We’re thrilled to share with you the scope and focus of our current community impact projects that will help shape Pasadena's future.
Affordable Housing Initiatives The quest for affordable housing is a pressing issue, and our cohort is tackling it head-on. Affordable Domestic Units (ADUs) have emerged as a vital Pasadena strategy to combat homelessness and enhance affordability. The challenge lies in simplifying the process for residents to build ADUs. By examining successful models from other cities, our team, in collaboration with city partners, is identifying and mitigating barriers to make ADUs a more accessible option. Advancing Sustainability Pasadena is on a mission to reduce its climate footprint, and there's a wealth of sustainability efforts already underway. The goal of this project is to amplify the city's initiatives and galvanize public support. Working with Pasadena Water & Power, we're exploring effective ways to educate and engage the community in these vital efforts. Economic Development and the 2028 Olympics With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, Pasadena is poised to host soccer events at the iconic Rose Bowl, presenting a significant economic opportunity. Our cohort is strategizing on how to prepare the community for this global event, support local businesses, and leverage the occasion for lasting economic benefits. DEIB and Community Building The construction of the 710 corridor offers Pasadena a unique opportunity to address past injustices and rebuild relationships with marginalized communities. Our team is researching how other cities have successfully reconnected communities divided by highways and how Pasadena can set a national example for creative transformation with the guidance of the City of Pasadena’s Planning Department and members of the 710 Advisory Group. Public Safety & Health The Handle with Care (HWC) program is a collaborative effort spearheaded by first responders and aimed at supporting children. This effort informs schools when a child has been exposed to a traumatic event with a single, simple message - handle this child with care. No other details are shared. The effort should help break generational cycles of trauma by supporting children’s education and has shown success in the state of West Virginia and San Diego, California. This complex initiative involves city departments, county agencies, and schools. Our cohort is working to optimize the implementation of HWC in partnership with Young & Healthy and first responders. The Pasadena Unified School District, the Pasadena Police Department, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and the Sierra Madre Police Department are all playing pivotal roles. These projects are not just plans on paper; they are the embodiment of our commitment to leadership and community service. We invite you to stay engaged and support these transformative endeavors. If you have expertise in any of these areas and want to assist, please email us so we can connect you with the appropriate team leader. Together we are more than leaders; we are catalysts for positive change in Pasadena. Victoria Williams, (‘20) of BWP Enterprises is the founder of the recent Black Education Expo which was held on Feb. 24 at Lake Avenue Church.
Victoria stepped up to create this expo when she found that other K-12 education resource events weren’t targeting or centering on communities of color. The Black Education Expo shared with the community the many options available to further learning while highlighting opportunities for advancement. By igniting inspiration and championing opportunity, it offered resources to eager youth, educators, and community members. California Assemblymember Chris Holden was on hand to support this effort and a key event sponsor was Pathways LA, which is helmed by yet another LP Alum, Tamika Farr (‘12). Congrats, Victoria! Welcome to the Class of 2024! We kicked off our newest cohort in January. And this year is extra special. We're also celebrating 25 years of community leadership and service.
Yet again we have brought together a diverse group of professionals for leadership development and civic projects with the goal of making a positive impact right here in Pasadena. This is what sets Leadership Pasadena apart… our focus on getting to know Pasadena inside and out. This keen knowledge sets our alumni up to lead with a deeper understanding of the community they're serving. Our impressive lineup of 2024 professionals includes:
It’s true… if you want to learn, grow, and lead alongside some incredible people, LP is the place to be. Here's to another 25 years of empowering leaders! |