Baron Jay Littleton

The Blackhouse Foundation and Strayer University Name Donald Dankwa Brooks Winner of Scriptwriter Competition to Bring Real Perspectives on Criminal Justice to the Classroom

On Friday, after opening with the Inaugural Blackhouse Black Entertainment Critics Kickoff Breakfast, The Blackhouse Foundation joined Strayer Studios for ScriptED: Bring Learning to Life, the culmination of a nationwide competition to discover a talented, up-and-coming scriptwriter who can help bring real perspectives to Strayer’s Criminal Justice program. In an exciting and surprising twist, Karl McDonnell, CEO of Strategic Education, Inc. (SEI), the parent company of Strayer University, increased the prize awarded to scriptwriter contest winner Donald Dankwa Brooks from $10,000 to $25,000 and offered the remaining four finalists $10, 000 each.

Public Safety Program Helps Youth Find Positive Alternatives

Following historic lows in gun violence, the month of May saw an alarming spike in violent crime. Unwilling to accept the rise in violence, including the murder of South Los Angeles’ beloved Nipsey Hussle, Counclimember Marqueece Harris-Dawson launched a robust effort to address the root causes and effects of gun violence in South L.A. Traditionally, the summer tends to display an increase in violence. This summer program meets residents where they are with the resources they need to deal with trauma and intervenes to prevent youth from joining gangs and continuing cycles of violence.