Inequality in education is one of the most fossilized civil rights issues that one can still witness today. There is a lot of discourse and imbalance found in the unequal funding and lack of federal or state priority within community-driven colleges of color. Recently, there has been meteoric change in social awareness, which is bringing more light to the current state of the educational system for people within the Black Community.
On September 3, Bloomberg Philanthropies took their first steps in the Greenwood Initiative and donated $100-million dollars to four historical Black medical colleges, one of them being Charles R. Drew University (CDU), located in the Watts-Willowbrook area of South Los Angeles. CDU will use the 7.7-million-dollar contribution towards scholarships, providing up to $100,000 ($25,000 per academic year) to over 50 percent of the medical students who are enrolled and receive financial aid over the next four years.
Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) weathered many socially-charged storms throughout American History. The strive for Black excellence burrowed through the segregated lines of Jim Crow, inadequate funding, lack of resources, and accreditation issues. The underrepresentation traveled through specialized fields of study such as medical graduate programs.
Due to a pivotal point found on the axis of the current global pandemic and the ongoing racial disparities, social equity for people of color has been flagged down to receive more attention. Other historical Black medical colleges that will see this grant include Howard University of Medicine in Washington D.C. and Meharry Medical College in Atlanta, Georgia.
The mission behind this massive seed is to accelerate the growth in financial wealth in communities of color. It responds to the disproportionate size in support for better quality of life for Black Americans.
Education in America projected exclusivity since the act of reading and writing were illegal for slaves. That resistance proved the connotation that knowledge is the ‘Great Equalizer.’ The challenge for social equity amid the Black community is still being met with lack of monetary support for institutions that focus on the betterment of the collective culture.
For decades, there has been a known imbalance in the funding of Historical Black Colleges and Universities. States have gone years failing to meet the required 100% match of federal funding that are owed to HBCUs.
The role of funding is crucial to the progression and longevity of colleges that focus on demographics that have been chronically underserved. These institutions become the main vehicle for 1st generation students and families that need help putting their future through a higher educational system.
Due to the reliability of federal and state funding, community-based colleges of color see the steepest decline in national budget cuts. This widens the preexisting condition in lack of finances and resources within these public and private institutions.
Monetary support is also associated with the progression of research conducted by these community-driven colleges; the process of collecting data and concluding results about the critical issues within the collective culture comes with a price tag.
Bloomberg Philanthropies recognized that issue and responded with a wrap-around service of contributions. Spreading 100-million-dollars throughout multiple HBCUs, the Bloomberg firm is “striving to reduce health and wealth disparities in Black Communities by improving health outcomes for Black Americans.”
There are five key areas that Bloomberg has taken under closer examination to find how they can exercise their social responsibility; two of those pillars are education and public health. Referencing back to the Bloomberg press release, their studies show a relationship of the ethnicity of the doctor influencing the outcome of the patient’s life. Black patients have a higher chance of living when their doctor is Black.
Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg LP, and a three-term mayor of New York City stated, “COVID-19 has been especially devastating for the Black community, and the scarcity of Black doctors practicing in Black communities is one reason for it.”
Bloomberg continued, “More Black doctors will mean more Black lives saved and fewer health problems that limit economic opportunity. But right now, the burden of student debt and lack of financial aid means that the shortage of Black doctors could get even worse.
During my campaign for President, I proposed a set of bold policies — which we called the Greenwood Initiative — to increase generational wealth among Black families and shrink the racial wealth gap …”
Colleges selected like CDU will be able to determine the eligibility of grants among students enrolled within their institutions. Pupils that are currently on their second or third year will still be considered for retroactive funding; they can still receive the full amount of the grant to support their studies.
According to the Bloomberg press release, there is data showing that this seed will aid the burden of debt for medical students. This wrap-around grant not only includes the monetary support but offers the professional council in finances and other mentoring fields.
The Charles R. Drew University’s vision is, “Excellent health and wellness for all in a world without health disparities.” CDU has established themselves as the leader in research on cancer, cardiometabolic studies, and HIV/Aids.
Their mission as a private, non-profit, student-centered university, is to show commitment “to cultivating diverse health professional leaders who are dedicated to social justice and health-equity for underserved populations through outstanding education, research, clinical service, and community engagement.”
Between 2018-2019, ninety percent of their undergraduates applied and received financial aid. The total cost of expenses for an average CDU student is approximately $37,000.
