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AfroLA

@afrolanews.bsky.social

1.6K followers 1.1K following 520 posts

AfroLA covers greater Los Angeles through the lens of the Black community. https://afrolanews.org/

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AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 6d

Los Angeles deserves a newsroom that reflects and represents its Black and Brown communities, not one that overlooks them.

AfroLA exists to do just that. Through Nov. 15, we are fundraising so that we can continue to do impactful community-driven work.

Investing in Impact campaign

AfroLA is a community-powered news media organization rooted in Los Angeles. We exist to reflect and represent the city’s Black and other marginalized communities, telling the stories too often…

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 3d

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.

afrolanews.org/2025/10/blac...

Black youth break silence around unique mental health barriers

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

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 3d

Dashiell Sparks, a local high school student & AfroLA's summer youth mental health intern, spoke with Black Millennials and Gen Zers from a variety of wellness organizations about why discussing mental health is so important.

afrolanews.org/2025/10/blac...

Black youth break silence around unique mental health barriers

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

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 5d

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.

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 5d

While their stories are different, but you can’t deny both groups—and Black Americans and Jewish Americans overall—share common ground.

Listen to our 2-minute audio trailer on YouTube: youtube.com/shorts/MBUTm...

Coming Soon: The Black Sabbath Podcast

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…

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 5d

. 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%.

Coming Soon: The Black Sabbath Podcast

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…

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 5d

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.

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 5d

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.

Coming Soon: The Black Sabbath Podcast

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…

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 5d

Help us continue shining a light on health inequities affecting Black women in Los Angeles.
Give today to keep #CoverageThatMatters going: givebutter.com/investmentin...

#CoverageThatMatters #AfroLA #HealthEquity

Invest in Impact: Support AfroLA’s $50k Campaign for Community Journalism in Los Angeles

AfroLA is raising $50,000 to expand community centered journalism in Los Angeles. Your support fuels stories that represent Black communities, deepen engagement, and create opportunities for the next…

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 5d

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.

Full story → afrolanews.org/2025/06/blac...

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 6d

The Investment in Impact campaign ensures AfroLA doesn’t just survive, but it thrives, expands, and innovates for the people it serves.

Please watch our video: youtu.be/6NF6uxGwIn4?...
and donate: bit.ly/48jmK7Y

Investing in Impact campaign

AfroLA is a community-powered news media organization rooted in Los Angeles. We exist to reflect and represent the city’s Black and other marginalized communities, telling the stories too often…

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 6d

Los Angeles deserves a newsroom that reflects and represents its Black and Brown communities, not one that overlooks them.

AfroLA exists to do just that. Through Nov. 15, we are fundraising so that we can continue to do impactful community-driven work.

Investing in Impact campaign

AfroLA is a community-powered news media organization rooted in Los Angeles. We exist to reflect and represent the city’s Black and other marginalized communities, telling the stories too often…

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 13d

Read Dayla Nelson's article about how LGBTQ+ youth are seeking help and community online.

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

Lost services push LGBTQ+ teens to seek help and community online

Digital communities are providing a vital lifeline and sense of belonging following the recent elimination of key federal support services for LGBTQ+ youth.

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 13d

LGBTQ+ youth are increasingly turning to online forums like Discord, not just for community but for survival. AfroLA's Youth Mental Health intern spoke with two teens who turn to digital spaces for community support.

A screenshot of Rainbow Isle: LGBTQ+ Server on Discord, which provides community for queer people online.

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 13d

“Instead of defending the youth they once promised to serve, they closed the doors and turned off the lights. Now families across L.A. are scrambling for crumbs in a healthcare system built on fear,” said Sydney Rogers, from the Trans Wellness Center at the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

An exterior of Children's Hospital in Los Angeles

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 13d

The Center for Transyouth Health and Development at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) offered counseling, puberty blockers and hormone replacements. An April executive order threatened to pull federal funding for hospitals if it continued to offer gender-affirming care. CHLA closed in July.

a silhouette of a young Black person with fingers touching the temples of their head.

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 13d

In Los Angeles, one of the country’s oldest and largest providers of gender-affirming care for trans kids and young adults is gone.

Various colorful gender buttons

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 13d

LGBTQ+ focused groups like the Youth Pride Association and the national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline have given young people a safety net.

But freedoms and services are slowly disappearing with the Trump Administration's crackdown on existing LGBTQ+ resources.

Lost services push LGBTQ+ teens to seek help and community online

Digital communities are providing a vital lifeline and sense of belonging following the recent elimination of key federal support services for LGBTQ+ youth.

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 13d

We’re not asking for charity.

We’re inviting you to make an Investment in Impact.

Every gift fuels AfroLA’s work: representation, solutions, and sustainable community-powered news.

Join us → givebutter.com/investmentin...

Two Black female students look and talk to one another in a classroom.

A sign on a pole that says "Black Lives Matter Turns 10..."

A Black woman holds a wine glass in front a glowing sign that says "Inglewine".

A Black male teacher points towards a Black male student in the foreground who has his hand raised in a classroom.

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 27d

AfroLA's Corinne Ruff talked Janes Village community members working to keep the unique neighborhood alive. This story was co-published with @nextcity.org, a nonprofit newsroom reporting on solutions for equitable and just cities.

Altadena homeowners unite to preserve neighborhood's cottages and character after Eaton Fire

Neighbors who lost their charming Janes Village cottages are leveraging collective power to recreate the unique character of their beloved community through pre-approved designs and vetted…

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 27d

It's also a design hub that aims to leverage collective power to help locals keep the character of Altadena alive at an affordable price.

“ There are options for rebuilding,” Vordtriede said. “It doesn’t have to be tract or high-price custom. There’s a lot of middle ground there.”

Three men smile as they work at a table in an office.

Schematics for cottage home designs

Schematics for cottage home designs

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 27d

Tim Vordtriede, a design professional and project manager who also lost his home, is designing new cottages for his own community through the Altadena Collective — a physical office in Pasadena where people can get their rebuilding questions answered.

📸: Julianne Donelle Photography

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 27d

Now, these tight-knit neighbors is leaning on each other to recreate the historical charm and community that drew them to the neighborhood.

A man stands for a portrait outside his front door.

A man in a durag stands holding out a piece of melted metal with a glove on.

A man and woman stand beneath a Sycamore tree on a property that burned down in Altadena during the Eaton Fire.

A man with glasses stands among foliage on a burned down property in Altadena.

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 27d

The house McLaughlin and her husband Joseph lived in for 24 years and raised 3 kids was one at least 180 similar Tudor Revival-style cottages in an area of Altadena called Janes Village. The Eaton Fire burned some 75% of these small footprint, uniquely designed cottages.

A couple sit on the front steps of a historic cottage-style home in the early 2000s.

A couple sit on their front steps to their burned home.

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · 27d

In January, Joanne McLaughlin was planning a block party to celebrate the 100th anniversary of her historic Altadena home before it burned in the Eaton Fire.

“The fire took that all away from us.” she said.

Altadena homeowners unite to preserve neighborhood's cottages and character after Eaton Fire

Neighbors who lost their charming Janes Village cottages are leveraging collective power to recreate the unique character of their beloved community through pre-approved designs and vetted…

AfroLA @afrolanews.bsky.social · Sep 8

Read Gerarado Chagolla's story on how nonprofits are filling in the gap for Eaton Fire survivors like the Valdes family.
afrolanews.org/2025/09/as-a...

An already overwhelmed shelter system struggles to house wildfire survivors, nonprofits fill in the gaps

A network of community organizations and nonprofits provided housing for people displaced by L.A.'s wildfires as red tape stalled county providers.