OLASTEO

OLASTEO OLASTEO's mission is to create experiences that empower students to serve as catalysts for social impact.

OLASTEO's experiences include a curated roster of influential speakers, interactive workshops, and immersive trips, which expose our scholars from the South Los Angeles neighborhood of Watts to a broad range of perspectives and possibilities. Since early March 2020, we recognized our obligation to pivot quickly to a virtual landscape to continue providing enriching journeys for our student community, who feel the impact of this global pandemic much more severely than most.

🌙🔮 As dusk settled over Los Angeles last night, our scholars completed their journey home! The twilight arrival marked...
04/22/2025

🌙🔮 As dusk settled over Los Angeles last night, our scholars completed their journey home! The twilight arrival marked the perfect transition between their six-day immersion through Atlanta, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma and their return to familiar territory, forever changed by what they've witnessed and learned. 🧠 Throughout our journey to the American South, students reflected on their experiences (slides 3 - 6), with conversations jumping from 's powerful exhibits to 's community joy, from 's painful history to 's messages of hope. 🧩 What began as 12 individual journeys merged into a collective tapestry of understanding, with students connecting across neighborhood boundaries that often divide Los Angeles youth. 📣 As Johnny's California Shuttles delivered our scholars to and Jordan High School, waiting families witnessed the return of not just their children, but empowered advocates equipped with historical context and renewed purpose. 🌆 The hugs exchanged between students from vastly different backgrounds illustrate OLASTEO's mission in action—creating bonds that challenge preconceptions and build community across difference. 🛤️ While this chapter closes, the real work begins as our scholars carry these experiences back to their schools, families, and communities, transforming knowledge into action. Our deepest appreciation extends to every supporter who made this transformative expedition possible. The Freedom Trail journey may conclude, but its ripple effects are just beginning! 🧿🔄

🐋🧠 Our final day of began with an oceanic adventure , where we marveled at whale sharks, beluga whales, and countless ...
04/20/2025

🐋🧠 Our final day of began with an oceanic adventure , where we marveled at whale sharks, beluga whales, and countless sea creatures! 🐬 The immersive exhibits offered a perfect metaphor for our week's journey, diving deep beneath the surface to discover the interconnected nature of our world. 🐙 Students who had never experienced an aquarium before were particularly moved by the Ocean Voyager tunnel, where gentle giants swam overhead as our scholars reflected on the vastness of possibilities awaiting them. After our aquatic exploration, we treated ourselves to a (not pictured) farewell Atlanta meal , where their famous chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and peach cobbler French toast gave us one last taste of Southern hospitality! 🧇🍽️ 🧳 As we headed to , conversations naturally turned to how to apply the week's powerful lessons in Los Angeles, from advocating for change in their communities to sharing untold histories with friends and family. The depth of knowledge and confidence our scholars have gained in just six days is remarkable, embodying OLASTEO's mission to foster empathetic global citizens ready to create positive change. ✈️ While we're sad to leave, we're eager to bring these transformative experiences back to LA! 🌊🔭

🌉🍽️ From Selma to Atlanta today, our journey continued on ground that's witnessed pivotal moments in America's civil r...
04/20/2025

🌉🍽️ From Selma to Atlanta today, our journey continued on ground that's witnessed pivotal moments in America's civil rights struggle! brought us safely back to the ATL where welcomed us with a seafood feast that perfectly captured the city's vibrant culinary scene. 🦪 The restaurant's coastal-inspired dishes provided the perfect backdrop for conversations about our powerful experiences in Alabama over the past days, from the solemn to the historic . Several students noted how the stories of interfaith solidarity they discovered at connected beautifully with what they experienced in Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma, revealing how different communities united in the pursuit of equity. Back at hotel, our final reflection session revealed the profound impact of this journey as scholars shared moments that shifted their perspectives and inspired future action. 📝 The growth we've witnessed since departing LA is remarkable, students who began as strangers now support each other like family, finding their voices as advocates for change. A quick snack run fueled late-night packing and our traditional video shoot, where students captured their FTNE highlights on camera. 🎬 As we prepare for our final day in Atlanta, we're filled with gratitude for how these shared experiences have expanded worldviews while strengthening community bonds that will last long after our return to Los Angeles. 🌠🔄

🚍🌉 Day 5 started with a visit to the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery to honor 40 men, women, and children who...
04/19/2025

