Best Dwayne Gathers Podcasts (2025)

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Ep #84: CivitasLA “Best of” – Favorite Places to take a Visitor” 4:40

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2+ y ago4:40

4:40

Best-selling author Steven Rowley is quoted as saying: “There are times when Los Angeles is the most magical city on Earth. When the Santa Ana winds sweep through and the air is warm and so, so clear. When the jacaranda trees bloom in the most brilliant lilac violet. When the ocean sparkles on a warm February day and you’re pushing fine grains of s…

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Ep #83: CivitasLA “Best of” – Favorite Restaurants 4:35

3y ago4:35

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The Economist magazine, in a holiday special from December 2021, entitled “The Pleasures of The Table” – discussing how restaurants came to be and how the pandemic may change them – noted: “Being deprived of restaurants has made people realize how much they value them. Eating out fulfills needs which seem fundamental to human nature. People need to…

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Ep #82: Interfaith Community | Reverend Kathy Cooper Ledesma, Senior Pastor, Hollywood United Methodist Church & Rabbi Mari Chernow, Senior Rabbi, Temple Israel of Hollywood 36:22

3y ago36:22

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Author David J. Wolpe, in “Why Faith Matters,” states “On balance, religion increases social stability, enabling people to live happier, more productive and better lives. That does not demonstrate religion’s truth. It does remind us, however, that we are creatures designed to flourish – to heal and to help – when we believe.” Exploring the state of…

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Ep #81: Crowdfunding Community | Quentin Strode, President & CEO, NEW Community Investments 39:38

3y ago39:38

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From an article by Meredith Wood, entitled: “What Is Crowdfunding? Definition, How It Works, Types,” she notes “Crowdfunding is a form of financing a project or business venture by raising small amounts of money from a collective of individuals. There are over 600 different crowdfunding platforms in the world that make it easy for entrepreneurs, in…

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Ep #80: Sisters at Work | Lia Dias, Owner LeAnn & Leslie Jones, Co-Owners, Hype Hair Magazine and 1010 Wine Bar & Events 58:55

3y ago58:55

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In a report from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor entitled “Women’s Entrepreneurship 2020/21, Thriving Through Crisis,” it states: “Entrepreneurship is an essential driver of societal health and wealth. It is also a formidable engine of economic growth.” It further notes: “Women entrepreneurs are making significant contributions to the global econom…

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Ep #79: Creating Connection Through Laughter | Dani Klein Modisett, Founder & CEO, Laughter On Call 44:57

3y ago44:57

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As we recognize Alzheimer’s Awareness Month (November), a time to heighten awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, which affects more than 6 million Americans, and recognize National Entrepreneurship Month (also November), a time -- as shared in a proclamation from the White House – to celebrate entrepreneurs who “combine passion, resilie…

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Ep #78: Empowering Communities/Promoting Excellence | Arturo Sneider, CEO, Primestor Development, Inc. 46:33

3y ago46:33

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As CivitasLA continues its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re joined by Arturo Sneider, Founding Partner & CEO of Primestor Development Inc. With no prior experience in the sector, but inspired by a desire to revitalize neighborhoods through real estate, Arturo joins CivitasLA to discuss Primestor’s mission of managing and developing pro…

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Ep 77: Community Spotlight: Boyle Heights | Josefina Lopez, Founding Artistic Director, Casa 0101 Theater/Screenwriter & Alfred Fraijo Jr., Attorney/Community Leader 1:09:12

3y ago1:09:12

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It’s been said, by Jorge N. Neal, co-curator and museum educator at the Boyle Heights Museum, that “all roads lead to Boyle Heights, it’s a place of intersection.” Boyle Heights, part of the original Spanish land grant that established the city of Los Angeles in 1781, covering roughly 6.5 square miles located 3 miles east of Downtown, is one of LA’…

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Ep #76: Curating Community | Leticia Rhi Buckley, Chief Executive Officer, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 43:48

3y ago43:48

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The story of Los Angeles is the story of the Mexican, Mexican American, and Latino experience in the region. Sharing that story is the work of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, based in Downtown Los Angeles, which seeks to honor the past, inspire the future, and recognize the enduring cultural influence of Mexicans, Mexican Americans and all Latinas/Lat…

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Ep #75: Whose House? | Kevin Demoff, Chief Operating Officer, Los Angeles Rams 53:32

