MHD Off the Record

MHDCD8

MHD Off the Record takes you inside Los Angeles City Hall with Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson. Each episode explores the culture, politics, and policies shaping life in Los Angeles from housing and homelessness to city planning, public safety, and immigrant rights. Focused on uniting neighborhoods across the city, the MHD Off the Record podcast blends political insight with community-driven solutions. Listeners hear conversations with civic leaders, activists, and community stakeholders that reveal how multicultural organizing, music, and personal stories influence the direction of Los Angeles. If you’re curious about how Los Angeles City Council makes decisions, want to learn about city resources, or care about the future of South LA and beyond, this podcast gives you the context and voices behind the policies that impact Angelenos every day.

  1. 17 août

    South LA Highlight: LA Native

    We sit down with Odessa Bowdin-Sierra, the founder and designer behind LA Native, a Los Angeles apparel brand celebrating local pride, neighborhood identity, and the belief that moving up doesn't always mean moving out. A proud Angelino with deep ties to the Crenshaw community, Odessa first made her mark in 2003 with Nobody Jones Boutique, bringing high-quality, fashion-forward clothing to a neighborhood she felt deserved more options. In this conversation, she shares her journey through the fashion industry, the racism that drove her to open her own shop, the origins of LA Native as a "love letter" to the city, and her philosophy on community reinvestment and small business ownership. ResourcesLA Native website: shoplanative.comLA Native storefront: 4343 Crenshaw Boulevard (across from Leimert Park, next to Taco Mel) Community AnnouncementsSouth LA Economic Development Strategy Meeting Thursday, August 27th | 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Council District 8 Constituent Service Center — 8475 South Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles Conducted in English and Spanish. Accessibility accommodations available upon request. Keep Los Angeles Beautiful — 8th Annual Beautification Conference Saturday, September 19th | 9:00 AM Friendship Auditorium — 3201 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles Free and open to all. Workshops, panel discussions, and a community resource expo with 30+ exhibitors. Subscribe & ReviewRate, subscribe, and review MHD Off the Record — leave a review and get a shout-out on the show!

  2. 3 août

    South LA Highlight: Guardian Gym LA

    In this episode of MHD Off the Record — South LA Highlights, host Chavonne Taylor sits down with Coach Dominic "Nick" Haider, founder of Guardian Project Los Angeles and Omni Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Coach Nick shares his personal journey from a bullied mixed-race kid who found refuge in martial arts through a scholarship, to a professional fighter, to a chef-turned-jiu-jitsu instructor dedicated to serving South LA youth. The conversation explores how Guardian Project LA provides free jiu-jitsu training, mentorship, meals, and wellness resources at Harvard Park, South Park, and Algin Sutton Park through the LAPD's Community Safety Partnership (CSP) program. Coach Nick explains his philosophy of creating a safe, non-militarized space where kids can build confidence, resilience, and agency — drawing on lessons from his own childhood and his years running restaurant kitchens with a culture of care. Resources Website: guardianlosangeles.org Email: nickh@guardianlosangeles.org or nick@omnijiu-jitsu.com Community Announcement Metro Vermont Transit Corridor Project — South LA, help shape the future of transit on Vermont Avenue. Metro's Vermont Transit Corridor Project is moving toward construction, and the decisions made now will affect how families, workers, students, and seniors travel for years to come. Join a community meeting August 10–15, in person or online, and make sure our neighborhoods are heard. 🔗 Learn more: metro.net/vermont

  3. 20 juil.

