Meet SJPLA’s Program Manager for Racial Equity in Homelessness, Frank Romero-Crockett
So excited to have you with us Frank! How do you like to celebrate or honor new beginnings?
Y’know, usually I celebrate new beginnings, especially heading into a new job with a simple dinner out with the family. But in this go around, I decided to take some needed time off to recharge and rest. I spent a week with my two young girls before they started the school year. We spent the entire week in water and just had fun. We splashed around in the ocean, I bought them boogie boards that they treat like their pets, and stuffed our faces with tons of treats. I managed to sneak in some time for myself to reflect, spend time in silence, see old friends, and listen to music.
The Racial Equity Fellows drafted this problem statement recently, how do you think the Racial Equity Initiative can begin to tackle these problems?
That problem statement is 🔥. The Racial Equity Fellows are courageously naming what we are afraid or feel ill-equipped to tackle in our struggle to house and support vulnerable neighbors, people experiencing houselessness, and working families. I’ll rewrite below for people who don’t click on the problem statement link.
Homelessness in Los Angeles is the legacy of centuries of racial oppression, cultural genocide, gentrification, and displacement of communities of color; our current solutions to this challenge are rooted in settler colonialism, white saviorism, and a scarcity model that values profit over people and individualism over collectivism.
BIPOC communities experience the generational trauma that is connected to the racist policies and practices of redlining, housing covenants, forcible displacement, risky home loans, predatory lending, and imminent domain (to name just a few). When we throw out stats like 8% of LA County’s residents are Black, and yet represent 34% of the houseless population, a majority of us do not know what that actually feels like or lack the intimate connection to the stories of erasure and dehumanization. The Racial Equity Fellows can tackle these problems by challenging the current charity-based deficit model and pushing forward with solutions based on a justice and liberation model. My hope is that they take on senior leadership roles within the homelessness sector, build strong and supported teams, and implement new systems and practices based on a vision that centers racial and social justice.
You have lived in the LA region your entire life and have spent much of your career building the LA you want to see. What is your vision for LA?
It is easier for me to complain and react to the negative things that are happening all around us. It is harder to spend time reimagining new structures and systems and then organize people to do the hard work of creating a better world.
I have my own vision: defund the police, make healthcare and education free, invest in under-resourced communities, reparations, free childcare, etc. Trust – the list can go on for days. But that’s just my vision. There is so much I have yet to fully understand and there are many more stories of struggle I have yet to engage. I envision an LA that is politically and socially engaged, abolishing systems of harm and neglect, actively redistributing wealth, supporting and checking in with neighbors, and creating new ways of living in community. As long as we stay active in supporting each other through the hardest of times, I will feel like we are embodying that vision.
Music is your love language and you’re also a DJ. What tracks would be on your setlist for an SJPLA working meeting?
Oooo, great question. I mean, I can’t be dipping into the NSFW playlist. I gotta keep it classy. I’ll tell you what I’ve played in meetings and events in the past.
Fat Mama by Herbie Hancock (a Zoom intro favorite)
Chilito’s Song by Cochemea (usually a closing track for a rainy day and when people are tired)
Don’t Nobody Care About Us by J.Dilla (perfect track for some agitation and reflection time)
Impeach the President (legend has it I played this as a walk-up song for an elected leader. They had no clue the amount of trolliness I threw in there – this person is no longer in politics 😇)
Moment of Truth by Gangstarr (this is the read-the-lyrics-while-sitting-in-the-car-contemplating-if-you’ve-done-enough-in-your-life type track)
Love Gets Better by Hubert Laws (an inspirational song after a big defeat)
Nobody by Bastedos (this is a get hype before a big action!)
No Fear by Inflo (...and the accompanying track when you’re eating tacos on the sidewalk after said big action)
Overcome by Laura Mvula feat. Nile Rodgers (the track you listen to before going to bed after said tacos and said action)
Finding moments of rest and joy has never been more important. What’s bringing you joy, and how are you taking care of yourself?
This is very odd to say, but I am a buoyant person...both physically and emotionally. Both rest and joy can be found at Bruce’s Beach with a reclining beach chair, umbrella, spray sunblock, and headphones. I either listen to a mixtape I created the night before or I listen to a good audiobook (currently listening to Mediocre by Ijeoma Oluo and How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith). And when I get too hot to sit in one place, I float in the ocean. Just float and let the waves carry me. It’s very Zen and I highly recommend it.
Disclaimer: do not attempt this, if you are terrified of the water and/or not buoyant.
