I'm very pleased to welcome the Zapata-King Neighborhood Council to our City family. The Board of Neighborhood Commissioners unanimously voted to certify the 96th Neighborhood Council in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. Councilmember Curren Price came to speak on behalf of the forming committee, and many supporters filled the room. It was a 7 year journey for organizers to recertify a Neighborhood Council in this area. Many thanks to the forming committee and to our Neighborhood Empowerment Advocate Taneda Larios for making it happen!

Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a second collaboration this week with The Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State L.A. to present the Civic University (CU). Along with the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners, we're thrilled to be partnering to have this 4 week class comprised of Neighborhood Council board members in the spring. More information below, and the exact details on how to submit nominations will be coming soon.

We had another international delegation from the State Department visit with us to learn about Neighborhood Councils this week. It was a diverse group of folks from Zimbabwe to Taiwan. A big thanks to Neighborhood Empowerment Advocate Melvin Canas for organizing the visit. Next week, we have a delegation from Hungary joining us to learn about grassroots engagement.

I was very sad to learn that Daily News journalist, Rick Orlov, passed this week. Rick was a good friend to Neighborhood Councils, and he often checked in with us on potential stories about what Neighborhood Councils are doing for their communities. We will definitely miss him!!

If I don't see you at the LANCC and our co-sponsored 2016 Neighborhood Council Elections Townhall at the LA City College tomorrow, have a wonderful weekend!

Best,

Grayce Liu,
General Manager
Department of Neighborhood Empowerment (aka) EmpowerLA