Fathers and Mothers Who Care

HillmanTok University (HTU) is a culturally grounded digital learning hub for Black adult learners in Los Angeles. We blend storytelling, skill-building, and creative education to help Black Angelenos strengthen their literacy, reclaim their voice, and harness digital tools to shape the future. This grant will expand HTU’s core programs that teach reading, writing, and self-expression through journaling, digital storytelling, content creation, and AI-enhanced learning - positioning literacy not just as a skill, but as a liberatory practice.

This grant will support the establishment of The Fresh Roots Café, a pioneering community initiative by "Fathers and Mothers Who Care" designed to combat food insecurity and promote healthy living. By utilizing a repurposed shipping container, the café will serve fresh produce sourced directly from the community garden, while hosting educational workshops on nutrition and sustainability. This project aims to enhance family collaboration, support local agriculture, and strengthen community ties through health-focused engagement.

Empowerment Express: Hope on Wheels is a mobile outreach program bringing essential resources directly to unhoused individuals in encampments along the 105 Freeway. This initiative delivers laundry services, clean clothing, and access to community-based support, creating pathways to stability and self-sufficiency. With this grant, we aim to restore dignity and hope where it’s needed most.

Fathers and Mothers Who Care launches Baby Steps: Community Care Showers, a series of monthly events designed to celebrate and support new and expectant parents. By providing essential items such as strollers and car seats, this initiative addresses financial challenges, enhances newborn safety, and fosters a strong, supportive community network.

HillmanTok University (HTU) is building a pipeline for Black youth in Los Angeles to thrive in tech, storytelling, and the creative economy. Through culturally relevant STEAM workshops, AI-powered tools, and real-world career exposure, our program gives Black middle and high school students the skills, confidence, and digital fluency to lead in tomorrow’s economy — starting now.