About this event
RENEW 2025 is a collaborative initiative led by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) and the Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM).
Join us for this special one-day, in-person forum exploring how we can collectively shape accessibility, inclusion, engagement, and celebration in Los Angeles. This interactive event will bring together organizations and individuals from the disability community to engage in conversations around:
- Communication & Wayfinding
- Mobility & Transportation
- Sports & Wellness
- Artists & Celebrations
Representatives from the following City of Los Angeles departments will be present to share updates and answer questions:
- Department on Disability (DOD)
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Recreation and Parks (RAP – PLAYLA)
- Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)
You’re invited to submit questions in advance during registration for discussion in the breakout conversations.
Location: The California Endowment
1000 Alameda St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Who Should Attend
This event is designed for individuals and organizations from the disability community, cultural leaders, nonprofit staff, public sector professionals, and anyone committed to advancing inclusion and equity for the disability community in Los Angeles.
Additional Information
- Accessibility: Meeting rooms and restrooms at The California Endowment are wheelchair accessible. ASL interpreting , closed captioning, and Braille/Digital Agenda will be provided. For registration assistance or additional support, please contact [email protected] or [email protected]. To request a reasonable accomodation in advance, please contact us at least seven (7)business days before the event.
- Ticket Price: Tickets are $3 to keep this event accessible and encourage broad participation from community members and organizations. Your contribution helps support event logistics while ensuring the forum remains welcoming and inclusive for all.
- Refreshments: A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options will be available. Please indicate any dietary restrictions when registering.
- Parking: Free parking is available onsite at The California Endowment on a first-come, first-served basis. The venue is accessible by public transit and is a short walk from Union Station. For directions, click HERE.
Program Schedule
9:00 – 9:30 AM Check-In and Registration
9:30 – 10:00 AM Networking Breakfast
10:00 – 10:15 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks
- Efrain Escobedo, President and CEO, Center for Nonprofit Management
10:15 – 10:45 AM Performance: Infinite Flow Dance
10:45 – 11:00 AM Break
11:00 – 11:45 AM Games Accessibility: Paris Observations and LA Opportunity, Ali Everett, City of Los Angeles Department on Disability
- Ali Everett, J.D., M.P.A, ADAC, CASp, Assistant Executive Director, Department on Disability, City of Los Angeles
11:45 AM – 12:20 PM Preparing Our City for Major Events & Reimagining Transportation in Los Angeles
- Pamela Lee, Supervising Transportation Planner II, Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT)
12:20 – 12:30 PM End of morning program
12:30 – 1:30 PM Networking Lunch
1:30 – 1:45 PM Improving Accessibility with the Atkinson Hyperlegible Font
- Brian Sheridan, Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships, Braille Institute of America
1:45 – 2:30 PM PlayLA Adaptive Sports: Creating Sport Opportunities for Youth Across Los Angeles
- Irving Moreno, Senior Recreation Director, Department of Recreation and Parks, PlayLA Division, City of Los Angeles
- Coco Atama, Recreation Instructor, Department of Recreation and Parks, PlayLA Adaptive Sports, City of Los Angeles
2:30 – 3:15 PM Artists, Celebrations and Opportunities
- Daniel Tarica, General Manager, Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles
3:15 – 3:45 PM Closing Performance: Los Angeles Theatresports
3:45 – 4:00 PM Closing Reflections & Feedback
Featured Speakers
We’re excited to welcome the following speakers to this year’s RENEW Forum.
Efrain Escobedo – President and CEO, Center for Nonprofit Management
Efrain Escobedo brings nearly two decades of experience in philanthropy, government, and the nonprofit sector. A committed civic engagement strategist, he has led initiatives to increase participation among historically underserved communities and foster human-centered systems change. Previously, he served as Vice President of Public Policy and Civic Engagement at the California Community Foundation and held leadership roles at the NALEO Educational Fund, where he helped lead the national Ya Es Hora campaign. Efrain currently serves on several nonprofit and civic boards, including Hispanics in Philanthropy, the LA Economic Development Corporation, and CalMatters. He holds degrees from USC and the University of La Verne and is a graduate of the LA County Executive Leadership Program.
Daniel Tarica – General Manager, Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles
Daniel Tarica is the General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, leading the Department’s work to strengthen the quality of life in Los Angeles by stimulating and supporting arts and cultural activities and ensuring public access to the arts for residents and visitors. The Department empowers Los Angeles’s vibrant communities by supporting and providing access to quality visual, literary, musical, performing, and educational arts programming; managing vital cultural centers; preserving historic sites; creating public art; and funding services provided by arts organizations and individual artists. Managing a full-time staff of 92 and a part-time staff of more than 200, Daniel oversees the Department’s portfolio of facilities, capital improvement projects, grants, educational initiatives, and programming. Daniel previously served as DCA’s Assistant General Manager and has served in several leadership positions for the City of Los Angeles for the Los Angeles City Council, City Controller, and City Administrative Officer.
