USC African American beauty art exhibit nears its last week

November 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment


imageThe definition of beauty varies from person to person and an art exhibit at USC’s Fisher Museum of Art explores this discrepancy throughout many forms of media.

“Posing Beauty in African American Culture” opened in September 2011 and will end its run on Saturday, December 3.

This exhibit focuses on how African and African-American beauty has been represented throughout history until today.

Using a wide range of media from photography, to film, to video, to fashion, to advertising and more, “Posing Beauty” poses the question of what makes an African-American woman beautiful. From the plentiful pieces of art available for museum visitors, there is no definite answer. image

Deborah Willis, the curator of “Posing Beauty” says “the images in this exhibition challenge idealized forms of beauty in art by examining their portrayal and exploring a variety of attitudes about race, class, gender, popular culture and politics as seen through the aesthetics of representation.”

“Posing Beauty in African American Culture” is divided into three distinct sections that emphasize disparities in the way African American women are represented in the media. The sections are “Constructing a Pose,” “Body and Image,” and “Modeling Beauty & Beauty Contests.”image

The exhibit “explores contemporary understandings of beauty by framing the notion of aesthetics, race, class, and gender within art, popular culture, and political context,” says Willis.

Even though the “Posing Beauty” will finish its run at the Fisher Museum on December 3, there is still time to join the conversation of what is the true definition of beauty.

Filed Under: Arts, Featured Tagged With: , , ,

South LA recreation programs receive $12 million donation

November 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment


South LA nonprofit youth organizations focusing on art, music, and sports have been chosen to receive grants totaling $12 million over the next five years.

The grants, courtesy of an anonymous donor and led by the California Community Foundation’s (CCF) “Preparing Achievers for Tomorrow” (PAT) Initiative, invited only a select group of nonprofits to apply for the funds.

image

HeArt Project students stay in rhythm with the beat.

The seven nonprofit organizations that will benefit from this donation are A Place called Home, A World Fit for Kids, Heart of Los Angeles, Kids in Sports, Los Angeles Brotherhood Crusade, The HeArt Project, and Watts/Willowbrook Boys & Girls Club.

Nike Irvin, Vice-President of Programs at California Community Foundation, said that “PAT nonprofit partners are selected based on four criteria: a proven track record of providing music, sports and/or recreational programs for undeserved youth in South L.A., existing partnerships with high schools in South L.A., sustainability, and leadership.”

One South LA group in particular that will benefit from this donation is The HeArt Project – a nonprofit that provides long term, sequential arts programs in order to inspire young students to stay in school.

imageHeArt Project students learn how to screen print art.

Liliane Ribeiro, Development and Communications Director of The HeArt Project, explained that this group will be “receiving a two-year grant of $100,000, totaling $50,000 every year.” Ribeiro thought that being one of the elite nonprofits to benefit from this donation was very fitting, since this year The HeArt Project is celebrating its 20th anniversary. “It’s a great time for us to go through this process,” Ribeiro said.

Research has shown that students who are involved with some kind of artistic or athletic extracurricular activity are more than likely to stay in school. As a result, Ribeiro said that it’s “critical” that these kinds of programs are funded for South LA schools.

“In L.A. alone, the high school dropout estimate is at about 35 percent. Almost one out three students is dropping out school.” Ribeiro said that the “number one reason for these dropouts is boredom. Through our 20 years of experience, we’ve come to find that arts is a key engager.”

imageA HeArt Project student proudly poses with her work of art.

Irvin further explains California Community Foundation’s decision to continue serving the South LA community, “We know from research that creative, social and recreational activities improve motivation, engagement and development of social competencies in youth,” she said. “We also know that youth in South L.A. lack basic access to quality after-school programs.”

With the help of these substantial grants, these nonprofits can be sure that their futures are bright and welcoming for future artists, musicians, and athletes.

image

A HeArt Project student sees his dream of attending UCLA’s art school becoming a reality.
Filed Under: Education, Featured Tagged With: , ,

South LA inspires local artist to create cardboard neighborhood

November 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment


imageMetal bars across windows and handwritten signs selling churros might not sound beautiful to some people, but one artist was inspired to create art out of these every day images.

