By Pynnderella | For Hype Hair

The glass slipper may be off, but my pyn is down—let’s get into it.

There’s something sacred about a room intentionally small. No lights. No stage. No red carpet… just community, clarity, and the kind of conversation that only happens when real ones are invited in.

That’s exactly where I found myself this week, seated across from Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles at The Gathering Spot, a cultural hub known for hosting forward-thinking voices and purposeful dialogue. Curated by Rocsii Woolley, founder of The Source LA, the event was private, powerful, and deeply intentional. No fluff. No fluffers. Just legacy in motion.

This wasn’t a staged photo op or a city hall soundbite. It was a living-room-style exchange between Mayor Bass and a hand-selected group of community leaders, students, and media makers: people not just reporting on the block, but actively rebuilding it.

Mayor Bass didn’t just show up… she engaged. With transparency, strategy, and the kind of grace that comes from years of service, she answered candid questions about public safety, ICE, and how citizens can protect themselves from unlawful behaviors by enforcement. She offered real steps for community safety, and encouraged media platforms to stay connected: “Reach out to me about media opportunities. I want to be involved.” The room felt it. Pens scratched. Questions were asked from the heart.

One of the most powerful moments came from a student who asked: “How do we stay hopeful?”

Mayor Bass smiled, paused, and reminded us that hope doesn’t come from watching the news, it comes from staying involved, rooted in community work, and connected to leaders who are actually present. She shared her own self-care ritual: “I like to ride bikes along the beach. And swim. That’s my therapy.” Even the city’s top executive takes time to exhale, and yes, we loved her for it.

We dove into topics like city funding, equitable resources, and ways to make neighborhoods safer, smarter, and supported. There was no vague political rhetoric—just straight answers, shared accountability, and a sense that community members are not powerless.

And yes, I made sure my locs were free and styled with baby hair. Because even in civic spaces, Black women show up moisturized, intentional, and ready to move mountains. There’s something deeply powerful about sitting in rooms where public policy and polished curls co-exist.

But here’s what made the moment unforgettable:
    •    She didn’t speak at us. She spoke with us.
    •    She modeled what it looks like to lead with presence and purpose—to be in the community, not above it.

I soundtracked the moment with Queen Latifah’s “U.N.I.T.Y.” because that’s exactly what it felt like: a room full of strong voices, a beat made of collaboration, a chorus of purpose.

To Mayor Bass, thank you for pulling up and pouring in.
To Rocsii and The Source LA, thank you for creating the kind of space that honors both edges and impact.
To The Gathering Spot, thank you for housing this magic in a space that feels like culture and intention wrapped in one.

And to every woman reading this: keep your crown straight and your questions sharper. True change doesn’t always look like a protest, sometimes, it looks like a press curl and a press pass in a room full of leaders who care.

💖 For more exclusive stories, interviews, and cultural moments, sip all the fairytale vibes at PYNN’d News [www.pynnd.com] 🥂💕

The culture moves fast, but my ink is quicker.
Pynnderella, The Fairytale Connoisseur