News and Events

FEatured event

"Bridging the Divide" Panel Explores Shifting Demographics in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is one of the nation's most multiethnic cities, home to people from more than 140 countries speaking 224 different identified languages. In one sprawling city, you can navigate international neighborhoods including Chinatown, Filipinotown, Koreatown, Little Armenia, Little Ethiopia, Tehrangeles, Little Tokyo, and Thai Town.

Anthony Collatos, assistant professor of education at the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Pyschology, believes that the evolving composition of Los Angeles' communities has impacted relationships between populations and the city's social and economic development. On Wednesday, Nov. 4, public leaders will join Collatos in exploring this topic in a public event titled, "Bridging the Divide: Shifting Demographics in Los Angeles." The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 337 of the West Los Angeles Graduate Campus.

"Many communities in Los Angeles County have experienced dramatic demographic shifts over the past 20 to 30 years," Collatos says. "These shifts are directly tied to social, cultural, and economic events within the communities. As many of our students participate in student teaching and practicum in these areas, and many more of our students will work in these settings following graduation, it is important to GSEP that we provide a context that can help the students and alumni have a successful experience."

Public leaders including, Mary Johnson, president of nonprofit advocacy group Parent U-Turn and the chair of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Parent Collaborative , will share their personal stories as firsthand witnesses of this dynamic metropolis' changing landscape.

In her role as chair of the LAUSD Parent Collaborative, Johnson represents the interest of almost 700,000 students. A long-time resident of South Gate, California, Johnson will tell her story of navigating the divide of the "Alameda Corridor," as well as her efforts to unite African American and Latino parents of LAUSD students.

This event is part of the GSEP Diversity Council and the GSEP Urban Initiative. Collatos believes that an understanding of the cultural diversity of the community is crucial for students of both education and psychology. "As both educators and health care providers, our students should be aware that schools and clinics do not exist in a black box, and that demographic shifts have direct implications for these neighborhoods," he says. "If we can help students recognize these shifts, and create spaces for a dialogue to bridge the divide that occurs when communities experience a sudden transformation—especially across race and economic status—the students will feel more comfortable providing service in these settings and have a more positive impact on the families they touch."

With educators and mental health professionals providing necessary services that directly influence how a community grows and prospers, Collatos notes that students must understand the history of the families living in the community. "How did they arrive there? What are their trades and skills? Who are their allies and where are their tensions? What resources do they have, in terms of jobs, healthcare, industry, and even local leadership at the school or city level?" he asks. "By best equipping our students with the tools to work with diverse cultures in a changing landscape, our students can best fulfill the Pepperdine mission of purpose, service, and leadership."

The Urban Initiative is an umbrella program developed by GSEP to establish a national model for preparing education and mental health professionals to work effectively in underserved urban communities. Learn more at gsep.pepperdine.edu/urban-initiative.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact GSEP Events at events@pepperdine.edu.