AfroL.A.

11/18/2025

3.8 million Angelenos could be without water for months. Should the Big One knock out the aqueduct's path to L.A., LADWP has just less than a month worth of drinkable fresh water reserves for L.A. residents. And aqueduct repair afterward could take up to 18 months.

When AfroLA reporter Katie Licari asked LADWP about the issues, they came back with a jargon-filled statement with details that didn't add up to the facts.

11/06/2025

On Nov. 1, millions of Americans didn’t receive deposits into their SNAP accounts, the nation’s food stamp program. Although the Trump administration has indicated SNAP recipients will receive 65% of their benefit during the government shutdown, families have yet to see those funds.

visited a local farmer’s market in Inglewood on Nov. 1 to talk to vendors about how the disruption is affecting their business. Farm Habit operates 8 markets across Los Angeles, and brings in about $12,000 in SNAP payments every month. To help people who are struggling to pay for groceries this week, Farm Habit put out a call to social media for donations — and raised $1,200 in 2 hours to give away. Through this “Shutdown Dollars” program, SNAP recipients can get $15 to spend as they choose at a Farm Habit market. Just go to the info booth at any of their markets and give them your SNAP card. (To access this fund, users of SNAP must show an EBT balance of $0.)

Thanks to , , and for sharing their perspectives.

10/30/2025

AfroLA’s health equity reporter, , dives deep into the intersection of social justice and domestic violence in her reporting.

For the latest trauma-informed reporting tip video, Elizabeth advises reporters to think about the social justice issues surrounding domestic violence. She also suggests questioning laws and policies around social justice issues that were created in a vacuum. She says it’s important to shine a light on those laws and policies.

Earlier this year, she covered a powerful story about a confidential, free helpline for people who are thinking about harming their partners. provides 90-minute counseling sessions for people who want to reframe or interrogate violent thoughts or behavior anonymously and without involving police. The helpline helps gives people, mostly men, a safe space to reflect on their actions and begin the process of unlearning harmful behaviors.

During her reporting, Elizabeth attended a full-day training where she heard a recording of a reenactment of an actual call. The experience revealed how spaces like this could help people heal and break cycles of violence, offering a real solution to a social justice issue.

She’s also reported on a decades-old domestic violence policy that deters Black and Latine survivors from seeking medical care. The news article sparked gratitude from readers and even drew the attention of a lawmaker.

These stories show how thoughtful reporting can bring awareness, empathy, and change to complex social issues.

This video was produced in collaboration with Let’s End Domestic Violence Journalist Playbook. It’s a resource by and for journalists and survivors who want to change the conversation around domestic violence.

Learn more: https://www.letsenddv.org/

10/29/2025

How do journalists build trust while reporting on local communities?

For AfroLA’s health and justice reporter , it starts with showing up, talking to community members, and listening with curiosity first: https://lnkd.in/emaBTcBS

Her empathy-driven approach shaped AfroLA’s three-part solutions journalism series exploring new approaches to addiction recovery programs for Black women. The story was told from the perspectives of local healthcare providers, advocates, and former clients.

Eliza earned a Los Angeles Press Club SoCal Journalism award for the third article in the series, which focused on street medicine clinics like the Sidewalk Project that provide much-needed care to L.A.’s unhoused population.

These tips are possible through AfroLA’s partnership with Journalist Playbook. Our goal is to bring care and awareness into your everyday reporting.

📹 William Jenkins

10/27/2025

In an age of misinformation, Black stories are too often sidelined. They’re told only when they’re clickbait or twisted beyond truth.

AfroLA reporter tells you like it is. We do things differently. We’re a Black-owned newsroom that refuses to play it safe. We don’t just repost press releases or chase ad dollars — we report with purpose, integrity, and heart.

Covering what’s happening in places like Altadena is paramount.

What happens when we lose local newsrooms like AfroLA? Our stories disappear.

✨ If you believe in fearless journalism that tells the whole truth, support AfroLA today.

Just a $25 donation fuels independent Black media in Los Angeles.

Donate at the link in bio.



10/24/2025

AfroLA’s Elizabeth Moss has another tip for trauma-informed journalists: make sure your sources understand your reporting process.

