I grew up in the Crenshaw/Adams community of Los Angeles.
When I was 15, I attended an all summer leadership training institute at the HBCU, Howard University in Washington D.C. It was the impetus that set the stage for my long life in taking responsibility and leadership roles in community organizing – and always being actively engaged. Spending that summer in DC “politicized and radicalized” me in wanting to at least try to make a difference in the community in which I lived. The principles I learned that summer I carry with me even today. I’m a firm believer in,”don’t just say what you’re going to do, do what you said you would do.”
Though my first love is music, my passion is organizing and building alliances, whether they are personal or professional. I love bringing people together. Many if not most of my friends count on me to inform them about things that happen around LA. Many friends and associates don’t even know that I’m a musician, a composer, because they’ve witnessed me, as usual, “being in the streets,” beating a different type of drum. Whether it’s environmental, electoral politics (especially the current mis-administration regime in DC), abuse of authority in law enforcement, quality of life issues, affordable housing, gentrification, I believe in speaking up with voice and action..
Most of my organizing has revolved around and centered on culture/art in the American African community.
More recently, I spent 10+ years on the West Adams Neighborhood Council Board and around 8 years as president. Now I co-manage Good Earth Community Garden.
Also recently, I became a Board Member of South LA Food Co-Op (SoLA). With both of the above entities, taking ownership of our food.
The Pacifica Network is a jewel. People in LA should rejoice that KPFK is our/their local voice. As Mentioned in the prior sentence, I said “should” because not enough people in LA know about KPFK as the voice of the people. What can be done to help remedy that? I think it might be safe to say that many if not most people who attend local rallies/demonstrations are like minded thinkers to what KPFK espouses. We are talking about tens if not hundreds of thousands of people. If KPFK had 10-15% of these “politically” active people as members/listeners on a regular basis, it might help with station finances. There are dozens of wonderful ngo’s in LA doing great work. KPFK needs engagement with them to help build stronger community.
KPFK LSB has planned several really wonderful events. These events take thoughtful creating, planning, executing and post evaluation. Being a creative person, I love exercising my creative skills and intellectual thought in not only coming up with ideas for events but helping to plan and coordinate them in unison with team leadership, I hope to help make this happen as Outreach Coordinator working in concert with KPFK’s LSB.