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WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES

“The time is always right to do what is right."— Martin Luther King Jr

IN THE NEWS

LAUSD CONSIDERING LAYING OFF THOUSANDS OF WORKERS

On February 17, 2026, the LAUSD Board of Education narrowly voted 4-3 to issue preliminary layoff notices to more than 3,000 employees. The decision is part of a broader "fiscal stabilization plan" to address an $877 million budget deficit caused by declining student enrollment and the expiration of pandemic-era federal funding. While the notices include approximately 2,600 administrators and 657 central office staff, the district has stated that no classroom teachers are currently slated for layoffs. Labor unions have strongly opposed the move, arguing that the district should wait for updated state revenue figures before putting workers in a state of "uncertainty and panic." Preliminary notices must be sent by March 15 to comply with state law, though the final number of actual job losses may be reduced through reassignments or attrition by the end of the school year.

19KEYS JOINS THE SCOTTIE N FRNDS SHOW!

TOGETHER WITH COSM

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by COSM, bringing you closer to the action than ever before! COSM is the world’s first Shared Reality venue, and it’s located in the heart of Inglewood. Imagine the front row of the NBA Finals or the rail of a sold-out concert—all without the binoculars.

Ready to lose yourself in the dome?

INTO THE WEEKEND

Got an event you'd like featured in our newsletter? Know someone who does? Submit it below!

COMMUNITY 🤗

Thursday 2/19

1. Manual Brewing Class at 7even Seas Coffee Co in Fairfax District

2. Pan African Film Festival: “Cycle” Film Screening at The Culver Theater in Culver City

3. BLK Crust Pizza x Blaec Elite DJ’s: Throwback Thursday’s at Benny Boy Brewing in Lincoln Heights

4. Fireside Chat with Don Cheadle and Regina Hall at Blackbird Flagship in Culver City 

5. “Wildflowers Praying at Midnight” Book Launch with Dr. Jaiya John at Octavia’s Bookshelf in Pasadena 

6. “Mainline Mama” Book Event with Keeonna Harris at Reparations Club at West Adams 

7. Pardon My Poetry: Spoken Word Open Mic and Black Culture Trivia Night at Legacy Lounge in Mid-City 

Friday 2/20

1. Read The Room: Silent Reading Club at Reparations Club in West Adams 

2. Our Ancestors Were Gay Too: A Black History Month Variety Show at The Elysian in Elysian Valley 

3. KSLA Walk Club: Prep for the Crenshaw Mile at Kindred Space LA Birthing Center in Hyde Park 

4. Kay Wheeler: “In Bloom, I Trust” Exhibit Opening Reception in DTLA

5. Open Mic Night at Radical Hood Library in Jefferson Park 

6. “Mama Came Callin’” Graphic Novel Release with Ezra Claytan Daniels & Al Letson at Lore Bookstore in Leimert Park 

7. Five Film Fridays: Screenings and Networking at The Aster in Hollywood 

8. Open Mic Night at Ego Lab Studio in Culver City 

9. The Jump-Off Show at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood

Saturday 2/21

1. 2/21-3/28: Frank James Williams: “Standing Still” Exhibition at Patricia Sweetow Gallery in DTLA

2. Black on the Block at LA Center Studios in DTLA 

3. LA Cuddle Club: Cartoons and Cuddles at FWB Clubhouse in DTLA Beanie Cycle Coffee Shop Grand Opening in Green Meadows 

4. Watts Culture Fest at Watts Labor Community Action Committee Space 

5. Chit & Chat: Bracelet Making at Barnsdall Art Park in East Hollywood 

6. She’s Vested: Women’s Weighted Vest Walk Club at Reuben Ingold Park in View Park 

7. Inside the Room: Casting, Coaching & Career Insight in Burbank 

8. “Dear Cycle Breaker” Reading & Healing Experience with Dusah Wiseman at Reparations Club in West Adams No Boys Allowed: 4th Annual Galentine’s Pajama Jam at The Skyline Loft (address on RSVP) 

9. Hella Good Company: Karaoke Qing at The Naughty Pig in WeHo

10. City of Inglewood: Black History Celebration in Downtown Inglewood

    1. ft. Music by The Don Brown Collective and Black History Month Trivia games, an art installation + A Beer Tasting with Crowns & Hops & A Whiskey Tasting with Jackson McCrea at The Miracle Theater!

