SERVICE LEARNING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE OPPORTUNITIES
In South Los Angeles

JUNE 7, 2007

Women’s Leadership Conference
Service Learning and
Social Justice Opportunities in South L.A.
West L.A. College, June 7, 2007

Approximately 120 students from Crenshaw, Dorsey, Gardena and King-Drew
High Schools and Audubon and Peary Middle Schools attended the conference,
which was held at West L.A. College from 8:30-2:45. Students received registration
packets with material from sexual assault awareness advocate Peace Over Violence,
New Moon journal (elementary-middle school), and zerohour, in addition to an
evaluation form. The conference commenced with original poetry and presentations
from Gardena High School zerohour students on the contributions of unsung African
American and Latina activists. Prospective UCLA graduate Glenda Silva spoke about
her stint as a King-Drew student and her experience with the university’s travel abroad program.

Gardena Women’s Leadership student facilitators Abril Baray, Ebony Walker,
Denesha Pleasant, Latiera Atkins, Hillory Ndubizu, and Deshunae Streeter were
assigned to each workshop to provide support and note student input. Some of the
workshops that students participated in included Black/Latina Self-Image and Identity,
facilitated by Sikivu Hutchinson and intern Diane Arellano; a session on the politics of
nutrition in South L.A. by Community Services Unlimited; HIV/AIDS awareness workshops
conducted by REACH L.A. and Bienestar; and presentations on non-traditional careers in
the construction and aviation industries and college preparation advocacy work.

In addition, Shaunelle Curry, founder of Community-based media literacy organization Mother’s Day Radio, conducted a workshop on its national youth campaign challenging record companies and radio stations to promote positive images of women of color in hip hop, rap, and other mainstream music genres. Activist Tara Lake, from the black lesbian organization Sisters of Sakia, educated students about the danger of homophobic prejudice and highlighted contributions of lesbians and gays of color. During lunch time, students from Gardena read excerpts from the original play “Divided We Fall,” which focuses on black/brown academic equity issues and intergroup conflict.

The conference concluded with poet and screenwriter Josslyn Luckett’s powerful spoken word
presentation on the connection between contemporary struggles for selfhood and social justice
legacies, and a wrap-up discussion with students emceed by Frankie Maryland of the HRC.
Coverage of the conference appeared in the newsmagazine Our Weekly: Girls Into Women.

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