About the non-profit

Generally occurring every third Saturday in Chinatown, "mETHODOLOGY" is a hip-hop based event that serves as a junction for positive people of color to come together in LA, for conscious hip-hop artists to perform their work, for grassroots community groups based in urban LA to raise funds, and as a challenge to the current damaging effects of gentrification on Chinatown and its working-class families, largely through corporate business and the white hipster arts scene.

All "mETHODOLOGY" staff, from DJs to bartenders to security, are volunteers. In its two years of existence, "mETHODOLOGY" has raised over $13,000 for community groups, such as the Youth Justice Coalition, Southeast Asian Community Alliance, Public Allies, and Venceremos Brigade.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities?

My responsibilites include the promotion, accounting, sound and lighting production, organization collaborations, and artist bookings for "mETHODOLOGY."

We also have a great crew of dedicated folks who take care of the visual design and look of the event, the DJ'ing and MC'ing, the security, the bar, all of the arrangements at the door, and the birthdays of our guests. Big ups to Jules Kwong, "Mr. Milin" Ratanasen, Alex "DJ Rewind" Sario, Jenny Lor, Andy Doan, Will "DJ Ill Wil" Sung, Ernest Banes, Chris Murphy, Jasper Lim, Will "DJ Stress" An, Joannza Lo, Lucio Lee, Daisy Castillo, Janet Lo, and the Chow Fun staff.

Most notable milestones

The most notable milestones in putting together "mETHODOLOGY" these last few years have been collaborating with other organizations, showcasing community-based artists, and raising thousands of dollars for the Chinatown working families we work with.

The community organizations have included:
APADRC, Critical Resistance, Educators for Action (E4A), JUiCE, Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance, Multi-ethnic Immigrant Workers Organizing Network (MIWON), OCAPICA, "Piligrimage" The Movie, Projekt Newspeak, Public Allies, Southeast Asian Community Alliance (SEACA), Tuesday Night Project, Venceremos Brigade, Youth Justice Coalition (YJC)

The artists have included:
Native Guns (Kiwi, Bambu & DJ Phatrick) + Concrete All-Stars + Skim + Rebels to the Grain + Dumbfoundead + Shammy Dee + Mike Holden + The Philistines + Dissnfranchsied + Open Mike Eagle + Soulspeak & the Satellite Heads + Jade Ross + Aesthetics + DJ Icy Ice (Divine Forces Radio/Beat Junkies) + DJ Kuttin Kandi (5th Platoon/Anomolies) + DJ Arabian Prince (NWA Posse/Zulu Nation) + DJ Shakee (Hot 92.3) + DJ Abel (Foundation) + DJ Jayski (DP Sound) + DJ Kenzo (JUiCE) + Cerritos All-Stars (Butta, Epic, Kwest, Redline, Rocafella, Strife) + DJ Endo (Up Above Records) + DJ Denkym (Rehab Records/Scratch Academy) + Mass Movement (ET & Krissfader) + DJ Jaba-1 (Homegrown Blends/Earthbound Radio)

What's the niche?

There are a lot of things that have played a part in the success of "mETHODOLOGY," especially the people behind it and the amount of effort they have put into making the event a true community space. People always comment on the love that's evident in the event!

But I think overall we're known for being THE monthly jam of community, consciousness & culture in urban LA. We bring together positive people from all over California (San Diego to the Yay Area), good food and drinks, and a unique mix of music by some of LA's top selektahs and hip-hop artists for that 'feel-good' vibe. Plus all of the money goes to people doing community work on the ground, so we know it's going to a good cause.

What's the biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge is keeping up with regular tasks we need to do on a weekly basis to keep it running. Since we're an all-volunteer staff, it's hard to balance "mETHODOLOGY" with everything else the staff has to do, including the job, community activism, and the arts. While it only happens once a month, there's really a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes to make the most out of the venue, and make everything run as smoothly as it does.

What's in store for the future?

In the future, we have more and more talented artists wanting to come through and bless our stage. In addition, there will be more possibilities for our Chinatown community work as our funding from "mETHODOLOGY" continues to grow.

Who would you like to be contacted by?

Anyone interested in working with us, especially grassroots community organizations, conscious artists, and positive people that'd like to celebrate their birthday with us, "mETHODOLOGY" style.

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