Civic Series

In the first installment of On the Record, PBI Executive Director Mike Bonin sits down with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for a candid conversation about leadership, accountability, and governing one of the nation’s most complex cities.

Mayor Bass reflects on responding to criticism in the wake of the Palisades and Eaton fires, navigating media narratives surrounding ICE raids, and leading through moments of uncertainty. She also speaks openly about representation, the realities facing women of color in leadership, and the power of building coalitions focused not just on making a point, but on making a difference.

In this conversation, PBI Executive Director Mike Bonin sat down with mayoral candidate Adam Miller to explore the challenges and decisions shaping the city’s future. Their discussion moved across some of the most pressing issues facing Los Angeles—from homelessness and housing to public safety and economic development—while offering a closer look at Miller’s approach to leadership and his priorities for the city. As voters begin to weigh their choices, hearing directly from candidates in a more thoughtful, in-depth setting matters. We invite you to watch the full conversation above.

Additional conversations with Rae Huang and Nithya Raman will be shared in the coming weeks.

PBI Executive Director Mike Bonin in conversation with mayoral candidate Rev. Rae Huang. Rev. Huang shares insights on public leadership, her work as a Los Angeles community organizer and housing advocate, and her reasons for running for Mayor of Los Angeles. She also discusses her vision for the city and the experiences that have shaped her approach to leadership.

In conversation with our executive director, Mike Bonin, Councilmember Nithya Raman reflected on what this moment requires of Los Angeles—from navigating a budget crisis to preparing for major milestones ahead, including the Olympics. She spoke about the urgency of addressing the housing crisis, the need to build at scale, and the balance between big, structural change and incremental progress, while also addressing her evolving position on Measure ULA and explaining her reasoning for now supporting changes to a policy she previously strongly backed. Drawing on her time in local government, she shared what she’s learned about governing at the city level—and how that experience would shape her approach if elected mayor.