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 in regards to 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

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

This is an MHD Off the Record South LA Highlight where Co-Host, Chavonne Taylor, sits down with a local organization doing great work in South LA. On this episode she speaks with Josh Hamm, founder and CEO of The Healing Circle LA, a dialogue space for Black men and women to come together to establish community, support each other and build in a holistic way.  You can learn more about The Healing Circle LA on their website www.thehealingcirclela.org.

MHD and Co-Host Chavonne chop it up with multi-instrumentalist and producer Terrace Martin about his experiences growing up in South LA and how the culture influences his music. Terrace Martin is a 4-time GRAMMY-nominated artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist from the Crenshaw District. Terrace Martin is renowned for being one of the top jazz musicians in the world and has become a creative engine at the epicenter of LA's progressive hip-hop scene. His noteworthy production has included major collaborations with Kendrick Lamar (good kid, M.A.A.D. city & the GRAMMY-winning To Pimp a Butterfly), Travis Scott, Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, Herbie Hancock, and many other influential artists. Terrace Martin has created his own label, Sounds of Crenshaw Records, and his latest album, Drones, is out now.

We speak with community organizer and community organization strategist, Sylvia Castillo, about her work as an organizer in South LA and uniting Black and Latinx communities to action. Sylvia Castillo is the Principal Consultant for Castillo Consulting LLC specializing in nonprofit strategic planning, executive leadership development and public policy advocacy. Sylvia’s projects cover a diverse mix of social justice initiatives and women of color organizing efforts. In 1990 she co-founded the community coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment with now Congresswoman Karen Bass. Sylvia worked from 2005-2012 as District Director for Congress Member Karen Bass and Regional Director for State Assembly Speaker Bass. Currently, Sylvia is the senior policy advisor to Jenesse, Inc., a premier domestic violence program in South Los Angeles.

MHD and Co-Host Chavonne Taylor speak with Naima Keith, Vice President of Education and Public Programs at LACMA, about the important role of Black Art in LA History. Naima J. Keith is the Vice President of Education and Public Programs at LACMA. Within her role, she oversees all aspects of and sets the vision for LACMA’s innovative and exhibition-driven educational programming that serves more than 650,000 community members annually. Prior to her position at LACMA, Keith was the Deputy Director and Chief Curator at the California African American Museum where she guided the curatorial and education departments as well as marketing and communications.

To kick off Black History Month, MHD and co-host Chavonne Taylor discuss the legacy and historical impact of Black Los Angeles with historian Larry Earl Jr.  Larry Earl Jr. is a Leimert Park resident and owner of 1619 Exhibits, a dynamic boutique arts firm that specializes in designing distinctive exhibitions, providing expert archival solutions, producing engaging public programming, and activating public spaces with vibrant civic art and cultural projects. With well over two decades of experience in museums and the field of cultural arts, Larry has been associated with some of our nation’s preeminent cultural institutions. Prior to founding 1619 Exhibits, Larry served as Executive Director of the Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum located in Culver City, CA and was the Founding Executive Director of the Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC).

MHD, along with new co-host Chavonne Taylor, discusses the importance of viewing psychology and mental wellness from a community perspective with Dr. Cheryl Grills. Dr. Cheryl Grills is a Clinical Psychologist with a current emphasis in Community Psychology. She is also a full-time Professor and director of the Psychology Applied Research Center at Loyola Marymount University as well as Governor appointee on the California Reparations Task Force and Chair of LA County Sybil Brand commission.

For this episode, Marqueece Harris - Dawson is joined by Martin Draluck, Chef de Cuisine at Post and Beam in South LA, formerly of Hatchet Hall in Culver City. You may know Chef Mark for his work on the Netflix Docuseries High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America. 

For this episode, Marqueece Harris - Dawson is joined by the ladies from HBO Max’s Sweet Life: Los Angeles: Amanda Scott, Briana Jones, and Tylynn Burns. Their conversation focuses on generational wealth and what young Black people can do to build wealth and community ownership.