Shady Oliver

3 weeks ago | afrolanews.org | Shady Oliver

Following the January wildfires in Los Angeles and the inauguration of President Donald Trump, many people once again turned to the writing of Octavia Butler for comfort, guidance and reflection. Butler, who grew up in Pasadena and has been called “the mother of Afrofuturism,” was a speculative fiction writer who authored numerous books and short stories from the 1970s until her death in 2006 at age 58. “We need hope.

Jan 20, 2025 | afrolanews.org | Shady Oliver

DONATE The chimney and a couple of walls are all that remain of this Altadena home following the Eaton Fire. (Shady Grove Oliver/AfroLA) L.A. fire survivors are being allowed back into their neighborhoods to assess damage. AfroLA’s Shady Grove Oliver visited both Altadena and Pasadena neighborhoods affected by the Eaton Fire and shares tips on re-entering and cleaning a damaged home after a house fire, based on her own experiences.

Jan 17, 2025 | afrolanews.org | Shady Oliver

Outdoor workers who have been affected by the recent fires in Los Angeles can apply for financial assistance through a fund organized by Inclusive Action, an L.A.-based nonprofit focused on community advocacy and transformative capital. “These are the physical workers that power our economies and communities and they’re frequently overlooked,” said Erica Liepmann, director of strategic communications for Inclusive Action.

Jan 16, 2025 | afrolanews.org | Shady Oliver

Diabetes supplies for fire survivors waiting to be distributed. (Shady Grove Oliver/AfroLA) A grassroots effort is underway to get emergency Type 1 diabetes supplies to people displaced by the fires in Los Angeles. “On any given day, access to diabetes supplies and red tape and lack of extra supplies that you’re able to have in your possession is challenging,” said Liz Van Voorhis, founder of Fit Collective, which runs corporate wellness experiences.

Jan 14, 2025 | afrolanews.org | Shady Oliver

DONATE A U-Haul drops off supplies that will need to be sorted and then distributed by volunteers during the Dena Relief Drive at the Flintridge Center in Pasadena on Jan. 12. (Shady Grove Oliver/AfroLA) Amidst the devastation of the fires that have torn through Los Angeles this month, Black residents of Altadena and Pasadena hope to preserve their communities’ rich cultural legacies. But they worry it won’t be easy, financially or otherwise.