Los Angeles magnet school shows off successful STEM and AP program

April 14, 2014 By Leave a Comment


LACES-ARNThe Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies, a prestigious magnet school focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematic curricula, is breaking the mold for lower-income, minority students.

Studies show that STEM courses give high school students access to better colleges and higher-paying jobs, but minority students don’t have as many opportunities to pursue STEM topics. Meanwhile, white, middle-income students are twice as likely to go to a school with a full array of AP courses versus lower-income, minority students.

That’s where LACES comes in.

Learn more in a story from Annenberg Radio News:

Most of its 1,600 students have above a 3.5 GPA and over 85 percent are accepted into successful four-year universities.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Education, More on Intersections Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

MyFigueroa could bring bike lanes to Figueroa near South LA

April 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment


MyFigueroa-ARN

L.A. cyclists, drivers and pedestrians are reacting to the L.A. City Council’s MyFigueroa project, an initiative to create more bike lanes, cycle tracks and pedestrian walkways on Figueroa Street from Exposition Park through Downtown L.A.

“If you’re adding more bike lanes … You’re just going to increase the congestion,” said Christina Ramsey, an L.A. native who drives on Figueroa every day.

“I can potentially get somewhere faster for less money and breathe in fresh air while doing so,” said Asha Anderson, a college student who bikes near Adams Boulevard and in downtown L.A.

One in ten households in L.A. does not have a car, according to the L.A. County Bicycle Coalition. The group is pushing for city planners and politicians to change the way they look at transportation in the city as a whole.

Learn more in an audio story from Annenberg Radio News:

Filed Under: Business, Community, More on Intersections, Transportation Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Students at Foshay explore digital privacy

April 11, 2014 By Leave a Comment


LAUSD’s Teacher of the Year, Leslie Aaronson, spearheaded a workshop at Foshay High School in South LA on Tuesday morning. She had her students create ad campaigns about topics they were interested in. They all chose digital footprints and online security.

The students were divided into five groups and each group had their own booth at the workshop that all students of the school could attend. As the students came in their peers taught them about online security and safe Internet usage. Some students did not know that privacy settings existed in social media. Others incorrectly thought that deleting a post from the Internet meant that it would disappear permanently, when that is not the case.

The students in Aaronson’s class helped workshop attendees by having students log into their Facebook or social media accounts. The groups would then tell the students which posts should be deleted or avoided. Another group created a video tutorial that walked students through changing their privacy settings for Facebook.

Aaronson’s class chose issues with social media and online security because they are seniors heading off to college or applying for work. They know that future employers or admissions officers will look at their social media sites.

Hear the voices of Foshay students:

Filed Under: Education, More on Intersections, Technology Tagged With: , , ,

Crime survivors likely to be victims of crime again

April 10, 2014 By Leave a Comment


One in five people in California has been a victim of crime in the past five years, according to a study released Tuesday by the Chief Justice Earl Warren Institute on Law and Social Policy at the University of California Berkeley’s School of Law. The study was commissioned by Californians for Safety and Justice.

The study is called Untold Stories of California Crime Victims: Research and Recommendations on Repeat Victimization and Rebuilding Lives.  It is based on interviews and focus groups with people who have been victims of repeat crimes.

“People in certain communities are more likely to be repeated victims of crimes,” said Lenore Anderson, executive director of Californians for Safety and Justice.

Low income communities, people of color and young people are more at risk of being repeatedly victimized, according to Anderson.

This story from Annenberg Radio News features comments from Anderson and LAPD Officer Munish Bharadwaja of the 77th Street Police Station.

Filed Under: More on Intersections, Public Safety Tagged With: , ,

Community leaders seek healthcare funds for LA County’s uninsured

April 9, 2014 By Leave a Comment


AffordableCareApril2014-ARNAs the enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act comes to an end, about one million people in Los Angeles County remain uninsured. Community groups and activist organizations are calling upon the Board of Supervisors to propose a plan for those still without healthcare.

Click play on an audio story from Annenberg Radio News to hear from those ineligible for Obamacare, as well as the voices of the people fighting on their behalf for another solution.

Filed Under: Health, More on Intersections Tagged With: , , , ,

South LA loses trees in Crenshaw/LAX Metro line construction

April 7, 2014 By Leave a Comment


Construction for the new metro rail line on Crenshaw blvd.

Construction for the new metro rail line on Crenshaw blvd.

The new 8.5 mile Crenshaw/LAX light rail line could change the look of South L.A. by bringing an influx of businesses and pedestrian traffic. It could change the South L.A. landscape in another way, too: By cutting down about 100 trees along a two mile stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard between Exposition and 48th street to make room for the train.

