Dear LA Civil Rights Family,



Our Hispanic Heritage Month festivities may have ended, but we continue to honor and showcase the rich, diverse cultures making up Los Angeles all year. Our 41 commissioners beautifully embody this diversity, working tirelessly to uplift equity and inclusion across our city.

In October, we also celebrate Filipino American History Month. A special shout-out goes to our incredible Filipino Commissioners: Commissioner Enrique de la Cruz (Human Relations Commission), Commissioner Karina Samala (Transgender Advisory Council), and Commissioner Abigail Zelenski (Commission on Civil Rights). Their commitment to preventing hate and discrimination in LA makes them true changemakers in every space they enter.

We remain committed to addressing hate and discrimination in our communities, striving to break the silence in every possible way—which includes reaching people through radio airwaves. Recently, I appeared on KBLA 1580 AM's Legal Lens with Angela Reddock-Wright, Esq., where we discussed the ongoing efforts and progress in the fight for justice and equity in LA. You may have also heard former Commissioner Cindy Pánuco, Esq., on KNX, reflect on the powerful insights from our Latinas Leading Change panel discussion.



Civic engagement is essential to achieving our goals of building a more equitable, inclusive, and just LA, especially during election season. Unfortunately, hate incidents and violence tend to spike in election years, with hate crimes in Los Angeles rising during each presidential or midterm election cycle since 2012. I encourage all Angelenos to make a plan to vote. Our partners at LA County have created a non-partisan campaign focused on their Human Relations Commission - LA vs Hate goal of elevating the importance of civic engagement as a tool to address hate, and an easy one-stop voting resource guide for everything you need to know to cast your vote.

Together, our diverse perspectives, thoughtful actions, and collective voices matter as we continue working toward an #LAForAll.

Keep the faith and keep the fight,





Capri Maddox, Esq.

Executive Director

LA Civil Rights Department

Latino Heritage Month Recap

Video Discrption: Latinas Leading Change panel discussion video recap produced by CityView

Hispanic Heritage Month was a vibrant and busy time for the City, celebrating the largest ethnic group in LA and the beautiful diversity of the City of Angels. We kicked off the month with the annual El Grito de Dolores – honoring Mexican Independence - hosted by Council District 13's Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez.

Recognition of the contributions and influence of Latino culture on LA continued from September 15 through October 15 with our social media video series "Latino Heritage Month Spotlights", each video posted highlighted a Latino leader in LA, as they shared their personal story and what Latino Heritage Month means to them.

We capped off the month with a wildly successful and impactful panel discussion sponsored by Council Districts 1 and 14 "Latinas Leading Change: Trailblazers in Advocacy, Philanthropy, Business, Academia, Entertainment, and Wealth". The panelists were intentional and left attendees feeling inspired to make a change and show up unapologetically themselves. The panel discussion highlighted how Latinas are driving change, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society, and empowering others to follow in their footsteps.

Image Description: Photo of the Taste of Soul welcome sign on historic Crenshaw Blvd.

This past weekend, we celebrated the 19th Annual Taste of Soul Family Festival! A huge thanks to our L.A. REPAIR partner, the Los Angeles Urban League, for hosting us. We had an amazing time, connecting with the community, sharing our work, and offering our services.

Taste of Soul has become a beloved tradition, earning its title as the most attended and popular family festival in Southern California. Each year, more than 350,000 people look forward to filling Historic Crenshaw Blvd. for this incredible one-day street festival. The event is free to the public and features over 150 diverse and delicious food offerings, making it a must-attend for foodies from near and far.

Founded by Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., CEO and Executive Publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper, the festival is more than just a celebration—it’s a "party with a purpose." As an economic engine for the local community, it plays a vital role in supporting the revitalization of South LA, showcasing the very best the community has to offer.

LA Civil Rights: We're in Community

Image Description: LA Civil Rights Executive Director Capri Maddox talking to children at a community event

At LA Civil Rights, we proudly partner with organizations across the City to share a common goal - creating an inclusive and equitable #LAForAll. Together in Service is one of our partners offering a fantastic opportunity to get involved and make a difference. With a mission to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy, Together in Service aims to complete 25,000,000 service hours by 2029. Join Together in Service Partners, including Community Build, on Saturday, October 26, 2024, for a disaster preparedness, food giveaway, and health resource fair.

If you're looking for another way to get involved in the community, join our Volunteer Corps. LA Civil Rights' VolCorps is more than a volunteer opportunity. It is a community of Angelenos dedicated to advancing civil rights, human rights, and equity in LA. Submit an application during the new application period: December 2 - December 13, 2024.

The fight for equity and inclusion does not belong to just one person. It takes all of us working together to create the Los Angeles we can be proud of. There is power in numbers and we want more force-multipliers to stand on the right side of history with us. If this sounds like you or someone you know, apply to join the movement!