Programs that are being orchestrated at CDU include an MPH study of urban health disparities, a master’s program in public health, and a full doctors MD field of study.
President and CEO of Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Dr. David M. Carlisle explained what this kind of charitable act embodies and produces to the collective community.
Dr. Carlisle said to Bloomberg media, “Since studies have demonstrated that African American patients are more likely to follow an African American physician’s orders, particularly on preventive measures, this scholarship gift to help increase the number of Black doctors will be transformative in creating greater health in communities of color.”
Dr. Carlisle shared the following statement of gratitude of the donation, “We feel tremendously gratified; this is the biggest all-time donation to Charles R. Drew University. I think it’s going to really transform the lives and careers of many of our medical students.”
Even without the disruption of COVID-19 and shifting landscape due to social change, Chadwick Boseman’s death would still be a heavy one to bear.
He became an icon, not just to the global Black and African American community, but to the world as T’Challa, king of Wakanda in Marvel’s “Black Panther.”
The groundbreaking and award-winning film redefined the image of Black people on the screen and behind the lens with a predominately all-Black cast and director. Boseman presented the world with a regal, masculine and proud Black superhero on the screen that lit a social and cultural revolution.
This was just one of many iconic roles Boseman played throughout his career, which was tragically short but powerful.
He was born on November 29, 1976, in Anderson, South Carolina to Carolyn and Leroy Boseman.
His father was a textile factory worker and his mother was a nurse.
Boseman attended T. L. Hanna High School, and in his junior year, wrote and staged a play entitled, “Crossroads,” after a classmate was shot and killed.
He went on to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C., graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in directing.
Actress Phylicia Rashad became his mentor and helped raise funds with actor, Denzel Washington so Boseman and classmates could attend Oxford Mid-Summer Program of the British American Drama Academy in London.
Boseman had a passion to write and direct, and initially studied acting to learn how to relate to actors. After he returned to the U.S., he graduated from New York City's Digital Film Academy.
Living in Brooklyn, Boseman worked as a drama instructor in the Schomburg Junior Scholars Program, at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, New York.
Boseman performed in many stage productions including “Breathe,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Bootleg Blues,” and “Zooman.” He won an AUDELCO award for his role in “Urban Transitions: Loose Blossoms,” a play about a struggling African American family pulled in by the temptation of fast cash.
He's also worked with the Hip Hop Theatre Festival and has written the plays “Hieroglyphic Graffiti,” “Deep Azure” and “Rhyme Deferred.” Boseman also directed a number of stage productions, as well as the short film, “Blood Over a Broken Pawn.”
In the mid-2000s, his acting career started with guest spots on crime dramas like “Third Watch” and “CSI:NY,” and on the daytime soap opera, “All My Children,” but was let go from the show after he voiced concerns over racial stereotypes in the script. The character would be recast with future “Black Panther” co-star, Michael B. Jordan. Additionally, he was one of the performers for the award-winning audio version of the 2005 novel “Upstate,” by Kalisha Buckhanon.
In 2008, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career, landing a recurring role on the ABC Family drama “Lincoln Heights.” He also had guest-starring roles on “ER,” “Lie to Me,” “The Glades” and “Cold Case.” Boseman would appear on a number of popular television shows, which include “Persons Unknown,” “Justified,” “Detroit 1-8-7,” “Fringe” and “Castle.”
In 2012, Boseman played the lead role in “The Kill Hole,” an independent film about the life of a Portland, Oregon, taxi driver and Iraq War veteran. He later received the role of a lifetime portraying Jackie Robinson in the biopic “42,” which tells the story of the legendary baseball player who broke racial barriers by becoming the first African American to play in the majors in the 20th century.
He later appeared in the 2014 football film “Draft Day,” with Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner. Boseman went on to land another big role portraying music legend, James Brown in “Get on Up.” The film followed Brown through his personal struggles and successes. His next role was in “Gods of Egypt” playing Thoth, the god of wisdom and later starred in the revenge thriller “Message from the King,” in late 2016.
It was also in 2016, that Boseman would take on the role that gained international fame and acclaim as T’Challa aka Black Panther in the superhero ensemble blockbuster “Captain America: Civil War.” In 2017, he portrayed yet another important figure, Justice Thurgood Marshall in “Thurgood,” which was about a case early in Thurgood’s legal career.
