The vibrant heart of South Los Angeles was abuzz with anticipation as guests gathered at The Beehive to celebrate the newly elected L.A. City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson on Sept. 20. The Beehive, an innovative space nestled on 60th Street, served as the perfect backdrop for an evening of camaraderie, reflection, and a renewed sense of purpose for the city.
Harris-Dawson, who represents the very soul of L.A.’s Black community, has long been a champion of the people, from his early days as an organizer to his tenure on the City Council. His leadership, rooted in the spirit of South L.A.’s dreamers, doers, and innovators, now extends to the entire city, as he steps into this critical role. Friday night was a celebration of that commitment to progress.
Before the festivities began, the City Council President sent out a heartfelt letter titled “Leading Our City Forward.” In it, Harris-Dawson called upon the city to dream bigger, collaborate deeper, and modernize for the future.
“This is our moment to shape the future of our city,” he declared, setting the tone for the evening. His words resonated, especially in a city that has seen its share of triumphs and challenges, particularly within Black and Brown communities.
The evening was as electrifying as the message. The Beehive was buzzing with L.A.’s finest —civic leaders, creatives, entrepreneurs, and long-standing residents who embody the spirit of resilience that Harris-Dawson spoke of. The spacious warehouse still provided an intimate lounge setting adorned with twinkling lights, reflecting the optimistic energy that filled the night.
“It wasn’t always that you could come and hang out on 60th and Avalon on a Friday night and it’d be alright.” Harris-Dawson said as he took the stage. Those words echoed through the crowd, a poignant reminder of the transformation the neighborhood has experienced.
Partygoers weren’t just celebrating Harris-Dawson’s rise to Council President, they were honoring the entire community, who have worked tirelessly alongside him. He took a moment to give special recognition to the 8th District staff, saying, “These are the hardest working people inside City Hall. They get up early in the morning, stay up late, occasionally lose sleep over our work in the 8th district. I’m grateful to see each and every one of you.”
From organizing in South L.A. to leading with dignity on the City Council, Harris-Dawson has always embodied the spirit of service. In his remarks, he reflected on how the day began with prayer at Bethesda Apostolic Church on Crenshaw Boulevard, with local preachers laying hands on him.
“It was important to me to start this day in the Black church, because that’s where I started,” he said. Also, Harris-Dawson made it clear that the evening wasn’t meant to be formal, but rather a gathering of friends, allies, and supporters.
“We didn’t want to make it obligatory. We wanted to make it comfortable,” he said. And that’s exactly what it was—a comfortable, joyous celebration of the years of struggles that had led to this moment.
Highlighting the unique opportunity before L.A., Harris Dawson noted, “Never before has the city had the kind of council that we have at this moment, and a relationship between the leadership of the council and the mayor of the city of Los Angeles
“I feel so blessed to be a part of our story, a part of the story of this city. So blessed that all of you are part of the story and come here to celebrate tonight,” concluded Harris-Dawson as the night ended. Supporters mingled, laughed, and stayed until the music faded, grateful to be part of the historic moment.