🚍🌉 Day 5 started with a visit to the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery to honor 40 men, women, and children who were killed during the struggle. We then travelled via charter bus courtesy of from Montgomery to Selma, to continue our exploration of the roots of the Civil Rights Movement. Ms. Barbara of took us on a historical tour of Selma where we visited the murals of Foot Soldiers park, the George Washington Carver Projects, Brown Chapel AME Church, and Live Oak Cemetery. Walking across the iconic Edmund Pettus Bridge, our scholars felt the weight of history and the power of peaceful protest as we walked in the footsteps of those who marched from Selma to Montgomery to fight for our right to vote. Our hearts were touched by JoAnne Bland's () amazing story and life lessons and were honored by the opportunity to ask her questions. Many thanks to the wonderful Jasmyn Bowie () for coordinating. Today's experiences were a deep dive into understanding, empathy, and our collective potential to inspire change. 🕊️🍖

🏘️📋 Our exploration of Montgomery's civil rights landmarks continued this afternoon with sites that witnessed history in...
04/19/2025

🏘️📋 Our exploration of Montgomery's civil rights landmarks continued this afternoon with sites that witnessed history in the making! 📻 welcomed us into the modest home where Dr. King and Coretta Scott King lived during the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott, making tangible the everyday spaces where extraordinary courage took root. 🚪 Though was closed, our impromptu sidewalk discussion at the former Greyhound station connected those brave 1961 activists to ongoing work for equality. 👒 completed our historical journey with engaging exhibits highlighting the strategic brilliance behind what many mistakenly view as a spontaneous act of defiance. 🧵 After immersing ourselves in these sacred spaces of resistance, we shifted to a quintessential slice of Southern culture at the game against the Rocket City Trash Pandas! ⚾ Our super box seats gave first-time baseball watchers the perfect introduction to America's pastime, complete with mascot races and seventh-inning stretches. 🍦 The authentic bonds forming between our Los Angeles scholars from different neighborhoods grow stronger each day through these shared experiences. 🌒 Tonight's reflection circle revealed profound growth as students connected historical movements to present-day challenges in their own communities. 🧭 With just one day remaining on our journey, we're witnessing worldviews expand while community ties deepen! 🌈🌊

📜🔄 Montgomery's soil holds stories that changed America, and today our OLASTEO scholars walked directly in those footste...
04/18/2025

📜🔄 Montgomery's soil holds stories that changed America, and today our OLASTEO scholars walked directly in those footsteps! 's extraordinary exhibits tracing the through-line from enslavement to mass incarceration left our students silent, then sparked intense discussions about justice systems past and present. 🧩 The meticulous research and presentation by help visitors connect historical dots often missing from traditional textbooks. 🌳 created a sacred space for contemplation where the weight of history becomes both personal and universal as steel monuments hang suspended above visitors. 🥣 These powerful morning experiences sparked conversations that continued during our nourishing meals and , where we experienced authentic Montgomery cuisine in spaces that feel like community living rooms rather than tourist stops. 🔎 Watching our students absorb, question, and connect these historical narratives to contemporary challenges demonstrates exactly why immersive learning transcends classroom education. 📓 Our afternoon continues with visits to more pivotal sites, including the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Parsonage Museum, where strategies that transformed a nation were once formulated! 🛣️👣

🚘🔓 After completing our eye-opening interfaith experience , we traveled to Montgomery via charter bus with 🚌, processin...
04/18/2025

🚘🔓 After completing our eye-opening interfaith experience , we traveled to Montgomery via charter bus with 🚌, processing Birmingham's powerful lessons during the drive. Settled into our accommodations 🏨, our scholars quickly shifted gears from historical reflection to modern puzzle-solving . The Budapest Express and Antidote escape rooms revealed hidden talents among our group—mathematical minds breaking codes 🔢, observant eyes spotting crucial details 🔍, and new leaders emerging at key moments 🔑. The triumphant cheers of one successful escape echoed throughout the venue 🎉 while our other team may have been hindered by a faulty coded box 👎🏽. Afterward, we enjoyed food from 🍝 and reflected on the connections between historical activism and today's challenges. During tonight's reflection session, we discussed how escape rooms parallel aspects of the movement, requiring strategic thinking, collaboration across different strengths, and persistence despite setbacks. As we prepare for tomorrow's exploration of Montgomery's pivotal civil rights landmarks, these young minds are building both historical understanding and practical skills they'll carry forward. 💭✨

🚌🙏 Birmingham opened its historical arms to us today after our charter bus journey from Atlanta. At , the powerful prese...
04/17/2025

