SEEKING JUSTICE FOR THE RIOS BROTHERS OF EAST HOLLYWOOD – LOS CUENTOS WRAP-UP

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On Wednesday, July 3rd, the Rios-Vela family attended the first court hearing for the alleged and primary suspect behind the murder of The Rios Brothers, Marcos Navarro, 33 years old. It was an extremely emotional day, yet Amalia Vela in particular spoke out with clarity and courage about what she seeks in terms of accountability for her two slain children. You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

(2:00) Amalia Vela speaks. We listen.
(4:52) Ivan Robles speaks. We listen.
(11:45) Uplifting Alex and Eliana Rios, Sergio Rios’s two twin toddlers.

For your own reference, you can watch the full press conference with the Rios-Vela family alongside District Attorney George Gascón’s office on June 10th here.

And you can donate to the fundraiser for Alex and Eliana, Sergio Rios Jr.’s two children, at this link.

Last but not least, you can read our tribute to the Rios brothers via Making a Neighborhood here.

J.T.

Zoot Suit Heritage Week in L.A.

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This was a special and yet very difficult day at the center of Los Angeles for yours truly. Having committed to this production with the Sueño Team in advance, little did I know that I would have to show up to the event less than a week after the devastating loss of two brothers in my community, which by extension was a loss for the heart of Los Angeles.

But I showed up for the inaugural Zoot Suit Heritage Week nonetheless because I knew that’s what our brothers would have wanted. Sure enough, I found myself uplifted by the beauty of our people, our culture and our enduring strength even while facing great challenges. Please check out the full video for this day from Whittier Blvd to Broadway via the link in my bio, and be sure to subscribe to J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast and to follow the Sueño Team for more from our collaborative Palabra series soon.

J.T.

LAUSD MARCH 2024 PRIMARIES: RECAP

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With L.A. City Council recapped, let’s place LAUSD elections from March into perspective. LAUSD has a board of seven members, each of which is elected every four years. The board meets regularly on Tuesday afternoons, and by a long shot, its most important job is managing L.A. Schools’ annual budget, which in the 2023 – 2024 fiscal year was nearly $19 billion dollars. You can also watch this episode on YouTube.

(1:08) We’re talking about LAUSD this time. Here’s why
(5:18) Board Seat, District 1: Sherlett Hendy-Newbill vs Khallid A. Al-Alhim
(12:17) Board Seat, District 3: Scott Mark Schmerelson vs Dan Chang
(17:50) Board Seat, District 5: Karla Griego vs Graciela “Grace” Ortiz
(21:52) Career Politicians really irk J.T.
(25:56) Board Seat, District 7: Tanya Ortiz Franklin

On a more personal note, this week, on June 21st, the Rios family of East Hollywood buries their two sons, Sergio and Ricardo Rios. Please consider supporting the family as they navigate a new world for Sergio Rios’s two children, each barely more than two years old.

This installment of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast is dedicated to the ongoing, living memory of Sergio Rios Jr. and Ricardo Rios.

J.T.

Tonight we raise a toast: To the Rios-Vela Family

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This evening an array of old friends and neighbors are gathering at The Edmon in Hollywood for a Benefit Jam in honor of Sergio Rios Jr. and Ricardo Rios. At the same time, as Sergio and Amalia Rios prepare to bury their two sons soon, this fundraiser organized by Ivan Robles, Sergio and Ricky’s primo, is nearing its goal; please consider donating to ensure the family can better support Sergio’s two children, each less than two-and-a-half years old, in the days ahead.

J.T.

ANGELENO HEART: “THEY WANT TO TELL THEIR STORY”

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Henry Lara is the one and only Angeleno Heart. In this special episode at the Los Angeles Public Library’s Octavia Lab, we discuss his upbringing, his inspiration, and what’s next for his work as the rawest photographer born and raised in Los Angeles.

This week also marked a horrendous loss for yours truly and the whole city. Please support the Rios family as they grieve the unimaginable loss of their only two sons in a senseless killing which took place this past Saturday, June 1st, 2024.

This installment of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast is dedicated to the ongoing, living memory of Sergio Rios Jr. and Ricardo Rios

J.T.