There’s a host of new companies sprouting up in the LA scene, the progressive movement is happening before our eyes in every field of human endeavor.  A  few notable:

+YOTOWN: from the creators of Barackthevote, officially launched May 15th (visit website)

+THE ADDICTED CULTURE: Co-Founded by my good friend, business colleague, and partner in progress — Mr. Taj Tashombe. Inspired by the compulsive pursuit of life’s passions. Created in Los Angeles, the clothing line was spawned from the lifestyle and culture of the city (visit website)

Memorial Day Weekend Event Lineup:

+Thursday night: Bait & Switch - an L.A. Party/Mixer with a twist! (view facebook invite)

+Friday night: Plei LA | Cheryl’s Bday Bash (view facebook invite)

+Saturday: The Kings of Summer present: 1st Beach Party & Bonfire of the Summer (view facebook invite)

+Saturday night: Politix do.what.u.do (view facebook invite)

+Sunday: UCLA JazzReggae Festival 2009 // LAPN+CLIMB Booth will be present (visit website)

+Sunday night: BLANC | The Original Memorial Day White Party (view facebook invite)

+Save the Date: Urban Professional Networking Mixer | Thursday May 28th (view flyer)

Now. Don’t say I didn’t tell you. And don’t say I don’t put on for my city. And don’t say I don’t put on for my community. The summer is upon us, it’s about to get very active around these parts…in every field of human endeavor.

Cheers to the city of Los Angeles!

pictured above: the ladies of PolitixLA.com, M. Celeste Williams + Ngwebifor Fobi

My wonderful friends Ngwebifor and Celeste (pictured above) are the two responsible for the entity affectionately known as Politix. They continue to furnish events that attract the progressive-minded demographic and through these efforts, they contribute to the betterment of the city from which I dwell. As you may [or may not] know, my sole purpose is to connect the progress and serve the community…so I’m behind their efforts 100% AND they’re cool people AND they are products of the HBCU experience!

I encourage you to visit their website and get connected. I plan to be in attendance of their upcoming shindig on Saturday (May 23)…hope to see you there. More info below:

Date/Time: May 23, 2009 at 9pm-1am

Location: Bond Street Lounge, Thompson Hotel

Event Description: A multi-cultural networking event, offering “movers and shakers” across LA County an unprecedented opportunity to connect!

Click here to view event flyer »

A Culture of Change | Memorial Day Weekend May 24 – 25, 2009 

Los Angeles, CA – As Memorial Day Weekend approaches, anticipation and excitement is rapidly mounting for The 23rd Annual Jazz Reggae Festival at UCLA presented by SCION. The student run festival, which has attracted an average of 30,000 attendees annually over the past 6 years, features the most prominent and critically acclaimed artists from around the world, along with an international food, arts, and crafts fair. As we enter a new era, this year’s festival has been carefully programmed as “A Culture of Change” with all artists, vendors, sponsors and messages cohesive in support of social and environmental change. With this in mind, the festival’s production team is proud to present this year’s line-up for both days: click here.

In addition to booking this elite line up and maintaining the art production value with a huge LED screen, the production team has continued efforts to make the festival environmentally progressive. Our specified Sustainability Team is working alongside many non-profit organizations to ensure that all aspects of the show are eco-friendly through means such as waste-separation and direct recycling, along with strong encouragement to our vendors to use biodegradable materials. A sustainability tent will provide attendees with information on fair-trade products, energy and water conservation, and the benefits of using locally grown products. There will also be a tent for children that will provide educational activities that emphasize environmental issues.

Tickets Available Now: 

Advanced Tickets $25, Day of Event Tickets $35, Two-day passes $45, Deluxe Two-day passes $115. Ticketmaster and the UCLA Central Ticket Office. Online presale tickets available until May 24, 2009. (click here for Ticketmaster)

Source: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/cripsandbloods/index.html

A cluster of neighborhoods in the heart of Southern California is home to two of America’s most infamous gangs: the Crips and the Bloods. Over the course of their 40-year feud, more than 15,000 people have been murdered in an ongoing cycle of violence that continues unabated. Neighborhoods are staked out, and rigid boundaries are drawn; crossing a street or taking a wrong turn can mean death. Nearly a quarter of the region’s young men who survive the violence will end up in jail or prison.

Narrated by Forest Whitaker, CRIPS AND BLOODS: Made in America combines in-depth interviews with current and former gang members, educators, historians, family members and experts with historical and present-day footage to graphically portray the rivalry between African American gangs in South Los Angeles. Three former gang members—Ron, Bird and Kumasi—recount their experiences growing up in the neighborhood in the 1950s, when segregation kept blacks and whites strictly separated, both by police-enforced neighborhood boundaries and in public organizations like the Boy Scouts. Young black males began forming their own groups, clubs where they could find a sense of belonging. Fighting between rival clubs became part of that culture, but the only weapons then were a strong pair of fists.

