Beats and Bites 2019 Earth Day Festival

On April 20, 2019, the Social Justice Learning Institute teamed up with Compton Creek Mosquito Abatement District to host Compton’s first Earth Day Festival at Davis Middle School! Beats and Bites 2019 featured special performances from Grammy-nominated rapper and Compton native Yo-Yo, as well as soul artists Elaine Gibbs & the NU Soul Band, Kim Yarbrough and Jesse Campbell (from The Voice), and Ronee Martin (from America’s Got Talent).

During Yo-Yo’s performance, she spread positive messages about youth empowerment and community improvement.

The morning was off to an overcast and chilly start, but hundreds of community members joined the festivities throughout the day. Attendees of all ages came to the event to enjoy live music, learn about environmental awareness from community partner organizations, and enjoy great eats from local food vendors.

Electric vehicle education and advocacy group, Plug In America, hosted an electric vehicle test drive. Attendees had the opportunity to test drive electric vehicles from Tesla, BMW, Nissan, MINI, Honda and Toyota. The Social Justice Learning Institute also connected residents to energy- and money-saving rebates and incentives through the emPOWER program, a countywide initiative led by Liberty Hill Foundation that engages working class communities of color to options for sustainable energy usage.

Children played oversized Jenga, Uno, and checkers.

In addition to promoting energy efficiency, these programs also improve air quality in environmentally burdened neighborhoods like Compton.  Also demonstrating a commitment to air quality, the Office of Assemblymember Mike Gipson (District 64) donated 8 IQAir HealthPro Compact Air Purifiers, which were raffled off to attendees. These efforts will promote cleaner air and the prevention of respiratory conditions.

Mobile hair-cutting business QuestCutz gave free haircuts to the first 50 attendees.

Children and families were also able to participate in a variety of engaging activities including arts and crafts, games and interactive media. Youth media arts organization, Connectopod, hosted a Podcast Listening Station, showcasing youth-produced podcasts centered on identity development and personal growth. The podcasts are the result of Changing the Narrative, a part of a summer Creative Arts program co-hosted by Social Justice Learning Institute and Connectopod, and was sponsored by the California Arts Council.