    Ep. 43: What Does Hip-Hop Reveal About Power and Place? (Feat. Jeff Chang)

    In this episode, Jeff Chang joins Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson to discuss the cultural significance of hip-hop as a language of place, its role in expressing community truths, and how each generation redefines its voice through music, graffiti, and dance. Jeff Chang is an author, journalist, cultural critic, and organizer whose work helped define hip-hop as a political, social, and cultural force. He is the author of Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation, a foundational book on how hip-hop emerged from youth culture, organizing, migration, race, and urban crisis. He also wrote Who We Be: A Cultural History of Race in Post-Civil Rights America and We Gon' Be Alright: Notes on Race and Resegregation. His newest work, Water Mirror Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America, looks at how a cultural icon can become a symbol of identity, resistance, and possibility. Chang's work treats culture as a place where communities explain themselves before institutions are ready to listen. That’s why he is perfect for this conversation about hip-hop, social messaging, Nipsey Hussle's legacy, and what the city's cultural future says about its political future. Key Topics Hip-hop as a cultural languageRepresentation of community truths in musicGenerational evolution of hip-hopHip-hop's role in urban identityJeff Chang's perspective on hip-hop and culture Resources: www.jeffchang.net Community Announcements Visit bit.ly/CD8Summer for Summer Events in CD8

  4. 6 juil.

    [Re-Air] Ep. 27 How Can we Learn about LA's Robust History and Heritage? Feat. Evan Lovett

    On this episode, MHD talks about the fascinating and rich history of the great City of Los Angeles with Evan Lovett. Evan Lovett is the dynamic creator of social media mainstay "L.A. in a Minute" and host of its engaging podcast, In a Minute with Evan Lovett. He emerges from the community of North Hills, fueled by a profound love for Los Angeles. A UCLA journalism graduate, he has worked for the L.A. Times, NBC, and later began working in the AdTech space. Launched in 2022, the series delves into L.A.'s rich history and culture, earning features on KCRW, KIIS-FM, Access Hollywood, KTLA, and more. Lovett's work is a blend of personal storytelling and educational content, aimed at highlighting LA's diverse heritage and intriguing history. Resources: www.instagram.com/lainaminute www.tiktok.com/@evanlovett

  5. 22 juin

    [Re-Air] Ep. 26 How Do We Support Justice-Involved Individuals in South LA? Feat. Susan Burton

    In this episode, MHD talks with A New Way of Life founder, Susan Burton, about her journey to criminal justice activism and the ways we can support those who are coming home after being incarcerated. Susan Burton, an esteemed advocate for criminal justice reform and the founder of A New Way of Life, who has dedicated her life to supporting formerly incarcerated women by providing housing, legal services, and a path to personal empowerment. Having personally navigated the challenges of re-entry after nearly two decades in and out of the criminal justice system, Susan's journey began with her own struggle for recovery following the devastating loss of her young son. Her experiences fueled a commitment to change, leading to the establishment of A New Way of Life in 1998, a beacon of hope and transformation for countless women. Resources: www.beingsusanburton.com www.anewwayoflife.org Spotify Playlist: playlist.sptfy.com/SusanBurton

  6. 8 juin

    Ep. 42: What Happens When You Legislate with Authenticity? (Feat. Holly Mitchell)

    Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell serves on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, representing the Second District, which includes more than two million residents across South Los Angeles, the South Bay, Koreatown, and surrounding communities. A third-generation Angeleno and longtime public servant, Supervisor Mitchell has built her career around equity, expanding the social safety net, and investing in families, children, small businesses, and communities that have historically been underserved. Before joining the Board of Supervisors in 2020, she served in the California State Assembly and State Senate, where she authored more than 100 laws and became known as a strong voice on budget equity, child welfare, economic justice, and racial justice. Her work reflects a deep understanding of Los Angeles County’s role in meeting people’s basic needs while creating pathways for residents to thrive. Resources: mitchell.lacounty.gov Community Announcements South LA Job Fair Crenshaw High SchoolThursday, June 25th, 10 a.m., featuring free food, free Live Scans, a Kids Zone, and live entertainment.All are welcome, and justice-impacted community members are encouraged to attend.Register at southlajobfair.eventbrite.com. Juneteenth Events 6th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & Resource Fair George Washington Carver Park 1400 E. 118th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059Saturday, June 13th 12 to 4 p.m.Free and open to all, with on-site County services, community resources, family activities, live performances, food trucks, health and wellness resources, tenant and landlord resources, record expungement support, pool time and lessons, live art, and more.Register at mitchell.lacounty.gov/Juneteenth-2026. Juneteenth Calling All Sister Dreamer Sculpture Park 1810 W. 76th St.Friday, June 19th 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., featuring dancers, marching bands, drill teams, roller skaters, double dutch crews, and more.Help set the record for the world’s longest Soul Train line.3 p.m. Soul Train line starts.7 p.m. “7 Stories of the Soul” film screening.