Ana Serrano used seemingly dull features of life and created something spectacular from them.

Serrano built an almost life-sized neighborhood out of cardboard, complete with buildings and shops inspired by what she saw in South LA’s neighborhoods.

“Salon of Beauty,” now open at the Rice University Art Gallery in Houston, Texas, is the result of years of careful planning and hard work by Serrano, a first generation Mexican-American.

Every detail of “Salon of Beauty” is intricately designed out of cardboard – from the tiled roofs to the frosting on the wedding cake displays.

Even though “Salon of Beauty” replicates some familiar places for LA natives, Serrano believes that these pieces could also be universal.

“For the exhibit I wasn’t trying to replicate a specific city, but I do get most of my inspiration from Los Angeles because it’s what’s around me,” Serrano said. “I think that the elements I include in the exhibition can be found all around the world.”

Check out this short film profiling Ana Serrano’s work:

Salon of Beauty from Mark & Angela Walley on Vimeo.

For more information about Serrano’s “Salon of Beauty” exhibit, click here.

Salon of Beauty, 2011
Commissioned by Rice University Art Gallery, Houston, Texas
Photos: Nash Baker

Filed Under: Arts, Featured Tagged With: , , ,

South LA students encouraged to enter essay contest

November 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment


South LA high school students are encouraged to submit essays to the national “Being an American” Essay Contest, sponsored by the Bill of Right’s Institute and the History Channel. Students can win up to $1,000 by answering the question: “How does the Constitution establish and maintain a culture of liberty?” Over 80,000 essays have been submitted in the past, making this Essay Contest the largest high school essay competition. image

Essays must be no more 1,000 words and are judged on a number of criteria including adherence to essay question, originality, organization, writing style, and depth of analysis. The Bill of Rights Institute hosts this contest every year. Founded in 1999, the Bill of Rights Institute is a non-profit educational organization. Their mission is “to educate young people about the words and ideas of America’s Founders, the liberties guaranteed in our Founding documents, and how our Founding principles continue to affect and shape a free society.”

“This contest is unique in that it gives students the opportunity to think about the important Founding principles communicated in our Constitution,” said Dr. Jason Ross, Bill of Rights Institute Vice President of Education Programs. “This contest is vital to helping students see the Founding principles as a meaningful part of the American experiment of self-government.”

South LA students will compete against other high school students in California and others from the “Western Region” of the United States: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington as well as Guam, American Samoa, and American Armed Forces Schools Abroad (APO). The top three students in each region will be awarded cash prizes. First place winner wins $1,000, while second place wins $500 and third place is awarded $250. The teacher sponsor of each student winner will receive a $100 cash prize.

The deadline for essay submission is December 15, 2011 at 11:59 PST. To submit an essay and find out more information, go here.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: , ,

LAPD seeks community’s help to identify Grim Sleeper pictures

November 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment


The mood was somber at the Bethel AME Church in South Los Angeles on Wednesday evening.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck and councilmember of district 8 Bernard Parks hosted a community meeting to inform the public of the latest developments on the “Grim Sleeper” serial killer case. Lonnie Franklin Jr., the alleged “Grim Sleeper,” was arrested last year and is accused of murdering 10 South Los Angeles men and women between 1985 and 2007. He also stands accused of one attempted murder charge.

image

Chief Beck provided information on six new women that they believe Franklin also murdered. One more attempted murder victim has also been identified. The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, was beaten and left for dead. She is one of only two of the Grim Sleeper’s victims who has lived to identify him. Chief Beck calculated that there are 18 cases against Franklin – 16 murders and two attempted murders. Even though LAPD has evidence that Franklin could have murdered these six missing women, they will not add additional charges so that the case can go to court more quickly. The six South LA women’s photos are featured below.

image
Photo courtesy of LAPD

On Wednesday evening, the LAPD also launched new fliers online with pictures found in Franklin’s residence. The photographs were found after lengthy searches through Franklin’s computer, memory cards, and photographs. There was a total of 180 photographs that were previously identified but, in an unprecedented move, the pictures were shared with the community to help identify the women. Detective Dennis Kilcoyne said, “Much to our happiness, 99 percent of them were alive and well. Most of them didn’t want to become public.” He continued, “They proved to us who they were and that they had done some stupid things way back when in their lives when they crossed paths with Mr. Franklin. They didn’t want to revisit it publicly.”

