Charlie Cheathem (left) and his goddaughter Joanne Higgins (right)
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Brian Feinzimer/LAist
)
Topline:
Host Joanne Higgins grew up knowing her godfather, Charlie Cheathem, had worked on the Apollo moon missions in Los Angeles. What she didn't know was the crucial contribution he'd made — as had other Black engineers — while dealing with daily discrimination. She realized they'd been left out of the history books, and set out to record the accounts of these men, now in their 90s. Their stories are told in a new podcast, "LA Made: The Other Moonshot" from LAist Studios.
Why it matters: As we enter another era of space travel, how we got there continues to be a topic of interest. But there’s also another layer. The doors were opened to these Black aerospace engineers by President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 executive order outlawing racial discrimination in federal government hiring. Today, those kinds of programs are being questioned by the current Trump administration. A look back at their origins is a useful primer.
How to listen: You can listen to the episodes weekly, dropping every Wednesday, by subscribing to the podcast, or hitting follow on your app of choice (NPR, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.). You’ll also be able to listen on LAist 89.3 at 9 p.m. each night from Feb. 17 to Feb. 20.
In 2017 I received a call that my godfather, Charlie Cheathem, then in his late 80s, was in the hospital. I’d grown up living close by in Compton — his daughter was my best friend. Back then, Compton was a middle class neighborhood with tree-lined streets, housing many Black professionals, Charlie among them.
During my hospital visit, a close friend and former colleague of his arrived, and they began reminiscing about the time they worked on the Apollo missions at North American Aviation in Downey, in southeastern L.A. County.
Apollo command module at North American Aviation's facility in Downey, 1966.
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Courtesy NASA
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As they continued to chat, I heard something Charlie had glossed over when I was younger. It was the discrimination they’d experienced as a handful of Black aerospace engineers inside the giant facility. Charlie had told me all about his work in aerospace throughout my childhood, and how passionate he’d been about it, but until now this other aspect hadn’t quite registered.
This time, however, as a self-proclaimed history buff, I was intrigued. I sat down with my cell phone in hand and pressed record.
Filling in the picture
Afterwards, when Charlie was back at home, I couldn't shake my curiosity and wanted to know more. Over the months I plied him with questions and recorded him whenever I could. I’d of course learned about the race to space in school and its importance to the U.S., but it turned out there was so much I hadn’t known about.
Charlie Cheathem, who worked on the Apollo missions.
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Rachel Swaby
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LAist
)
Like President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 executive order outlawing racial discrimination in the hiring of federal government workers, with an understanding that the billions of dollars going into the space race could potentially open up thousands of jobs for Black workers.
Even then, though, it was more likely that a Black man would become a janitor than an aerospace engineer. That was still pretty rare. (Charlie, with a typical bull-headedness, had made it happen earlier through sheer determination).
While the doors had been opened for these men, however, once they were inside they had to prove themselves again and again. They were often not welcomed, were disrespected, and later even surveilled by the company. And all the while, unbeknownst to them, getting paid less than their white counterparts.
It seemed to be a place where space and race collided, and I felt these stories had to be told before it was too late. Given Charlie’s age, time was running out.
Listen on your radio at LAist 89.3 FM at 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17 and Thursday, Feb. 20
When I shared my new knowledge with other people, they appeared surprised as well. They didn’t know there were Black engineers involved in the moonshot, or that Los Angeles had played a key role in the Apollo missions. (North American Aviation was a subcontractor to NASA, and had built the Saturn V's second stage rocket and the command module, which housed the astronauts and landed on the moon, in Downey.)
Nate LeVert at the launch of Apollo 6.
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Courtesy Nate LeVert
)
Developing the podcast
Now actively on my own mission, I asked Charlie if he could connect me with some of his colleagues. He put me in touch with Shelby Jacobs, with whom he’d worked, and through Shelby I connected with his close friend Nate LeVert.