In February 2018, the highly-anticipated “Black Panther” shattered box office records, making an estimated $218 million domestically over the four-day President's Day weekend, it went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
Boseman's Black Panther later rejoined Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and other Marvel characters on screen for “Avengers: Infinity War” 2018 and “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019.
Later that year, Boseman starred in “21 Bridges,” a film about a NYPD detective on the hunt for two cop killers.
Boseman passed away on August 28, 2020, from colon cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2016. Boseman persevered and battled the disease while appearing in multiple films, including “Black Panther” to the ignorance of many around him.
Many across social media have expressed their grief over the loss of their “King,” as the rallying call “Wakanda Forever” is hash tagged to just about every other posts.
Boseman’s peers spent the weekend expressing their pain, but also their joy and gratitude in having known the game changer personally.
“Through it all, you never lost sight of what you loved most. You cared about your family, your friends, your craft, your spirit. You cared about the kids, the community, our culture and humanity. You cared about me. You are my big brother, but I never fully got a chance to tell you, or to truly give you your flowers while you were here. I wish we had more time.” —Michael B. Jordan
“This hurts. Really hurts.” —Letitia Wright
“Words can't begin to describe the pain that many of us, especially his family are feeling right now. Had to imagine the quiet pain and struggle you went thru all these years, yet still you shined and motivated us all. Live like a Superhero, die like a Legend. Rest In Power KING” —Denzel Washington
“How do I start to honor a man who I saw as a giant in many ways; with whom I thought I had so much more time … I am absolutely devastated by the loss of my friend and hero, Chadwick Boseman ...” —Winston Duke
“How do you honor a king? Reeling from the loss of my colleague, my friend, my brother.” —Danai Gurira
“This young man’s dedication was awe-inspiring, his smile contagious, his talent unreal.
So, I pay tribute to a beautiful spirit, a consummate artist, a soulful brother … ’thou aren’t not dead but flown afar ...’
All you possessed, Chadwick, you freely gave. Rest now, sweet prince. #WakandaForever” —Angela Bassett
It’s clear from the outpouring of love across social media from his colleagues, fans and admirers, that Boseman was loved.
Many speak of his generous spirit, wisdom and dedication, which will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on Hollywood.
It’s bittersweet, but we will always remember Boseman when we hear those words “Wakanda Forever” and how they inspire cultural pride and love for the Black Diaspora.
Hall of Fame Basketball Coach, John Thompson II, Dies At 78
“Don’t let eight pounds of air be the sum total of your existence,” the words of the legendary basketball coach John Thompson II are etched in the lobby of Georgetown University’s McDonough Arena where his legacy as the first Black coach to lead a team to the NCAA men’s basketball championship will forever be cemented in history.
In a family statement released by Georgetown on Monday, it was announced that Thompson died at 78 years old. While the cite the circumstances of his death, according to a CNN report, he passed away in his home in Arlington, Va. after experiencing multiple health challenges.
“Our father was an inspiration to many and devoted his life to developing young people not simply on but, most importantly, off the basketball court,” read the statement. “He is revered as a historic shepherd of the sport, dedicated to the welfare of his community above all else. However, for us, his greatest legacy remains as a father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. More than a coach, he was our foundation. More than a legend, he was the voice in our ear every day.”
Thompson was hired by the Georgetown Hoyas in 1972 and over the course of his 27-year tenure as the head coach of the program, he compiled a 596-239 record, led the team to 20 NCAA appearances, was instrumental in the formation of hte Big East Conference where he led the team to six Big East tournament titles, and a national championship. Just a season before he signed on, the program held a record of 3-23.
Under his tutelage, the college basketball program grew to national prominence as Thompson helped to shape the careers of many prominent N.B.A. stars that include Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo, Allen Iverson and Alonzo Mourning.
Following the announcement of Thompson’s death Mutombo wrote on Instagram, “He was my mentor, great teacher, hero and a father figure to so many us who got the chance to play for him,” adding, “Under coach Thompson, I learned a lot about the game of basketball, but most importantly, I learned how to be a man in society.”
At 6-foot-10 and nearly 300 pounds, Thompson was a presence with an echoing bass voice that resounded as he paced up and down the sideline with his signature white towel draped over his shoulder. Thompson was steadfast in developing intimidating centers like Ewing and employed a relentless approach to defense.