Still, 48 of the 180 photographs that have yet to be identified.

Chief Beck stated, “Those photos mean something… there are victims’ faces in those photos. We need to identify as many more as we can.” Detective Kilcoyne told the community, “We’re coming to you for help.” The detectives are concerned for the women’s well-being and are ensure of whether they’re still alive.

image
Photo courtesy of LAPD

The posters can be found at the LAPD website.

Chief Beck said that he is doubtful that Franklin will ever identify these women himself.

But that doesn’t mean that the detectives are giving up hope in identifying the women themselves. They have partnered with Hawthorne, Gardena, Inglewood, the sheriff’s department, and the Department of Justice to help solve missing persons files and cold cases that may be tied to Franklin’s 26-year criminal spree. Detective Kilcoyne stated that investigators “were trying things that had never been tried before investigating cases in this country.” One effort in particular that Kilcoyne called “unorthodox” was the use of “familial DNA” to use a “backwards family tree” linking Franklin’s son to him and ultimately leading to Franklin’s arrest in July 2010.

Even though detectives are trying “unorthodox” procedures to solve possible Grim Sleeper cases, some more obvious methods to seek help may have been ignored. A member of the Southern California Cease Fire Committee, a group of gang intervention workers and business right advocates, asked whether women in prison had been asked to identify the photographs. Chief Beck looked surprised and said no, saying, “I don’t know why my guys couldn’t think of that earlier.”

In addition, another woman asked whether the photos were shared on Facebook. Chief Beck also replied that this had not be done yet.

image

Informational posters were on display at the meeting

CD8 member, and former LAPD Chief of Police, Bernard Parks spoke to the community and called the Grim Sleeper’s murder spree “a horror in our community.” Parks led a number of unprecedented movements to help catch the Grim Sleeper and identify his victims. He consistently publicized a $500,000 reward for information leading to the Grim Sleeper’s capture and partnered with Clear Channel in creating billboards with information about the murders. In 2001, Parks succeeded in establishing the nation’s first Cold Case Unit, which proved invaluable in leading to Franklin’s arrest in July 2010. Parks vowed that he would continue to work with the LAPD and Chief Beck in identifying the 48 photographs that were publicized that night.

image

Chief Beck commended the community for helping investigators take 180 previously unidentified photographs found in Franklin’s residence and whittling the number to now 48 unidentified photos. Chief Beck said, “This community and this police department never gave up on those victims. Never. And we never will.”

image

Despite their best efforts, Chief Beck said, “We may never how many men and women Lonnie Franklin killed. But we’re going to do our best to find out.” Looking at the victims’ families sitting on one side of the church, Beck continued, “We can never get closure. We can never right completely the wrong that has been done not only to these families but to this community.”

LaVerne Peters, mother of Janecia Peters, one of Franklin’s victims found murdered on January 1, 2007, wondered if her daughter had been the last of Franklin’s victims. Chief Beck replied that they didn’t think there were any more victims after Peters but said, “We cannot shut the door to possibilities until July of 2010 when we had him in custody.” Franklin returned to Los Angeles on May 7, 1976 after serving in the Army and being stationed in Europe. Investigators are also not discounting the possibility that Franklin committed crimes while overseas. Chief Beck said May 1976 is what they consider the starting point of investigating Jane Does, cold cases, and missing persons’ files that may be linked to Franklin. Their timeline ends in July 2010, when Franklin was finally arrested.

Diane McQueen, the aunt of Janecia Peters, said, “I’ve been in this neighborhood for 12 years. This man has been around me all these years while he was killing these girls.” McQueen expressed her disbelief about possibly coming face to face with her niece’s killer during her everyday life. “I could have seen him in stores and markets. He looks like everyday people. You never know who you’re facing.”