3y ago53:32

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From an article entitled: “The Importance of Sports in Society,” it notes “Sports are a telling reflection of a society's values, and they are a significant contributor as well, especially in the United States. Sports impact our culture, our other sources of entertainment and our economy.” Join CivitasLA in discussion with Kevin Demoff, Chief Opera…

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Ep #74: Resourcing Community | Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, President & CEO, The Center by Lendistry 37:39

3y ago37:39

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Reports suggest that approximately 10% of all American businesses are Black-owned. However, this community of businesses witnessed the sharpest decline due to the COVID 19 pandemic, with 41% of businesses closing, according to April 2020 census data. Since then, Black-owned businesses have rebounded, with 2021 showing the strongest creation of smal…

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Ep #73: Women Building Community | Ayahlushim Getachew, Principal, T.A. Group & Kacy Keys, Founder, Praxis Development Group 52:12

3y ago52:12

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In an article entitled “Women are underrepresented in CRE – Here’s how we change it” the author notes “while 64% of all residential realtors are women, in CRE (commercial real estate), that number is roughly 36.7%. Zippia.com, which tracks real estate developer demographics, the numbers further show that amongst developers, women represent 33% vers…

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Ep #72: Global Community | A Conversation with Mr. Christian Huebel (City of Mannheim, Germany) & Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte (Quezon City, Philippines) 42:32

3y ago42:32

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Building bridges between Los Angeles and the world, the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (IVCLA) plays a crucial role in creating international connections; cultivating local innovation; and activating global potential. For more than 40 years, IVCLA has facilitated countless leadership exchanges and cross border programs in close coord…

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Ep #71: CivitasLA “Best of” – Favorite Places to take a visitor” 5:06

3y ago5:06

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In a December 2021 article by Time Out magazine, it noted about Los Angeles: “This city is big—and stuffed with so many worthwhile experiences that you’ll never be asking yourself what to do—so expect to put in the miles taking in everything it has to offer, from the beaches of Santa Monica to the vibrant historic streets of the Arts District and s…

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Ep #70: CivitasLA “Best of” – Favorite Places to take a sip” 5:25

3y ago5:25

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From a report in “Restaurant Business” -- Beverages play an important role in our everyday lives. Besides the obvious importance of hydrating our bodies, the drink is a social gathering tool. Whether sharing an ice cream soda, toasting a new bride and groom with champagne, celebrating a promotion with a fine vintage, or meeting friends for coffee, …

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Ep #69: CivitasLA “Best of” – Favorite Restaurants 5:09

3y ago5:09

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Television writer Philip Rosenthal is quoted as saying “A good restaurant is like a vacation – it transports you, and it becomes a lot more than just about the food.” Are you ready to be transported? Join CivitasLA for this mini-episode as we hear from previous guests (including Marqueece Harris-Dawson; Karen A. Clark; Jasmin Willis; David Carlisle…

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Ep #68: Championing Community | Lorri L. Jean, CEO, Los Angeles LGBT Center 44:31

3+ y ago44:31

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As CivitasLA celebrates Pride Month 2022, we are joined by Lorri L. Jean, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, recognized as one of the most seasoned and effective LGBTQ leaders in the country. Starting from humble beginnings, with a budget of just under $8 million in 1993 when she arrived, her leadership has witnessed an exponential growth in resou…

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Ep #67: Advancing LGBTQ+ Representation | Alia J. Daniels, Esq., Co-Founder & COO, and Christopher J. Rodriguez, Esq., Co-Founder & CBO, Revry 38:54

3+ y ago38:54

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In a report from Project Child entitled “Why Diverse Representation Matters,” it notes: “How often do you see an accurate depiction of yourself? How often can you pick out a character from a cast and be able to relate to their identity or cultural background? Are those questions even relevant enough to ask? The short answer: yes.” As CivitasLA cele…

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Ep #66: Community Spotlight: Koreatown | Janet Burt, Lewis Brisbois; OG Chino, Escala K-town & Alexander Kim, Three Kings Public Affairs 1:10:57

3+ y ago1:10:57

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During the 1970s, after the United States relaxed immigration restrictions, more Koreans began to settle in what became Los Angeles’s 2.7-mile neighborhood of Koreatown. Over time, this enclave of Korean immigrants has become a hotbed of Korean culture – from Korean BBQ to K-Pop – making a significant impact on the culture and economy of our region…

