutting, we invite you to join us in council for the African American Heritage Month presentation, where we will honor Our Author Study Club’s Living Legend and Hall of Fame honorees. A reception will follow on the forecourt of City Hall.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Photo Description: Know Your Rights Campaign images with a 3-step process on making a family plan

Although the LA Civil Rights Department does not lead the City's immigration efforts, we are still here to help and share resources!

Photo Description: Flyer for the LA Civil Rights Enforcement Unit and contact information, more details below

If you or someone you know has experienced discrimination in a private-sector commerce, education, employment, or housing setting, filing a claim is as simple as 1, 2, 3 and is cost-free:

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

Thanks to the recent approval of CA Senate Bill 1340, LA Civil Rights has even more ways to protect workers. Now, LA Civil Rights Investigators can handle any work discrimination complaints.

Once a claim is filed, one of our staff members will respond within 1-3 business days.

For more information, visit our LAisForEveryone.com.