EmpowerLA

From all of us at EmpowerLA, happy Pride Month! This month and every month, we support and uplift the LGBTQIA+ Neighborhood Council Board Members who serve their communities with pride.

Rising temperatures mean rising risk – expect more dangerously hot days in Los Angeles this summer. As we kick off the summer months with Heath Awareness Day, we will continue to share resources on how to protect yourself and your neighbors from extreme heat. Visit HeatSafe.LA for resources on keeping cool on hot days.

Share your favorite ways to stay safe from the heat in the comments below!

Budget Day, hosted by the City of Los Angeles Budget Advocates, is ONE MONTH away! This year's in-person Budget Day will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall with a Plenary Session consisting of keynote speakers and a panel discussion on the current state of the City budget. Participants will have an opportunity to hear from City officials, including Los Angeles City Council Budget and Finance Committee Chair Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo, Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, former Chief Deputy Controller Rick Cole, and more. During Budget Day 2026, attendees will share the concerns and issues of your neighborhood in the Regional Breakout Sessions so the Budget Advocates may bring them to the attention of City leadership. The Regional Breakout Sessions will also include the elections for the next term of the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates. Language interpretation and free parking is available. Budget Day 2026 is free to attend, but registration is required.

Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/neighborhood-council-budget-day-2026-tickets-1987795675375?aff=oddtdtcreator

From all of us at EmpowerLA, wishing you a happy Memorial Day!

Today, EmpowerLA joins California communities in celebrating Harvey Milk Day, honoring the life and legacy of San Francisco City Supervisor Harvey Milk. In 1977, Harvey Milk became the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. We are reflecting on this quote from his inaugural address, highlighting the importance of reimaging our communities through knowing our neighbors. Neighborhood Councils embody the transformational power of bringing neighbors together in service of equity, representation, and engagement. We are grateful for Harvey Milk's courageous leadership that undoubtedly paved the way for LGBTQ+ Angelenos to become civic leaders through their Neighborhood Council and beyond.

The City of Los Angeles Budget Advocates invite you to join Budget Day 2026. This year's in-person Budget Day will be held in Council Chambers at City Hall with a Plenary Session consisting of keynote speakers and a panel discussion on the current state of the City budget. Participants will have an opportunity to hear from City officials, including Los Angeles City Council Budget and Finance Committee Chair Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo, Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, former Chief Deputy Controller Rick Cole, and more. During Budget Day 2026, attendees will share the concerns and issues of your neighborhood in the Regional Breakout Sessions so the Budget Advocates may bring them to the attention of City leadership. The Regional Breakout Sessions will also include the elections for the next term of the Neighborhood Council Budget Advocates. Language interpretation and free parking is available. Budget Day 2026 is free to attend, but registration is required.

Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/neighborhood-council-budget-day-2026-tickets-1987795675375?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join LA Forward Institute on Monday, May 25th for The Amazing Vote Center Race — a one-of-a-kind team challenge where Angelenos race to visit vote centers across the city, completing fun, creative missions to inspire as many people as possible to cast their ballots. Use the promo code GOTV to register your team!

🎟️ Get more info and register your team: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-amazing-vote-center-race-registration-1988793957263?aff=oddtdtcreator

Angelenos are getting ready for the 2026 Primary Election -- are you ready to be a voter? We put together some helpful tips and information to help you prepare to cast your ballot by Tuesday, June 2nd. Have more questions? Visit our friends at California Secretary of State, L.A. County Registrar-Recorder, and LA City Clerk for more voting and election information.

⚽ Los Angeles is bringing the World Cup to every neighborhood.

This summer, the City of LA will host 100+ Kick It In the Park World Cup watch parties across the City — featuring live soccer match screenings, youth soccer clinics, and family-friendly programming at local Rec & Park sites.

The City is launching a volunteer pilot program and is looking for volunteers to help welcome attendees, support activities, and create an unforgettable experience for our communities in 5 pilot sites: Echo Park Lake, Cheviot Hills, Westwood, Jackie Tatum Harvard Park, and Whitsett Fields.

✨ Sign up for one shift — or more (hopefully more!)
🗓 Sign up by May 15
🔗 Learn more and apply at kickit.lacity.gov/volunteer

From all of us at EmpowerLA, happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This year's theme is "Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together," highlighting the importance of leveraging collective power, telling stories, and building bridges. We love this quote from Chinese American author, activist, and philosopher Grace Lee Boggs, capturing both the spirit of this year's theme and the work the Neighborhood Council system does this month and every month to build vibrant, connected, supportive communities all across Los Angeles.