Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas (D – Los Angeles) celebrated the launch of the Emerging Civic Leaders Committee of the Empowerment Congress at the Crocker Club on May 19th from 6 – 8 PM. The event featured the unveiling of the committee’s ’40 under 40’ list highlighting 40 of Los Angeles’ change-makers to watch.
The Emerging Civic Leaders Committee of the Empowerment Congress provides a platform for individuals under the age of 40 to work with their peers to effect change in our community through civic engagement, advocacy, and education. Ridley-Thomas stated that “the committee and the individuals on its list represents the next 30 years of governance, economics, and philanthropy in Los Angeles. I am hopeful about the future of Los Angeles because these emerging leaders are part of the community.”
The event also featured a spoken word piece from Get Lit – Words Ignite poet Marquesha Babers who inspired the crowd to pick up the torch being passed down to the ”next generation of leaders.” She expressed her confidence that together, “we could change the world” with her poem entitled, If The Crown Fits.
Founded in 1992 by then-Los Angeles City Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas, the Empowerment Congress is a national model of civic engagement built on the core principles of participatory democracy, reciprocal accountability, and intentional civility. It is a dynamic partnership among neighborhood groups, residents, nonprofit organizations, businesses, religious institutions, and community leaders within the diverse communities of Los Angeles County’s Second Supervisorial District.
To find out more information about the Emerging Civic Leaders Committee visit www.empowermentcongress.org.
