Welcome to the 33rd Annual Empowerment Congress Summit: “Where do we go from here – Chaos or Democracy?”

Location

Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU)
1731 E. 120th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90059

Parking

Parking is available in the CDU Parking Structure, located at 1729 E. 118th St., directly across from the campus. View parking map.

Drop-off & Rideshare

Participants using a rideshare service or being dropped off 1691 E. 120th St., Los Angeles, CA 90059 to reach the drop-off location, which is located directly across the street from MLK Community Hospital. Signage will direct drivers to the appropriate location.

Public Transportation

Use public transportation to get to #ECSummit33! CDU is just a 10 minute walk from the Willowbrook – Rosa Parks station (Metro Rail A and C lines) and guests can take the 53, 55 or 120 Metro bus lines to 120th St & August F Hawkins (westbound) or the 5 bus line to 120th St. & Healthy Way (eastbound). The DASH Watts also conveniently drops passengers at 120th St. & King/Drew Medical Center (eastbound or westbound).

Event check-in

Event check-in will take place in the center of the CDU campus, adjacent to the event tent. Event seating is first come, first served. Advanced registration does not guarantee seating at the event. Early arrival is encouraged.

Summit Schedule

  • 8am – Event check-in begins. Continental breakfast will be available.
  • 8:30am – Plenary session seating access; guests are asked to be seated by 8:50am
  • 9am – Plenary program begins
  • 11:30am – Concurrent Workshops
    • Bridging the Divide: Productive Dialogue in Uncertain Times, Cobb Building
    • Project 2025 – Threat or Promise?, Event Tent
    • What Does Measure A Mean for South LA?, John Wesley Health Center at MLK Community Hospital
    • What Does Measure G Mean for South LA?, Keck Auditorium
  • 1pm – Event concludes. Boxed lunches will be available.

The Empowerment Congress (EC) is a distinctive and deliberate model of civic engagement built on the core principles of participatory democracy, reciprocal accountability, and intentional civility. For over 30 years, the Empowerment Congress has served as a dynamic collaboration among neighborhood groups, residents, nonprofit organizations, businesses, religious institutions, and community leaders within the diverse communities of Los Angeles County’s Second Supervisorial District.

We invite all Summit attendees to commit to a recurring  monthly donation of $19.92 today to help us fulfill our mission and achieve our core goals of:

  • Realizing social, political, and economic equity.
  • Fostering and developing diverse community leaders and social advocates.
  • Cultivating strategic partnerships between diverse communities and elected officials for social and policy change.

In service of our mission to educate, engage and empower the community, the EC has held signature programming in the form of an Annual Summit and, more recently, a Juneteenth Dialogue and Celebration, as well as ongoing policy advocacy through our standing constituent-rich working groups (formerly called committees).

Your contribution to the EC will help us to continue this vitally important work of elevating community voices and promoting an enhanced quality of life for LA County constituents through consistent, meaningful engagement opportunities.

The Empowerment Congress is a fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives. Checks can be made payable to: Community Initiatives – Empowerment Congress 6462, PO Box 45515, San Francisco, CA 94145-0515

In an era of heightened uncertainty, our communities face rising tensions and polarization, especially during moments of significant societal or political change. This workshop equips participants with practical tools and strategies to foster productive dialogue in the face of disagreement. Whether engaging with friends, family, or colleagues, participants will learn to ask effective questions, identify shared values, and cultivate mutual understanding—even when perspectives differ widely.

Through interactive discussions, hands-on activities, and role-playing exercises, attendees will develop the skills needed to navigate challenging conversations, manage emotional triggers, and build bridges across divides.

This session is ideal for anyone looking to improve their communication and conflict-resolution skills, particularly in politically or emotionally charged environments.

Presenters:

Unwrap the Trump Agenda 47 platform and the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025’s impact on disaster recovery, human service delivery and public education in the County of Los Angeles.

Disavowed by President Donald Trump, the eventual winner of the November 2024 election, Project 2025 was widely discussed. Many observers believe Project 2025, however, is the implementation strategy for Agenda 47, Trump’s core campaign promises. Learn more about Agenda 47 and Project 2025 – the “playbook” – for “conservative” administration and management of the federal government and its potential effect on disaster relief, public education, health and mental health care delivery, infectious disease prevention and control in Los Angeles County.

Presenters:

  • Vincent Harris, Project Director, Empowerment Congress
  • Shani Byard, EdD, MSHS (She/Her), Empowerment Coach- Creative Conductor of Human Potential, Legacy Refresh

Implications for homelessness funding, affordable housing development, accountability and governance.

The argument for Measure A, the permanent half cent sales tax to increase the supply of affordable housing, was the on-going need for resources to address homelessness and housing insecurity in L.A. County. Learn how Measure A is supposed to remedy the humanitarian crisis of our generation, how funding for affordable housing and homelessness may be impacted by disaster recovery and what residents can do to ensure accountability and resource equity.

Moderator:

  • Rhea K. Mac (She/Her), EC Summit 33 Co-Chair & EC Homelessness Working Group Co-Chair, Empowerment Congress

Panelists:

  • Al Ballesteros (He/Him), CEO, JWCH
  • Dr. Belinda Allen (She/Her), Executive Director, West Angeles CDC
  • Reba Stevens (She/Her), Community Advocate
  • Veronica Lewis (She/Her), Director, HOPICS

Will Los Angeles County government reform under Measure G produce better representation, resource equity, accountability and access?

Passage of Measure G represents the most profound change in L.A. County government in over 50 years. Explore the potential impact of Measure G on South L.A., including the shift to an elected County CEO, the expansion of the Board of Supervisors from five to nine members, and the establishment of a new Ethics Commission, a new Governance Reform Task Force and a new Charter Review Commission. Obtain insights about how these changes will affect local communities and how residents can engage and advocate for Measure G’s fair and inclusive implementation.

Moderator

Panelists:

Media Sponsor

Thank you to our 33rd Annual Summit media sponsor, who will broadcast our program to a live, radio audience.

KBLA Talk 1580 LIVE Radio Broadcast

  • Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9am – 11am | Listen Live
KBLA Talk 1580