Many survivors aren’t familiar with how journalism works, so take your time to explain in order to help them feel safer and more in control.

These tips are possible through AfroLA’s partnership with Journalist Playbook. Our goal is to bring care and awareness into your everyday reporting.

These insights can help you build trust, protect your sources’ well-being, and tell stories with compassion and integrity.

Which of these trauma-informed reporting tips stands out most to you?

10/21/2025

At AfroLA, health reporter and others report the stories of DV survivors using trauma-informed practices. We are bringing you tips to help you use trauma-informed, too, in collaboration with . Their Journalist Playbook outlines more ways to approach reporting on domestic and intimate partner violence with care and sensitivity.

📹

10/20/2025

Want to learn how be trauma-informed?

Elizabeth Moss has you covered.

At AfroLA, we partnered with Blue Shield of California Foundation’s Journalist Playbook to give you a few tips on how to practice trauma-informed reporting on the daily. These tips will help your sources feel safe and secure as you’re telling their story.

What tip resonated with you?

10/09/2025

The Black community has faced a mental health stigma for decades.

But what does it look like to push back?

Black Millennials and Black Gen Zers are now talking about the challenges with pushing back against the status quo through social media, community care and their lived experiences so that safe spaces and culturally responsive care can flourish.

Jostin Grimes is a Morehouse alum from a small town outside of Atlanta. Ever since he's been in Los Angeles, he makes it priority to take care of his mental health through physical activities. Grimes is a member of Keep It Run Hundred, a nonprofit community wellness organization driven by physical activity that meets three times a week in parts of L.A., including Culver City, Playa Del Rey and Inglewood.

He said that historically, Black men have not been comfortable sharing their emotions and being vulnerable. “But I’ve noticed that when celebrities come forward and talk about how mental health has affected their careers, people start to contextualize it,” he said. “It makes them feel like it's something they can share too.”

When it comes to looking for a job, he thinks about how the employer takes care of their employees.

“Moving here, mental health has become more of a priority, and I feel like if I needed it, those resources are at my fingertips.”

Dashiell Sparks, a local high school student and AfroLA's summer youth mental health intern, spoke with young Black women and men from a variety of organizations focusing on mental health to learn more about why discussing the topic is so important for their generation.

This story was produced as part of an AfroLA’s internship position supported by the Youth Mental Health Academy, a career development program from the Child Mind Institute.

A new generation of leaders are pushing back against the historical neglect of mental health care for the Black community.

10/08/2025

The Investment in Impact campaign is for you — the communities we serve. ❤️

It’s about keeping AfroLA strong so we can continue telling stories that mirror our neighborhoods, address our struggles, and uplift our solutions.

✨ Pay it forward, $25 at a time.

Your support helps us tell the stories LA can’t afford to lose. These stories center community values, highlight resilience, and spark change.

When you invest in AfroLA, you’re investing in:

📍 Expanding coverage
🤝 Deepening community connection
🗞️ Building the next generation of storytellers

This is about community ownership of a newsroom that listens, represents, and serves. Every dollar goes toward growth and representation.

💛 Donate today in our link in bio and help us grow together.



10/07/2025

How we have referred to the events following Oct. 7, 2023 has gradually shifted — Israel-Hamas War, War in Gaza, War on Gaza, humanitarian crisis, genocide.

For Americans, it’s a war happening on the other side of the world. If you’re a Black American or Jewish American, it’s especially complicated. The war reflects what these communities see at home — a cycle of violence and oppression.

The population of Angelenos who identify as either Black or Jewish is the same—8%. While their stories are different, but you can’t deny both groups—and Black Americans and Jewish Americans overall—share common ground.

Listen to AfroLA’s new podcast Black Sabbath, to hear stories of intersection and connection in these communities. Coming soon to Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

10/07/2025

Coverage That Matters: Black immigrant women face unique challenges in getting the health care they need.

AfroLA’s reporting exposes the gaps, and lifts up the urgent need for solutions.

Read this full story in the link in our bio. ✊🏿

Help us continue shining a light on health inequities affecting Black women in Los Angeles by donating just $25 (link in bio).