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Michael Lawson

L.A. Reparations Commission Hosts Second In-Person Event  
LocalNews

L.A. Reparations Commission Hosts Second In-Person Event  

Sentinel News Service  December 7, 2023

The city’s seven-member Reparations Advisory Commission, which is part of the City of Los Angeles Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department (LA Civil Rights Department), hosted its second in-person event on Saturday, December 2, at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU). “Today was a rich revelation of history in Los Angeles for the African American community. It is history that we need to know and that we need to support,” said Syvia Drew Ivie, special assistant to CDU President Dr. David Carlisle, and daughter of Charles R. Drew. “We are grateful that the meeting was held on our campus today.

LA Civil Rights Department Undertake City’s Reparation Process
Uncategorized

LA Civil Rights Department Undertake City’s Reparation Process

Betti Halsell Staff WriterApril 18, 2023

The city’s Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department (LA Civil Rights) looks to host their Reparations Advisory Commission on Saturday, April 22—an in-person community event at the California African American Museum (CAAM), commissioners elaborated on the city’s plan to conduct an investigation on what harms Black Angelenos.

MLK was a Force for Change in Education and Workforce Development 
Op-EdOpinion

MLK was a Force for Change in Education and Workforce Development 

Michael Lawson, President/CEO  L.A. Urban League January 19, 2023

On Monday, January 16, we celebrated the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights and social justice champion in the US and beyond. The outstanding work of Rev. Dr. King transformed society for the better and continues to inspire our march toward economic empowerment, equity, and equality.    We cannot understate Rev. Dr. King’s vision and unbridled advocacy for African Americans and other underserved communities that were denied access to quality education, equitable-paying jobs, and access to capital, credit, and housing under redlining, Jim Crow laws, and other forms of discrimination throughout the United

Reparations Commission Releases Public Survey
LocalNews

Reparations Commission Releases Public Survey

Sentinel News ServiceNovember 3, 2022

Following their first community meeting, the city’s Reparations Advisory Commission released a survey for Angelenos to share their experiences with institutional racism and their ideas on reparations in Los Angeles. Insights from the survey will guide the Commission’s work.

National Urban League Honors Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Karen Bass with Community of Champions Award
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National Urban League Honors Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Karen Bass with Community of Champions Award

Sentinel News ServiceFebruary 9, 2022

The National Urban League and the Los Angeles Urban League will honor civil rights activist and media entrepreneur Danny J. Bakewell, Sr., sports legend, entrepreneur and businessman Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Los Angeles mayoral candidate and U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass at their Community of Champions Luncheon on Friday, February 11. 

Urban League Hosts ‘100 Years of Black History in L.A.’
LocalNews

Urban League Hosts ‘100 Years of Black History in L.A.’

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Staff WriterMarch 4, 2021

Achieving a century of progress is not easy, but the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) defied the odds by celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Founded in 1921, the heralded organization has made a huge impact for the last 10 decades by promoting business opportunities, training and development and coalition building on behalf of African Americans.

LAUSD Owes Black Students and Families More
EducationOp-EdOpinion

LAUSD Owes Black Students and Families More

Dr. Ana F. Ponce and Michael LawsonAugust 13, 2020

The tragic deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, George Floyd, and others have illuminated, yet again, the realities of systemic violence Black Americans have faced for centuries and continue to encounter daily. Much of the current attention is focused on law enforcement. But our public education system has its own racialized history of oppression.