LA Forward is incredibly proud to be honoring Allison Thomas, Andy Bartholomew, and Inclusive Action for the City, all of whom are long-time collaborators in our work to transform Los Angeles into a fair, flourishing place for everyone. Spring Into Action supports LA Forward’s work to build the people power needed to advance justice.
Join us for a celebratory afternoon of food, drinks, and time to connect with members of the LA Forward community and progressive leaders from across Los Angeles. We’ll gather in a beautiful Brentwood backyard, overlooking the Santa Monica Mountains. Featuring remarks by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan and Councilwoman Nithya Raman. Please RSVP before tickets sell out!
HONOREES
Inclusive Action for the City
Inclusive Action for the City is a non-profit, community development financial institution (CDFI) serving Los Angeles County and beyond. They aim to eliminate income inequality, reduce the racial wealth gap, and turn community agency into power. Inclusive Action is deeply committed to providing low-interest microloans paired with culturally competent and customized technical assistance to low income, immigrant, and Black and brown small business owners. They’re also dedicated to working in coalition with partners to advocate for low-income workers and their families, and conduct research led by communities to influence policies that shape their lives and livelihoods. Inclusive Action has been one of LA Forward’s closest partners since our founding.
Allison Thomas
Allison Thomas works professionally as a film and theatre producer. She is currently producing Broadway musicals based on the movies “Dave,” “Pleasantville” and “The Tale of Despereaux.” After beginning her career as a White House intern in the Carter administration, she worked in the first Jerry Brown administration coordinating policy to encourage the new high-tech industry. Then she served as a communications strategist for Apple founder Steve Jobs and Pixar Animation Studios, among others.
Allison descends from enslavers and land thieves in early 1600s colonial Virginia. She is currently writing about her journey of acknowledgement and repair. She researched and created a website for the Black descendants of the families run off Gwynn’s Island, Virginia in 1916 to reconnect them with their ancestors, many of whom were enslaved by Allison’s ancestors. She also volunteers in numerous capacities with Coming to the Table, a national organization that seeks to heal the racial wounds of enslavement and its legacy. Allison contributes generously to many organizations that build independent political power for racial and economic justice, including LA Forward.
Andy Bartholomew
Andy Bartholomew grew up in Pittsburgh, where his parents involved him in social justice organizing from a young age. Since moving to LA in 2019, he has settled down in Mid-Wilshire with his wife, their two-year-old daughter, and their cat. When he's not wrangling toddlers or joining constituent discussions with electeds, he works as a software engineer. He also serves as co-chair of Liberty Hill NextGen Giving Circle, participates as an active member of LA Forward and is a generous supporter of LA Forward Institute.
