MHD Off the Record

MHDCD8
  • 5.0 (27)
  • Government
  • Updated Biweekly

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. 4d ago

    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.

    1h 12m

  2. May 25

    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

    37 min

  3. May 11

    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

    1h 16m

  4. Apr 27

    [RE-Air] Ep. 34 What Does Real Public Safety Look Like? (Feat. John Kim)

    The 1992 Los Angeles Civil Unrest, sparked by the acquittal of officers in the brutal beating of Rodney King, exposed deep cracks in the systems meant to protect and serve. More than thirty years later, what actions can we take to create real public safety practices that center justice, equity, and community care? Joining Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson to explore these questions is John Kim, President and CEO of Catalyst California (formerly Advancement Project California). John shares his personal reflections on the uprising and how it continues to shape his work today. He also discusses how Catalyst California is helping to advance a new vision of safety—one that moves away from traditional policing and invests in community-centered solutions like Alternative Traffic Enforcement. Sign up for our newsletter at beacons.ai/mhdcd8 Resources John Kim is the President and CEO of Catalyst California (formerly Advancement Project California), a leading racial justice organization that champions systemic change to achieve equity and expand opportunity across the state. Throughout his career, John has been a strong advocate for community-driven solutions that address structural barriers in public education, voting rights, public finance, and public safety. Under his leadership, Catalyst California has been at the forefront of efforts to reimagine justice and safety by investing in alternatives to policing and advancing policies that center the needs and voices of historically marginalized communities. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to building a more just and inclusive California. Website: www.catalystcalifornia.org Instagram: @catalystca Learn more about Alternative Traffic Enforcement programs and community-based safety models at: www.catalystcalifornia.org/initiatives/reimagine-justice-safety Community Announcements Crenshaw Farmers' Market Open every Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PMLocated at 5730 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90043 (Historic Fire Station 54 parking lot)Accepts CalFresh EBT cards and WIC checks. Offers Market Match, which doubles CalFresh benefits up to $20 per day.For more information, visit foodaccessla.org/crenshaw-farmers-market or follow on Instagram: @crenshawfm __________ Want to learn more about Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson and LA's Council District 8? Follow @mhdcd8 on Instagram and sign up for the newsletter at mhdcd8.org!

    51 min

  5. Apr 13

    [Re-Air]Ep. 25 How Do Our Artists Stay Rooted and Invested in the Community? Feat. D Smoke

    On this episode, LA City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson talks about education, family, and community with Inglewood's own D Smoke. Daniel “D Smoke” Farris is an acclaimed American rapper, singer, and songwriter who rose to fame after winning Netflix's "Rhythm + Flow" in 2019. Known for his seamless blend of rap, R&B, jazz, and gospel, and for incorporating both English and Spanish in his lyrics, D Smoke's music often tackles themes of social justice, community, and identity. His debut album, "Black Habits," released in 2020, was critically praised and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. With a background as a music educator and a family deeply rooted in music, D Smoke's work is characterized by its lyrical depth, musicality, and a mission to inspire and educate. Resources: www.dsmokemusic.com www.instagram.com/dsmoke7 Episode Playlist: https://playlist.sptfy.com/mhdotr25 Community Announcements: Line Dancing Class Fridays 10:00am - 11:30amConstituent Services Center, 8475 S. Vermont Ave, 90044www.instagram.com/p/C3vHUk7OTSh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

    1h 7m

  6. Mar 30

    South LA Highlight: Crop Swap LA

    Jamiah Hargins is the founder and president of Crop Swap LA, a Los Angeles urban farming nonprofit rooted in Leimert Park and dedicated to making fresh, locally grown food accessible to South LA communities. Founded in 2018 as a simple neighborhood produce swap, Crop Swap LA has grown into a globally recognized movement operating multiple microfarms across the city, feeding dozens of families weekly with organically grown produce using rainwater capture and solar energy. Jamiah has been honored by Adidas as part of their Honoring Black Excellence initiative with a commissioned mural unveiled on Degnan Blvd in Leimert Park, named a 2022 LISC Michael Rubinger Community Fellow, and recognized as a Climate Hero by One Earth. Resources Website: www.cropswapla.org Phone: (213) 878-2752 Community Announcements LADWP Landscape Efficiency Assistance Program: www.ladwp.com/LEAP

    36 min

  7. Mar 16

    [Re-Air] Ep. 13 What Should We Know About Black LA Business History? Feat. Yolanda Hester

    African American entrepreneurship has a long and fascinating history in Los Angeles. The period from the 1920s to the 1960s was the era of “race enterprises,” in which black entrepreneurs specifically catered to black consumers. Collectively, these enterprises supported a growing middle class and one of the highest rates of African American homeownership in the country. As rich as this history is, so little is discussed regarding Black business in Los Angeles. So MHD and co-host Chavonne bring it to the surface in an enriching conversation with independent public historian, writer, and researcher Yolanda Hester! Yolanda Hester is an independent public historian, writer, and researcher. She is interested in highlighting lesser-documented stories and helping them find their way to the historical record. Her work has included exploring the history of Black business in LA (Community and Commerce) for The Center for Oral History Research at UCLA, consulting on the history of The Shindana Toy Factory for KCET (Shindana Toy Company: Changing the American Doll Industry), as well as projects for the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and The National Urban League. She currently manages the oral history project for Arthur Ashe Legacy at UCLA. Her most recent essay The Legacy of Shindana Toys: Black Play and Black Power can be found in The American Journal of Play. Resources: www.yolandahester.com www.library.ucla.edu/location/library-special-collections/discover-collections/online-exhibits/community-commerce-oral-histories-african-american-businesses-los-angeles www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/episodes/shindana-toy-company-changing-the-american-doll-industry Episode Spotify Playlist

    44 min

  8. Mar 2

    [Re-Air] Ep. 12 Do We Need New Models of Policing and Public Safety? Feat. Leslie Cooper Johnson and Brian Bentley

    The 1992 Los Angeles Uprising was sparked after a jury acquitted four LAPD officers who had been charged with using excessive force in the arrest and beating of Rodney King on April 29, 1992. With the anniversary of the civil unrest approaching, MHD and his co-host, Chavonne Taylor, discuss new policing and public safety models with PUSH LA (Promoting Unity, Safety & Health in Los Angeles) convener Leslie Cooper Johnson and former LAPD Officer Brian S. Bentley. Leslie Cooper Johnson is the Vice President of Organizational Development at Community Coalition, or CoCo, a social justice organization in South Los Angeles, where she has worked for the past 15 years. A lifelong resident of Inglewood, she received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. As part of her role at CoCo, Leslie convenes the PUSH LA collective, which stands for Promoting Unity, Safety & Health in Los Angeles. PUSH LA was formed in response to decades of racist policing and has a mission to “reimagine protect & serve.” Brian S. Bentley is an author and a former LAPD officer. His first book, One Time: The Story of a South Central Los Angeles Police Officer, graphically depicts his involvement in suspect beatings and describes in detail the gratification he and his partners received from their actions. He claims some officers are addicted to violence and can't stop on their own. His book lets readers see firsthand how police brutality is accepted and encouraged in law enforcement. Bentley spent most of his career at Southwest Division. He was one of the few LAPD officers who lived in the division they patrolled. Resources: REIMAGINING TRAFFIC SAFETY & BOLD POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN LOS ANGELES Episode Spotify Playlist

    50 min
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5
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    MHDCD8
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    122
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 MHDCD8
  • Show Website
    MHD Off the Record

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