African American entrepreneurship has a long and fascinating history in Los Angeles. The period from the 1920s to the 1960s was the era of “race enterprises,” in which black entrepreneurs specifically catered to black consumers. Collectively, these enterprises supported a growing middle class and one of the highest rates of African American homeownership in the country. As rich as this history is, so little is discussed regarding Black business in Los Angeles. So MHD and co-host Chavonne bring it to the surface in an enriching conversation with independent public historian, writer, and researcher Yolanda Hester!

Yolanda Hester is an independent public historian, writer, and researcher. She is interested in highlighting lesser-documented stories and helping them find their way to the historical record. Her work has included exploring the history of Black business in LA (Community and Commerce) for The Center for Oral History Research at UCLA, consulting on the history of The Shindana Toy Factory for KCET (Shindana Toy Company: Changing the American Doll Industry), as well as projects for the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and The National Urban League. She currently manages the oral history project for Arthur Ashe Legacy at UCLA. Her most recent essay The Legacy of Shindana Toys: Black Play and Black Power can be found in The American Journal of Play.

Resources:

www.yolandahester.com

www.library.ucla.edu/location/library-special-collections/discover-collections/online-exhibits/community-commerce-oral-histories-african-american-businesses-los-angeles

www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/episodes/shindana-toy-company-changing-the-american-doll-industry

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The 1992 Los Angeles Uprising was sparked after a jury acquitted four LAPD officers who had been charged with using excessive force in the arrest and beating of Rodney King on April 29, 1992. With the anniversary of the civil unrest approaching, MHD and his co-host, Chavonne Taylor, discuss new policing and public safety models with PUSH LA (Promoting Unity, Safety & Health in Los Angeles) convener Leslie Cooper Johnson and former LAPD Officer Brian S. Bentley.

Leslie Cooper Johnson is the Vice President of Organizational Development at Community Coalition, or CoCo, a social justice organization in South Los Angeles, where she has worked for the past 15 years. A lifelong resident of Inglewood, she received her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. As part of her role at CoCo, Leslie convenes the PUSH LA collective, which stands for Promoting Unity, Safety & Health in Los Angeles. PUSH LA was formed in response to decades of racist policing and has a mission to “reimagine protect & serve.”

Brian S. Bentley is an author and a former LAPD officer. His first book, One Time: The Story of a South Central Los Angeles Police Officer, graphically depicts his involvement in suspect beatings and describes in detail the gratification he and his partners received from their actions. He claims some officers are addicted to violence and can't stop on their own. His book lets readers see firsthand how police brutality is accepted and encouraged in law enforcement. Bentley spent most of his career at Southwest Division. He was one of the few LAPD officers who lived in the division they patrolled.

Resources:

REIMAGINING TRAFFIC SAFETY & BOLD POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN LOS ANGELES

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On this episode, LA City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson sits down with three trailblazing leaders featured in the current City Hall exhibition, "When Black Women Lead, Communities Thrive, Everybody Wins". In honor of African-American Heritage Month, the group discusses the pivotal, often unrecognized role Black women play in shaping Los Angeles through housing, health equity, and community advocacy.

The conversation explores the "underground railroad" of support that exists among women leaders, the challenges of balancing direct service with upstream policy change, and the personal sacrifices required to lead community institutions.

1. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Founding President of Ward Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), who has led the development of more than 400 units of affordable housing and serves on the LA County Metro Board.
2. Bernita R. Walker, CEO and Co-founder of Project: PeaceMakers, Inc., a survivor, longtime advocate, and retired Deputy Sheriff whose work in domestic violence prevention spans more than four decades.
3. Brandy Muñiz, Executive Director of All Peoples Community Center, an 84-year-old institution where she leads housing initiatives and community-centered programs addressing poverty and systemic inequities in Historic South Central.

Community Announcements

When Black Women Lead: Communities Thrive, Everybody Wins Exhibition

1. 3rd Floor Bridge Gallery, Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
2. February 2–26, 2026 | Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Closed weekends)
3. Free and open to the public (visitor badge required after security screening)