🚌🙏 Birmingham opened its historical arms to us today after our charter bus journey from Atlanta. At , the powerful presence of Lisa McNair (.s.mcnair) brought tears to many eyes 😢 as she shared her family's ongoing journey since losing her sister Denise in the 1963 bombing. Sculptures throughout Kelly Ingram Park made tangible the water hoses and police dogs once turned on peaceful protesters, with Dr. John Plump (.plump.372) contextualizing each monument during his "In Their Footsteps" tour. The soul-filling lunch from 🍗 energized us before exploring the compelling exhibits where interactive displays sparked conversations about justice that continued into our visit to Dynamite Hill—named for the series of bombings targeting Black families who dared cross housing segregation lines. This neighborhood's painful history isn't ancient past; it's within living memory of many Birmingham residents we met today. Now at ✡️, we're diving into the pivotal role Jewish allies played in the movement, finding hope in these historical examples of cross-cultural solidarity that feel urgently relevant to our students' lives today. 🕊️📖 

🎵🌆 "Music was the backbone of the Civil Rights Movement," Freedom Singer told our students today as she filled the tour...
04/17/2025

🎵🌆 "Music was the backbone of the Civil Rights Movement," Freedom Singer told our students today as she filled the tour bus with powerful songs that once sustained marchers and protesters. Alongside the legendary Tom Houck, Dr. King’s former driver and personal assistant, Eartha made an unforgettable sensory experience - not just seeing historic sites like Ebenezer Baptist Church, the SCLC headquarters, and Dr. King's last home, but hearing the actual freedom songs that echoed through these streets decades ago. Our scholars absorbed every moment, connecting deeply with Atlanta's pivotal role in shaping Dr. King's vision and the movement's strategy. The day's historical intensity found perfect balance in our evening at 🍽️, where students explored culinary adventures before bringing their own voices to karaoke 🎤! We've witnessed remarkable transformations since departing LA - shy students now confidently supporting each other through performances, asking profound questions about history, and building meaningful connections. These moments of courage, curiosity and community are exactly what these journeys cultivate. Birmingham awaits us tomorrow! 🌟🤝

🎓🏛️ College dreams and civil rights history! Our morning at opened students' eyes to future possibilities, with enthusi...
04/16/2025

🎓🏛️ College dreams and civil rights history! Our morning at opened students' eyes to future possibilities, with enthusiastic guides sharing how GSU's diverse community thrives in downtown Atlanta. Several scholars were excited to learn about GSU's academic programs that align perfectly with their career goals! After our campus tour, we walked through Sweet Auburn Avenue—the street where Dr. King grew up—on our way to Freedom Plaza. Then we headed to 🕍, where we explored the powerful connections between Jewish history and civil rights solidarity. Now in the museum's parking lot, we're enjoying lunch featuring the legendary flavors of 🍗, a historic Classics Award-winning soul food establishment where MLK himself once dined during strategy sessions. After we're fueled up, we'll embark on the renowned with Tom Houck, who once served as Dr. King's personal driver and assistant! Watching our students make connections between these histories and their own lives reminds us why these journeys matter so deeply. 📚🔍

🌃 First day in Atlanta = unforgettable! After settling into 🏨 downtown, our FTNE2025 crew spent the evening putting the...
04/16/2025

🌃 First day in Atlanta = unforgettable! After settling into 🏨 downtown, our FTNE2025 crew spent the evening putting their skills to the test at ⛳️ and diving into virtual worlds at 's Squid Game Trials 🥽. It's been wonderful watching our scholars connect through friendly competition and collaborative problem-solving - exactly the kind of team-building that prepares them for the deeper historical explorations ahead. The delicious 🍕 dinner fueled great conversations about what's to come on our journey. Back at the hotel, students savored treats from our first OLASTEO snack run 🍫 while reflecting as a group on our travel day and preparing for tomorrow. With Day Two being our only full day and evening in Atlanta, we're making sure everyone's rested and ready for the meaningful experiences that await! 🌟

🌅✈️ And we're off! Today marks the beginning of our 4th Freedom Trail National Excursion ( ), as 12 amazing Los Angeles ...
04/15/2025

🌅✈️ And we're off! Today marks the beginning of our 4th Freedom Trail National Excursion ( ), as 12 amazing Los Angeles scholars journey through Georgia and Alabama's pivotal American history. From LAX to ATL, several students are experiencing their first flight - a perfect metaphor for the boundaries they'll cross this week. Thank you to our Co-Founder, , for preparing the 🍩 breakfast bags that will fuel our morning travels, and to our longtime partners at Johnny's California Shuttles 🚐 for the reliable transportation to . As we board with , there's a sense of excitement about the discoveries ahead. This week embodies what OLASTEO is all about: expanding worldviews through immersive experiences that foster tomorrow's empathetic global citizens 🌎. Stay tuned for updates all week as we journey beyond and grow within! 🚶‍♂️🌱

Address

3319 Adina Drive
Los Angeles, CA
90068

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when OLASTEO posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category