ReelUrbanNews.com Exclusive:
On the evening of Thursday, September 10th, 2015, some of Los Angeles most influential politico’s shared cocktails and conversation on the patio of the famed eatery, Post & Beam. Newly elected, Los Angeles City Councilman, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, representing L.A.’s 8th District, brought remarks to the young politically and socially conscious crowed.
Prior to Councilman Harris-Dawson taking the stage, Daniel Lopez, President of the Los Angeles County Young Democrats and Darryn Harris, President of the Black Los Angeles Young Democrats, brought greetings on behalf of their perspective organizations.
The excerpts below are taken from remarks delivered by, Daniel Lopez, Darryn Harris and Los Angeles City Councilman, Marqueece Harris-Dawson.
Daniel Lopez: President – LACYD
“I wanted to thank you all for coming. We are looking to expand LACYD foot print to every single portion of the county. That’s why we’re doing stuff in the Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Long Beach, South L.A., and the West Side. This is a part of our bigger strategy to expand out to make sure we get young folks elected and to make sure we get young folks involved in the political process.”
“I will announce our Laurel Awards, this is our annual fundraiser. It’s going to be November 12th at the Continental Club in downtown L.A. It’s a really cool place. On our Facebook we’re going to be announcing the honorees. It’s going to be a really good slate of young progressive folks. And a diverse group of folks from throughout the county. I just want to thank you all for being here and I’d like to thank the council member. Make sure you get involved and stay involved.”
Darryn Harris: President – BLAYD
“Good evening everyone. We are a county wide democratic club. We just want to welcome you to the heart of our club, which is South Los Angeles, here at Post & Beam, where we have a lot of our events. The Black Los Angeles Young Democrats started about five years ago. There was a lack of voice for young Black politico’s within the Los Angeles space. We serve to aggregate our base, and educate our base. Whether it’s student loan reform or affordable housing. You name it, we claim it!”
“Without any further ado I’d like to talk a little bit about Marqueece Harris-Dawson. “I’ve known of Marqueece Harris- Dawson for about 10 years with the work he’s been doing within this district of South Los Angeles. When a lot of folks are getting ready to run for office, they talk about what they’re going to do. They talk about their vision for the district. Well, Marqueece walked in with a resume about what he’s already done. Whether it was fixing some of our schools or helping some of our communities. You name it, he was at it! So once again without further ado, our Councilman, Marqueece Harris-Dawson.”
Hon: Marqueece Harris-Dawson ~ Los Angeles City Councilman, 8th District
“I want to thank both of the clubs here for endorsing our campaign. Endorsing it early and endorsing it enthusiastically. We saw many of you on Slauson and Crenshaw at our campaign office, walking precincts and making phone calls for us. It was very, very important.”
“When I got shut out of the mainline democratic clubs, the South L.A. one’s, the LGBT one’s, the regular one’s, and the valley one’s, you all helped me with a lot of credibility. Thank you for that.”
“And thank you for being at the table in away that’s more than just a job. It is the relationships that you’re investing in now. I know it’s Thursday night and there are a lot of things you could be doing. Including taking a power nap before heading to a real party later. But you’re investing in your relationships with each other. It’s these relationships that are going to build the future of our city.”
“One of the reasons why we ran is because, I think Los Angeles is at a turning point. The Los Angeles that we know today will not exist for your children. It won’t be here 10 to 15 years from now. This very community is changing.”
“This establishment (Post & Beam) is a great example of just how much the City of Los Angeles and this community are changing. Transportation is going to be very different. The trains going to run down Crenshaw to the airport. The other train is going to run to the beach. This is something we’ve never seen before in our lifetime.”
“As the city changes, we have to fight and make sure it changes in away where all of us benefit. And not changes that say, ‘we’re going to clean up the city, but y’all gotta go!’ ‘We’re going to clean up the city, but if you happen to be homeless, we don’t have anything for you accept for a jail cell.’ So that fight and that discussion is what’s going to happen in the years going forward.”
“So, I think these relationships and your ability to have conversations with each other, and serious conversations are going to make a difference. I know this kind of thing is not looked at as important, or it’s looked at in a cynical way as resume building or just being seen. I think it’s actually much deeper than that. I think relationship building is an important tool to have when you’re going into public service. It’s an important talent to have when you’re going into public service.” 
L.A.’s New Democrat’s, Young, Influential and Politically Savvy/@reelurbannews /Reel Urban Images/Kevin Maxwell, Photographer
