Councilmember Curren Price (D-9th District) hosted a press conference to honor different organizations responsible for the growth in the ninth district and surrounding areas in Los Angeles. On Thursday, April 21, Price presented over 100 checks totaling over $5 million to local businesses and organizations that earned the acknowledgment and appreciation.
“What an honor it is to be with you this morning—amongst the most respected, boldest, most forward-thinking leaders in South L.A.,” Councilmember Price kicked off the press with a word of encouragement and highlighted the many different avenues in which he has leaned on the community leaders that were present at the Banc of California Stadium venue.
“You are the unsung heroes and sheroes of District 9, and it’s my pleasure to turn the spotlight onto you this morning,” Price continued, “Each of your organizations represents the full spectrum from non-profit, churches, and neighborhood councils, schools, healthcare organizations, and more. You all remained a solid rock during the pandemic—during the tough times that are evolving now.”
The Councilmember of the ninth district elaborated on the power of each local entity in the prosperity of the city of Los Angeles. Speaking through the lens of experiencing a global pandemic, Price said, “it made us more resilient and more renewed in our focus.”
Price Continued, “I’m delighted to provide 100 organizations with $5.5 million and these are not loans, these are grants. This is going to serve as a vehicle for the expansion of future services and programs for our most vulnerable neighbors.”
Price described non-profit communities as “shadow governments,” in the ninth district. He explained that these organizations are meeting the needs in a variety of ways. “I want to thank every organization that came through with an extensive vetting process.”
The organizations were reviewed by community leaders; they observed and selected their proposals based on their presence in the ninth district and surrounding areas. Organizations making a difference in the new ninth and beyond include Brotherhood Crusade, L.A. Commons, L.A. Mission, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, Urban Uplift, Playa Vista Job Opportunities, and Business Services, and South Central Neighborhood Council, plus many more.
Brotherhood Crusade President and CEO Charisse Bremond shared her thoughts at the conference, by stating, “When I think about the new ninth, I think about visionary leaders. I think about why Brotherhood Crusade is here today. As he (Price) mentioned, the organization was founded by my late father, Walter Bremond in 1968—but it wasn’t just my father, it was the Black congress.”
Bremond continued, “It was a group of people who had the vision to do what’s right in the new ninth. Following my father, the great leadership of Danny Bakewell Sr. Who led our institution for 35 years and so they’re trailblazers, but more importantly they care about what is happening in our community.”
The Brotherhood Crusade President declared that non-profits are the engine of the new ninth. She shared her gratitude for council member Price and the new ninth staff.
“Thank you Councilmen Price. Thank you, new ninth staff, for lifting our work, lifting our voices, but more importantly, thank you for allowing Brotherhood Crusade to serve 100 more Black and Latino men who are disconnected from everything in our community. The support we are receiving will be drilling down harder—making sure they have an education, financial support–making sure they have caring adults in their life, but more importantly making sure they understand service.”
