Community

Organization brings healthy eating alternatives to South L.A.

WAVE NEWSPAPERS — Since 1977, Community Services Unlimited has worked diligently to replace the food deserts that litter the South Los Angeles landscape with equitable, healthful and sustainable communities that are self-reliant, inter-relating and where every individual has the support and resources needed to develop to their fullest capacity.

Published

7 years ago

May 12, 2019

Oakland Post

By Angela N. Parker

LOS ANGELES — Since 1977, Community Services Unlimited has worked diligently to replace the food deserts that litter the South Los Angeles landscape with equitable, healthful and sustainable communities that are self-reliant, inter-relating and where every individual has the support and resources needed to develop to their fullest capacity.

Through its array of forward-thinking programs, the organization has ensured that thousands of families have access to healthier food options and have the resources needed to engage in health-building activities such as walking and biking.

For Community Services Unlimited, eating and living well is not a luxury, but a right that should be extended to everyone, no matter their socio-economic background.

“Our food justice work arises from and is firmly rooted within a broad understanding of the long term and systemic issues of racial and social inequities facing communities like South LA,” said Executive Director Neelam Sharma. “So we are not a one project wonder that will disappear once the funding goes away, but we are here to stay and to build long-term and systemic solutions to lack of access to good food and while doing that, build skills, quality jobs and health and wealth in South LA.”

While the focus is on transforming communities, it is a transformation rooted in the intimacy of family life and the importance that food and meals play in creating healthy, strong family dynamics.

That is why, for the four decades it has been in existence, the organization has committed itself to supporting and creating justice-driven community-based programs and educational initiatives, so that families can create dialogue and have awareness of critical issues that fundamentally affect their lives.

Nothing the organization does is in a vacuum and all of the organization’s programming has been developed in direct response to the needs expressed by community members in the various needs assessments they have carried out throughout the years. This has allowed Community Services Unlimited to work in partnership with the community to create a sustainable local food system where food is grown, distributed and bought within the community.

It has also been the blueprint they have used to create training and educational programs with the purpose of creating jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities that are supported by partnerships with regional farmers.

In 2007, Community Services Unlimited continued to develop its services with the creation of the Village Market Place social enterprise that has since expanded into a Food Hub, located on the first floor of the newly opened Paul Robeson Community Wellness Center. The organization’s social enterprise arm consists of South Los Angeles’ first Beyond Organic produce market showcasing affordable, organic, culturally appropriate, exploitation-free food, wellness and beauty products.

The Food Hub contains SoulFul Catering, a commercial kitchen, and a developing urban farm, and provides rental spaces that the community can use for meetings, events and parties.

As for the future, the organization continues to raise money to deepen and enrich the programming offered at the Paul Robeson Community Wellness Center, a dynamic community space that in addition to housing the Food Hub, includes Community Services Unlimited’s headquarters. The center creates the possibility for unique opportunities to decrease the health disparities that have plagued South Los Angeles for years.

“[We] understand that there are unjust and destructive systems that have created the social and environmental injustices that impact our community,” Sharma said. “We will always respond with projects that focus on building awareness, leadership and positive change. All of the project activities are intertwined and are implemented in partnership with individuals and organizations in the community for the maximum impact. Come out and visit us at Vermont and 66th.”

INFORMATION BOX

Organization: Community Services Unlimited Inc.

Name: Neelam Sharma

Title: Executive Director

Location: 6569 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles

Social Media: Instagram and Facebook @csuinc, Twitter @csuincla, www.csuinc.org

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Charleston County Parks to replace Folly Beach Pier

Don't Miss

COMMENTARY: Another case of Alzheimer’s

Oakland Post

1 Comment

Bay Area

Oakland Mayor Pushes Charter Overhaul to Clarify Roles in City Government, Increase Accountability and Improve Service Delivery

Under the proposal, the mayor would serve as Oakland’s chief executive, overseeing city departments, implementing policy, proposing the annual budget, and managing day-to-day operations. The measure would also give the mayor veto power over legislation and the budget, though the City Council could override a veto with a two-thirds vote.

Published

4 days ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. File photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee is backing a sweeping proposal to restructure Oakland’s government, arguing the changes would make City Hall more accountable and improve the delivery of basic services like public safety, homelessness response, and infrastructure repairs.

The charter reform measure, introduced April 7 and co-sponsored by Oakland City Council President Kevin Jenkins, would ask voters in November to approve a “strong mayor, strong council” system designed to create clearer lines of authority inside city government.

The City Council, meanwhile, would maintain legislative authority by adopting ordinances, approving budgets, conducting oversight hearings, and confirming key mayoral appointments. The proposal would also create an Independent Budget and Legislative Analyst Office to provide nonpartisan fiscal and policy analysis for councilmembers.

“I’ve spent months listening to Oaklanders across every neighborhood about what they expect from their city government,” Lee said. “The Charter Reform Working Group’s engagement made clear that residents want a system where there are no questions about who is responsible for delivering results on public safety, homelessness, infrastructure, and basic services.”

