THE TENANT ASSOCIATION WITH PHOENIX TSO

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On this installment of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast we’re joined by Phoenix Tso, who chats with us about The Tenant Association, a new podcast on the Chinatown Hillside Villa Tenant Association, which formed in 2018 after residents there received a 300% Rent Increase without any prior notice from their landlord; in addition to the origins of the podcast and Tso’s investigative work, we consider the terms “affordable housing” and “eminent domain.” Tso notes that across the U.S., approximately 800,000 currently affordable units will lose their affordability within the next decade due to expiration dates for rent prices set in their housing covenants. Last but not least, Tso reveals the host of The Tenant Association to quite some cheer and even chuckling; it’s another can’t miss episode and you can also keep up with The Tenant Association here.

(1:07) Introducing The Tenant Association Podcast by the Los Angeles Public Press
(5:41) Outlining the story of the Hillside Villa Tenant Association
(13:30) “Affordable Housing” on a timer, not indefinitely affordable
(19:41) 800,000 “Affordable Housing” units in the U.S. are expiring within the next decade
(23:29) The use of “Eminent Domain” historically to rob communities of their right to housing
(30:25) How the Hillside Villa Tenant Association organized the fight against their landlord
(41:08) Final notes on the new podcast, as well as the HOST REVEAL!

To make a one-time donation to my nonprofit work for working-class communities in The City, do so here. To support the production of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast for as little as $5 a month, check out my page at Patreon.

Until the next time, stay vigilant and stay tuned!

J.T.

sixth street bridge in los angeles california

DESIGNING FOR THE REALITIES WITH ERIC SOLIS

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The return of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast features Eric Solis, an L.A. born architect and designer now living and consulting in Mexico City, where the rise of a new, international gentrification has pushed residents like himself to fight back and organize. Solis’s roots in Los Angeles also run deep, however, especially given his time with HNTB Corporation in collaboration with Michael Maltzan Architecture, or the firm behind the already world-famous 6th Street Bridge, which officially reopened in June 2022. Solis and I discuss his upbringing through Greater Los Angeles, as well as his unique position as a first-generation college graduate (USC, 2010) on a team of seasoned, mostly white architects who had little to no lived experience with Mexican-American communities like those of East Los Angeles. We also discuss the strengths and shortcomings of the 6th Street Bridge, as well as what Designing For The Realities has looked like for Solis most recently. Last but not least, we uplift “No Hablamos Ingles,” a fashion show consisting of some of Mexico’s fiercest fashion leaders taking place right in Los Angeles this September 21st, free and open to all of the Pueblito.

(0:52) Introductions
(6:15) Solis’s time on the 6th Street Bridge fresh out of USC, Class of 2010
(11:15) Looking around the room as the only Latino person at the firm
(20:32) Issues posed by the new 6th Street Bridge due in large part to design
(26:45) Solis’s thoughts on designing for reality rather than for idealism in L.A. + discovering fashion!
(33:08) “No Hablamos Inglés,” September 21st in downtown Los Angeles
(35:48) Fighting gentrification in Mexico City and everywhere else we can

To make a one-time donation to my nonprofit work for working-class communities in The City, do so here. To support the production of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast for as little as $5 a month, check out my page at Patreon.

Until the next time, stay vigilant and stay tuned!

J.T.

WHO CAN JUDGE ME IN L.A. COUNTY? FEATURING GEORGE A. TURNER

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George A. Turner is a father of three and is originally from the city of Inglewood, where he continues to live with his family. Turner has served as a Public Defender for L.A. County for the last 16 years and is now running for L.A. County Superior Court Judge, Seat 39. To learn more about Turner and his campaign, visit his website here. To follow his campaign, do so on IG. You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

To make a one-time donation to my nonprofit work for working-class communities in The City, do so here. To support the production of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast for as little as $5 a month, check out my page at Patreon.

Until the next time, stay vigilant and stay tuned!

J.T.

WHO CAN JUDGE ME IN L.A. COUNTY? FEATURING ERICKA WILEY

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Ericka Wiley is running for Superior Court Judge Seat 48 this November after serving as a Public Defender in Los Angeles for nearly 24 years and garnering over 47% of the vote this past March. We discuss how Wiley entered the race to begin with, just what she believes qualifies her for the Superior Court Judge Seat over her opponent in the race, Renee Rose, Wiley’s thoughts on L.A.’s homelessness and mental health systems, and even her favorite L.A. film, Boyz N the Hood. You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

(0:35) Introductions
(3:28) Wiley’s worked as a Public Defender since 1999
(6:53) Public Defenders vs Public Pretenders
(10:09) Are Los Angeles and California just going soft on crime now?
(15:14) Ericka Wiley Vs Rene Rose for Superior Court Judge Seat 48
(20:05) Given her life experience, would Wiley be an advocate or an activist judge?
(23:09) In L.A. County, isn’t homelessness just out of control, regardless of who is judge?
(27:18) What do services for unhoused and mentally ill people in L.A. County look like today versus what they looked like yesterday?
(33:05) La Defensa and the Defenders of Justice Slate
(35:29) Is La Defensa, the PAC, just made up of wealthy benefactors?
(37:34) IF YOU LIVE IN L.A. COUNTY YOU CAN VOTE FOR L.A. SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE SEATS
(41:28) Ways you can support Ericka’s campaign leading up to November
(44:09) L.A. LIGHTING ROUND QUESTIONS

To learn more about Ericka Wiley and her campaign, visit her website here. To follow her campaign, do so on IG.

To make a one-time donation to my nonprofit work for working-class communities in The City, do so here. To support the production of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast for as little as $5 a month, check out my page at Patreon.

Until the next time, stay vigilant and stay tuned!

J.T.