This past Saturday, Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas joined elected officials representing South Los Angeles in hosting a community celebration honoring Prophet Walker in recognition of his recent clemency and his remarkable transformation from incarceration to becoming a leading developer and restorative justice advocate.
Held in Leimert Park Village, the event uplifted inspiring themes of second changes, rehabilitation and community-led development – highlighting the power of investing in people and neighborhoods that have been historically overlooked.
Mitchell, LA Mayor Karen Bass, LA City Councilwoman Heather Hutt, Prophet Walker, Senator Lola
Smallwood-Cuevas, and Assemblymember Sade Elhawary.
The celebration featured remarks from Senator Smallwood-Cuevas and LA Mayor Karen Bass as well as event co-hosts LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, LA City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, LA City Councilwoman Heather Hutt, and Assmblymember Sade Elhawary. Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Assemblymember Isaac Byran also served as event co-hosts.
Walker represents a story of redemption and opportunity made possible through second changes. Growing up in Watts, Walker was incarcerated at 16. Instead of falling into deep despair, he decided to learn from the experience. He educated himself, and started the first college program inside of prison, becoming its first graduate. When he came home, he earned an engineering degree and entered the real estate and construction field. He later co-founded Treehouse Co-Living and the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.
“Prophet is a visionary. He chose to build and invest in South LA, and he worked to reduce recidivism so others wouldn’t be defined by their worst mistake,” said Senator Smallwood-Cuevas. “We’re deeply grateful for his impact, and for serving as an example of what restorative justice truly means.”
Honored by President Obama at the 2015 State of the Union, Walker has become a nationally recognized community developer focused on preserving South LA culture and ensuring longtime residents benefit from neighborhood investment. His life story is a clear example of why Californians should fight for policies prioritizing rehabilitative programs and housing affordability initiatives that strengthen underserved communities.
Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas represents the 28thSenate District, which includes the communities of South Los Angeles, Mid City, Culver City, West Los Angeles, Century City and Downtown Los Angeles. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas spent more than two decades serving as a worker rights and racial equity advocate before her election to the State Senate. She resides in the View Park community of South Los Angeles with her family.