Earthseed Lab

At the Center for California Literature, we are currently working to launch the Literary Datahub, which will publish reports about access to literary arts and the literary infrastructure that currently exist in Los Angeles County. This data will also lead to the formation of the California Literature Coalition, a group that we will assemble in order to outline regional priorities and goals for the development of literary Los Angeles.

Green Streets, Just Waters is a learning exchange that supports frontline advocates from Wilmington in deepening their understanding of water justice by engaging with the history and ongoing impacts of LA’s water extraction from Owen's Valley. Through popular education and storytelling, the project uplifts narratives of environmental harm and resilience while fostering a growing sense of solidarity and shared responsibility across regions.

Bridging the Carceral Divide: Amplifying Women’s Voices will facilitate the amplification of incarcerated women’s new media creative expression throughout LA County.

WriteGirl seeks funding to present two hybrid creative writing events for teen girls and gender-expansive youth across Los Angeles County to guide them towards creative careers. Teens will participate in live events at inspiring locations as other youth simultaneously participate online. Events will feature accomplished writers and teaching artists, interactive and engaging writing activities, self-care moments, time for teens to write and share their writing, and a safe and supportive space where teens can develop their creative voice.

This grant will support the second annual Southern California Transit Month to deepen support for public transportation by featuring a wide range of pro-transit events across the region designed to build capacity for community-based organizations, engage transit riders, generate favorable press, and get elected officials to understand the importance of supporting and expanding transit for low-income residents. We aim to share the joy of riding public transit and build stronger relationships between transit agencies and transit riders/advocates.

While 60,000 families in LA have housing vouchers, they remain trapped in poverty because stable housing doesn't eliminate educational barriers, employment obstacles, and skills gaps that prevent economic mobility. Project SOAR has already shattered these cycles for low-income families—delivering measurable results that transform lives.This grant will unleash that proven impact for subsidized housing residents, creating a replicable solution that breaks generational poverty and strengthens entire communities.

With LA2050's support, Benkadi will provide a 36-week after-school program based on West African drumming, dance, and culture to up to 80 middle schoolers from Watts, Inglewood, and South Central Los Angeles. The program teaches artistic skills, fosters social-emotional learning, enhances mental and physical well-being, and cultivates cultural appreciation for all students

Through comprehensive, community-centered initiatives and capacity-building support, CNVP addresses critical needs in education, public health, and housing for Native youth, families, and community members. Grounded in Indigenous Lifecourse Frameworks, CNVP seeks to improve Native health outcomes by fostering deeper community and cultural connections and activating the Native vote through civic engagement outreach, and programming.

Just a short walk from the forthcoming new Metro station at Fairfax and Wilshire, DLE’s cultural walking tour invites youth and seniors to experience the heart of LA’s Ethiopian community. The tour blends storytelling, food, language, and tradition—with a stop at local businesses, a taste of Ethiopian cuisine, and a traditional coffee ceremony. As the program grows, it will open to the broader public, offering transit riders a meaningful way to connect with the neighborhood while supporting the small businesses that keep its culture alive.

Jump Start Drone (JSD) is a hands-on training program that introduces youth and young adults in South Los Angeles to drone technology, flight, and coding. Participants gain FAA Drone Pilot certification, technical skills, and career exposure in industries like public safety, entertainment, and environmental science. JSD empowers underrepresented communities with access to high-growth STEM opportunities.

Latino Equality Alliance's Everyday Superheroes is a Latine/x LGBTQ+ driven project that weaves together elements of storytelling and community building to create a safer, healthier, and cleaner community. Rooted in keeping our communities radiant, this project will immortalize and audio-document the stories and future visions of residents in Boyle Heights and Southeast Los Angeles. A final installation will showcase the tangible results of our community clean-ups and the personal stories of local everyday heroes, including parents and youth.

The 4B’s is a public space activation and advocacy campaign in Downtown LA that mobilizes a brigade of mobility justice advocates, artists, CBOs, residents, and disabled Angelenos to demand urgent investment in our city’s broken sidewalks and neglected public right-of-way. Large, 3-foot vinyl “bandages” mark unsafe locations with QR codes linking to a map of repair estimates and tools for action—building public pressure ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to fix what’s long been broken and center those most impacted in the process.

Connecting all pregnant and postpartum families to mental health care while addressing the systemic barriers that limit access and resources for Black and Hispanic, lower income, and LGBTQ+ communities demands a multifaceted approach. Maternal Mental Health NOW takes a comprehensive approach to transforming perinatal mental healthcare across LA County. We empower birthing people with culturally responsive mental health support, advocate for community-led solutions, and uplift the birthworker workforce.  

ÓRALE’s Healing Together/Sanemos Juntos initiative brings healing to immigrant communities through five trauma-informed, culturally grounded workshops. Each session offers a safe space for nervous system regulation, connection, and resilience led by practitioners with lived experience. This work responds directly to the political climate and rising attacks, offering healing, leadership, and collective care in the face of fear and uncertainty.

"Trust and Believe", hosted by re-entry specialist Terrall E. Tillman and produced by justice-impacted media makers, is weekly podcast that entertains and inspires while offering valuable insight and support for those experiencing re-entry and re-entry professionals.

Over 1,000 foster youth age out of the foster care system in LA County every year with limited resources, a lack of supportive adults to guide them and are unsure how to apply to college, get a job or secure housing.
Stepping Forward LA supports these young adults with housing opportunities, professional and personal development skills and building a community with their peers and adult co-mentors.
With your support at this pivotal moment, we can provide former foster youth with financial support so they can move in to their new homes!

Stepping Forward LA (SFLA) will provide a learning series throughout Los Angeles presented by current and former foster youth. We already have the structures in place in our internship to support youth in creating and presenting workshops.
Every month, SFLA staff and interns will present a variety of life-skills and career readiness topics to their peers, neighbors and community members at their local Ys, libraries and parks.
This would be a great opportunity for community members to come together in a safe environment to connect.

Bloom LA is a guide and campaign helping LA's emergent climate leaders and citizen creators establish career paths in climate resilience work rooted in LA communities. The guide provides immersive frameworks, tools and resources for exploring the vast and varied roles citizens need to play building climate solutions across the LA region. The goal of the project is to advance a workforce of thinkers, builders and problem solvers advancing climate solutions this decade.