In 1981 during Ewing’s freshman year, Thompson coached his first Georgetown team to the NCAA Final Four, where the Hoyas lost 63-62 in the championship game against Michael Jordan’s North Carolina team that included James Worthy.
Ewing was named the national college player of the year after Georgetown topped Houston in the 1984 NCAA title game coached by Thompson and went on to become the No. 1 pick in the 1985 NBA draft.
The success Thompson experienced on the court was built on the foundation of championing disadvantaged Black youth with basketball talent and empowering them to gain a college education through athletic scholarship.
As a condition of his employment, Thompson negotiated terms for him to advocate for the recruitment of high school students who might otherwise be overlooked based on their academic standing.
Under his tenure, of the 77 players who remained with the Georgetown basketball program for four years, 75 received their degrees notwithstanding Georgetown’s demanding academic standards.
Among the mutiple accomplishments Thompson earned, he was also selected as the U.S. Olympic team coach in 1988 where the team earned a bronze medal.
Thompson showed a level of passion and commitment to his players that at times forced him to put action behind his words.
In 1989, when the NCAA adopted Proposition 42 which stated that it would deny financial aid to recruits who failed to meet minimum scores on standardized college-admission tests, Thompson walked off the court to a standing ovation before the tipoff home game against Boston College to express his displeasure and disagreement with the proposition, which he believed hindered the ability of minority student athletes access to college education.
In another move, Thompson allowed Allen Iverson the opportunity to play college basketball at Georgetown despite the fact that he spent four months in jail during this senior year in high school.
In 1996, Iverson became the first Georgetown player under Thompson to enter the NBA draft. During Iverson’s 2016 Hall of Fame speech, he fought back tears as he thanked coach Thompson for “saving my life.”
Iverson mourned the loss of his coach, mentor and friend in an emotionally charged Instagram post on Monday that was captioned,
Thanks For Saving My Life Coach. I’m going to miss you, but I’m sure that you are looking down on us with a big smile. I would give anything just for one more phone call from you only to hear you say, “Hey MF”, then we would talk about everything except basketball. May you always Rest in Paradise, where there is no pain or suffering. I will always see your face in my mind, hoping that I made you proud. “Your Prodigal Son.” #Hoya4Life
Thompson’s history making run as Georgetown’s head coach ended abruptly in 1999 due to what he categorized as personal reasons soon after Gwendolyn Twitty, his high school sweetheart and wife of 32 years divorced. Ultimately, the baton was passed to his son, John Thompson III, who was hired as Georgetown’s head coach in 2004 and later to Patrick Ewing.
Georgetown unveiled a $62 million state-of-the-art, 144,000-square-foot, on-campus athletics facility named in honor of Thompson in 2016 called the John R. Thompson Jr. Intercollegiate Athletics Center. There is also a bronze statue of the former coach that stands near the entrance of the center. He remained a presidential consultant for urban affairs at Georgetown and had an office in the McDonough Arena.
John Robert Thompson Jr. was born Sept. 2, 1941, in Washington, D.C. After a great high school basketball career, he graduated from Providence College in Rhode Island with a degree in economics and led the Friars to the 1963 National Invitation Tournament title and, in 1964, their first NCAA tournament appearance. Thompson set Providence school records for points, scoring average, and field goal percentage. He was then drafted by the Boston Celtics in the third round of the 1964 NBA draft — the year of his college graduation.
During his two seasons in the NBA, Thompson mainly served as a backup to star center Bill Russell in which Boston won back-to-back championships. After his short-lived NBA career, Thompson went on to earn a master’s degree in guidance and counseling at the University of the District of Columbia.
Thompson’s legacy of pushing for excellence in college athletics, standing up for what he believed student athletes required to be successful both academically and on the court and his strong belief in his players are cemented by the words spoken by all the past and present NBA and college players who took to social media to mourn his loss, to explain his impact and to speak of his greatness.
On Wednesday, Thompson would have celebrated his 79th birthday. He is survived by his three children, John Thompson III, Ronny Thompson, and Tiffany Thompson and grandchildren.
