Recap: IBTU’s 1st Community Listening Session
On Sunday, September 26th, 2022, South Central Los Angeles residents and community leaders came together and attended It’s Bigger Than Us - LA’s 1st community listening session. The goal was to prompt attendees to share their concerns, experiences, and insight on how to improve community initiatives for the brown and black people affected by the systemic inequities and challenges faced on a daily basis.
By hosting this listening session, IBTU and partners were able to create safe spaces for local residents and community organizers to hold key conversations around what is happening on the ground in the community. This gave everyone in attendance an opportunity to get a better understanding of where community resources need to be allocated and how to prioritize aid to those who are in need of health resources, safety and support.
The format of the listening session was conducted as follows:
Location: Diamonds in the Rough Thrift Shop
10 round tables
1x dedicated discussion facilitator and 1x notetaker
Each table hosted up to 6 local residents
English and Spanish speaking facilitators were available
Free food, music, and childcare stations were provided
Raffle sponsored and provided the JLH Social Impact Fund and Noah’s Foundation
Sponsors: United Way LA & The People’s Project, Liberty Dental
Grassroots Organizations in attendance: Avenue’s of Life, and The Source LA
What happens next?
IBTU is currently working with The People’s Project, who is a mutual aid partner, to consolidate all the notes from the discussions, and put together a plan of action.
Some of the concerns that were consistent were:
Unsheltered/Transitional Folks: Providing more housing and clearing streets
Resources: mental health, healthcare, navigating resources, school services, youth programs, FREE programs, access to resources
Safety: Traffic safety, lighting, and walking accessibility
Look out for the next listening session and be sure to come ready to take action.
Thank you again to all our partners and the grassroots organization leaders who came out to support! Let’s continue to be the change we want to see, together!