Ali Everett, J.D., M.P.A, ADAC, CASp – Assistant Executive Director, Department on Disability, City of Los Angeles
Ali Everett is the Assistant Executive Director for the City of Los Angeles Department on Disability where she leads the department’s efforts to ensure equitable access to City programs and services for residents and visitors with disabilities. Ali previously served as the Accessibility Coordinator for the City of Pasadena. Ali earned her Juris Doctor, Master of Public Administration, Certificate in Disability Law and Policy, and Certificate of Advanced Study in Disability Studies from Syracuse University. As a recognized leader in municipal government accessibility, Ali presents locally and nationally on a wide range of disability access topics. She is a founding member of the California Network of ADA Coordinators and is deeply committed to advancing accessibility and inclusion through cross-sector collaboration and community engagement.
Pamela Lee – Supervising Transportation Planner II, Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT)
Pamela Lee leads LADOT’s efforts on the Alternatives to Armed Enforcement report and oversees planning and engagement for Vision Zero and Active Transportation projects. She has facilitated cross-departmental collaboration, supported the growth of the Active Transportation team, and works closely with Council Offices to implement safety improvements. Pamela is currently shaping Vision Zero and First/Last Mile strategies in preparation for the 2028 Olympics.
Brian Sheridan – Sr. Director of Strategic Partnerships, Braille Institute
Over a 23-year career in nonprofit organizations, Brian has had the unique privilege of bringing together the collective power of hundreds of organizations to create greater impact for social good. Brian came to the Braille Institute of America (BIA) in July of 2023 and was recently promoted to the Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships. This newly established position plays a critical role in BIA’s recently launched strategic plan – Mission Magnified – a blueprint to serve more than 200,000 people with low vision or blindness by 2030. Partnerships are key to significantly scaling our ability to serve more people, expand our revenue mix, and grow our brand. Brian regularly speaks on issues of accessibility, highlighting the practical things organizations can do to help be more inclusive.
Irving Moreno – Senior Recreation Director, PlayLA Adaptive Sports, City of Los Angeles
A graduate of California State University, Northridge with a focus in Kinesiology, Irving is a dedicated advocate for people with disabilities. He is passionate about expanding access to sports and is committed to developing inclusive programs that empower individuals and strengthen communities.
Coco Atama – Recreation Instructor, PlayLA Adaptive Sports, Recreation and Parks, City of Los Angeles
Coco Atama is a professional adaptive skateboarder, fencer, motivational speaker, and Recreation Instructor with the PlayLA Adaptive Sports program. A proud Burbank native and graduate of California State University, Northridge, Coco uses their background in communications to inspire and uplift the community. Through sports and storytelling, Coco encourages others to believe in themselves, break through barriers, and live life to the fullest.
Entertainment & Performances
We’re excited to feature a special performance by:
Infinite Flow Dance is an award-winning Los Angeles-based professional dance company and nonprofit that employs disabled and nondisabled dancers with diverse identities, with a mission to advance disability inclusion, one dance at a time. Since 2015, Infinite Flow has performed at over 350 events, from school assemblies to events at Apple, Microsoft, adidas, Red Bull, and other global brands. Infinite Flow’s dance videos have been viewed over 100 million times across social media, and they’ve been featured on NBC Today, Good Morning America, PBS, and other national and international media outlets. Infinite Flow Dance was founded by Marisa Hamamoto, a spinal stroke survivor and late-diagnosed Autistic. Marisa recently became the first professional dancer named People Magazine’s “Women Changing the World.” Infinite Flow Dance is a robust social impact entity committed to radical inclusion, systems change, and producing transformational experiences.
Impro Theatre transforms improvisation into a unique theatrical art form by creating completely improvised, full-length plays in the styles of the world’s greatest writers and composers. Their cast of professional actors, writers, and directors combine deep research, verbal dexterity, and physical performance to bring unscripted stories to life in an instant. Founded in 1988 as Los Angeles Theatresports, Impro Theatre has become a critically acclaimed company, performing at leading venues including South Coast Repertory, The Wallis Annenberg Center, The Pasadena Playhouse, and internationally at festivals in Chicago, Melbourne, and Paris. Their work has been recognized with multiple Critics’ Picks and Ovation Recommendations, offering audiences a theatrical experience unlike any other.
Health & Safety Guidelines
We are mindful of ongoing public health concerns, including COVID-19 and other airborne illnesses. While masks are not currently required, we encourage attendees to be considerate of others’ comfort and health. Masks will be available onsite. If you are experiencing symptoms of illness (cold, flu, respiratory), we kindly ask that you stay home. Event protocols may be adjusted based on public health guidance.
About the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs
As a leading, progressive arts and cultural agency, the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) empowers Los Angeles’s vibrant communities by supporting and providing access to quality visual, literary, musical, performing, and educational arts programming; managing vital cultural centers; preserving historic sites; creating public art; and funding services provided by arts organizations and individual artists.
Formed in 1925, DCA promotes arts and culture as a way to ignite a powerful dialogue, engage LA’s residents and visitors, and ensure LA’s varied cultures are recognized, acknowledged, and experienced. DCA’s mission is to strengthen the quality of life in Los Angeles by stimulating and supporting arts and cultural activities, ensuring public access to the arts for residents and visitors alike.
DCA advances the social and economic impact of arts and culture through grant-making, public art, community arts, performing arts, and strategic marketing, development, design, and digital research. DCA creates and supports arts programming, maximizing relationships with other city agencies, artists, and arts and cultural nonprofit organizations to provide excellent service in neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles
