New Radio Program “Conversation Live: Altadena Rising” Heads Into Second Weekend With New Episode

A new radio program dedicated to tracking recovery efforts in Altadena’s Black community from the devastating Eaton Fire enters its second weekend, with this week’s episode focusing on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to the disaster.

“Conversation Live: Altadena Rising,” hosted by James Farr, airs live on Saturdays at 10 a.m. on KBLA Talk 1580, with rebroadcasts Sundays at noon. The show aims to document Altadena’s recovery, amplify survivor voices and hold officials accountable.

This week, Farr asks, “What happens when disaster strikes twice—first in flames, then in broken promises?”

“For Black Altadenans who lost their homes in the Eaton Canyon fire, the road to recovery is proving just as devastating as the fire itself. As families struggle to rebuild, another crisis is unfolding: Will FEMA deliver the aid they desperately need?

For Farr, the Eaton Fire is personal. Though he and his family escaped the flames, many friends and community members lost everything.

“Can We Trust FEMA?” will feature Martin Gordon, chair of the Pasadena Community Coalition, who lost his home and nearly his life in the fire, along with La-Tanga Hopes, a Federal Emergency Management Agency media relations specialist who will address concerns about the agency’s response under the Trump administration.

“With billions in damages and thousands displaced, will FEMA provide the help Altadena needs—or leave the community to fight for survival on its own?” Farr asks.

The program comes as many worry that Altadena’s Black community, a “stronghold where 80% of residents were homeowners,” is being overlooked in relief efforts. FEMA’s disaster responses have long been criticized for delays, red tape, and racial inequities, according to Farr.

“This isn’t just about rebuilding homes—it’s about reclaiming a community,” Farr said. “Eaton was more than a fire. It was the destruction of a Black stronghold where families weren’t just living here; they were building generational wealth.”

Last week’s episode featured civil rights attorney Ben Crump discussing potential legal action against Southern California Edison and also featured historian Veronica Jones of the Altadena Historical Society, who provided context about natural disasters and the displacement of Black communities.

“We’ve seen this before,” Jones said. “Disasters have long been used to displace Black communities. We won’t let that happen here.”

Crump made it clear: This fight is about more than compensation—it’s about power.

“This isn’t just a lawsuit. This is about whether Black communities get the same justice as everyone else,” Crump said during that broadcast.

Farr, a regular contributor to KBLA’s morning show “First Things First” with Dominique DiPrima, co-produced the station’s three-hour remote broadcast from the fire zone immediately after the disaster.

KBLA Talk 1580, a heritage station and the original home of the iconic hip hop station KDAY, broadcasts at 50,000 watts and serves nearly 12 million listeners. The station primarily targets progressives and people of color.

The station can be found on social media platforms: Instagram (@KBLA1580), Twitter (@KBLA1580), Facebook (facebook.com/KBLA1580), and YouTube (youtube.com/KBLA1580). A mobile app is also available for iPhone and Android.

Those who missed earlier episodes, including the first show with Ben Crump, can watch replays on YouTube.