The UCLA Black Faculty and Staff Association presents the Honorable Karen Bass, California Assembly Member, 47th District discussing the November special election, her reflections after one year in office, and the importance of voting and getting involved.

Thursday, October 20, 2005
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
2343 Public Policy Bldg.
UCLA campus
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Confused about the plethora of propositions on the ballot for the November 8 special election?  Concerned about UCLA and issues in higher education such as the rise in tuition and fees?  Interested in issues of importance in the 47th District?  Want to hear frank discussion about issues?

The Special Events Committee of the UCLA Black Faculty and Staff Association brings Karen Bass to the UCLA campus to talk about important issues.

Discussion focus:

- November 2005 Special Election
- Reflections on her First Year in Office
- Key issues of importance to the 47th District

Assemblywoman Bass is particularly interested in talking with students.

Biography
Assembly Member Karen Bass was elected November 2, 2004, to represent the 47th Assembly District. The 47th AD includes the cities of Los Angeles and Culver City, as well as the communities of Ladera Heights, Baldwin Hills, View Park, Cheviot Hills, Westwood-UCLA and Windsor Hills.

Prior to her election to the Assembly, Bass had a long and distinguished career as a public advocate. While working as a Physician Assistant in the emergency room at L.A. County USC Hospital, Bass witnessed the ravages of crack cocaine on inner city residents. Resolving to reverse the tragic local trends, she founded Community Coalition to improve the quality of life in South Los Angeles and served as the executive director for 14 years. Under Bass' leadership, Community Coalition eliminated or converted dozens of local liquor stores, closed motels known as drug trafficking centers, improved the quality and selection of foods in local supermarkets, and secured millions of dollars in repairs to local schools. As a stalwart community activist and educator, Bass has received many awards in recognition of her tireless efforts.

She also served on the Los Angeles City Council Ad Hoc Committee on Gangs, Youth and Violence, which founded the L.A. Bridges after-school gang prevention program. She played a key role in several community initiatives beyond the Community Coalition including, Friends of Crenshaw/Dorsey Community, Workplace Hollywood, the Human Services Alliance, African-American Voter Representation Education Program, Liberty Hill Foundation and Homeless Health Care.

Assemblywoman Bass was raised in the Venice/Fairfax neighborhood and graduated from Hamilton High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in health sciences from California State University Dominguez Hills, and a Physician Assistant certification from the University of Southern California, School of Medicine.

Assemblywoman Bass lives in the Baldwin Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles County, and is the proud mother of a daughter attending a University.

Parking is available at UCLA for $8. RSVP requested (but not required) to sbreeding@international.ucla.edu (we just want to make sure we have enough seats), but everyone is welcome, RSVP or not.

Cost : Free

Sponsor(s): UCLA Black Faculty and Staff Association. Information on non-African Studies Center events is posted for informational purposes and does not reflect opinions of or endorsements by African Studies Center personnel.