By Stephen Oduntan
Contributing Writer
LOS ANGELES — As 2025 begins, members of the Black community are questioning how to not only survive but thrive in the face of systemic barriers? From calls for reparations to grassroots organizing, advocates are addressing housing, economic obstacles, and long-standing injustices with renewed urgency.
“We’re being squeezed out by forces we can’t control,” said Billion Godsun, sitting in the Lion Arts Gallery in Leimert Park — a section of the city activists refer to as Africatown. “Banks and hedge funds are buying up properties, driving up prices, and leaving fewer options for the rest of us.”
Once a hub of Black culture, Leimert Park is dealing with rising property values and outside investor interest, which threaten to displace many of its long-time residents.
The challenges facing Black communities are further compounded by a political climate that many view as hostile. Darnell Hunt, UCLA professor of African American studies, captured this sentiment, admitting, “I haven’t watched the news since the election,” following Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Citing frustration with systemic inequities and regressive policies, Hunt warned of potential retaliation against progressive states like California, particularly in higher education.
“They’re going to try to punish California — they’re going to try to take away federal funds,” Hunt said. “They’ve already listed their priorities: they’re going after endowments, federal research funding and all the things we rely upon.”
Hunt’s concerns reflect broader debates over budget priorities in Los Angeles. Recently, the appointment of Jim McDonnell as chief of the Los Angeles Police Department reignited discussions — not just about his leadership but also his record-breaking salary. With a base salary of $450,000, McDonnell is the highest-paid chief in LAPD history, surpassing his predecessor Michel Moore’s 2023 salary of $391,268. McDonnell’s pay also exceeds that of police leaders in New York and Chicago, prompting criticism of funding allocations.
“The policing budget continues to go up. It’s the largest LAPD budget that we’ve ever had in the city,” said Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles. “And it was [Mayor Karen Bass] who approved this significant salary increase for the new police chief.”
Abdullah calls for policies that prioritize universal housing and local approaches to reparations.
“When you spend like that on policing, it means we don’t have money to spend on the things we actually need, like housing, which is the number one issue for Angelenos,” she added, pointing to what she sees as a disconnect between city priorities and community needs.
Abdullah’s critique of city spending aligns with a broader crisis that Godsun also underscores: housing affordability. Removing his cap to reveal a clean-shaven head, he joked, “Some of us don’t even have hair,” taking aim at California’s inclusion of workplace protections for natural hairstyles in its reparations package. “We need money to rebuild grocery stores and keep people in their homes, not symbolic gestures.”
California consistently ranks as one of the most expensive states to live in throughout the country, with a median home price of approximately $800,000 — more than twice the national average — and rental rates that outpace most other states. These financial pressures have driven many Black families to leave the state in search of more affordable housing elsewhere.
James Thomas, president of the NAACP’s San Fernando Valley branch, observed that Texas and Georgia are common destinations due to their lower housing costs. “That’s what they’re doing,” he said.
However, Thomas cautioned that while housing is cheaper in some areas, income opportunities often fall short of those available in California, posing challenges to achieving long-term stability.
At the same time, skyrocketing housing costs have contributed to a surge in homelessness. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, homelessness increased 18% nationwide from 2023 to 2024, with Black individuals, who make up just 12% of the overall demographic, comprising 32% of those experiencing homelessness.
Faith-based organizations, including Greater Zion Church Family in Compton, have stepped in to address systemic challenges. Rev. Michael Fisher described plans to launch an eight-week financial literacy course to help participants manage debt and navigate the housing market.
The church is also expanding its “Go Get Them” initiative, which aims to create employment opportunities while continuing to support programs for food assistance and community needs.
“The faith community sits at the table with politicians, lawmakers and legislation,” Fisher said. “We have to advocate for our communities and ensure that their voices are heard.”
He pointed to initiatives like financial literacy workshops and employment development programs as ways to address systemic challenges and bridge gaps between policy and community needs.
Economic instability emerged as a recurring theme, with Fisher highlighting its pervasive impact on all aspects of life, including health care. While faith-based initiatives strive to support communities, disparities in health care access remain significant.
Experts in the medical field point to persistent challenges such as low reimbursement rates for programs like Medi-Cal, which discourage many providers from accepting patients. As a result, individuals often face delays in accessing primary care or are forced to rely on urgent care clinics for treatment.
Brian Bristol, a certified nurse practitioner and CEO of Van Nuys Urgent Care Family Medicine, highlighted these issues but expressed optimism about emerging solutions.
“There’s growing awareness about health and nutrition, and advancements like wearable technology are helping people take charge of their health,” he said. However, he stressed the need for policies that reward preventative care and support clinics serving underserved populations.
Cultural and educational initiatives similarly focus on early engagement to build resilience. H.E.Art Inc., led by renowned choreographer and former Broadway performer Eartha Robinson, combines the arts with academic and emotional support to empower youth.
“We are one of the only after-school programs that provide homework assistance, social-emotional support and lessons in acting, voice and dance, along with life skills,” Robinson said. Her program reaches students in three schools and she frequently organizes field trips to expose participants to theater and arts.
By partnering with other organizations, H.E.Art Inc. connects students to opportunities like scholarships and competitive auditions, such as the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive.
“We start with the babies,” Robinson said, describing her focus on helping young people develop confidence, resilience, and leadership skills.
Stephen Oduntan is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers.