Filed Under: Community, Featured Tagged With: , , ,

State of the Eighth address reveals new development

October 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment


image
Councilmember Bernard Parks delivered his ninth annual “State of the Eighth” address on Thursday evening to a room full of students being honored for their academic achievements and their proud parents. Families gathered at the Expo Center to hear Parks reveal new plans for their area and update them on current developments. After the address, “STAR” students from the Eighth District were awarded medals and backpacks for being the most improved or earning the highest grade point average in their grade.

image

Jan Perry, councilmember of CD 9, made a surprise appearance to introduce Parks. “I thought things were great over in the ninth, but they’re pretty great over here in the eighth too!” Perry said, “The kids are going to be the stars tonight!” But before the students had their time to shine, Parks took the stage to deliver his “State of the Eighth” address.

In less than ten minutes, Parks addressed some of the upcoming improvements to CD 8. These developments spanned from public transportation, to environmental, to recreational.

The “State of the Eighth” began with an explanation of the improvements to the district’s infrastructure. Parks said that they were able to receive funding to repave almost 18 miles of streets since July 1 of this year. Funds have also been allocated so that over 300 trees will be trimmed. Access ramps for wheelchair users will continue to be built around the city so that people with disabilities can go up and down curbs more easily.

Sewage improvement also received a moment in the spotlight. Parks said that the sewer work on Vernon “will be completed soon” but focused on a multi-million dollar sewer repair plan that was just approved by the city. Over the next 10 years, $170 million will be spent to improve the sewers in District Eight.

“We think it’s an absolute essential investment,” Parks said. “Because we have some of the oldest parts of the city, we certainly have some of the oldest sewers, so we’re going to get our fair share of the sewer improvement over the next 10-year cycle.”

Furthermore, Parks spoke about the multi-billion dollar public transportation system in Los Angeles. There will be an Expo Line that will run from Culver City to Downtown L.A. and another line from Culver City to Santa Monica. Locally, $1.5 billion worth of rail will be constructed starting next year linking Crenshaw from Exposition to L.A.X. The total of all of these projects is estimated to be between $2.5 and $3 billion of taxpayers’ money.

New upcoming additions to District Eight include the first animal shelter, which will open in the next three or four months on 62nd Ave and St. Andrews, according to Parks. This $15 million animal shelter will be the first in the history of their community. In about seven months, the new grocery store Fresh ‘N Easy is expected to open on 52nd Street and Crenshaw. By the end of the year, Northgate Market and a senior housing complex will have their groundbreaking on 94th and Broadway. At the beginning of 2012, a six-acre plot on Manchester and Vermont will be available for development.

Two achievements that were celebrated during the “State of the Eighth” were a substantial donation from Superior Warehouse and an increase in jobs. Superior Warehouse donated $250,000 that was split between View Park Prep Accelerated and 107th Street School. View Park Prep is located in the Hyde Park/Park Mesa Heights area and 107th Street School is in the Southeast area of District Eight.

Finally, out of all fifteen Los Angeles districts, District Eight was the only one that was “able to maintain and increase job creation” despite the recession, Parks said. In the last year, District Eight created 3,700 jobs. Parks continued, “We’re creating jobs in the community and with those jobs we hope that they bring people’s ability to be proud of their community and also the ability to withstand the economic downturn and help fund the issues for their family.”

But the evening was not just about the “State of the Eighth.” Excitement began to buzz when the councilman presented awards to Eighth District students. Constance Reese, Miss Black California 2011, and Leila Ford, from AT&T, joined Parks in passing out the awards to students. Students in 5th, 8th, and 12th grades from District Eight schools were awarded most improved or highest grade point average.

imageCouncilmember Bernard Parks poses with Miss Black California Constance Reese and a student

Even though Audrey Tieger is a resident from West L.A., she was still impressed by all of the changes coming to the Eighth District. Tieger said, “I’m a retired educator, so I know all of these schools. It’s really important that all of these things are happening. It’s wonderful.” Tieger was at the event supporting her grandchildren.