There is something almost diabolical about the way “Power” creator and showrunner Courtney A. Kemp and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has breathed life into the intellectual property creating a series of spin-off series with the first installment “Power Book II: Ghost” debuting on Starz, Sunday, September 6 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, then move to its regular timeslot at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT starting on Sunday, September 13 on STARZ in the U.S. and Canada,
“Power Book II: Ghost” jumps in following the devasting events of “Power” where Tariq St. Patrick, the son of legendary drug dealer and psychopath, James “Ghost” St. Patrick is murdered by his son and his mother, Tasha, is facing charges for the aforementioned murder.
To complicate the young killers’ life, Tariq must now manage his studies at an Ivy League university or lose his inheritance.
Alone for the first time in his life, the young man engages in the illegal drug trade, again, to pay for Davis MacLean, the fame-hungry defense lawyer who is Tasha’s only hope of getting out of jail and escaping prosecution by newly minted U.S. Attorney Cooper Saxe.
Stepping into the role of Davis MacLean is Method Man, the Grammy award-winning rapper-turned-actor, Method Man, and here’s what he had to say about being a part of the Power universe, in “Power Book II: Ghost.”
L.A. WATTS TIMES: Starz has provided me with two-episodes of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ and I don’t think that it will disappoint fans.
METHOD MAN: I agree.
LAWT: Were you a fan of the first series, ‘Power?’
MM: Of course I was. I don’t know many in my community [who isn’t] a fan of ‘Power.’ A lot of the rappers and entertainers and people-of-color really tuned into this show … all six seasons and it’s a testament to how [well] it’s written. How great these characters were in this series.
LAWT: Starz provided us with only two episodes of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ so I …, what
MM: (laughing) That’s two too many.
LAWT: (laughing) Why? I definitely want more, for example, your character, I can tell, is important to this series. Please describe Davis MacLean?
MM: Davis MacLean is a highly motivated defense attorney. A sharp dresser, and expensive.
LAWT: I picked that up from watching the series. What else?
MM: He’s ethically challenged.
LAWT: He is an attorney and this is the world of Power. Sorry, please continue.
MM: (laughing) Well, what lawyer isn’t?
LAWT: Exactly.
MM: They [lawyers] tetter on the fence of morality all the time so that they can get the best for their clients. Davis is so good at his job that it was only a matter of time before he collided with a case as big as the St. Patricks. 
He takes everything with a grain of salt. He doesn't get too involved with the clientele until he has a full idea of what’s going on with the case. But if you are looking to win, and that’s his full motivation, I would go for no one else but Davis MacLean.
LAWT: As long as you have Davis MacLean’s money.
MM: Well, I don’t think it’s the money for him.
LAWT: No? It looked that way to me in the episodes.
MM: You’ve seen episode one. When Tariq approaches him does he [David] really look like he wants to be bothered?
LAWT: You do have a point. Go on, please.
MM: He’s actually in the middle of something so him throwing that number out there, he’s actually a gesture saying [to him] … ‘Just leave me alone.’
LAWT: Got it.
MM: It’s like you have the money, good if not so be it and he’s moving on. He does recognize the kid. He knows who he is. That’s why he even gave him the time of day.
LAWT: What did Courtney [A. Kemp] tell you about the show and your character? Can you share it?
MM: Outside of describing the character she told me that she wanted me for the role.
LAWT: Did she say why?
MM: Because it’s a space that people would not expect to see you in. And in my head, I’m thinking then why the hell did I audition then? No, I’m just kidding.
LAWT: Are you?
MM: But, with her saying that to me, I was like ‘oh my God’ I have to the greatest job now because I feel that she put her head on the line for me.
LAWT: I do understand but Courtney A. Kemp is a smart, smart, smart woman. God bless her.
MM: She’s gotten far so far with her great decisions so far, so I won’t question.
LAWT: Smart.
MM: I was honored to be asked. You know what I mean?
LAWT: I think that I have a clue.
MM: I was even more honored that I got the part.
And it wasn’t real for me until I sat down to the table read. Check the behind-the-scenes footage and you will understand.
LAWT: Thank you, Method Man, I shall.
MM: Thank you, Ms. Sandoval.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Check out “Power Book II: Ghost” online Facebook Page and follow @GhostStarz on Twitter and @GhostStarz on Instagram. Join the conversation with #PowerNeverEnds and #PowerGhost.
The Los Angeles City Planning Department is the largest of its kind in the United States. They review project applications, process entitlements, and strategize future land use and development for the city. Social change has been wafting through the air and made passage to all levels of government. Equity amid community leadership are critical for upward mobility in society, Faisal Roble has been appointed to be the first within city planning to hold the chief equity officer position. With over 30 years of devotion to the city, Roble plans to give the next generation a “fair shake” of employment into leadership positions and further enhancement in life quality across L.A.
