Following two successful panel discussions focusing on the future of black politics, the California African American Museum’s (CAAM) History Council is proud to host its third installment of Conversations at CAAM’s three-part series entitled Beyond 2012: Be The Change on Saturday, February 16, 2013, from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at 600 State Drive, Exposition Park. 

Beyond 2012: Be The Change will detail lessons learned from the 2012 presidential election, the role of African American citizens and strategies for the future as the historic re-election of President Obama is analyzed.

Erin Aubry Kaplan, who became the first African American weekly op-ed columnist for the Los Angeles Times, will serve as the panel discussion’s moderator. Panelists for the discussion will include Hector Tobar, journalist and LA Times columnist; Jackie Dupont-Walker, Chair of the USC Master Plan Advisory Committee; Rita D. Walters, former Los Angeles City Council and LAUSD board member; and Michael 

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Hector Tobar’s work as an author and journalist examines the constantly evolving relationships between Latin America and the United States. As Chair of the

USC Master Plan Advisory Committee, Ms. Jackie Dupont-Walker represents the residents of the West Adams district and is president of Ward Economic Development Corporation. Ms. Rita D. Walters led the way for African American females as the first African American woman to sit on the L.A. City Council and first African American female to become president of the LAUSD Board of Education. In addition to serving as Dean of Environmental Design at Cal Poly Pomona, Michael K. Woo was a member of the Los Angeles City Council from 1985 to 1993. These panelists offer a wide range of experience to the conversation and have a keen insight for what the future holds for the African American community as it relates to politics.

Conversations at CAAM is free and open to the public. Parking is $10 in the lot adjacent to CAAM on Figueroa and 39^th streets. Please RSVP at (213) 744-2024. For more information please visit www.caamuseum.org.

CURRENT EXHIBITIONS IN THE CAAM GALLERIES:

Sampling the Microscopic Artwork of Willard Wigan – Opening January 18, 2013 – March 17, 2013

Common Ground II: Shared Experiences (at Mercado La Paloma) through February 28, 2013

Coloring America: Selections from the California African American Museum’s Permanent History Collection through March 24, 2013

Go Tell it on the Mountain through April 7, 2013

African American Military Portraits from the American Civil War: Selected Images from the Library of Congress Collections through April 14, 2013

Legacy of the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Company:  More Than a Business through June 23, 2013

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM

The California African American Museum (CAAM) researches, collects, preserves and interprets for public enrichment the history, art and culture of African Americans. Chartered by the California State Legislature in 1977, CAAM is a state supported institution and a partner with the 501(c)(3) non- profit organization Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum. In addition to its permanent collection of over 3,000 objects of art, artifacts and historical documents, CAAM also houses a research library containing more than 20,000 volumes, employs and trains high school students through its Young Docents program, and hosts in-house curated exhibitions and traveling exhibitions on a regular basis.  The museum also tours CAAM exhibitions throughout California and the nation.

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