I’ve always understood the importance of education and advocacy. But during my time as the Getty Marrow Education Intern with the Los Angeles Conservancy, I saw what that work looks like in motion: alive, embodied, and deeply human.

Working on The Heritage Project reminded me that preservation is not just about buildings; it’s about people. It’s about the stories that live in corner markets, community halls, neighborhood theaters, and the sidewalks we’ve walked since childhood. This summer, I witnessed how we build community and create networks of care—not just by talking about what connects us, but also by honoring what makes each of us unique.

In a time when we are too often told that our identities are not worth preserving, The Heritage Project felt like a radical affirmation. It said: Your story matters. Your neighborhood matters. Your memories, your culture, your lineage—these are part of Los Angeles’ story, too.

Through site visits, research, and public programs, I saw firsthand how this work cultivates more peacemakers, more organizers, more cultural workers who understand the value of place. I saw how preservation can be a tool of resistance—a way to make visible what is often erased.

Some of my favorite moments were rooted in conversation during this project: listening to elders in Chinatown speak about the changes they’ve seen, walking with community members who carry generational memory in their steps, and even gathering around an African drum circle at The World Stage where we were reminded that the struggle of one is the struggle of all. These experiences reminded me that heritage work must be collaborative, reflective, and always evolving.

I leave this internship with a fuller heart, sharpened skills, and a renewed commitment to community-centered work especially within the arts. I’m grateful to the L.A. Conservancy for nurturing this vision, and for making space for young people like me to grow into it.

Preservation is not just about holding onto the past—it’s about building a more just, more inclusive future. To everyone at the Conservancy who guided, mentored, and welcomed me into this work: thank you. And to those who are curious about L.A.’s past and even their own heritage: walk a little slower, look a little closer, and listen! The stories are there.

Paula Acedo recently graduated with a B.S. in GeoDesign from the University of Southern California and has a deep commitment to connecting communities to stories, spaces, and histories that often go unseen. We were fortunate to have Paula join our educational summer programs, impressing us with her wit, resourcefulness, and ability to connect with students as both a storyteller and role model.

Thank you for a successful summer internship, Paula—we can’t wait to see what you do next!