📍Building up the block from NY for the premiere of @kissmygrassdoc@tribecafilmfestival tonight ‼️ Then jetting right back to LA to offer the community a sneak peek at the foundational level of @ld_university on Crenshaw!
It has been our goal to offer a blueprint of insights that gives perspective on what it takes to build from the ground up. It’s not easy, but we know that when we come together as a village, the results are truly spiritual. We couldn’t do this without our incredibly supportive village — we give thanks!
Kiss My Grass Documentary: @iammarypryor #rosariodawson #collinkaepernick @juxtaposerrrr@saki_mcsaki@iamhopesodope@chaney_turner@thehighmommylife@supernovawomen and so many more powerhouse leaders in the Wellness and Film Industry
Life Development University: @o.sheilaaa@mskindnessb@iamtonimundo@mellow.yelloow and all of our incredible vendors and contractors
Honoring @senatorstevenbradford for his tireless advocacy that provided a sturdy foundation for our community center to come to life
Construction and Renovation: @buildakin + #prophetwalker
Exclusive Letterman Jackets designed for the community by @s_weleh | @weleh_ca
If there’s anyone we missed we can’t wait to give you a big hug tomorrow at 5:30p at 4241 crenshaw blvd! Our second home on the block, consider this your invitation 💛🧱👷🏾♀️🏗️
This is a reminder for everyone who has fought down the path of entrepreneurship, the road is full of obstacles, but through resilience and a commUNITY like no other — dedication prevails.
We give thanks and praises to the Most High who continually provides signs and reminders on why it is most rewarding to stay the course and focus on the mission of cultural preservation that laid our foundation on Crenshaw.
Thank you to our powerful and committed team both in house @gorillarxwellness and each of you who speak our names in rooms we couldn’t imagine.
Sending a big hug to Jason Foster @destinationcrenshaw and Danielle Dorsey @latimesfood@latimes for the embrace. Thank you for sticking with us. We are full of gratitude.
#community #healing #crenshaw #destination #landmark #onamission #gorillarx #wellness #latimesfood #latimes
“You’re going to have discomfort if you live up to your ambition” - @emmagrede
Start With Yourself Book Tour — a @insideprojectsco x @beyond8_ Production (LA 🛫 CHI 🛫 DC 🛫 )
The joy, inspiration and WORK ETHIC behind this tour was the ultimate gift. Giving thanks to this team of brilliant women (@brittneyescovedo@ariellev@_kristintherese_ Nat @bey.wood@raeshines ) for welcoming me on the road with trust and the empowerment of collaboration.
I’ve used @aspirewithemmagrede as an entrepreneurial playbook for business acumen and empowerment readiness, but I couldn’t have imagined the UNLOCK 🔓 that would come from picking up the gems and genuine advice shared with each individual who stepped up to the mic or attended the after-show session, where Emma took the time, patience, and care to answer every person in a way that was tailored to their business and hopeful endeavor, with the kind of attention you’d hope to receive from your ideal mentor, investor, or founder.
That level of patience and attention takes heart.
Pick up your copy, and double down on the real work!
For everyone who asks me “How is Nah Nah doing? How is her healing journey?” Here is visual representation of The Most High in true form. No more Cancer, beat twice through natural healing, daily exercise and movement, discipline, an immense amount of resilience, LOVE — now building space for new Tribe oversees.
When she woke up from surgery the first words she said to me was “BLACK POWER” 🫡. Now we prepare to celebrate 70 years of her life as a freedom fighter and we couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you who contributed to the GoFundMe campaign and sent love/showed up all along the way.
Give thanks for life!
(Only nah nah could get a group of dogs to gather and pose for a group photo 🤣 Mamma Nature)
We’re still not over it… and not sure we ever will be 🤯
We give thanks for @mslaurynhill for touching the hearts and minds of our community at Life Development University. Your investment of time and the energy spent to ensure that every person who waited in line from 4am-9pm had quality time, photos, and memories.