11. Feel Seen Wellness: The Black Interior at the California African American Museum in Exposition Park 

12. Native LA Tours x Black Girls Shoot Too: Black History Month Community Photo Walk in Little Tokyo

13. Black Excellence Mixer: Art Showcase & Live Music at The Wicked Wolf Cocktail Bar + Tea & Lounge Cafe in Long Beach 

14. Marantz Moon: “1000 Afro’s Still Loitering for Beauty” Exhibition Closing Block Party at Junior High in Glendale

15. Red Books Day at All Power Books in West Adams 

16. Building Legacies: Black Excellence in Crime Fiction at Lore Bookstore in Leimert Park 

17. Pan African Film Festival: “A Better Way” World Premiere at The Culver Theater in Culver City

18. The UN-ASSOCIATED Poetry Jam in View Park at Harbor Church LA

Sunday 2/22

1. The Cookout: Tennis Honoring Black History at Harvard Park Tennis Courts in South Central 

2. Who All Gon Be There? All Black Improv Comedy Show at Barbara Morrison PAC in Leimert Park 

3. Sounds From Afar: Mardi Gras Sunday Brunch Club at Flavors From Afar East in Hollywood  

4. The Love We Give Exhibition Opening Night at Perri + Ren Gallery in Lincoln Heights 

5. Rooted in Love: A Loc Sprinkle Workshop and Floral Experience at House of Blume in Inglewood 

6. Nthenya & The Cousins: A Comedy Show at Nico’s Wines in Atwater Village 

7. Sound Dhaba: Untrained Ears Listening Kickback in DTLA 

8. Line Dance Party at The Sol Venue in Carson 

Monday 2/23

1. VIRTUAL: Life Coach Don: Content Planning Party 2.0 

PERFORMANCES 🎤

Thursday 2/19

1. Buddy and The Don Brown Collective at Blue Note Jazz Club in Hollywood 

Friday 2/20

1. 2/20-3/28: Brassroots District Live Concert & Immersive Theater Experience at Catch One in Arlington Heights 

2. Sudan Archives at The Fonda in WeHo 

3. Veritus Miller at The World Stage in Leimert Park

4. Aaron Shaw & Friends Album Release at 2220 Arts + Archives in Historic Filipinotown

Saturday 2/21

1. Narratives & Notes: The Life, M

2. Beach Party Records: Zap Sessions at Hotel Ziggy in West Hollywood 

3. Doin Better Than You Thought Concert Vol. 2 at The Slipper Clutch in DTLA 

Sunday 2/22

1. Del’s Juke Joint Comedy & Music Brunch at The Living Room in DTLA 

2. Leimert Park Jazz Festival: Sunday Jazz at The World Stage in Leimert Park 

3. We Hold These Truths: Celebrating Black History Month over 100 years at Nocturne Theatre in Glendale 

PARTIES 🎉

Thursday 2/19

1. 2/19-2/22: THA PRFSSR: After Hours at the Taste Of The Caribbean LA in Hollywood

Friday 2/2

1. DJ Starrza: Afrosauce Global at Moneycat in DTLA 

2. Lay Events: Afrobeats Night at Skybar at Mondrian in West Hollywood 

Saturday 2/21

1. Babyboi: The Love Below at KISO in DTLA 

2. The Beach Nupes: Nights Like This Ep 2 at The Tribe Entertainment Center in Inglewood

3. Rent is Due: Dancehall Edition at The Living Room DTLA