Romell Pace, a local who sells shirts at the corner of Crenshaw and Slauson Boulevards, said the trees need to stay.

“Once the trees are removed… it’s going to be slow on business,” he said. “I believe that the trees should stay there because they are landmarks.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Baldwin Hills, Community, Crenshaw, Environment, Expo Park, Hyde Park, Jefferson Park, Leimert Park, More on Intersections, Neighborhoods, South Central LA, Uncategorized, University Park, Vermont Knolls, Vermont Square, Vernon-Central Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bus Riders Union superhero El Pasajero protests proposed fare increase

April 5, 2014 By Leave a Comment


Subway and bus rides could soon cost significantly more, if Metro carries out its new budget proposals.

Under one plan, the $1.50 base fare would rise to $1.75 in September, and increase to $2 by 2017 and $2.25 by 2021. An alternative plan would lift the fare at peak hours to $2.25 in September, and $2.75 in 2017 with fares reaching as high as $3.25 in 2021. Visit Metro’s website to see other fare increase proposals.

According to the Los Angeles Bus Riders Union, the increases will have dramatic consequences for L.A.’s low-income communities.

Metro has reported that its riders earn an average income of $16, 250 — just one third of the average across the county.

Last week, we witnessed one particularly creative way of protesting the potential rise in public transportation fares on a street in South L.A. … click play to watch.

Filed Under: More on Intersections, Transportation Tagged With: , , , ,

Nonprofit Spotlight: 24th Street Theatre

April 4, 2014 By Leave a Comment


24thStTheatre-650

Teatro del Pueblo project at the 24th St. Theatre | Daina Beth Solomon

What is the 24th Street Theatre’s purpose? To engage, educate, and provoke our diverse community with excellent theatre and arts education.

When was the 24th Street Theatre founded? 1997

Which areas does the 24th Street Theatre serve? North University Park and surrounding areas

What services does the  24th Street Theatre provide? Arts Education, free after-school programming with snacks, and professional performances for the community from Los Angeles and around North America. Our shows cost only 24 cents for neighborhood residents.

What are the 24th Street Theatre’s recent accomplishments? Winner of the 2012 Peter Zeisler Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in the American Theatre.

Video Courtesy of the 24th Street Theatre Youtube Channel

Art Education Workshop | Photo Courtesy of 24th Street Theatre

Art Education Workshop | Photo Courtesy of 24th Street Theatre

What does the the 24th Street Theatre consider as…

…top safety issues in South L.A.? Youth need more things to do during non-school hours. I feel very safe in this neighborhood, but USC students need to realize when they aren’t on campus that they are in the inner city. They constantly ride their bikes while texting or just randomly bike into traffic without paying attention. I also think getting the students out to volunteer in the neighborhood would help with community relations. We have some excellent USC work study students here that work closely with neighborhood youth and are great role models to them.

…top education issues in South L.A.?  There are some great youth here in our community that need help with finding options post high school, including how and when to apply for college, and career options.

What are  the 24th Street Theatre affiliated programs? The Saturday Explorer Series, Leadership Academy,

Hours: Noon to 6, Monday through Friday, with performances occasionally on Saturdays and Sundays.

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @24thST

Contact info: Jennie McInnis, Executive Assistant, [email protected], 213.745.6516.

Photo courtesy of 24th Street Theatre

Photo courtesy of 24th Street Theatre

Filed Under: Nonprofit Spotlight Tagged With: , , , , ,

This Day in Black History: April 2, 1965; Leimert takes steps toward re-branding with pop-up plaza and more

April 4, 2014 By Leave a Comment


Mural on Jefferson | Photo Credit: Stephanie Monte

Mural on Jefferson | Photo Credit: Stephanie Monte

A roundup of news stories about South L.A:

This Day in Black History: April 2, 1965 (BET News)

South LA needs trees (Los Angeles Times)

How will Michelle Papillion’s new gallery help Leimert Park (LA Weekly)

Leimert takes steps toward re-branding with pop-up plaza and more (LA Sentinel)

Filed Under: In the news

College is a big dream for South LA teen

April 4, 2014 By Leave a Comment


Andy Garcia on the basketball court | Jennifer Velez

Andy Garcia on the basketball court | Jennifer Velez

Entering higher education can become a symbolic accomplishment for second generation Americans whose parents left their native countries to give them better opportunities. But what happens when college is not an immediate option for them? Meet Andy Garcia, a Locke High School athlete, who is looking for alternative ways to make a family feat a reality after not being able to attend college straight after high school.

Click play on an audio story from Annenberg Radio News:

Filed Under: Education, More on Intersections Tagged With: , , , ,
«Previous Page
Next Page»