In the historic Adams District of Los Angeles, a significant dialogue took place as Mayor Karen Bass joined The Source LA to engage with community leaders on issues of unity, equity, and leadership throughout the city.
The gathering, held at The Gathering Spot, featured a variety of voices including civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and youth advocates. It was part of a series aimed at bridging capital, contracts, and community for Black-owned businesses and underserved neighborhoods.
Dr. Ray Cunningham, a respected media personality and advocate for HBCUs, introduced Mayor Bass, emphasizing her unwavering commitment to the community over the years.
“This is a leader who never left the community. She’s not showing up because the cameras are here — she’s been here,” noted Cunningham.
He recognized Mayor Bass’s journey from her early work with Community Coalition to her role in Congress and her historical position as the first woman and second Black mayor of Los Angeles. “This is not new energy — it’s legacy work,” he added.
The session was moderated by Rocsii Woolley, the CEO of The Source LA, who shared her experiences as a formerly unhoused single mother and expressed the necessity of being seen in the conversation.
“I came here today because we need to be seen. I want the city to know the people behind the solutions,” Woolley remarked as she posed the question to Bass about what unity looks like across diverse communities in Los Angeles.
Bass responded by highlighting the importance of inclusion in unity.
“Unity begins with inclusion. It means having a seat at the table — not just to be seen, but to be heard. And more importantly, to lead. I don’t want the same old power structures. I want shared power and shared responsibility,” she stated.
Emphasizing the urgency of the homeless crisis, Bass continued, “I ran for office because 46,000 people were living on our streets — and far too many of them were Black and Brown. Homelessness isn’t a statistic. It’s a humanitarian crisis. And I will never accept that our people — our seniors, our veterans, our families — are sleeping on the streets in the richest country in the world.”
Woolley further probed the gathering by asking how communities can be safeguarded against both violence and invisibility.
In response, Phil Wilson, a national public health advocate and founder of the Black AIDS Institute, drew attention to the sobering realities facing the city, including violence, mental health struggles, and the criminalization of young Black boys.
“We can’t ignore what’s happening in our city. The gun violence, the mental health crisis, the criminalization of our young Black boys — it’s breaking families and communities,” Wilson expressed emphatically.
He further added that genuine connection and truth among community members could lead to healing.
“When we gather like this, when we tell the truth and push each other, that’s when the healing begins,” he proclaimed, quoting James Baldwin to stress the interconnectedness of community concerns.
Mayor Bass agreed, acknowledging the larger systemic issues at play in representation and community trust. She shared her personal experience of returning from a diplomatic trip to Ghana, which was clouded by controversy.
“While I was en route, mass firings were happening. The head of the military, the head of the Library of Congress — gone. DEI efforts were dismantled. And yes, ICE wasn’t just targeting undocumented immigrants — they were picking up U.S. citizens. This is a Black and Brown issue, full stop,” Bass reiterated.
Joshua Blake-Ham, president of The Healing Circle LA, challenged the narrative by asking how existing talents and dreams in the community could be nurtured instead of focusing solely on deficits.
“I’m tired of us waiting to be saved. We talk about equity, but where’s the trust? Where’s the ownership?” he pressed, suggesting that pooling resources could empower the community.
Bass agreed with his perspective, stating that often communities focus on their deficits rather than their assets.
“When I started Community Coalition 35 years ago, what shocked me most was how many people didn’t even realize what resources we already had,” she noted, emphasizing the need for collaboration and connection.
Beatrice Fakhrian, a talent agent and member of the Southern California Black Chamber of Commerce, shifted the focus toward aging and sustainability, raising concerns about the elderly population’s wellbeing.
“What are we doing about our seniors? We’re all getting older. Are we prepared?” she questioned, prompting a serious response from Mayor Bass.
Bass acknowledged that older Black women were increasingly becoming part of the unhoused population, often overlooked until they are in dire situations.
“The fastest growing segment of the unhoused population is older Black women — many who worked their whole lives in service industries, no pension, maybe a 401(k), rents skyrocket, and now they’re on the street,” Bass revealed, stressing the need for comprehensive homelessness solutions that include seniors.
Arlise Emerson, an Olympic track star, shared her emotional connection to the Coliseum and reflective pride in the upcoming Olympics.
“Mayor Bass, I saw you in Paris bringing that flag home. What you’re doing to bring the Olympics here — it’s historic,” she expressed, affirming the potential for showcasing all of Los Angeles.
Mayor Bass confirmed her commitment to inclusivity during the Olympics and emphasized the importance of volunteer efforts and job opportunities for diverse communities.
“I want the world to see our L.A. We are the world’s city. We’ll need 50,000 volunteers for the Olympics. That also means jobs, opportunities, and ownership — for all of us,” she pledged.
As the discussion wrapped up, it was evident that this gathering was more than just a ceremonial interaction; it was a step towards collective action and collaboration.
Woolley concluded with a powerful call to action, reinforcing the need for shared responsibility and honesty in reclaiming power.
“This is how we reclaim power — through honesty, action, and alignment. We are The Source.”
image source from：lasentinel
