People from across Southern California pack the room for this highly touted event
[LOS ANGELES–Oct. 24, 2024] The highly anticipated Los Angeles Urban League State of Black LA 2024, held at the University of Southern California, Town and Gown event center, brought together thought leaders, community advocates, policymakers, and local citizens for a day of impactful discussions, networking, and actionable strategies aimed at addressing key issues facing Black communities in Los Angeles. With over 700 attendees, the event successfully highlighted the current challenges, celebrated progress, and fostered meaningful dialogue on shaping a brighter future for the Black community in LA.
Hosted by the Los Angeles Urban League in partnership with and livestreamed by NBC4/Telemundo 52, this year’s State of Black LA offered a robust platform for exploring issues related to Housing & Homelessness, Health Access & Equity and Economic Empowerment. Through engaging panel discussions, keynote speeches made by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Los Angeles Urban League President & CEO Cynthia Mitchell Heard, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, United States Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Heather Hutt, University of Southern California President Carol Folt, Acting Secretary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Adrianne Todman, The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer, LA County, Executive Director of Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative D’Artagnan Scorza, Ph.D., NBC4 Senior Vice President of News Marina Perelman among others, participants examined how these factors intersect and impact the overall well-being of Black and Brown Angelenos.
“I am grateful to our sponsors and partners for giving us the support that fosters the Los Angeles Urban League’s groundbreaking and innovative ability to put a spotlight on issues that affect those marginalized in our society. The energy and enthusiasm that were present in the room at the 2024 State of Black Los Angeles are a testament to the strength and determination of our community,” said Cynthia Mitchell Heard, President & CEO of the Los Angeles Urban League. “The State of Black L.A. is not just a reflection of where we are today but a bold declaration of where we are headed. We have the power to uplift, but it requires continuous dedication, strategic action and collective effort.”
Key Highlights from the Event Include:
- United States Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove presented a check to Cynthia Mitchell Heard for $963,000.00. This investment will assist the Los Angeles Urban League with its yearlong programmatic thrust to effect meaningful change in Los Angeles.
- Housing & Homelessness: The trends, predictions and future of Housing & Homelessness in Los Angeles brought together distinguished panelists who discussed the importance of understanding that collaboration between private and public partnerships in housing is paramount.
- Health Access & Equity: Health professionals and activists highlighted the ongoing disparities in healthcare access and the importance of wellness, addressing systemic inequities, and culturally competent care in the Black and Brown community.
- Economic Empowerment Panel: Experts from diverse industries discussed strategies for wealth-building and financial literacy, focusing on entrepreneurship, career advancement, and access to capital for Black and Brown businesses, along with how both groups can collaborate better on economic endeavors.
This year’s panel topics and panelists were:
Housing & Homelessness: The Future of Housing in Los Angeles: Trends and Predictions
Moderator: (far right) Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum, MA, Ph.D., President & CEO Los Angeles Housing Services Authority (LAHSA)
Panel:
- Melissa Chinchilla, MS, Ph.D., Project Scientist, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Health Services Researcher, VA Greater Los Angeles (GLA) HSR&D Center of Innovation (COIN) Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, and Policy, and Associate Investigator, VA Rehabilitation Research and Development (RR&D) Center on Enhancing Community Integration for Homeless Veterans (THRIVe)
- Michael Banner, President & CEO, Los Angeles LDC, Inc
- Rochelle Mills, President & CEO, Innovative Housing Opportunities (IHO)
- Michael Anderson, AIA-NOMA, President, Anderson Barker Architects
- Chandra Crawford, MA, Ph.D. Chief Equity Officer, National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH)
Health Access & Equity Panelists consisted of:
Moderator: Dr. William King, Medical Director W King Health Care Group; Associate Professor at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science
- Elaine Batchlor, MPH, MD, President & CEO, Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Health
- David A. Ford, Board Member, American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network, Senior Government Relations Manager, SoCal Edison
- Naman Shah, MD, Ph.D., Division Director, Medical & Dental Affairs, Los Angeles County Department. of Public Health
- Mona-Gekanju Toeque , MPH, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist; Western Regional Medical Director, Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF)
- Jenhi Robinson, FAAFP, MD, Professor and Chair Department of Family Medicine, Associate Dean for Primary Care, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), President, USC Care Medical Group
Economic Empowerment- Building Wealth: Bridging the Racial Wealth Gap through Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Moderator: (far right) Dr. Anthony Samad, MPA, MAPE, Ph.D., Executive Director – Mervyn Dymally African American Political & Economic Institute (MDAAPEI), California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH)
Panel:
- Alma Marquez, Founder & CEO, Del Sol Group, Founder of La Comadre Network
- Michèle G. Turner, MBA, Ed.D., Associate Vice President, Office of Business Opportunity, University of Southern California (USC) University Relations/Civic Engagement and Economic Partnerships
- Karim Webb, Principal, Webb Investment and President, Board of Airport Commissioners on the Los Angeles World Airport Commission (LAWA)
- Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, President & CEO, The Center at Lendistry
- Tammy Maxwell, Acting Senior Vice President, Minority and Women Owned Business (MWOB) Division, Office of Small Business, Export-Import Bank of the United States
Sponsors and Partners included University of Southern California, NBC4/Telemundo 52, US Bank, City National Bank, Weingart Foundation, Wells Fargo, GPSN, Health Net, Comerica, LMU, Los Angeles Sentinel, Butterfli, ARDI and Mister Psychedelia.
The event concluded with an enlightening report on the subject of reparations along with a powerful call to action, urging participants to continue engaging in civic discourse, supporting local initiatives, and advocating for policies that advance racial equity and justice.
For more information on the State of Black LA 2024 and how you can get involved, visit www.laul.org/sobla.