When I learned more about their contributions, I was astounded. These three men had played key roles. Nate had designed the engine propellant system for the second stage rocket and worked on every Apollo launch.
Shelby had built the camera system that took the very first photographs of the curvature of the earth from space. And Charlie oversaw all configuration management, which meant his sign-off was crucial to the rocket’s production. All at a time when civil rights unrest was rocking the country.
The separation of Saturn V's second stage rocket during the Apollo 6 mission.
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Courtesy NASA
)
As an avid listener of public radio and podcasts, I began to think that an audio series was the way to go to get these stories out. One day a few years ago I was at an LAist event when I began talking to a woman next to me, who turned out to be a senior editor at LAist, Suzanne Levy.
I told her about Charlie’s story, and she was also fascinated. Over the weeks, we developed the idea together, and she suggested I should be the host.
"Wait, that wasn't what I’d signed up for!" I thought. I'd figured someone else was going to do it. I was terrified — I’d never done anything like it. But I realized she was right. I couldn't let my fear get in the way. I had the personal connection to the story, and I needed to tell it.
And then, she pitched it internally to LAist Studios.
LA Made: The Other Moonshot.
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Lethabo Huma
/
LAist
)
In-depth interviews
It was great timing. They were producing another space-related podcast, Blood, Sweat and Rockets, and thought this was a perfect complement. Antonia Cereijido, now the host of Imperfect Paradise, and Shana Krochmal, VP of LAist Studios, gave it the green light. They brought on production company Reasonable Volume to make it. And with their executive producer Rachel Swaby, we were off to the races.
Shelby Jacobs shows podcast host Joanne Higgins a photo album from his days as an aerospace engineer.
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Rachel Shelby
/
LAist
)
We began extensive interviews of each man, talking to them on multiple occasions. One day we spent eight hours straight interviewing Shelby about his life. It was good that we did, because just two months later, he died from cancer. It emphasized the urgency of getting all their stories down on tape.
Shelby Jacob's NASA towels in his bathroom.
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Rachel Swaby
/
LAist
)
My relationship with these extraordinary men became more personal with each interview session. The more involved we got, the more they felt comfortable sharing with me. I met their families and they let me into their worlds. Shelby had a whole bathroom and guest room completely devoted to aerospace, including NASA-branded towels with his name embroidered on them.
Charlie had kept so many artifacts his garage was stuffed full, including the original Wall Street Journal edition where he was included in a front page photograph promoting North American Aviation’s top Apollo team. And Nate showed me some of his original design drawings, still intact after more than 50 years.
A promotion by North American Aviation in the Wall Street Journal showing Charlie Cheathem, on the left hand side.
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Courtesy Elizabeth Cheathem
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Difficult memories
Revisiting this time in their lives, however, also brought up negative things they had endured. Painful experiences, like witnessing the aftermath of a lynching in Alabama, as Nate had done as a young boy. Or being told in college, as Charlie was, not to follow his dream to be an architect because Blacks would never be able to “travel the world to experience different types of architecture.“ Or having someone look at you, like Shelby had, and tell you “you are just too dark to get work in the field.”
But they didn’t hold back, and we heard stories that moved us to tears. Now the four-part podcast is finally out, and I’m so proud of it. There were many times over the years when I questioned if it would happen, but I was propelled by these men. Despite the difficulties, they never gave up. They went on to succeed in something they were passionate about, and have careers they loved, which allowed them to comfortably raise their families. Their strength is what I would draw on whenever I got discouraged or disappointed.
I feel this podcast is my best representation of their journey, and mine. It is my offering to them, and my way of saying thank you. I know of no better way to show my gratitude for a job well done and a life well lived.
Listen to Episode 1
Listen
45:08
Part 1: Ignition Starts
In this first episode of "LA Made: The Other Moonshot": America aims for the moon. President John F. Kennedy stands proudly behind the mission to advance the country and welcomes a diverse team to get the job done. That team includes three Black engineers who have a studded background — Charlie Cheathem, Nathaniel LeVert and Shelby Jacobs. However, the three men quickly realize that social progress is slower than scientific advancement.
