Read the November 2023 issue of Justin Chapman's free Substack email newsletter, featuring his LA Press Club journalism award nomination, an interview with Pasadena community organizer Lena Kennedy on the TV show "Pasadena Monthly," an Alta Journal article quoting him, stories to keep an eye on, book recommendations, and more!
Justin Chapman writes, produces, and hosts a monthly TV talk show on Pasadena Media's TV channel, called "Pasadena Monthly with Justin Chapman," formerly known as the award-winning "NewsRap Local with Justin Chapman." The eleventh episode aired Friday, November 24, 2023, and featured a discussion with Lena Kennedy, political fundraiser, community organizer, and sister of the late Pasadena City Councilmember John J. Kennedy. Watch the full episode below:
Pasadena Media’s award-nominated local TV talk show, “Pasadena Monthly with Justin Chapman,” formerly known as the award-winning “NewsRap Local with Justin Chapman,” continues this Friday at 5 p.m. PT on Pasadena Media’s cable TV channels and streaming apps. The episode will feature a discussion with Lena Kennedy.
Kennedy is the founder and conference director of the SoCal Women’s Conference & Expo. She is responsible for bringing together community-based organizations, businesses, and civic leaders to offer a free, annual health and wellness conference for women. She is also the leader and owner of L. Kennedy & Associates Consulting, a consulting firm that specializes in community and strategic consensus-building strategies for executives, policymakers, and political candidates.
Kennedy’s career as a community builder and strategic consultant began over 30 years ago when she assisted with fundraising and campaign activities for LA Mayor Tom Bradley for governor. Since then, she has worked with numerous candidates and elected officials, including President Barack Obama, Congresswoman Diane Watson, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congressman Adam Schiff, California State Speaker Karen Bass, State Senator Carol Liu, and Rev. Jesse Jackson.
She served as a national vice chair for the Democratic National Committee, co-chair of the National Women’s Leadership Initiative, and on the boards of numerous organizations including the Pasadena Arts Council, Community Health Alliance of Pasadena, First AME Church, and Pasadena NAACP. She currently serves on the Pasadena Playhouse Diversity Committee, Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Advisory Council, and the Pasadena Symphony Advisory Council. She is the recipient of many awards for her work in the community.
Her brother, the late John J. Kennedy, served as Pasadena City Councilmember representing District 3 from 2013 to 2022.
“Pasadena Monthly” airs at 5 p.m. PT on the fourth Friday of every month on Pasadena Media’s Arroyo Channel and streaming apps, available on channel 99 on AT&T U-verse, channel 32 on Charter Spectrum, YouTube, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Roku. The show is written, hosted and produced by Chapman, directed and edited by Jeffrey Stanfill and executive produced by George Falardeau, CEO and executive director of Pasadena Media.
“This is must-watch television each month for everyone who cares about this city,” Falardeau said.
Earlier this year, Chapman won two 1st place journalism awards from the Los Angeles Press Club, as well as a 3rd place award and two finalist positions. He has won a total of nine awards from the LA Press Club in recent years, including three 1st place awards. Last year, the previous iteration of the show, “NewsRap Local,” won a 2nd place award in News Programming at the Alliance for Community Media West’s WAVE video awards.
Guests on “Pasadena Monthly” and “NewsRap Local” have included Congress member Judy Chu (D-27); Congress member Adam Schiff (D-28); Assembly member Chris Holden (D-41); Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo; Pasadena city manager Miguel Márquez; LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger; JPL director Dr. Laurie Leshin; and many others.
Chapman was the youngest elected official in LA County when he served on the Altadena Town Council at age 19. He has served on a number of local boards and wrote hundreds of articles for two dozen print and digital publications, including KPCC/LAist, Alta Journal, Huffington Post, LA Weekly, Irish Post, Berkeley Political Review, Pasadena Weekly, Pasadena Star-News, Pasadena Now and many others. He currently serves as the District 6 Council Liaison/Field Representative to Pasadena City Councilmember Steve Madison.
Learn more at justindouglaschapman.com and pasadenamedia.org.
Justin Chapman has been nominated/is a finalist for another Los Angeles Press Club journalism award, for their National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
The nomination is in the Book Critic category for his Pasadena Star-News article about Jerry Stahl's latest book, Nein, Nein, Nein: One Man's Tale of Depression, Psychic Torment, and a Bus Tour of the Holocaust. The award ceremony is December 3.