1000 Strong:
For An Equitable Los Angeles

What is 1000 Strong?

Black Angelenos are facing three pandemics: the coronavirus, perpetual racism, and systemic unemployment. 

Compounded by a lack of resources, more than 83% of Black workers in California have filed for unemployment since the pandemic began, and in some LA communities, Black unemployment is triple that of white neighborhoods. This is a crisis of extraordinary consequence, and now more than ever, we must act to bring sustainability to communities that have been generationally harmed. 

But there is an answer for equitable economic recovery. The solution is proven.

While most industries have disparately marginalized Black workers in both compensation and representation, the public sector reflects the only area in LA’s economy in which Black workers are equitably represented in quality work.

Together, as a collective coalition of public leaders, labor unions, and grassroots organizations, 1000 Strong is urging decision-makers to hire 1000 Black public sector workers into unionized positions by 2022 in order to bring sustainability to our communities, work toward repairing generational harms, and to heal Black futures.  

As Los Angeles heals from the pandemic, Black Angelenos must share in the prosperity. We believe the best way to combat economic injustice is to ensure there is equitable economic recovery in Los Angeles from the current crisis—one that has disproportionately impacted Black communities.

For Black Angelenos, economic justice is a civil rights issue, and for justice, our families and communities can no longer wait.  We are well-prepared to advance our civil rights efforts to secure labor and economic equity, now.

1000 Strong is not simply a solution, it is overdue.