Jenkins said the proposal would strengthen both executive leadership and council oversight.

“I’ve long believed Oakland works best when residents have clear lines of accountability and a government structure that aligns responsibility with results,” Jenkins said.

The proposal follows recommendations from the Mayor’s Charter Reform Working Group, co-facilitated by the League of Women Voters of Oakland and SPUR.

Over five months, the group conducted more than 60 interviews, held 14 public meetings across Oakland, and engaged more than 750 residents while reviewing governance models used in other cities.

“The process of engaging residents across Oakland surfaced the governance clarity Oakland needs,” said Sujata Srivastava of SPUR. “The Charter Reform Working Group has produced a thoughtful set of recommendations that if adopted could strengthen accountability and improve service delivery across city government.”

Polling cited by the mayor’s office suggests voters may be open to the changes. A February 2026 poll by the East Bay Polling Institute found 64% of voters support adopting a strong-mayor system. Separate polling conducted by the Oakland Chamber of Commerce and David Binder Research found support ranging from 61% to 63% among likely voters.

The measure is scheduled to be heard by the City Council Rules Committee on May 21. If approved by the council, it would appear on the November 2026 ballot, where Oakland voters would have the final say.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

The Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Hold Day of Advocacy at the Capitol in Sacramento

A member of the “Divine Nine,” Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was founded on Jan. 13, 1913, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The organization was established by 22 women who sought to shift the group’s focus from social activities to public service, academic excellence, and social activism.

Published

4 days ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Sen. Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro) presents a Senate resolution to the Delta Theta Sigma Sorority Farwest Region at the State Capitol on May 4. Photo courtesy of the Senate Rules Committee.

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

On May 4, members of the Farwest Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., convened at the California State Capitol for the organization’s 23rd annual Delta Days in Sacramento.

The two-day advocacy event brings together chapters from across California to engage directly in the legislative process, connect with lawmakers, and advocate for policies impacting Black communities.

Members of the sorority were honored on the Senate floor by Sen. Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro), who is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta.

Richardson welcomed the Farwest Region during the presentation of a Senate resolution recognizing outgoing Regional Director Kimberly Usher for her leadership and service.

“In addition to the Far West Region, we are led by a fearless leader, regional director Kimberly Usher. She has now served her full term of what’s allowed,” Richardson said. “We are going to be having our regional conference, but we wanted to give it to her here, officially recognizing her service.”

The resolution was co-authored by Richardson and fellow members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and Delta Sigma Theta, Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego) and Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

Usher has served in the leadership role since 2022.

“We are founded on sisterhood that is deeply rooted in scholarship, service, and social action,” said Weber Pierson, a member of the Gamma Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

“Today, we continue a legacy of empowering communities and upholding the high cultural, intellectual, and moral standards established by our founders over a century ago,” she added.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Rep. Kamlager-Dove Introduces Bill to Protect Women in Custody After Reports Detailing Miscarriages and Neglect

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act would expand safeguards beyond the federal prison system to include women detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The proposal follows reports of pregnant women being shackled, denied medical care and suffering miscarriages while in immigration detention.

Published

4 days ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) on May 7, reintroduced updated legislation aimed at strengthening protections and healthcare standards for pregnant and postpartum women held in federal custody, including in immigration detention facilities.

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act would expand safeguards beyond the federal prison system to include women detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The proposal follows reports of pregnant women being shackled, denied medical care and suffering miscarriages while in immigration detention.

The legislation builds on a bipartisan version previously passed by the House during the 117th Congress. The updated bill includes new standards for healthcare access, mental health and substance use treatment, high-risk pregnancy care, family unity protections and increased federal oversight.

“Proper pregnancy care is a human right, regardless of your immigration or incarceration status,” Kamlager-Dove said in a statement. “It’s unacceptable that there are virtually no legal safeguards for pregnant women in federal custody.”

The bill would also limit the use of restraints and restrictive housing for pregnant women, improve data collection on maternal health in custody and require additional staff training and enforcement measures.

Supporters of the measure said the legislation is intended to address long-standing concerns about maternal healthcare and safety in detention settings, particularly for Black women and low-income women who are disproportionately impacted by incarceration and health disparities.

“Pregnant women in custody should never be subjected to dangerous and inhumane treatment that threatens their health, dignity, or the well-being of their babies,” said Patrice Willoughby, chief of policy and legislative affairs for the NAACP and a longtime public policy and government affairs strategist, in a statement.

A 2021 report estimated there are about 58,000 admissions of pregnant women into U.S. jails and prisons each year. Kamlager’s statement also cited a recent investigation by NBC News and Bloomberg Law that identified allegations of severe mistreatment or medical neglect involving at least 54 pregnant women or families in county jails between 2017 and 2024.

Federal policy under the Department of Homeland Security restricts the detention of pregnant, postpartum and nursing immigrants except in extreme cases. However, the agency reported that ICE deported 363 pregnant, postpartum or nursing women between January 2025 and February 2026, including 16 recorded miscarriages during that period.

The bill is cosponsored by several House Democrats and backed by organizations including the NAACP and the Vera Institute of Justice.