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Ep #65: Journaling Los Angeles | Alex Valente, SVP, Trammell Crow Company 50:50

3+ y ago50:50

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With a goal to better understand the diverse communities and property types he was responsible for building across the region as a developer, Alex Valente, SVP, Trammell Crow Company, joins CivitasLA and shares his unique experience during the pandemic of decamping from his home and living in five different neighborhoods and multi-family property t…

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Ep #64: Connecting the Dots & Drops | Adel Hagekhalil, General Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California 51:32

3+ y ago51:32

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As CivitasLA marks “Earth Day” 2022, we note the extraordinary importance of water to the very formation and growth of our region and the impact its scarcity will have on future growth. Join us in conversation with Adel Hagekhalil, General Manager of The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) as he discusses their history, central…

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Ep #63 Leading L.A. | A Conversation with Craig Greiwe, Businessman 29:20

3+ y ago29:20

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With a mission to elevate civic discourse, foster community connections, and promote civic knowledge and engagement, CivitasLA is proud to offer this series of conversations with Los Angeles Mayoral candidates seeking to lead this diverse and dynamic city. Join our conversation with businessman Craig Greiwe as we discuss the importance of civic eng…

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Ep #62: Nourishing Community | Nora Houndalas, Le Petit Greek; Claire Risoli, PochaLA & Robert Schwan, Gjelina 53:01

3+ y ago53:01

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A recent study indicates that of all things consumers want to do in a post-pandemic world, going to a restaurant is the top item. In fact, 62 percent of all respondents indicated this is the first thing they'll do. While restaurants are great for our collective psyche, they're also great for the economy. Considering just the independent restaurants…

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Ep #61 Leading L.A. | A Conversation with Mike Feuer, Los Angeles City Attorney 40:42

3+ y ago40:42

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With a mission to elevate civic discourse, foster community connections, and promote civic knowledge and engagement, CivitasLA is proud to offer this series of conversations with Los Angeles Mayoral candidates seeking to lead this diverse and dynamic city. Join our conversation with Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer, the city’s chief lawyer and …

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Ep #60: Cultivating Commerce | Lupita Sanchez Cornejo, Board Chair, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce 40:33

3+ y ago40:33

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Formed in 1921 to replace the old Hollywood Board of Trade, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has represented and advocated for a cross section of businesses large and small, non-profit organizations, and residents throughout the Hollywood community. As the second largest business organization in the Los Angeles region, the Chamber also has the uni…

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Ep #59: Fostering Thriving Families | Lorna Little, President and CEO, St. Anne’s Family Services 37:22

3+ y ago37:22

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Founded in 1908 as a home for pregnant young women with nowhere else to turn, St. Anne’s Family Services has evolved into one of the region’s leading social services agencies, meeting the ever-changing needs of Los Angeles’ most vulnerable populations by offering an array of comprehensive services that promote the safety, resilience and ongoing ach…

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Ep #58: Women Lead | Denise Lopez Diaz, Councilmember, South Gate & Lindsey Horvath, Councilmember, West Hollywood 51:03

3+ y ago51:03

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What began (in 1978) as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California as “Women’s History Week,” led by the work of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women became “Women’s History Month” in 1987 when the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 100-9. As CivitasLA celebrates Women’s History Month, we’re joined by two emerging leaders in our regi…

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Ep #57: Building A Healthy Community | Dr. David Carlisle, President & CEO, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science 33:38

3+ y ago33:38

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Dating back to the American Revolutionary War, African Americans have made significant contributions to our country in science and medicine. Names we may not recognize include those such as Patricia Bath, a pioneer in the treatment and prevention of blindness. Bath became the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology in 1973, …

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Ep #56: Banking Our Communities | Karen A. Clark & Jasmine Willis, City National Bank 39:33

3+ y ago39:33

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Created in 1977 in the aftermath of the Civil Rights movement, with an aim to address the historical disinvestment in urban communities, the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) has sought to encourage financial institutions to better meet the credit needs of the communities in which they do business, including those considered low- and moderate-income…

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Ep #55: Chaos or Community? | A Conversation with Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson 34:33

3+ y ago34:33

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As CivitasLA honors the legacy of the late Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are reminded of words from his last book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” First, the line of progress is never straight. For a period a movement may follow a straight line and then it encounters obstacles and the path bends. It is like curving around a mo…