Roble is looking to align broader opportunity with communities of color to establish true equality among residents. City Planning echoes the consensus decision of the city and sets a clear path for its environmental growth. There is a focal point on the diversity among employment and promotion given to anyone who is deserving of incline. Roble explained that there will be heavier support in bringing more people of color into superior roles.
Within his 30 years of service, Chief Equity Officer Roble has seen many cycles of the community, he explained that this time is significant due to the new energy behind the American tragedies of racial injustices reflected in the case of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Roble distinguished the level of atonement the world has come to yield to.
As neighborhoods grow more consciously aware, so does the community plans, regulation, and development benchmarks. Roble expressed the pain from recent racial events impacted various communities to its core. He shared his thoughts on the resurgence for better quality of life and stated, “The country could not keep the American tragedy a secret anymore, it was something too big, too timely, that we have to face, this brewing and festering racial injustice that has been plagued in our society.”
He continued, “ This particular time gave the nation and the city in particular a period to atone, and in that atonement we have reprioritized our political commitment, from the mayor all the way down, there seems to be a new energy.”
Throughout his career, Roble managed areas across Los Angeles including Southeast and West Adams, Baldwin Hills, and the Leimert communities. Throughout his career, he consistently tethered the technicalities of city planning with the ethical side of community building. Roble has been at helm of over 20 projects that contributed to affordable housing and sustainable environments among L.A., physical change that came from his work includes the redevelopment of Jordan Downs, curating a mix-income environment with full service grocery store, community services, and parks with open space.
Roble was inspired by books such as “An American Dilemma: The Negro Problem and Modern Democracy," 1944 by Gunnar Myrdal. His experience is robust with formulas for empowerment, Director Vince Bertoni fostered Robles seeds within the department.
Robles explained the significance in his role, “’It’s just icing on the cake for me at this time of my career to become the chief equity officer because I believe cities never get peace.” Roble continued, “At this time in my career, I am responsible and can be the watch dog for making sure that both in terms of internal issues as well as external issues and the way we are planning the city—is using the tools of equity and equity being our measurement.” Roble shared delight in weaving social responsibility into the technicalities of city planning. He explained his leadership work as making sure everyone in the city has a fair shake.
A commitment has been made to plot a more equitable community, staffing includes 400 civil servants on the frontlines marching in unison for justice and equality. Within the history of city planning, there has been slanted lines painted in favor of certain communities and means to resources. Robles is looking to continue pushing the agenda of balance division of the city that provokes universally accessible resources to all.
COVID-19 created a new reality for the future of the community, currently the Los Angeles City Planning is in the process of renovating 35 regional plans that will navigate the use of land in Los Angeles neighborhoods. However, the core of the city plan has adapted to the civic responsibility to not only ensure the construction of the community but also to plant equality and justice as the foundation across the county. Roble explained the pandemic reared the massive focus back to the racial inequalities that are happening daily.
Roble believes Los Angeles is the home for racial justice to be planted in both action and future policy. The Los Angeles City Planning Department were the pioneers in changing their drafting methods to an equitable lens for resources. He shared the unprecedented passion that charges up the city and causes plans for equality to move forward.
“When you know the political establishment is ready to empower the professionals, and the political establishment has taken their leadership very seriously--then it would be incumbent upon us to bring about the right tools to address some of the issues that exhibit themselves.”
He continued, “There is a political energy that gives us the impetus that we need in order to wake up every morning and move forward…” Roble broke down visually how there are polarizing environments within the city, he compared West L.A. and the valley to underserved areas in South L.A. that works off physical evidence for the need for social updates within city planning.
For youth coming up and interested in any branch of government, Robles had this to say, “ The only area where the city is the lead is in land use and the planning department in a way is the entity that establishes something akin to the city’s constitution.” He went on to express the change that the younger generation is marching for is embedded in City Planning. He called for youth of color to understand change, and that will come by knowing how the city is run.
Future projects that Roble will oversee includes deserved upward mobility, giving more senior positions to people of color. He closed by stating, “The journey has started; the destination is still there--we will see where we like to end up and we would like to work with people of color to assume higher management as we approach our destination.”