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Aja's Newsroom is the centralized space containing featured media such as her insights from her desk, media that spans government, technology, solutions, and ministry.
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Aja's
How Can Communities Rebuild After Devastating Wildfires?
As a 20-year public servant, I’ve invested my education and expertise serving the greater Los Angeles community, working alongside residents, stakeholders, government leaders, and nonprofits to address critical challenges that impact our most vulnerable families. From emergent economic development to disaster preparedness, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible resilience of our communities—and the importance of acting swiftly in times of need. The recent wildfires have devastate
Equitable Recovery: Insights for Mobilizing Philanthropy, Financial Institutions, and Research Organizations
Happy New month! January has been a month of upheaval—one that has tested the resilience of communities, families, and the very foundations of stability we often take for granted. Yet, if history has taught me anything, it’s that February always carries the promise of recovery and renewal. As a native of Altadena, I’ve been open about my family’s journey—our migration from Texas to Watts, then to Compton when my grandmother purchased her first home after becoming a registered
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Newsweek: A New Blueprint for Disaster Relief—Human-Centered, Tech-Enabled, and Community-Led | Opinion
See Original Article Six months after the Eaton Wildfires ravaged Los Angeles County (Altadena and Palisades), many families are still navigating systems and deliberating on whether or how to rebuild. As the 2025 hurricane season begins, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns it may be one of the most active in decades, a stark reminder that communities must prepare even as they recover. Amid these escalating threats, there's deeper uncertainty: Who
4 min read
Guaranteed Income - A Community's Vision for Freedom
The Compton Pledge The Compton Pledge is a landmark guaranteed income initiative that will distribute recurring cash relief to low-income residents for 2 years, marking the largest city-based guaranteed income pilot in the U.S. The idea of guaranteed income (GI) is simple but powerful: unconditional, direct, and continuous cash payments delivered to all residents to supplement existing welfare benefits. By ensuring that no individual falls below a defined income floor over t
1 min read
Enhance Public Assistance Access: Strategies to Transform Eligibility and Enrollment
“What Multnomah County has done, which is quite different from other places, is look at the problem from the perspective of the resident who needs the help rather than the perspective of the agency that delivers the help.” Stephen Goldsmith, Derek Bok Professor of the Practice of Urban Policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School Every year, billions in public aid go unclaimed. FORWARD simplifies the application process for state and local assistance programs, ensuring efficient and
1 min read
Empowering Equitable Disaster Recovery in Altadena and Pasadena
DenaCare Collective Founded by Aja Brown and Michael Tubbs, the Dena Care Collective is a groundbreaking initiative launched by End Poverty in California (EPIC) and FORWARD to revolutionize disaster relief and long-term recovery. In response to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, which have displaced thousands of families and businesses, this collective was created to cut through the red tape and ensure aid reaches those who need it most – especially families living in
2 min read
How Can Communities Rebuild After Devastating Wildfires?
As a 20-year public servant, I’ve invested my education and expertise serving the greater Los Angeles community, working alongside residents, stakeholders, government leaders, and nonprofits to address critical challenges that impact our most vulnerable families. From emergent economic development to disaster preparedness, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible resilience of our communities—and the importance of acting swiftly in times of need. The recent wildfires have devastate
1 min read
Equitable Recovery: Insights for Mobilizing Philanthropy, Financial Institutions, and Research Organizations
Happy New month! January has been a month of upheaval—one that has tested the resilience of communities, families, and the very foundations of stability we often take for granted. Yet, if history has taught me anything, it’s that February always carries the promise of recovery and renewal. As a native of Altadena, I’ve been open about my family’s journey—our migration from Texas to Watts, then to Compton when my grandmother purchased her first home after becoming a registered
2 min read
Investing in Community Wellness: Lessons from Our Conversation with Dr. Monica Soni, CMO at Covered California
At FORWARD, we’re advancing innovation in public health because stronger, healthier communities can’t wait. That’s why we were honored to host a powerful conversation between Dr. Monica Soni , Chief Medical Officer at Covered California , and Aja Brown , former Mayor of Compton and Strategic Impact Partner at FORWARD, during our recent webinar, Healthcare Policy Innovation and the Power of Investment . Their discussion explored how Covered California is redefining what it mea
3 min read
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