  7. 25 mai

    Keys to the City: Bureau of Street Lighting

    Los Angeles has 223,000 streetlights, and the assessments that fund their upkeep haven't been updated since 1996. In this episode, we sit down with two leaders from the Bureau of Street Lighting to break down the ballot landing in property owners' mailboxes right now and what's at stake for neighborhoods like ours if it doesn't pass. The deadline is June 2nd. Listen up and pass it on. Guests: Ansar Mustafa is a lifelong Angeleno who has spent 20 years improving the city he calls home. As a licensed Civil Engineer and ENVISION Sustainability Professional, he currently leads the Community Impact Division for the Bureau of Street Lighting — overseeing everything from decorative neighborhood lighting and community banners to major council-funded infrastructure initiatives. Before joining BSL, Ansar managed complex, multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects at the Bureau of Engineering Rodney Fulton is a seasoned infrastructure professional with nearly three decades of hands-on experience in fiber optics, field leadership, and street lighting systems. He got his start in 1997 with PacBell and rose through the ranks to play a key role in the E-Rate initiative, helping bring fiber connectivity into classrooms across Los Angeles. A proud member of Local 11 for over 24 years, Rodney joined BSL in 2024, where he continues to lead complex fiber projects and mentor the next generation of skilled tradespeople. Resources lalights.lacity.org/residents/prop_218.html For questions or concerns, contact Bsl-assessment@lacity.org

  8. 11 mai

    South LA Highlight: South Central Spits Fire!

    bridgette bianca and GusTavo Guerra Vasquez are co-founders of South Central Spits Fire!, a program created to uplift the cultural and artistic wealth and diversity of literary talent in South Central Los Angeles. bridgette bianca is a poet and professor from South Central whose work centers the Black experience, storytelling, and cultural memory. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Howard University and an MFA in Writing from Otis College of Art & Design, and is the author of be/trouble, a nationally recognized poetry collection that has been featured on major reading lists and literary platforms. She has performed at venues including the LA Times Festival of Books and The World Stage, and continues to lead workshops and community-centered literary programming across the City. GusTavo Adolfo Guerra Vásquez is a poet, professor, peacemaker and curator from South Central whose work spans across the United States and beyond. A co-founder of multiple poetry and art collectives, he has organized and collaborated with artists throughout the Americas, including curating the #PoeticPandemic spoken word series during quarantine. His work has been featured in exhibitions and publications, and he continues to use poetry and cultural programming to connect communities and elevate stories rooted in the community. His poetry chapbook “GuatemaLAngelino” has received accolades from educators and mental health professionals. Resources www.instagram.com/southcentralspitsfire

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À propos

MHD Off the Record takes you inside Los Angeles City Hall with Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson. Each episode explores the culture, politics, and policies shaping life in Los Angeles from housing and homelessness to city planning, public safety, and immigrant rights. Focused on uniting neighborhoods across the city, the MHD Off the Record podcast blends political insight with community-driven solutions. Listeners hear conversations with civic leaders, activists, and community stakeholders that reveal how multicultural organizing, music, and personal stories influence the direction of Los Angeles. If you’re curious about how Los Angeles City Council makes decisions, want to learn about city resources, or care about the future of South LA and beyond, this podcast gives you the context and voices behind the policies that impact Angelenos every day.

Informations

  • Création
    MHDCD8
  • Années d’activité
    2021 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    127
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 MHDCD8
  • Site web de l’émission
    MHD Off the Record

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