We take great charge, responsibility, and honor in bringing the spirit of cooperative economics and impact into the foundation we’re building as a community.
All praises due to the Most High, without whom nothing would be possible.
🎥 @juice__mon
Life Development University is a space hard fought for by the community, who came out to protest until we received access to this space. What was once a predatory check-cashing facility was reclaimed to become a state-of-the-art creative campus for the community.
One month after buying the building free and clear, months of interior and exterior reconstruction, and with what could only be defined as an answered prayer, we proudly hosted the legendary @mslaurynhill at @ld_university for her post-Grammy pop-up and meet-and-greet, filled with hundreds of our neighbors.
We give thanks to The Most High and our incredible team. The legacy continues 🤲🏾
Thank you @ashleyyounnia + @amandachanel and the entire MLH team for bringing this experience to Crenshaw 🏁
📷 by @_718s
This will be a moment to remember. @mslaurynhill touches down on Crenshaw at @ld_university this Monday for a historic pop-up from 10a–5p.
My mom used to play The Miseducation and The Fugees as we drove through Leimert in her Grand Wagoneer in the 90s. Each song became the soundtrack to our movement. This is a full-circle moment only The Most High could create — in a space our community fought for, and the beginning of so much good to come.
Slide 2: 2018 pop up @melodyehsani
Slide 3: @bigkika giving thanks and praises in LDU pre-construction with a big vision in her heart
🎼“I know that a gift so great, is only one God could create 🤲🏾…”🎶
Give thanks @ashleyyounnia for connecting the dots!
To Live and Try in LA as told by @bywayof.us for their latest zine launch “It’s Okay To Try” featuring the family (especially my mamma @bigkika ) who brought the community @gorillarxwellness + @ld_university 🫡❤️🔥🧱
Thank you @hiimsarahjames for not only welcoming us into your creative outlet but for highlighting our process of beautifying our neighborhood with intention. From the zine to the live conversation at Life Development University on Crenshaw, this is the definition of community care.
Big love to our fellow entrepreneurs featured in print and on panel @theoinkster@dr.dangpt and Mamma Dang we are so inspired by your hard work!
Giving thanks to our girl who makes the world go round @o.sheilaaa and @ella.quinney for bringing this moment to life.
It ain’t easy owning and operating multiple businesses.
Thank you @anthony_lazzaro for providing guidance to the @ld_university team ahead of our ‘26 Design Thinking exercise. After three hours, we collectively established our Q1–Q4 priorities for programming and community offerings as we continue to solidify a strong foundation for the future of our creative campus.
As part of 75 Hard, we’ve been focusing on prayer, personal development, and business organization. Here’s a small peek into the process for a little motivation as we all set out toward an inspiring 2026.
Through a deeply personal loss, I grew new wings — touching down in Japan for some much-needed cousin time with @frenchantonio.music , who has lived there for nearly 10 years and is fluently pursuing permanent residency.
From Tokyo to Osaka, the Most High shed light on every step, bringing healing through laughter, full bellies, and many prayers.
In our family, we celebrate life with the knowing that through transition comes rebirth. I’m so grateful for the ability to be present, even in the midst of hardship. We gained a powerful guardian angel in our sister, Elise “Blaze” French, who lives on through our smiles and experiences.
This journey was a catalyst for so much healing, and I pray we continue to make her proud by keeping our eyes wide open to the many wonders this life has in store.
Forward! (Arigato Gozaimasu) 🤲🏾💛💚♥️
“What we make, we pour right back in.” Meet @keekalator and @bigkika , the mother-daughter duo behind @gorillarxwellness and @ld_university in the heart of LA. Their work is a circle of care, a real-time example of reciprocity in action.
One of the small businesses featured in Issue 2’s To Live & Try in LA, a new section highlighting a few of our favorite LA-based businesses that teach us what it means to keep trying, generation after generation.
Photography by @morgnar and @jeanneannheo you can preorder Issue 002 now at bywayof.us
