Los Angeles Urban League State of Black LA 2025
There was an adrenaline rush, or buzz, around the campus of USC on Thursday, October 16, 2025. This wasn’t the typical energy associated with a sporting event. Fight On!
By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
Los Angeles, CA- There was an adrenaline rush, or buzz, around the campus of USC on Thursday, October 16, 2025. This wasn’t the typical energy associated with a sporting event. Fight On!
The excitement was generated by the people who got juice, which is slang for people known for getting things done, moving the needle.
I was fortunate to be in attendance for this highly sought-after space for the Los Angeles Urban League State of Black LA 2025. This annual event was held at the USC Town & Gown, October 16, 2025.
Anti-Racism, Diversion and Inclusion Signage (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
The gathering consisted of a broad spectrum of change makers, policy makers, community advocates, and local concerned citizens for a day of meaningful discussions, powerful networking aimed at addressing key issues facing Black and Brown communities in Los Angeles.
The event was sold out, which is a true testament to the importance of and the transformative nature of the State of Black LA building on the blueprint with measurable results for the betterment of Black and Brown communities.
This year’s theme, “Solidarity in Action: Black & Brown LA,” was livestreamed on NBC4 and Telemundo 52 for guests who weren’t able to attend in person. The State of Black LA 2025 was hosted by the Los Angeles Urban League in partnership with NBC4/Telemundo 52.
This year’s event featured panel discussions about the pressing issues facing Black and Brown communities: Health Access & Life Expectancy, Economic Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, and Immigration.
“State of Black Los Angeles has become more than a convening- it is a catalyst for progress. This year, with a theme of Solidarity in Action: Black and Brown LA, we are challenging ourselves and our partners to not only highlight disparities but to build solutions together. Our communities cannot wait for change; we must create it side by side,” said Cynthia Mitchell-Heard, President and CEO of Los Angeles Urban League. “WE know the data, and we know the challenges; now it’s time to transform knowledge into action. SOBLA 2025 is about elevating the right voices, amplifying solutions, and moving forward from conversation to measurable change for the people of Los Angeles,” added Cynthia Mitchell-Heard in a written statement.
“As Board Chair of Los Angeles Urban League, I believe the State of Black Los Angeles is essential to ensuring that the voices of African Americans and communities of color are heard and represented across Los Angeles. I am proud to stand with the Los Angeles Urban League and to champion the meaningful impact we continue to make throughout the region and beyond,” said Mr. Keith Drake in a written statement.
Back by popular demand, Melissa Magee, NBC4 Meteorologist, returned as emcee. Sensational saxophonist Mike Phillips opened the show with a powerful rendition of “Lift Every Voice in Sing.”
Introductory remarks were delivered by Los Angeles Urban League President and CEO, Cynthia Mitchell-Heard, stating that the day is about “re-imagining solutions, leading from decisions to directions, passions to possibilities” for a better pathway forward.
There was a combination of in-person remarks as well as comments delivered virtually. In-person remarks presented by Mr. Keith Drake, Board Chair, Los Angeles Urban League, USC Interim President Beong-Soo Kim, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, 2nd District, Assemblyman Isaac G. Bryan, Assembly District 55, Councilwoman Heather Hutt, Los Angeles Council District 10, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
The virtual remarks were delivered by Marc Morial, President, National Urban League, Honorable Secretary Kim Johnson, California Health & Human Services Agency, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, California’s 37th District, Honorable Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, California’s 43rd District, and Delores Huerta, Labor Leader, Activist, and CO-Founder of the National Farm Workers.
D’Artagnan Scorza, Ph.D. (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
At the heart of the State of Black LA 2025 is the Los Angeles County Anti-Racism, Diversion and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative, led by D’ D’Artagnan Scorza, Ph.D. The ARDI Initiative serves as the event’s analytical backbone, providing the comprehensive data that transforms anecdotal experience into actionable intelligence.
Mr. Scorza presented the latest findings from ARDI’s extensive research, a trend analysis on racial progress in Los Angeles County. The data exposes persistent systemic inequities but also offers meaningful progress in some areas. One of the many highlights from the report is the “Belonging Economy,” which consists of Economic Diversity, Collective Security, Restorative Growth, and Democratic Economy.
The ARDI Initiative examines critical areas including housing, health, education, employment, justice, immigration, and civic engagement. By initiative enables policymakers and community leaders to identify specific disparities and measure progress with precision.
The State of Black LA featured three panels that addressed pressing issues facing Black and Brown communities. A distinguished group of panelists and speakers consisted of leading voices in their own right from the political, civic, and public sectors.
Dr. Pierre R. Theodore, Ph.D., MPH, Helen Iris Torres, Dr. David M. Carlisle, Ph.D. MPH, Lavonna Blair Lewis and Dominique DiPrima (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Heath Panel- Increasing Access and Life Expectancy was moderated by Dominique DiPrima, Morning Drive Host/Senior Producer, First Things First, KBLA Talk AM 1580. The panelists were Dr. Pierre R. Theodore, MPH-Executive Director and Population Science Therapeutic Area Team Leader, Genentech-Roche, Helen Iris Torres- Chief Executive Officer, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), Dr. David M.Carlisle, Ph.D., MPH- President & CEO, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, and Lavonna Blair Lewis, Ph.D., MPH- Professor of Public Policy, vice Dean for Student Success, USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.
The second panel, Economic Empowerment & Entrepreneurship: Building Pathways to Prosperity, moderated by Danny Bakewell Jr., Executive Editor and Chief of Staff, Los Angeles Sentinel. Panelists: Dr. Manuel Pastor, Distinguished Professor of Sociology and American Studies & Ethnicity, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; Robert M. Sausedo- President & CEO, Community Build, and Elizabeth “Libby” Williams- Director of Small Business & Policy, Office of LA Mayor Karen Bass.
The final panel, Immigration: Building Cross-Community Solidarity, was moderated by Enrique Chiabra, Anchor, Telemundo 52, 16-time Emmy Award Winner. The panel consisted of David Huerta, President, Service Employees Int’l Union (SEIU) California, Angie Jean-Marie, Chair, Inclusive Action for the City, Nana Gyamfi, Esq., Executive Director, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Martha Arévalo, Executive Director, Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) Los Angeles, and a representative from the Southern California ACLU.
Important note for educators, coalition builders, and other interested groups: a recording of the event is available on @NBCLA and @Telemundo52, Facebook, and YouTube pages. This is good information to share and discuss with your network.
The mission of the Los Angeles Urban League, which is an affiliate of the National Urban League, is to help African American and all others in underserved communities achieve their highest true social parity, economic self-reliance, power, and civil rights. The League promotes economic empowerment through education and training, housing and community development, workforce development, entrepreneurship, health, and quality of life. For more information about the State of Black LA 2025, please visit https://www.laul.org/sobla. Fight On!
On July 21, 2020, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion to establish an Anti-Racism Los Angeles Policy Agenda to address “generational inequality and systemic Anti-Black racism.” Recognizing that racism is “a matter of public health in Los Angeles County,” and that racism against Black people and communities of color has resulted in large disparities in family stability, health and well-being, education, employment, economic development, public safety, criminal justice and housing, the Board directed the County Chief Executive Officer to establish the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative. To learn more, visit their website at https://ceo.lacounty.gov/ardi
