The Empowerment Congress Human Services Committee devoted its July 2020 meeting to “Uprising 2020: What’s Next”, a virtual event via Zoom and Facebook Live and provided a debriefing opportunity around recent local and nationwide police reform and social justice protests and examined how participants can impact racial equity and justice advocacy from the community, professional, and personal perspectives.

A panel moderated by Emily Williams, Senior Deputy for Human Services and Child Welfare for LA County Second District Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, included:

  • Capri Maddox, Esq., Executive Director, LA City Civil and Human Rights Department
  • Derric Johnson, Founding Director, Crossroads Institute for Equity and Justice
  • Robin Toma, Executive Director, LA County Human Relations Commission

Attendees split into breakout groups and discussed strategies to develop an advocacy toolkit towards continued engagement. Breakout rooms were facilitated by Empowerment Congress leaders, including:

  • Danette McBride, Vice President, Children’s Institute & Member, EC Leadership Council and EC Education Committee
  • Sonya Vasquez, Chief Transformation Officer, Community Health Councils & Member, EC Executive Committee and Co-chair, EC Health Committee
  • Kelli Poole, Director of Racial Equity in Homelessness at Social Venture Partners-Los Angeles & Co-chair, EC Emerging Civic Leaders Committee

The Empowerment Congress Human Services Committee monitors issues affecting the quality of life of citizens in the LA County Second Supervisorial District (SD2). The committee advises Supervisor Ridley-Thomas on these issues and participates in identifying and implementing solutions.

The Empowerment Congress Human Services Committee meets monthly on the second Monday.

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The Human Services Committee meets monthly on the second Monday.

Register to attend the next Empowerment Congress Human Services Committee meeting.

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Learn more about the efforts to establish an antiracism policy agenda in LA County.