On Hard Knock Radio, Donald Lacy joined host Davey D to launch Love Life Week, a Bay Area tradition born from the life and legacy of his daughter LoEshe Adama Lacy—Igbo for “love life.” Lacy recounted how a 16-year-old LoEshe pushed to “start a movement” after a friend’s murder in 1997. Following LoEshe’s own killing on October 20, 1997, Lacy and community allies formalized that vision into the Love Life Foundation (first Love Life Week in 1998), dedicated to healing, youth leadership, and community safety without criminalization.
The conversation pressed on media narratives that fixate on the 1–3% who cause harm while ignoring the 97–99% of young people striving, studying, working, and parenting. Lacy stressed that despite running for decades on $30–50k annual budgets with no salaried staff, Love Life has served hundreds of thousands—directing funds to youth and single mothers. The call: center real work over fear theater.
This year’s schedule blends remembrance, service, and recognition: Monday opens with a press conference and an evening candlelight vigil & healing ceremony near McClymonds where LoEshe was killed (bring photos of loved ones). Tuesday hosts a women-led safety forum at Eastmont with BOSS, Courageous Women, and A Safe Place. Wednesday features a citywide cleanup with CRC and a 5 p.m. street-naming honoring Black Panther co-founder Bobby Seale at 57th & MLK. Thursday focuses on feeding the unhoused (West Grand & San Pablo). Friday brings a 5 p.m. town hall with Congresswoman Latifah Simon at City Council Chambers. Saturday closes with a comedy show at Vinci’s Bistro (500 Davis St., San Leandro). Sunday asks everyone for a one-minute silence honoring lives lost to violence. Details: lovelifefoundation.org.
Bottom line: Love Life Week models what safety looks like when communities invest in truth, healing, and youth—consistent, accountable, and rooted in love.
Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.