ASPIRATIONS: From Purpose to Action /// Urban Futures Lab Module 6 began in September 2017 – the mid-point of the two-year arc of the fellowship. As an inflection point, the Module asked the Fellows to reflect on their first year, reconsider their professional interests and goals, and...
LEADERSHIP: Mapping Values, Staying on “the Balcony”, Leading with Awareness /// How do our values influence the choices we make? How do we align our goals and the goals of others? How do we understand how civic initiatives connect with community interests? With our daily lives? How...
CRITICAL INQUIRY + REPRESENTATION: Interrogating Appearances, Building Professional Identities, Crafting Campaigns /// Urban Futures Lab Module 4 asked Fellows to come with questions. Not just any questions, but better, more informed questions. In order to develop the skills of asking tough questions and excavate the roots of...
FELLOWS EXPLORE AND CRITICALLY ANALYZE LA’S SOCIOPOLITICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORY Investigating LA’s Sociopolitical History Module 3 of the Urban Futures Lab challenged Fellows to dig beneath the surface of everyday life in Los Angeles. To do neighborhood-based work, it is essential that Fellows have a deeper...
By: Omar Vargas --- With each module, Fellows dig into readings, exercises, conversations, and reflections around a theme. November/December's theme = Educational, Life and Career Pathways. Since graduating from college, I have not thought about my career goals because much of my focus has been on finding immediate...
By: William Warrener --- Reflections on Module 2: Educational, Life and Career Pathways. I want to become the founding director of a major arts organization. No, wait. I want to become the founding director of a major arts organization that exists to train young people from low-income communities...
FELLOWS DEVELOP THEIR EDUCATIONAL, LIFE + CAREER PATHWAYS THROUGH VISIONING EXERCISES + INDIVIDUAL MEDIA PROJECTS Professional Pathways In module 2 the Fellows focused on mapping their respective career paths, each beginning with an ambitious, values-based ‘life purpose’ vision to inform their more immediate professional development plan. This...
By: William Warrener --- Over the coming months, the Urban Futures Lab Fellows will explore and respond to a range of civic and cultural issues, all the while applying their ideas to Los Angeles and the specific communities of which each Fellow is a member. Taking the...
Starting just after Labor Day 2016, we kicked-off Urban Futures Lab's 2016-2017 year with our new Fellows. The Lab is a radical re-imagining of job training for young adults (18-26) from low-income Los Angeles communities of color. It blends employment, project-based training, and mentorship with fellowship components...