Intersections Web Launch Party at USC's Annenberg School of Communication

By Tekla Beckmann, A Better LA Volunteer

On May 5, 2009 USC’s Annenberg School of Communication held an event that launched Intersections, a website featuring multimedia reporting on South Los Angeles community news and issues. Intersections is dedicated to, “bringing the vibrant voices of South LA to the foreground.” Through the website, USC will act as a facilitator of communication between the university and South Los Angeles with intent to produce more news stories and to spark an interest in journalism amongst LA’s youth. Intersections has already launched a journalism mentoring program at Crenshaw High School.
The evening started with hors d'oeuvres and drinks presented by Cooking Live with Dorsey High. Geneva Overholser, the Director of the School of Journalism, started off the speeches welcoming guests and introducing Bill Cellis, the Co-Director of Intersections. Cellis added, “We're hopeful that the site will, in time, become a widely used resource by the residents of South Los Angeles.”Councilwoman Jan Perry of District 9 spoke about interacting with the community. She explained the difficulty of getting peoples stories heard, and how USC will be able to spark the dialogue. She concluded her speech with recognizing the importance of the mentoring program and students helping students. Valeria Shaw from the City of LA Public Works followed, explaining the comprehensive approach Intersections is taking to solve the problems of L.A.
Emily Henry an Intersections project Coordinator played a slide show created by the students of Crenshaw High to demonstrate to the audience the strides these students have taken, and all they have learned through the mentoring program. The evening concluded with words from Willa Seidenberg, Co-Director of Intersections, about getting involved in the project. The evening was a huge success! For more information please visit www.intersectionssouthla.org or email southla@usc.edu.



Commissioner Valeria Shaw speaks to the audience at USC's Annenberg School of Communication.