Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Civic Leadership, Future of Cities, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Magazine, Pandemic, Uncategorized

Kobe Bryant’s Death gave us a real “LA Moment”

Last January, Los Angeles was reeling from the news of Kobe Bryant’s sudden and tragic death, as well as the deaths of eight others. At the time, it felt like we were marinating in the shock of it all - the unspeakable tragedies of life gone too soon, the knowledge it could have been prevented, and the death of a legend just beginning to build his post-career legacy. A colleague remarked to me that Kobe was “giving us a real LA moment.” Her words resonated with me, and I’ve been mulling over why this statement struck a chord with me. What was it about Kobe’s death that made for an ‘LA moment’?

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Bunker Hill, Civic Leadership, Dorothy Chandler, Future of Cities, LA Music Center, LA Politics, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Museums, urban renewal

Channeling Dorothy Chandler: Voices From the Past and the Future of Los Angeles

Dorothy Chandler (1922-1997) was arguably the most powerful woman in Los Angeles during the 1960s - presiding over the city's most elite social circles, and appearing on the cover of Time Magazine in honor of her unprecedented cultural fundraising efforts. Yet, few Angelenos know who she is other than a name on a Music Center building downtown. So why … Continue reading Channeling Dorothy Chandler: Voices From the Past and the Future of Los Angeles

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Future of Cities, Los Angeles, Uncategorized

Future of Cities LA has launched. What’s next?

Future of Cities launched last month with a large gathering at LACMA to discuss civic leadership and the future of Los Angeles. I was skeptical of what an initiative like this could really achieve, but I have to say, I was impressed by the breadth and depth of the topics and speakers. I think my … Continue reading Future of Cities LA has launched. What’s next?

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Bunker Hill, CicLAvia, Civic Leadership, Committee of 25, Future of Cities, LA Music Center, LA Politics, LA River, LACMA, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Uncategorized, urban renewal

Is L.A. Designed to Work?

Outgoing L.A. Deputy Mayor Rick Cole recently remarked that "L.A. is not designed to work." Could he be right? Is L.A. too big for true civic engagement? Or do projects like CicLAvia and the L.A. River Revitalization prove this contention wrong? Before I delve into my opinion regarding this question, let me provide a little context for Cole's remark. … Continue reading Is L.A. Designed to Work?