Fifty years after Watts Rebellion, residents commemorate in vacant lots



Watts recently commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Rebellion.

During the commemoration, the Watts Reimagined team, which includes Grant Housing & Economic Development Corporation, the Natural Resources Defense Council Urban Solutions Program and Kounkuey Design Initiative, brought people together in an abandoned lot on 103rd Street and Central Avenue.

During the event Watts residents came together for entertainment and healthy living activities like Zumba and food cooking demonstration.

Though the 50th anniversary events are winding down, the Watts Reimagined team hopes to keep these community building activities alive and continue creating impactful changes throughout the area.

Learn more about the Watts Reimagined mission here.

Fatal police interactions spark ‘Know Your Rights’ panel in Compton



LA protests Ferguson grand jury decision | Charlie Magovern (Neon Tommy)

In response to recent alleged incidents of police brutality, panelists talked about how citizens should interact with the police.   | Charlie Magovern (Neon Tommy)

Educating residents on how to interact with law enforcement was at the top of the agenda for the “Know Your Rights” panel recently held in Compton. The event, held in the wake of the deaths of African Americans Sandra Bland and Sam DuBose, which involved police interactions that began as traffic stops that escalated in both cases. Panelists, pointing to these national headlines, stressed the importance of the black community knowing their civil rights in such situations.

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When an NBA all-star from South LA comes home + Councilman Price hosts grant-making training



L.A. District 9 councilman Curren Price greets former mayor Antonio Villaraigosa after the groundbreaking. | Phoenix Tso/Neon Tommy

L.A. District 9 councilman Curren Price has helped with other initiatives around the University Park Campus. | Phoenix Tso/Neon Tommy

When an NBA all-star from South LA comes home: NBA star Russell Westbrook, who plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder, returned to his South L.A. neighborhood and talked to students at a 75th Street Elementary school. (Los Angeles Times)

Councilman Curren Price, Jr. hosts grant-making training for non-profits: The event held in Los Angeles Expo System responded to increasing needs of non-profits that serve South LA to more efficiently and effectively fund raise money. (Los Angeles Sentinel)

Three NFL teams all want to move to Los Angeles really badly: The city has not had a professional football team since the 1990s. Now, three teams are possibly vying for a spot in the city — with a stadium in Inglewood remaining on the list of potential spaces (Curbed LA)

Honoring the man who broke golf’s color barrier + Social media are reshaping policing and conversations about violence



Mark Ridley-Thomas | Rebecca Gibian

Mark Ridley-Thomas | Rebecca Gibian

Honoring the man who broke golf’s color barrier: Charlie Sifford, the athlete who broke golf’s color barrier by winning the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour card in 1961, was honored posthumously when Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas named a street in South L.A. after him (Inglewood Today)

Social media are reshaping policing and conversations about violence: The Los Angeles Police Department says more people are posting graphic photos, even sometimes of murder scenes on social media. This is leading to conversations on how to regulate, if at all, pictures of violence on social media. (Los Angeles Times)

Dr. Dre apologizes to the ‘Women I’ve hurt’: The blockbuster movie “Straight Outta Compton” that came out last week was slammed by critics for not strongly depicting the misogyny of the group members. The outcry led to one of the group members and media giant Dr. Dre apologizing for his past instances, one which includes hitting a female journalist (The New York Times)

South Placer personalities reflect on influence, history behind ‘Straight Outta Compton’: A town 464 miles away from South Los Angeles reflects on the legacy of the 1980s and 1990s rap group N.W.A. left on their town. (Roseville & Granite Bay Press Tribune)

Watts fresh food markets respond to community needs



Healthy food options are sprouting in Watts.

The riots that occurred in Watts in 1965 left the community without stable and reliable restaurants and other food establishments. As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the Watt’s Riots, the community continues to rebuild and grow. One of those things growing is a farmer’s market, an exciting solution for healthy foods in the Watts community. Check out this video below to see how health educators bring a fresh new perspective to food options in Watts

Watts Village Theater Company founder dies



Lynn Manning 2

Lynn Manning, founder of Watts Village Theater Company, dies at 60. | Photo provided by Watts Village Theater Company

Lynn Manning, co-founder and artistic director of Watts Village Theater Company, died of liver cancer Monday at 60.

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