Hello Nicole,

Change doesn't come easily.

Just ask the earliest Jewish community of Los Angeles, who founded its first charitable organization in 1854, but faced flagrant antisemitism. Or ask the first Asian American settlers who were here for LA's founding, but faced perpetual xenophobia and mass violence.

Despite generations of discrimination, both communities have been central to the story of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles we know today was made possible by Jewish, Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian communities - and we are honored to celebrate their heritage each May - which is both Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month.

Los Angeles is a place where people from all over the world come to build a brighter future. I firmly believe that our diversity is our greatest asset, and that there is no challenge we face that can't be overcome when we stand in solidarity and community.

We aren't just standing, but marching forward - fighting discrimination, expanding equity, and building an LA For All. Change doesn't come easily, but we are making it together.

Keep the faith and keep the fight,

- Capri Maddox

Executive Director

Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department

Honoring Our Outgoing Commissioners

Last Wednesday, we held a farewell luncheon for our outgoing commissioners who served on the Human Relations Commission, Commission on Civil Rights, and Commission on the Status of Women. LA Civil Rights extends a heartfelt thank you to:

• Helena Marissa Montes, Chair, Commission on Civil Rights
• Aziza Hasan, Commissioner, Commission on Civil Rights
• Keith Parker, Commissioner, Commission on Civil Rights
• Jackie Filla, President, Commission on the Status of Women
• Vicki Curry, Vice President, Commission on the Status of Women
• Marla Messing, Commissioner, Commission on the Status of Women
• Nancy Rubin, Commissioner, Commission on the Status of Women
• Myesha Ward, Commissioner, Commission on the Status of Women
• Melany De La Cruz-Viesca, 2nd Vice President, Human Relations Commission
• Irene Tovar, Commissioner, Human Relations Commission
• Nirinjan Singh Khalsa, Commissioner, Human Relations Commission
• Stacy Twilley, Commissioner, Human Relations Commission
• Herpsima Khatchadorian, Commissioner, Human Relations Commission

These leaders have brought our city closer to justice, equity and one another. Some have served for more than a decade, creating events, groundbreaking reports and critical inter-community dialogues that made our city safer and more connected. Each and every one has been a vital voice to make our city government more responsive, inclusive and equitable. Thank you for your service and helping us build an #LAForAll.

Mayor Bass Meets our Faith Leaders Roundtable

Last week, Mayor Karen Bass joined our Faith Leaders Roundtable to discuss strategies for fighting hate, discrimination, and addressing a range of challenges. Our Faith Leaders Roundtable is a diverse group of faith leaders representing many different faith communities helping us build solidarity, strength and a more connected Los Angeles. Over the past two years, we have worked with our Faith Leaders Roundtable to hold Solidarity Vigils, Unity Prayers, Interfaith Dialogues and more.

We are honored and excited to join Mayor Bass in addressing the crisis of homelessness and building and LA for All. Faith leaders are a part of the solution - and we're proud to bring them into the conversation of serving our city.

Producing Equity: A Discussion on Diversity in Hollywood

Last week, LA Civil Rights Executive Director Capri Maddox sat down with panelists to discuss inequity in Hollywood and increasing diversity in hiring and upward mobility for the entertainment industry. In this discussion, the panelists pulled the curtain down and shared personal and professional experiences within the industry to talk about the barriers for diverse talents to be hired in Hollywood. While all panelists work in different areas of the industry, they shared the same sentiment that there needs to be more efforts for creating pipelines and supporting diverse staff on set.

Thank you to our panelists: Sumi Parekh from Group Effort Initiative, Martin Russell Johnson, filmmaker and mentor, and Chip Warren from ManifestWorks, which works to bring formerly homeless and incarcerated individuals into the filmmaking business. We would also like to thank Arthur Fishel for bringing such a great group of panelists together and Channel 35 for giving LA Civil Rights a platform to for this conversation.

Watch the discussion below or click here for more!