Jeffrey Frazier, an 8th grader from Frederick K.C. Price III, won the award for Most Improved student in his grade. Jeffrey said that the recreational changes Parks talked about would be “a great influence on kids to keep them out of trouble and out of jail.” Jeffrey’s proud parents, Jeffrey Frazier Sr. and Beverly Frazier, were also there cheering him on.

imageThe Frazier family, from left to right Jeffrey Sr., Jeffrey Jr., and Beverly

Frazier echoed her son’s thoughts on the improvements coming to District Eight. “I think they’re much needed,” Frazier said. “They’ll revitalize the community. It’s great to hear that dollars are being put back into the community like that.”

Frazier was especially grateful for the new skate park opening next week at Jackie Tatum/Harvard park. She explained, “They say, ‘An idle mind is the devil’s workshop,’ so it keeps [teenagers] off the streets and in a positive environment.” She hopes that Councilmember Parks will start offering educational resources to District Eight, such as math tutoring, mentoring, and guest speakers.

According to Councilmember Parks’ website, he represents over 250,000 people, making District Eight one of the most densely populated areas of South Los Angeles. The Eighth Council District includes the communities of Baldwin Hills, Crenshaw, Leimert Park, West Adams, Jefferson Park, Chesterfield Square, and other areas of South Los Angeles. In an evening when “star students” were recognized, Parks’ “State of the Eighth” shed light on a hopeful future for jobs, recreation, the local economy, and public transportation, to name a few.

Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: , , ,

Liberty Hill wants change, not charity

September 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment


Liberty Hill Foundation’s motto is “Change. Not charity.” According to their website, Liberty Hill’s targeted strategy is to enhance Black social-justice philanthropy. Barbara Osborn, communications director for Liberty Hill, says that this foundation is unique because they do not focus on simply providing social services for those in need (such as soup kitchens and food drives). Instead, Liberty Hill strives to “change society in a way that makes the need for social services [such as these] unnecessary” says Osborn.

The foundation fights towards this change by being the first to invest in a community leader’s idea to help improve a cause. Liberty Hill has a “36 year track record of investing at the front lines of change,” Osborn said, explaining how the foundation is “brave and gutsy” enough to provide the first source of funding for philanthropists. Donating the first funds to a cause, called “seed funding,” is something that Liberty Hill prides itself on and also a quality that makes this foundation different from many others.

One particular successful organization in South LA that received its first funding from Liberty Hill Foundation is the Community Coalition. Community Coalition was founded in 1989 in response to the “ravaging crack epidemic” that effected African-Americans in South LA, according to Osborn. Liberty Hill Foundation was the first to believe in the Coalition’s cause and donated the funds to help them start their organization. Community Coalition continues to fight against addiction, crime, violence and poverty and change public policy. To learn more about the Community Coalition, head to http://www.cocosouthla.org/.

On Sunday, October 9, Congresswoman and Liberty Hill Foundation board member Karen Bass will host “An Uplifting Event,” a fundraiser for the foundation’s Uplifting Change Initiative. This initiative uses a series of salons and conversations led by philanthropists and pastors to inspire local African-Americans to harness their leadership power. Individual tickets for “An Uplifting Event” are $75 and couples tickets are $100. Join Congresswoman Bass, Liberty Hill, and community members for an uplifting afternoon of food and spirits.

For more information, go to http://www.libertyhill.org/upliftingevent.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With:

YESS they can: Compton foster students strive for success

September 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment


image
An old apartment complex with barred windows is the headquarters of El Camino College Compton Center’s Foster Care Education Building, a place that provides resources and support to help foster students succeed. There are a variety of adult and youth programs offered by their Foster & Kinship Education, but one in particular seeks to improve all aspects of foster students’ lives: the Youth Empowerment Strategies for Success program (YESS).

On Tuesday evening, YESS coordinator Shateo Griffin and instructor Johnny Conley invited potential students to learn more about the program. The one-hour meeting was part informational session, part support group for the foster students who simply want to graduate high school or further their college education. Over a dinner, Griffin and Conley explained the basics of the YESS program to a room of about 15 interested students.

imageIn order to participate in the YESS program, students must enroll in two El Camino College classes: Introduction to College Planning and Career Planning. Although all El Camino college students can enroll in these classes, priority is given to foster students. The state-funded program is geared towards students ages 16 to 21 and meets twice a week for 12 weeks. Four modules covering education, employment, life skills, and financial responsibility are taught through a series of workshops and in-class speakers. Once the 12-week program is complete, students are guaranteed a job in the summer, as long as they enroll as a full-time college student during the school year and graduate high school or earn their GED.