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Ep #54: Community Spotlight: Larchmont | Patty Lombard, Co-Publisher, Larchmont Buzz; Joanna Vernetti, Owner, Vernetti Restaurant; Todd Warner, Owner & Founder, Tailwaggers 53:31

3+ y ago53:31

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Originally called “Glenwood”, Larchmont Boulevard received its current name around 1912. In 1921, the Los Angeles Times announced a new business district on Larchmont consisting of 30 stores, developed by Julius LaBonte and Charles Ramson. At that time, there was an explosion in population occurring in the area – and in Los Angeles in general – and…

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Ep #53: CivitasLA “Best of” presents – Hidden Gems 4:46

3+ y ago4:46

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American Novelist, Christopher Isherwood wrote “An afternoon drive from Los Angeles will take you up into the high mountains, where eagles circle above the forests and the cold blue lakes, or out over the Mojave Desert, with its weird vegetation and immense vistas. Not very far away are Death Valley, and Yosemite, and Sequoia Forest with its giant …

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Ep #52 CivitasLA “Best of” presents – Favorite Places to take a Visitor 4:22

3+ y ago4:22

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A recent study by U.S. News rated “The 30 Most Fun Places to Live in the U.S.” According to their study, Los Angeles ranks as the No. 7 Most Fun Place to Live, placing the City of Angels ahead of other metropolises like New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Chicago. The region welcomes more than 25 million people from flights alone each yea…

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Ep #51: CivitasLA “Best of” presents – Favorite Restaurants 4:27

4y ago4:27

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At the beginning of 2020 (pre-pandemic), Restaurant Critic Bill Addison wrote in the Los Angeles Times “It has been a radical decade in dining for Los Angeles — a time when once-quiet neighborhoods became restaurant destinations, when voices at every tier of the industry diversified, when culinary spaces decentralized, when a sense of ownership and…

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Ep #50: Balancing Community Interests | LA City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell 39:35

4y ago39:35

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Appearing in Public Administration Review, Prof. Evan Berman wrote a piece entitled “Dealing With Cynical Citizens” stating “widespread concern exists about public cynicism toward government.” And that “manifestations of public cynicism include pervasive believe that government policies and public officials are corrupt, inept, or out to take advant…

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Ep #49: Finding Community | A Conversation with Timothy Halligan, Rob Michaelson & Veronica Perez 43:12

4y ago43:12

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In this Thanksgiving episode, we pause to give thanks for our families (some we may not have seen since pre-pandemic) and consider the meaning of “family” and “community” – those we are born into and those we create. In a first of its kind report published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Associate Professor of Communication Stu…

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Ep #48: Community Spotlight: Glendale with Councilmember Ardy Kassakhian and Community Leader Elen Asatryan, The Stark Group 48:42

4y ago48:42

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Beginning as a Spanish Rancho in 1798, the City of Glendale incorporated in 1906 and has grown to become the fourth largest city in Los Angeles County with a population just under 200,000. Over time, Glendale has also become home to significant companies in the Greater Los Angeles region. Headquarters to notable companies including International Ho…

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Ep #47: Covering Community | Jim Newton, former Editorial Page Editor & Columnist, Los Angeles Times 31:26

4y ago31:26

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In recent years, thousands of local newspapers have gone out of business, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As of late 2019, over 65 million Americans lived in a county with either only one local paper or none. Studies show a connection between a shift away from local news and a decline in the number of candidates that run for local off…

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Ep #46: Community Spotlight: Southeast Los Angeles with Andy Carrasco, VP, Southern California Gas Co. & Emma Hernandez, CEO, Southeast Community Development Corp. 55:34

4y ago55:34

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Consisting of 8 cities (Bell, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Maywood, South Gate and Vernon), and roughly 440,000 residents (90% identifying as Latinx), stretching along the 710 freeway, Southeast Los Angeles has been one of the hardest hit by COVID-19, as many of its residents being the essential workers of our region. Prior to C…

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Ep #45: Stewarding Community Through Art | Betty Avila, Executive Director, Self-Help Graphics & Art 44:03

4y ago44:03

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Latino art and artists have played an important role in the history and life of the Los Angeles region, dating back to the 1920’s. For nearly 50 years, Self-Help Graphics & Art (SHG) has served as a prominent center for Latino art in printmaking, exhibition, and training, while also serving as a resource for young and emerging artists. CivitasLA is…

