On July 19, the heart of the Crenshaw District pulsed with generosity and unity as Black Men United, in collaboration with World Vision, People’s Independent Church of Christ, and renowned television judge and social justice advocate Judge Greg Mathis, hosted a powerful free community giveaway.
The event’s goal was to bring blessings and action to life. Hundreds of local residents gathered on the church grounds to receive household appliances, toiletries, grooming and beauty products—items not often seen at typical giveaways, but items that make daily living easier and more dignified.
For Ikilia Smith, Executive Director of Black Men United in Los Angeles, this event was personal. “This is my second event,” she shared. “My brother, Terry Young, has been doing this work in other states for years. When I saw what he was doing, I wanted to bring it here to California—and he gave me that chance.”
Smith leads the California chapter while her brother, Terry Young, serves as Vice President of Black Men United at its Chicago headquarters. “It came together about four guys who had been targeted by a system—justice impacted brothers—who came together with the understanding that when we left prison, we would make a difference in our communities. We wanted to paint a different picture, tell a different story, and help create and rewrite a new narrative,” Young said.
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Black Men United now operates in 39 states and two countries, providing more than giveaways. Their programs include workforce development, food security initiatives, violence intervention, mediation, and computer literacy classes—resources designed to help community members rebuild and thrive.
“We’re not anti-anybody,” Young added. “But we’re unapologetically pro‑Black. We’re here to build bridges, not walls. Love ain’t love unless you give it away—and that’s what keeps us going.”
Associate Pastor Joe Paul of People’s Independent Church of Christ, a Crenshaw native, stood nearby greeting attendees. “This is our second community event,” Paul explained. “Our goal is to build relationships with the community that surrounds this church. We want to support grandmothers, single moms, families that are struggling, and kids at risk. We’re partnering with local organizations to bring counseling, therapy, educational support, and workforce development right here to our site.”
Paul emphasized that this effort is about more than giveaways. “We had a questionnaire at registration this time so we can learn what additional needs people have. We love giving things away, but our ultimate goal is to get to root causes. With inflation and rising costs, people need relief—but they also need long-term solutions.”
Black Men United and People’s Independent Church of Christ plan to deepen their work in Los Angeles. Future plans include health fairs, a potential warehouse partnership for ongoing distribution, and collaboration with major retailers like Trader Joe’s and Amazon to provide regular free groceries and essentials to elders in the community.
One moving element of the event came from the volunteers themselves—many of whom are formerly incarcerated men now giving back.
“At our last event, we took a group photo,” Paul recalled. “The combined time served among them was nearly 300 years. And now here they are, handing out blessings. That’s transformation you can’t even plan for.”
Saturday’s giveaway was more than a charity drive. It was a living message to Los Angeles’ Black community: You are seen, you are valued, and you deserve to live a quality life.
As residents left carrying coffee makers, hair products, and other essentials, they also carried something far greater—a renewed sense of hope, unity, and love.