Gab Chabrán
covers what's happening in food and culture for LAist.
Published May 6, 2026 5:00 AM
The Birria XLB, a limited-edition collab between Paradise Dynasty and Burritos La Palma, available starting May 11.
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Katrina Frederick
/
Courtesy Paradise Dynasty
)
Topline:
Paradise Dynasty and Burritos La Palma have teamed up on a limited-edition Birria XLB — birria de res folded into a soup dumpling skin.
Why it matters: Two of the defining food obsessions of the past decade in Southern California — birria and XLB — are meeting in one bite, and the collab feels less like a gimmick and more like a natural expression of how L.A.'s Asian and Latino food cultures have always cross-pollinated.
Why now: The Birria XLB drops publicly May 11 at Paradise Dynasty's South Coast Plaza and Americana at Brand locations.
File this under things that could only happen in L.A.
Paradise Dynasty, the Singapore-based chain known for its signature eight-flavor xiao long bao, has teamed up with Burritos La Palma — the SoCal burrito institution whose birria de res recipe traces back over 45 years — to create a limited-edition birria soup dumpling. The Birria XLB will be available starting Monday (May 11) for a limited time at Paradise Dynasty locations.
I've eaten my weight in both soup dumplings and burritos, so naturally, I'm a fan of both.
Paradise Dynasty has been on a steady ascent as a major player in L.A.'s dumpling scene, with locations at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and The Americana at Brand in Glendale.
Meanwhile, Burritos La Palma — known for its simple, savory burritos and finely crafted flour tortillas — has been capturing hearts and stomachs since Alberto Bañuelos opened the first eatery in L.A. in 2012. It’s since grown to several spots across L.A. and Orange County, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand award in 2024 for its high-quality, Zacatecan-style handmade flour tortilla burritos at an affordable price.
How the collab came together
So what exactly is a birria soup dumpling? A delicate wrapper, lightly packed with tender birria de res — slow-braised beef stewed in chilies and spices — juicy, savory and gone in one bite.
It all began with a call from Paradise Dynasty, when Jason Kuo, district manager for Paradise Dynasty USA, reached out to Bañuelos, calling it, simply, a perfect match between the two dishes.
Kuo said the idea came straight from the community.
"When we started asking guests and people around us what flavor they would want to see in a soup dumpling, birria kept coming up again and again — it was very clear. If we're going to do birria, it has to be done right. Burritos La Palma was the first name that came to mind."
Bañuelos was "beyond thrilled" to have been approached.
"We come from a small town in Mexico, and to be able to elevate to the level of Paradise Dynasty and that culinary perfection, I can't even really put it into words," he said.
It took months of R&D to get the right consistency. Bañuelos said the process required dialing down the moisture and upping the spice potency and landed on serving a fresh red salsa with thin slivers of serrano peppers alongside — a riff on the black vinegar and pickled ginger traditionally served with soup dumplings.
The Birria XLB's juicy interior is part of what makes it work — the dish is served with a fresh, tomato-based salsa and slivers of serrano pepper in place of the traditional black vinegar and pickled ginger.
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Katrina Frederick
/
Courtesy Paradise Dynasty
)
How it tastes
I got a chance to try the dumplings ahead of the public launch and was struck by how well the combination worked. The juicy nature of birria is almost turbocharged in dumpling form, its savory, herbaceous flavors fully encapsulated in the thin skin, creating an exceptional texture in every bite. The dish hits even harder when dipped in the light tomato-based salsa — a rush of freshness that cuts through the richness, with a spike of heat from fresh serrano. (Feel free to skip the peppers if spice isn't your thing.)
But what's most impressive is how organic it all feels. This isn't fusion for fusion's sake — it's a natural meeting of two dishes that are deeply embedded in the Southern California diet, each playing to the other's strengths.
