Mayor Bass Launches “Shine LA” Beautification Initiative as Region Prepares for Global Events
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has officially launched “Shine LA,” a new monthly initiative aimed at beautifying neighborhoods across the region, including areas adjacent to Inglewood, as the city prepares to host major global sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
The program, first announced during Bass’s recent State of the City address, kicked off on Saturday, April 26, with more than 1,000 volunteers participating in clean-up and beautification projects at 16 different sites despite rainy weather. Several of these locations were in South Los Angeles communities near Inglewood, including Augustus Hawkins Park, Jefferson High School, and Imperial Gardens in Watts.
“We have one goal– love L.A. We will show our love for each other…Block by block, we will come together to be stronger, more unified than ever before—and that matters, especially in a world that seeks to divide us with each passing day,” Bass said in her address.
The initiative has particular relevance for Inglewood residents as their city will play a central role in hosting portions of both the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games at SoFi Stadium. The beautification efforts in neighboring communities are expected to extend to areas surrounding Inglewood as the international sporting events approach.
Councilmember Curren Price, whose district includes areas bordering Inglewood, emphasized the community-building aspect of the initiative: “South Central LA has always been a community built on neighbors lifting each other up — and today for Shine LA, we’re lifting up our planet, too. Together, we’re planting trees, cleaning our streets, and taking real, hands-on steps toward a cleaner, greener, and healthier Los Angeles that is ready to welcome the world.”
The next Shine LA event is scheduled for May 31 and will be an AAPI Day of Service in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Inglewood community leaders are discussing potential coordination with the mayor’s office to include Inglewood locations in future Shine LA events, particularly sites near SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome that will see significant visitor traffic during upcoming international events.
Local officials note that these beautification efforts align with Inglewood’s own preparation initiatives for hosting portions of these major sporting events, which are expected to bring significant economic opportunities and international attention to the city.
