What We Do
Civic Engagement
Community Education
Economic Development
Leadership Development
About
CDTech is a catalyst for change in South LA, activating and focusing the potential of residents and businesses. We equip them with the training, strategies and programs they need to be leaders and organizers for neighborhood improvement and economic growth. With 20 years of experience, CDTech combines grassroots participation with strategic policy understanding, creating community development and economic development programs that incorporate deep insight into the actual needs, desires and capabilities of South LA. Grassroots participation, including the development and utilization of local human capital, helps CDTech to deliver self-sustaining programs with long-term, strategic benefits.
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Non-Profit Leadership Development
Last year, the Public Allies, Los Angeles professional and leadership development program retained and graduated 97% of program participants who are now ready for the workforce.
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Advancement in Community Education
With support from CDTech, the Community Planning Program at Los Angeles Trade Technical College saw a student enrollment retention rate of 93% in the 2014-2015 academic year.
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Community Engagement
Our Community Engagement team has reached over 15% of residents in the Vermont Square and Vernon Central communities in the last year. That translates to knocking on 5,800 doors and connecting residents with economic opportunities and engaging in dialogues to advocate for sustainable communities.
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Economic Development
Last year, our Economic Development program graduated 100% of participants in the UNIDAD Workforce Development program, providing community members with vital workforce skills and connecting them with professional networks.
Our Leadership Team
Staff
Fellows
Board of Directors
Volunteers
Testimonials
Community Blog
Creating Changemakers – Community Planning at LATTC
1 million Californians work in non-profit and community-based organizations, which is the fourth largest industry – more than construction, finance or real-estate. These individuals are the driving forces behind developing working cities, equitable urban development, educational innovations, opening health-care access and developing the future leadership of our country. Yet, there are few direct pathways in[…]
Rising Change-makers: Community Praxis Leaders
It is with great pleasure that we announce the recipients of CDTech’s Inaugural Community Change Praxis Awards. The Community Change Praxis Awards are presented to CDTech Alumni who are practicing community empowerment and change-making leadership. These rising change-makers have been a part of one or more of CDTech’s programs, projects or community engagement efforts and[…]
Denise Fairchild, Community Visionary
CDTech’s Visionary Award is presented to an individual who uplifts Los Angeles through innovation and vision. For our inaugural year, CDTech is proud to present the Visionary Award to CDTech’s founder and continued advocate for community change, Dr. Denise Fairchild during our 20th Anniversary Celebration on May 19th. Denise Fairchild is the inaugural President of Emerald[…]
Linda Griego, Champion for Change
CDTech’s Founder’s Award is presented to an individual who exemplifies the values of economic opportunity and community impact. For our inaugural year, CDTech is proud to present the Founder’s Award to a long-time partner in community transformation and advocate for economic opportunity, Linda Griego, during our 20th Anniversary Celebration on May 19th. Ms. Griego[…]
Mark Ridley Thomas, A Community-Focused Leader
CDTech’s Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has dedicated themselves to exemplary community-focused leadership. This year, we are proud to honor Hon. Mark Ridley Thomas with the Leadership Award during CDTech’s 20th Anniversary Celebration on May 19th, 2016. Since he was overwhelmingly elected in November 2008 and reelected in June 2012 to the Los[…]
Creating Community through Workforce Development
In South L.A., the unemployment rate is 2-3 times higher than the rest of the city. This past fall, 25 individuals refused to let this statistic define them and completed the UNIDAD Workforce Development Training Program, gaining much more than workforce skills. We invite you to hear and share their stories.
Inspired by family’s survival, Los Angeles Ally commits to fighting for marginalized communities of all backgrounds
Sophanarot is currently a First Year Ally in our Public Allies, Los Angeles program. During a recent visit by Public Allies CEO, Adren Wilson, Sophanarot shared a bit of her family story. The Public Allies office were inspired to share her story nationally. We are truly honored to have incredible leadership working with our communities.[…]
Save the Date! Cultivating Consciousness: Building Community through Collective Action
In the words of Dr. King, “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.” The Cultivating Consciousness Conference aims to foster dialogue about current events in South Los Angeles and, ultimately, inspire[…]
Unity, Peace & Opportunity
For the second consecutive year, CDTech, Vermont Square community residents and a number of community organizations such as Brotherhood Crusade, TRUST South LA, LATTC’s CPED Student organization and others will be gathering in solidarity in South Central Los Angeles to promote peace, unity and opportunity. The Vermont Square Unity, Peace and Opportunity Walk arose[…]
Los Angeles Students Honor Sandra Bland
Written by: Lamont Lilly (This article was published by and originally appeared in Workers World) Los Angeles — The Community Planning and Economic Development Club at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College honored Sandra Bland, a victim of police terror in Texas, in a Student Day of Action Series on Oct. 7. The goal of this series[…]