It feels like a logical meeting of the minds — birria and soup dumplings have both been part of L.A.'s culinary zeitgeist for the better part of a decade, and it makes sense that these worlds should collide.
When asked whether a collaboration like this could happen anywhere else, Bañuelos was quick: "It has to start in L.A. You just can't compete."
A gated building at Urban Strategies, a facility that holds unaccompanied minor immigrants under contract with the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement, in San Benito, Texas.
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Patricia Lim
/
KUT News
)
Topline:
Nine Democratic House members from California are demanding information about how the Trump administration is treating unaccompanied migrant children who are pregnant and in federal custody.
Why now: They signed a letter last week, along with 39 other House Democrats, to Trump officials expressing their concern that the girls are not receiving adequate medical care or access to abortion.
How we got here: The letter comes in the wake of an investigation by the California and Texas Newsrooms, public media collaboratives in those states. LAist is part of The California Newsroom. The joint investigation found that the federal government is detaining pregnant migrant girls in a single group home in South Texas. Doctors and reproductive-health researchers interviewed for the investigation said prenatal care is severely limited in that region.
Nine Democratic House members from California are demanding information about how the Trump administration is treating unaccompanied migrant children who are pregnant and in federal custody. They’ve signed a letter, along with 39 other House Democrats, to Trump officials expressing their concern that the girls are not receiving adequate medical care or access to abortion.
The joint investigation found that the federal government is detaining pregnant migrant girls in a single group home in South Texas. Doctors and reproductive-health experts interviewed for the investigation said prenatal care is severely limited in that region.
The letter says the detention violates federal regulations because the children are “entitled to the full range of medical care, including reproductive health care.”
Rep. Gil Cisneros, who represents the central San Gabriel Valley, says he worries that pregnant migrants who are apprehended in California will be put at risk if they’re sent to a part of Texas that is short on obstetric care. Of particularly concern: High-risk pregnancies are common among minors.
“If they were in California," he said, "they would be able to have more choices of the type of health care that they would get when it comes to reproductive health care.”
Rep. Judy Chu, who represents the West San Gabriel Valley, wrote in a statement that “this administration is so intent on restricting abortion that it is using immigration detention as a tool to control these girls’ bodies.”
If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.
Mariana Dale
explores and explains the forces that shape how and what kids learn from kindergarten to high school.
Published May 5, 2026 3:40 PM
The Trump administration has announced a Title IX investigation into LAUSD.
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Genaro Molina
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating how the Los Angeles Unified School District responds to educators accused of sexual misconduct with students.
Why now: The department accuses the district of maintaining a policy that “automatically” reassigns teachers to other schools when they are accused of sexual misconduct with students and cites a 2024 agreement with the teacher’s union.
The district’s policy: A Los Angeles Unified spokesperson wrote in a statement that it’s “not true” that staff being investigated for sexual misconduct are reassigned to other school sites. “‘Reassignment’ typically means an employee is directed to remain at home and away from students and schools during an investigation,” the spokesperson wrote.
LAUSD protocol related to employee misconduct says administrators must remove accused employees from their classroom or worksite whenever there is a risk to the safety of students or staff. The 110-page document also lists several other requirements for allegations related to sexual misconduct, including contacting law enforcement and the agencies that license teachers.
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating how the Los Angeles Unified School District responds to educators accused of sexual misconduct with students.
The department accuses the district of maintaining a policy that “automatically” reassigns teachers to other schools when they are accused of sexual misconduct with students and cites a 2024 agreement with the teachers union.
A Los Angeles Unified spokesperson wrote in a statement that it’s “not true” that staff being investigated for sexual misconduct are reassigned to other school sites.
“‘Reassignment’ typically means an employee is directed to remain at home and away from students and schools during an investigation,” the spokesperson wrote.
United Teachers Los Angeles called the DOE's accusations a “fundamental misunderstanding” of the district’s reassignment policy.