During the informational session, program coordinators stressed that they wanted to cater to students’ specific needs. Griffin said if students had questions for probation officers or Planned Parenthood services, they had speakers lined up to answer their questions. She also offered to find representatives for each students’ individual educational and career interest. Some subjects covered in class are how to obtain a social security card, writing a resume, practicing for a job interview, and opening a bank account. Students will learn about managing money and applying for financial aid and scholarships.

Some students participate in the YESS program because they need help passing the California High School Exit Exam. One Compton student said “I’m trying to make up some [high school] credits to get back on track. I got knocked off… but I got my head right.” Others simply want to ensure they stay on the right track to graduate college. One student interested in the program already completed coursework to become a pharmacy technician but was returning to school to become a probation officer.

Conley, the only YESS instructor and a USC Masters of Education PASA alum, said: “You can benefit from [this program] if you’re trying to get ahead or catch up.” YESS has a 100% success rate, where every student completes the program and goes on to secure a summer job. According to Conley, the YESS program is ultimately “designed to have a higher college going culture in Compton and the SPA-6 area.” That area covers Lynwood, Compton, Paramount, North Long Beach, and Carson.

When the coordinators weren’t providing information about the program, they were providing encouraging words of support and advice to the students. Pamela Godfrey, one of the program’s coordinators, offered an impromptu inspirational pep talk to the foster students. “Take advantage of everything. Don’t feel bad because you’ve come from this kind of background,” she said. “Everybody comes from somewhere. But you have to put it in yourself to make your life better, and break the chain. Go to college. Get the education. Tell your friends that this is the place to be.”

Filed Under: Education, Featured Tagged With: , ,

Perry picks up mayoral endorsement

September 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment


Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry, who is running for mayor in 2013, got an endorsement today from former councilmember Greig Smith (12th District). 

In a statement, Smith praised Perry’s record as a job creator and advocate for citizens across the city’s 9th District.

So far, Perry faces City Controller Wendy Greuel and city council president Eric Garcetti in the 2013 mayoral race.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: , ,

South LA schools to benefit from $500,000 donation

September 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment


imageMeg Whitman was in Los Angeles to announce her foundation was donating $500,000 to bring specialized math software to 10 schools, including six in South LA.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy joined the former California gubernatorial candidate in sharing the news during a press conference that took place on Wednesday morning at the 99th Street Elementary school.

The $500,000 donation made by the Whitman-Harsh Family Foundation will be used to deliver the ST Math visual math software program to the schools, in an effort to improve math performance among students.

ST Math was developed by the MIND Research Institute as part of their National Math Initiative. It has produced positive results in 46 Los Angeles elementary schools that already use this program, where according to MIND research, students have achieved a 13.6 point gain in math proficiency on the 2011 California Standards Test (CST).

imageThanks to the funding, three elementary schools in the South LA area will be able to renew their use of the math software. They are 99th Street Elementary, Figueroa Street Elementary, and Ritter Elementary School. It will also allow three other South LA schools to start using the program. Those schools are Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary, Samuel Gompers Middle School, and Markham Middle School.

Marshall Tuck, CEO of Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, said he was “thrilled” they were able to expand the program to more South LA schools because “young people in South LA are very talented, but have not gotten support they need to be successful.”

Tuck believes that “all students in South LA should have access to these programs.” He explained this new math software’s innovative approach makes students successful in math because it engages them with a more visual and interactive component, using “gaming logic” to complement teaching in the classroom. As a result, Tuck said, MIND’s software produces “significant success on state tests and enjoyment in math” for students. According to Tuck, incorporating MIND’s ST Math software in schools will “help prove what we all ready know – South LA students can do math.”

Filed Under: Education, Featured Tagged With: , , , ,
«Previous Page