The Light We Carry
The Light We Carry: A Mosaic of Voices was written by Venice High School students, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) staff members, and community volunteers in Spring 2025
Beloved Community, what does our collective future hold?
Look into the eyes and ears of our student writers!
Listen to the hearts and minds of our Los Angeles Unified School District staff contributors and hear from our community members and volunteers!
The Light We Carry: A Mosaic of Voices was written by Venice High School students, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) staff members and community volunteers.
It contains personal narratives, original essays, and pivotal poems authored by profoundly brave and courageous students, staff members, community leaders, and volunteers.
Ms. Karen Prudence DeCosta Rowley-Brooks, the Restorative Justice Teacher at Venice High School, partnered with Ms. Shani Foster of 826LA in 2024 to create the first Venice High School BLit Crew Publication, a project that continues to nurture the compelling narratives and poems within these pages.We are profoundly grateful for the dedication and passion of every student, staff member, and community volunteer who contributed. Their words have woven a tapestry of resilience and hope, enriching our community immeasurably.
-Karen Prudence DeCosta Rowley-Brooks
-Shani Foster
I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to the students who contributed to this publication. Your dedication, creativity, and perseverance drove this project. Each of you brought unique perspectives and talents, enriching this collection with diverse stories and poems. We are proud of the effort and passion you invested in crafting your pieces, and we celebrate your growth and development as writers.
We are particularly grateful to 826LA for their invaluable partnership and support. Their expertise and resources were pivotal in helping our students develop their writing skills and express themselves with confidence. The Writers’ Room initiative at Venice Senior High School provided a unique space for students to explore their creativity, receive personalized feedback, and grow as writers. We appreciate the commitment of 826LA’s volunteers and staff members, who worked tirelessly to ensure our students received the best possible support.
This publication would not have been possible without the collective efforts of everyone involved. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with 826LA and to seeing our students’ future successes.
-Principal Yovanka Hairston Truitt
Dear Young Authors, Massive congratulations on your published book! What an incredible achievement. You poured your creativity and hard work into this, and it's truly inspiring. Celebrate this amazing milestone and know you've accomplished something remarkable. We're excited to see what you write next!
-Dr. Travis D. Brandy