LITerate Los Angeles: Liberation Through Literacy

Adult literacy

Central LA South LA

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

More than 20% of adults in Los Angeles County face basic literacy challenges, with the greatest impact on Black, Brown, immigrant, and formerly incarcerated populations. This barrier not only limits access to living-wage jobs and civic participation, but also deepens digital exclusion, especially as essential services and opportunities move online. Inspired by successful models like Literacy 2000 (LAPL) and Homeboy Industries, we recognize that traditional literacy programs often fail to address trauma, cultural relevance, or the digital divide. Our approach bridges these gaps with culturally affirming, trauma-informed, and tech-integrated learning, unlocking pathways to economic mobility, housing stability, and community empowerment.

LITerate Los Angeles is a mobile, community-based adult literacy program modeled after best practices from ProLiteracy and Literacy for All of Us. It delivers integrated literacy, digital, and workforce skills directly to underserved neighborhoods. Over 12 months, we will deploy pop-up classes and digital labs in partnership with libraries, workforce centers, and housing agencies, ensuring accessibility for adults facing barriers to traditional programs.
Core components include:
Digital Literacy & AI Fluency: From mastering email and online forms to navigating job applications and using large language models (LLMs) for research and advocacy, addressing LA2050’s digital inclusion priorities.
College & Career Readiness: GED prep, FAFSA navigation, resume-building, and pathways into tech and creative industries, in collaboration with local workforce partners.
Liberatory Learning: Storytelling, journaling, and personal narrative as tools for healing and empowerment, drawing from the rich cultural traditions of South and Central LA—including Afro-diasporic, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous, and immigrant communities. Our workshops invite learners to share and celebrate their unique voices, family histories, and community stories in multiple languages and forms. Insights and feedback from this pilot will directly inform the development of Phoenix Horizon Village—a future hybrid residential and arts-driven community center offering wraparound services for residents and neighbors alike.

A successful LITerate Los Angeles will transform our county (or "The LAnd" as we so affectionately call it in South and Central Los Angeles) by unlocking the potential of adults who have been excluded from economic and civic life. Graduates will not only read and write with confidence, but also navigate digital platforms, secure better jobs, and advocate for their families and neighborhoods. Our program will catalyze community safety, economic mobility, and cultural vibrancy—creating a ripple effect that strengthens families, supports local businesses, and builds a more just, connected Los Angeles for generations to come.