URBAN PERSPECTIVE - South Los Angeles has not rolled over with the striking blows it has received over the course of the year. Each blow with the LA City Redistricting, MTA Crenshaw line, and Public School Choice has empowered and mobilized the community to become a sphere of influence and impactful stakeholder-base through community engagement.
The timing of a strong South LA Coalition comes at a crucial time. The unemployment rate in the area exceeds others across the country. Emergency and interim housing stock isn’t available for the number of individuals and families who have become victims of foreclosures and evictions.
Community and economic development are in limbo due to the dismantling of the Community Redevelopment Agency and slow private investment. Poor performing schools have community stakeholders at odds with charter school takeover and better strategies to increase school funding to support academic improvements. And, the demographics are changing.
What’s phenomenal about all of the jewels and challenges of South LA is the movement that is historic and epic. This movement is about not acquiescing to political and social struggles that plague the community, but strategic political actions that will solidify their voice and muscle.
It’s not the violent rebellion or uprising of 20 years ago, it’s an empowerment demonstration – The South Los Angeles Power Coalition.
The South LA Power Coalition is an independent group of local stakeholders and leaders who have organized to change the social, economic, and political landscape of the area.
The Coalition’s most important action is the 2nd Annual South Los Angeles People’s Convention on May 3 at the Maya Angelou Community School located at 300 E. 53rd Street from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. The convention is expected to bring over 300 people to discuss the state of South LA compared to 20 years ago, demand political accountability, and inform on upcoming elections.
Besides having elected officials present, renowned columnist and author, Dr. Anthony Samad, will be facilitating a candidates forum for LA City Council, District Attorney, and California State Senate and Assembly.
Jose Lara, Social Justice Educator with Union del Barrio, sees this convention as a way of merging interests, “For far too long the Black and Latino Communities have been seen as two separate communities in South LA. However, the South LA People’s Convention bridges the common interests of housing, education, immigration and political representation and accountability among all in South Los Angeles.”
Alberto Retana, Executive Vice President of Community Coalition, a community organizing and advocacy nonprofit founded by Congresswoman Karen Bass, believes this coalescing of South LA will result in solutions and change, “The People’s Convention is about coming together to not only identify problems in our community, but to be a part of the solution. When we unite as a community we are powerful, and the wheels of change are inevitable.”
South LA is moving past the stigma of what some consider a deficit position and is on a course correction that will empower them to take hold and devise their own community solutions. Importantly, coalition-building will solidify their power transformation efforts and destiny.
For more information on the South LA People’s Convention, call 424-240-8510 or register free online at southlapower.org.
(Janet Denise Kelly is a CityWatch featured contributor. She offers more than a decade of accomplishments in the housing and nonprofit sector. Janet brings valuable insight in the areas of community and economic development. Additionally, she brings knowledge regarding the leadership and management challenges faced by large and small nonprofits that are struggling or growing organizations. She blogs at jdkellyenterprises.org and can be reached at: [email protected]) –cw
Tags: Janet Denise Kelly, Urban Perspective, South LA, rebellion, powerbase, South LA Coalition
CityWatch
Vol 10 Issue 36
Pub: May 4, 2012