The 1950s were a period of black prosperity in Los Angeles, fed by the abundance of industry-based jobs. By the end of the decade, however, those industries began to disappear, resulting in high rates of unemployment. This downward economic spiral along with years of prejudice, racial profiling and heavy-handed police methods, produced an explosive situation. In 1965, a routine traffic stop erupted into full-scale civil conflict on the streets of Watts. The FBI killed and jailed many leaders of the era’s Black Pride Movement, and without strong leadership to steer youth in positive directions, gangs became active once more. This time, their weapons were guns.

In the film, current gang members describe gang life and the status, protection and other benefits membership gives them, painting a bleak picture of the physical, social and personal devastation that is the hallmark of South Los Angeles. Academics and other experts, including California State Senator Tom Hayden and author Gerald Horne, suggest ways of solving underlying problems, rather than just attacking gang-related street violence. Meanwhile, the most promising solutions may come from the people in the neighborhood itself, where former gang members and other concerned individuals have taken on the task of working with young people and providing a positive alternative to gang membership.

Director Stacy Peralta (Dogtown and Z Boys, Riding Giants) brings his trademark dynamic visual style and storytelling ability to this often-ignored chapter of America’s history. Hard-hitting, yet ultimately hopeful, CRIPS AND BLOODS not only documents the emergence of the Bloods and the Crips and their growth beyond the borders of South Central, but also offers insight as to how this continuing tragedy might be resolved.

Join the Los Angeles Professional Network (LAPN) along with 3 USC Marshall Graduate student organzations, Challenge for Charity and non-profit organization CLIMB (Creating Leaders In Mind & Body) for a grand evening that will benefit the youth programs and services of CLIMB and Challenge For Charity (which supports the Special Olympics and Junior Achievement). 

Hosted by Mario Singleton (MS Entertainment) + Curtis Jewell (MyCypher)

The first annual Black and White Ball will be hosted by Black Graduate Business Leaders, Black Graduate Student Network, CLIMB, Latino Graduate Student Association, and Challenge for Charity to provide an opportunity to network with graduate students from across Southern California and young urban professionals in the Los Angeles area. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to expand your professional network while raising funds for charity! 

Dress Code: Semi-Formal/Upscale Attire

Purchase pre-sale tickets for $20 here: http://www.marshall.usc.edu/clubs/bgbl/events.htm
Buy your tickets now! The event is expected to sell out! 

click image/link to register »

Some of the most influential thinkers, entertainers, and political leaders of our time gather each year to discuss the State of the Black Union during Black History Month. Presented annually in February by Tavis Smiley Presents, the symposium was created to educate, enlighten and empower America by bringing people together and engaging them in thoughtful dialogue, leading the way to constructive action.

If you (and your colleagues) are interested in volunteering for the Los Angeles Professional Network @ the State of the Black Union, pls contact us at info@LAProfessionalNetwork.com

click here for more details »

click image above to view recent newsletter »

The Los Angeles Urban League Young Professionals (LAULYP) are “back”, relaunched. Tuesday January 27th (flyer shown below), LAULYP invites all local young professionals out to a kickoff meeting to introduce the new gameplan and administration: a NEW year, a NEW President, a NEW LAULYP!

After graduating from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) and returning to Los Angeles, as a native of the city, I was compelled to dig in, serve the community, and make a name for Ken Billups. With that said, I joined LAULYP to connect with other young professionals aiming to not only seek out opportunity for self, but also serve the community. Over the years, I have partnered and maintained a relationship with LAULYP: the George Thompson administration, Justin Sanders administration, Felton Newell administration, and now the newly appointed President, [CLIMB Board of Director] Taj Tashombe.

[click here to learn more about Taj Tashombe]

This is certainly good news for the city of Los Angeles and I encourage any/all young professionals to get involved in their local community. As a necessary piece in the urban community, we applaud the efforts of resurgence and action. Let’s continue to support Taj Tashombe and the LAULYPs by getting involved and spreading the word. I’ll see you at the meeting…

A NEW year, a NEW President, a NEW LAULYP!

Special Guest Speaker
Dr Anthony Maddox
Chief of Staff, Los Angeles Urban League

Meet your new Board Members:

Taj Tashombe, President
Johanne Vaval, Vice President
Rashida Purifoy, Secretary
Daniel Prince, Treasurer
Cory Wynn, Marketing and Public Relations Chairperson
Michelle Merriweather, Community Service and Programs Chairperson

Don’t sit on the sidelines…Answer the Call to SERVE…

Be a part of the MOVEMENT!

Join for a limited time for $40 (annual membership)
That’s the 20% “we are in a reccession” discount

Mix and Mingle with members, old and new, immediately following the General Body Meeting!

Seven
555 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013

click image above to view recent newsletter »