November 16, 2017
Special to LAWT
Last Thursday, internationally-renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel announced that the Los Angeles Philharmonic would be establishing a state-of-the art music and cultural campus in the heart of downtown Inglewood for his beloved Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA). This is yet another amazing development for a city that just a few years ago was struggling. Today, Inglewood can boast of construction of a new football stadium and a light rail line that will connect the city with the entire region; it will also be home to at least two — and possibly three - major sports teams, several entertainment venues and, now, the LA Philharmonic is establishing a significant cultural presence by making a long-term investment in the city.
YOLA will be headquartered in the 17,000-square foot former bank building adjacent to City Hall, which will be redesigned by Frank Gehry who also helmed design and construction of the LA Phil’s iconic Disney Hall. This new YOLA site will house classrooms and rehearsal space to accommodate a full range of the youth orchestra’s activities and services, including access to free instruments and intensive music training.
Dudamel thanked Inglewood Mayor James Butts for his leadership and vision in helping bring the LA Philharmonic to the city and promised a partnership that would benefit the city and its youth for generations to come.
Inspired by music from a young age, and building on his background with the “Sistema” which brought musical training to Venezuela’s children, Dudamel started YOLA 10 years ago when he arrived at the LA Phil He is known for his unwavering commitment to bringing world class musical exposure and training to young people of all backgrounds who might not otherwise have such opportunities. Currently, over 1000 young people aged between 6 and18 participate in YOLA at four sites across Los Angeles.
Equally impressive is that, after the LA Phil looked at numerous locations throughout Los Angeles County, its leadership focused on securing the downtown Inglewood site. Recognizing the imminent completion of a light rail station just blocks away affording easy transit access to the venue, several new housing and retail projects slated for the area, as well as the mega developments also taking place, it’s apparent how Inglewood emerged as the preferred new campus.
From light rail, and construction of a new stadium, to re-envisioned entertainment venues (The Forum and Casino), and a possible new basketball arena, one can only marvel at Inglewood’s juggernaut and wonder what could possibly be next. Welcome to the City of Maestros!
November 09, 2017
By Kimberlee Buck
Contributing Writer
Earlier this week, over 200 attendees came out to the groundbreaking ceremony held by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mark Ridley-Thomas for the Avis and Mark Ridley-Thomas Learning Center.
The center is named after both Avis and Supervisor Ridley-Thomas who share a history of actively supporting coalition building, social justice, empowerment, and non-violent solutions to particular issues.
The newly renovated building is set to open in the heart of Los Angeles, at 5054 South Vermont Avenue, and will coincide with their efforts of community empowerment and activism. The center will act as a dedicated youth center and encourage young adults and their peers to utilize the space as a safe zone and resource center.
Additionally, the building will act as a “stand-alone drop-in center” and will provide access to holistic arts education, permanent housing comprehensive resources, school assistance, career training, and a positive support system.
“One of the most challenging periods in a young person’s life is the transition from adolescence to adulthood,” said Avis Ridley-Thomas.
According to a recent 2017 study on the overlap of homelessness and commercial exploitation, 91 percent of homeless youth reported being offered fraudulent work opportunities including scams, pandering, and sex trafficking.
The study goes on to state that more than half of the homeless youth report mental health challenges, involving depression, anxiety, psychosis, and post-traumatic stress. Moreover, in the County of Los Angeles, youth homelessness has increased 61 percent from 2016 to 2017.
Both Avis and Supervisor Ridley-Thomas believe that with the help of the center, the County of Los Angeles will begin to see a decrease in these statistics.
“This transition from adolescence to adulthood also provides a window of opportunity to intervene and guide young people toward self-sufficiency,” the Chairman said.
The Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic (LACGC), founded in 19992, is a nationally acclaimed mental health service provider for children and youth in South L.A. previously purchased the building that will house the center that will provide trauma-informed mental health services and support resources to at risk transition-age youth ages 16-25.
In 2014, the LACGC Life Learning Program, was renamed after Avis and Supervisor Ridley-Thomas for their joint achievements.
“We fully expect that this Center will avert many a young person from the criminal justice system, the mental health system, and a lifetime on the streets,” the Chairman said.
The Avis & Mark Ridley-Thomas Life Learning Center is set to open in mid-2018.
November 09, 2017
By Niele Anderson
Contributing Writer
Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas recently held the grand opening of his relocated district office, which is now renamed the Constituent Services Center. The community event also featured a resource fair. The Assemblymember relocated his constituent’s office from Culver City to the Crenshaw District.
The Constituent Services center fair offered an “At Your Service” opportunity with valuable resources for community members, as service providers spent the day giving advise on issues from health services and housing, to educational resources and employment. Margo Thomas, executive director, Crenshaw Health Partners, says service events such as these help build the community. “Through Sebastian Ridley-Thomas’ vision, Crenshaw Health Partners, as we are representing Cover California and other health-based organizations, are able to come out here and actually communicate with the general public and get them the info they need to live a better quality of life, said Thomas. Other organizations included Kaiser Permanente, US Bank, THE Health and Wellness Centers, voter registration information, .