“[Employees] are not reassigned to another classroom or to any other setting where they would interact with students,” read a statement provided by the union. “This policy protects both students and staff and creates conditions for a thorough and appropriate investigation of allegations.”
Kimberly Richey, the assistant secretary for civil rights, wrote in a statement that Title IX requires schools to address claims of sexual misconduct in a “timely manner.”
“It is unconscionable that the district would simply ignore Title IX’s procedural requirements to protect teachers who cause life-changing harm to their kids,” Richey wrote. “The Trump administration will always fight to uphold the law, protect the safety of all students and restore common sense to our schools.”
LAUSD protocol related to employee misconduct says administrators must remove accused employees from their classroom or worksite whenever there is a risk to the safety of students or staff.
The 110-page protocol document also lists several other requirements for allegations related to sexual misconduct, including contacting law enforcement and the agencies that license teachers.
“Los Angeles Unified takes all allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment with the utmost seriousness,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement. “Our primary responsibility is to ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of every student and staff member in our care.” The statement also said the district follows Title IX procedures and continuously reviews its policies, training and reporting systems.
The UTLA settlement outlines several circumstances where an employee can be reassigned, including a law enforcement investigation of misconduct, sexual harassment of a student, behavior toward a student perceived to be motivated by a sexual interest and communicating with a student for non-school-related purposes.
A new California law requires schools to train students and staff to recognize and report misconduct and write new policies on “appropriate behavior.” It also will create a new database of educators credibly accused of abuse.
Adolfo Guzman-Lopez
is an arts and general assignment reporter on LAist's Explore LA team.
Published May 5, 2026 2:48 PM
LA County Library's Summer of Soccer starts now
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Courtesy LA County Library
)
Topline:
Summer of Soccer programs at the LA County Library are aimed to promote learning, foster community connections and create safe and free spaces during the World Cup tournament.
Limited-edition library card: Summer of Soccer kicked off May 1 with a limited-edition library card, emblazoned with the library logo, the outline of a soccer pitch and a ball hitting the back of a net.
Why it matters: The library is using soccer’s wide appeal to promote learning, build community connections and create safe and free spaces where people can enjoy talking about the sport.
Why now: The library program is meant to overlap with the World Cup, which begins June 11 and ends July 19. The free events are designed to support youth and families during the summer months when school is not in session.
The backstory: The LA County Library serves more than three million residents through its 86 libraries and four Cultural Resource Centers, as well as Bookmobiles and other outreach vehicles.
What's next: See details about the Summer of Soccer programs at this link.
The LA County Library has begun its Summer of Soccer program to bring the excitement of the North American tournament to all Angelenos.
“Soccer has a unique way of bringing people together across cultures and communities,” Skye Patrick, director of the LA County Library, said on the library website.
The program kicked off May 1 with the library system offering limited-edition Summer of Soccer library cards, emblazoned with the library logo, the outline of a soccer pitch and a ball hitting the back of a net.
The new limited-edition Summer of Soccer library cards
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Courtesy LA County Public Library
)
The cards are available for free for anyone signing up for the first time and for $1 for people who already have an LA County Library card.
From soccer story time to making circuit boards
There’s a whole range of Summer of Soccer events at branch libraries, from May 20 to July 9.
Highlights include a soccer-themed story time for 2- to 5-year-olds at Graham Library, north of Watts at 3:30 p.m. June 4, while at 3 p.m. the same day, the A C Bilbrew Library west of Compton hosts “Makey Makey for Teens,” which will lead youth through the steps to make their own game controllers and test them on a virtual soccer field. This and other programs repeat at other branches.
Soccer has a unique way of bringing people together across cultures and communities.
— Skye Patrick, Director of the L.A. County Library
All Summer of Soccer events are free and are designed to support youth and families during the summer months when school is not in session.
The LA County Library serves more than three million residents through its 86 libraries and four Cultural Resource Centers, as well as Bookmobiles and other outreach vehicles.
