Gentrification and youth demanding a better for future for themselves
On February 12 of 2023, the book premiere of How Did We Get Here? Took place at Verbatim Books.
The panel discussion consisted on the history of City Heights and the making of an original, narrative novel seen through the eyes of the youth. The Founder of The Aja Project, Shinpei Takeda was present and moderated the panel, along the Author and Editor of the book, Haneen Oriqat and the Illustrator Chey Diehl. The beautifully hosted premiere by Verbatim Books at North Park was filled with love and community, friends and family gathered together to celebrate the hope that this book brings into the history and future of City Heights.
" Despite all of the challenges facing City Heights, this is a story of hope. As these illustrations so beautifully depict, residents are coming together to change the story, because everyone deserves to live in Healthy neighborhoods.”
Haneen Oriqat
The first '“How Did We Get Here?” comic book was created by Urban Habitat in 2005. Urban Habitat provided project support to the AjA Project in the creation of their “How Did We Get Here?” City Heights edition graphic novel.
📕You can get a copy of the book “How Did We Get Here?” at Verbatim Books.