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Ep #44: Creating a Better Community | Bea Stotzer, Co-Founder, New Economics for Women 40:46

4y ago40:46

40:46

Reports suggest Latinas, a fast-growing segment of the U.S. population, will represent 30% of the female population by 2060. However, statistics have also shown that 3 in 10 Latina households have zero or negative wealth. Recognizing the wealth gap as a call to action, New Economics for Women was founded – in 1984 – with a mission to provide a voic…

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Ep # 43: CivitasLA “Best of” presents – Hidden Gems 3:25

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The actress, Greta Gerwig is quoted as saying: “Los Angeles is a place where if you have the right person with you, there are all these little worlds that you would never guess by just looking at the exterior of what the city is.” In this mini episode, let’s recap a few of our region’s “hidden gems” as shared by previous guests, in their words. Whe…

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Ep # 42: CivitasLA “Best of” presents – Favorite Watering Holes 3:44

4y ago3:44

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While most studies warn of the health risks of alcohol consumption, researchers at the University of Oxford have looked at whether having a drink may play a role in improving social cohesion, given its long association with human social activities. The study further shows that frequenting a local pub can directly affect people's social network size…

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Ep # 41: CivitasLA “Best of” presents – Favorite Los Angeles Area Restaurants 3:20

4y ago3:20

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Jonathan Gold, the late Los Angeles Times food critic noted: “Heraclitus once wrote that it is impossible to step in the same river twice. In Los Angeles, it can be nearly impossible to eat in the same restaurant twice. This is, I believe, what the economists call creative destruction. And it is not impossible here to experience extremes — restaura…

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Ep #40: Redefining Leadership | Natalie Samarjian, President & CEO, Coro Southern California 40:32

4y ago40:32

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Founded in San Francisco in 1942 to train young veterans in the leadership skills necessary to assure that our democratic system of government could more effectively meet the needs of its citizens, Coro Southern California has operated since 1957, with a mission to strengthen the democratic process by preparing emerging leaders for effective and et…

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Ep #39: Why Serve? | A Conversation with Los Angeles City Councilmembers Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Mark Ridley-Thomas 51:24

4y ago51:24

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Civic engagement involves “working to make a difference in the civic life of one’s community and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.” And, as Pew Research Center reports, with over 90…

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Ep #38: Community Spotlight: Venice | Elizabeth Benson Forer, Chief Executive Officer, Venice Family Clinic & Robert Schwan, Artist, Founding Partner of Gjelina 41:18

4y ago41:18

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Founded on July 4,1905 by industrialist Abbot Kinney, the iconic community of Venice was designed as a seaside resort to resemble Venice, Italy. Many of Abbot Kinney’s first employees, those that built Venice, were African-American, largely residing in the Oakwood neighborhood. Over time, in the 1950s and 1960s, the Beat Generation came to Venice a…

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Ep # 37: Women in Power | Reiko Kerr, Senior Assistant General Manager, L.A. Department of Water & Power & Phyllis Currie, Board Chair, Midcontinent Independent System Operator 55:08

4y ago55:08

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While making up roughly 48% of the global workforce, women account for approximately 22% of labor participation in the traditional energy sector. The numbers get worse when one considers participation in management and senior management. However, the challenges of the energy sector become more pressing as the sector goes through a process of transf…

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Ep #36: More Than Your Neighborhood Bar | Jewel Thais-Williams, Jewel’s Catch One 37:20

4+ y ago37:20

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Long known as America’s oldest black-owned nightclub, Jewel’s Catch One opened in 1973 and was considered a radical oasis where queer people of all colors could come and be liberated. At that time, gay black women didn’t own nightclubs, especially nightclubs that catered to gay black people. Over time, the bar itself took on immense fame and fortun…

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Ep #35: Community Spotlight: West Hollywood | John Erickson, Councilmember; Estevan Montemayor, Resident; and Genevieve Morrill, President & CEO, West Hollywood Chamber 1:04:38

4+ y ago1:04:38

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Originally called Sherman, named after the railroad magnate, that built lines between Hollywood and the Beach Cities, the City of West Hollywood wields enormous influence over the L.A. lifestyle and is home to world-class art galleries, fashion boutiques, restaurants, nightclubs, and theaters. The iconic stretch of Sunset Boulevard between Doheny D…