About this Artist

My name is Aletha Metcalf-Evans. I am 66-years young. I was born in the late 50s. I along with my six siblings, 3 older and 3 younger, were raised by my mother and father in south central Los Angeles, CA. We were 5 girls and 2 boys of varying ages, mostly stairsteps, with less than 18 months to 5 years between us. We enjoyed a rich childhood in a modest east LA neighborhood during the 1960s. Living directly across the street from a city park probably saved me and my sisters and brothers. The infamous Crips were born in that park, and city parks like it. But, in the end it wasn’t the gangs that got us, it was the ending of city programs aimed at our community to stimulate positive change and growth. Teen summer jobs through the CEDA Program of the 70s, for instance, not only put money in our pockets but also hope in our hearts. Abruptly ending these proven successful programs, felt like punishment during that time, in return for us daring to demand, that our God given civil rights be equal to other groups. In 2018 I retired from a 38-year career as a Los Angeles Airport Police Officer. My last assignment was as the senior Airport Police Intelligence & Information Center Officer (2010-2018). In the 60s, 70s and in 1980 when I was first hired, the LA city owned Airport Police, opened its doors for many people of color and women during a time when blatantly discriminant hiring practices were commonplace within the LAPD and Sheriff’s Dept. We can thank the late, great LA Mayor Tom Bradley who devised this plan to hire more minorities at the airport, right under the noses of those determined to keep people of color and women out of positions of power and authority. Even to this day, LAXPD is a majority, minority department. This is a story I love to tell every time I get a chance. Make a note, it’s a great opportunity for some of our young, and not so young people, considering careers within local government. It’s a great place to work.

I have lived in the beautiful city of Inglewood, California for over 30 years now. I have been honored to serve on the Arts Commission there for almost 9 years. I enjoy writing poetry, lyrics and songs. I am a Christian woman. I retired and unfortunately got divorced around the same time. Not exactly what I planned, but the good news is I’m living my best life right about now. It’s a good thing that my mom taught me that, “God blesses the child that has her own.” I was blessed with one child, a son, Vinson who was born very prematurely and weighed only 1 lb and 12 ounces at birth, my miracle baby. He is my greatest accomplishment and is very healthy, kind, educated and hardworking today at 34 years of age. I am happy with my life and with people who are happy with me. I’m writing a book of poetry slowly but surely. I released 2 contemporary gospel songs a few years back, “Let Me Put The Lord On It” and “You Should Look Into It For Yourself.” In 2018 I released a wedding song, “I Do Take You” all available online. Currently I am teaching a “Poetry, Spoken Word & Storytelling” class at the Inglewood Senior Center each month. I am thrilled to have my amazing 92-year-old mom, Myrtle Metcalf still living nearby. Well, that’s about it, me in a nutshell.