Sebastian stated, “The reason why I wanted to relocate here was because of the community infrastructure that was here. Tom Bradley Post Office, the Diane Watson Center, the Sentinel Newspaper, the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, the Social Security office and the One United Bank.” He continued, “This is a corridor that has a lot of foot traffic, the DWP building, even the Krispy Kreme; I wanted make my office an easy place to access state services.” Some of the services include DMV, MediCal and EDD.
Ridley-Thomas now believes the office will become more vital than he envisioned. “This office will be a no door office. It doesn’t matter if you have an international federal issue or a school district or a local issue; if you come into our constituents center, we’re going to offer you the best services we have, we’ll triage your case and we’ll try to bring you as much resolution as possible.”
The constituents service office will provide many resources and referrals services, helping individuals navigate through state services and resources. Sebastian shared, “you have a complaint about an attorney or judge you can go to the state bar or the judicial commission of state performance. If you want childcare, we work with organizations like Crystal Stairs, if you have a child or an adult who is mentally disabled. we have regional centers.
The speakers reflected his vision as LAUSD George McKenna spoke as well as Councilmember Curren Price, State Treasurer and CA Governor candidate John Chiang; as well as 2nd District Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas and Congress member Karen Bass also attended the opening.
The event served as a one-stop-shop for families to learn about important community resources. Entertainment was provided, including musical performances from Crenshaw High School’s Marching Band and Susan B. Miller’s Dorsey High School Marching bands, Line Dancing with the Nubian Boot Scooters and R&B Singer Jordan Parker. Free lunch was also provided from Buffalo Wild Wings and Ham Ji Park Korean Barbecue Restaurant. The entire event was emceed by KJLH Radio Station and included a rally lead by the Assemblymember.
Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas relocated Constituent Services Center is located at 3847 Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90008. For more info visit the website https://a54.asmdc.org or call (323) 291-5441.
November 02, 2017
By E. Mesiyah McGinnis
Staff Writer
On October 20, at only 14 years of age, Deangelo “Dee Dee” Parham suddenly passed of an enlarged heart. Although he lived in Los Angeles, he was in Alabama at the time of his passing; his death was felt miles away as the community of mourners came out to Rancho Cienega Sports Complex, in South Los Angeles, to pay their final respects and share in the loss of a great friend. Dee Dee was the younger brother of Antonio Chatman and Tony Parham, local kids, who made names for themselves as elite athletes at Rancho, Dorsey High school and beyond. Dee Dee was the youngest family member following in his big brother’s legacy. He was very much loved by his high school friends, park community and family.
Antonio welcomed and thanked the packed crowd for attending his little brother’s memorial, held in the basketball gymnasium. According to Antonio, Dee Dee practically grew up at the park. He loved being at Rancho and participating in the sports programs. “He was what coaches call a ‘Rancho Park Rat’,” he said. The memorial was also a chance for his friends and extended family to celebrate his life. The love and support that was shown was overwhelming, with a diverse group coming to share in sacred and funny memories. Pastor Johnson, who prayed, asking God for understanding, delivered the message of death never being easy. “No matter how saved you might be, death is never easy .. especially when a young person’s life is taken,” said Pastor Johnson. “We better find God. God may not take the pain away, but God will give you grace.”
Kamani Black, deputy, Los Angeles City Council, spoke of his fond memories of Dee Dee and read a heartfelt letter, sent from the Dodger organization.
“We are incredibly saddened to hear of the sudden death of Deangelo … we are honored to call him a member of the Dodgers Foundation family and are grateful baseball placed so much joy in his heart, Kamani read. He then shared with the audience that the Dodger Foundation was providing a donation of $2,500 in hopes of assisting with the family’s funeral expenses. Black also shared with the grateful audience a commemorative photograph of Deangelo in his Dodger uniform; he also revealed the City Council’s plan to request that Los Angeles Recreation and Parks rename Diamond 4 in Deangelo’s name.
Deangelo’s high school friends spoke highly of him, and other peers sang or just shared fun stories to pay their last respects to their fallen friend. Older brother, Tony Parham delivered heartfelt words of reflection, and thanks Deangelo’s friends for being so supportive of him. “My little brother you were more than my brother, you were my friend,” he recited. “My little brother, my little brother, handsome cause you look like me, my little brother, when I lost you, I lost a part of me.” Antonio reflected, “he was a very talented person who had yet to reach his full potential. He made such an impact in his short time here and I wish I had a chance to talk to him one last time,” he said.
“Every person in his family was an athlete. Whenever we were choosing teams, Dee Dee was always the first kid on my list. On behalf of Rancho Cienaga Park, we love Dee Dee and the Chatman and Parham family,” said Recreation Coordinator Phillip Wiley. According to Wiley, the kids and parents of Rancho are a family; they celebrate the good times and comfort one another during the challenging times. “We are family at Rancho.”
After the memorial, Dee Dee’s Friends and family moved to take a group photo on Diamond 4, which will soon be named in Deangelo’s honor. “My brother’s heart was larger than his small body could handle. May you rest in heaven, your big brother,” said Antonio Chatmon.