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Ep. 31 How Do We Prevent Erasure of Altadena's Black Community?

Published on: 17th February, 2025

For this episode, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson honors the Black history and Legacy of the Altadena Community in Los Angeles County.

How and why did Black families move to Altadena, what challenges have they overcome to keep their place in it, and how do we prevent the erasure of their stories and history especially as we rebuild after the unprecedented wildfires that devastated Eaton Canyon and the foothill communities?

Guests:

Donald "Donny" Kincey

Donny Kincy is a third-generation Altadena resident with deep familial and historical ties to the community. As a dedicated historian and advocate, he works tirelessly to preserve the rich legacy of Altadena’s Black residents, ensuring their stories and contributions are recognized and remembered.

Donny has been instrumental in initiatives documenting Black migration to Altadena, addressing displacement, and celebrating the cultural impact of Black families in the area. His work extends to community resilience efforts, most recently supporting recovery and rebuilding for families affected by the devastating wildfires in Altadena.

With a passion for storytelling, preservation and activism, Donny remains a vital voice in the ongoing conversation about Black history, identity, and belonging in Altadena.

www.gofundme.com/f/help-mr-donny-rebuild-after-the-eaton-wildfires

Dana Amihere

Dana Amihere is a designer, developer and data journalist. She’s the founder and executive director of AfroLA, a nonprofit newsroom covering Los Angeles through the lens of the Black community. She’s committed to solutions reporting that centers racial and social justice, especially through data-driven storytelling. Amihere also owns Code Black Media, a digital media consultancy that lives at the intersection of data, design and equity. Previously, she worked in data, interactive design and news apps for LAist, The Dallas Morning News, Pew Research Center and The Baltimore Sun

Amihere has taught data journalism and interaction design for nearly a decade, including positions with University of Southern California, and most recently, UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.

www.AfroLANews.com

Community Announcements

Free Employment Transition Services:

City of Los Angeles’ Rapid Response Team is offering free employment transition services to connect those who lost their jobs due to the LA Wildfires with job opportunities, unemployment benefits, health care, and job training.

Orientations are available in English and Spanish, Monday through Friday at 10 AM and 6 PM, and Saturdays at 10 AM.

Register now at bit.ly/EWDDRapid-Response or visit your nearest WorkSource Center.

Disaster Cal-Fresh (SNAP)

Cal-Fresh provides one month of food benefits to households affected by natural disasters

Visit getcalfresh.org/d-snap for details.

LA Black History Month Festival

What: Live performances, an African marketplace, and important conversations about health, wellness, and culture

When: Sunday, February 23rd, from 11 AM to 6 PM

Where: Pan Pacific Park 7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

www.lablackhistorymonthfestival.com

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Want to learn more about Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson and LA's Council District 8? Follow @mhdcd8 on Instagram and sign up for the newsletter at mhdcd8.org!

Sign up for MHD Off the Record Newsletter at beacons.ai/mhdcd8

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About the Podcast

MHD Off the Record
Dive into the heart of South Los Angeles with Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson on MHD Off The Record—where culture drives leadership and community voices lead the way!
MHD Off the Record takes you inside Los Angeles City Hall with Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson. Each episode explores the culture, politics, and policies shaping life in Los Angeles from housing and homelessness to city planning, public safety, and immigrant rights.

Focused on uniting neighborhoods across the city, the MHD Off the Record podcast blends political insight with community-driven solutions. Listeners hear conversations with civic leaders, activists, and community stakeholders that reveal how multicultural organizing, music, and personal stories influence the direction of Los Angeles.

If you’re curious about how Los Angeles City Council makes decisions, want to learn about city resources, or care about the future of South LA and beyond, this podcast gives you the context and voices behind the policies that impact Angelenos every day.

About your host

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Marqueece Harris-Dawson