![The event marks the continuation of a beloved local Christian tradition that has inspired millions since 1990, organizers say. The event marks the continuation of a beloved local Christian tradition that has inspired millions since 1990, organizers say.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-HARVEST-072002-1.jpg?w=132)
![Allyson Vergara](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AllysonVergara.jpg?w=85)
Allyson Vergara
Allyson Vergara is the Demographics and Equity team editor for the Southern California News Group, leading coverage of race, culture, diversity and inclusion across Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire. She hopes to share stories that make way for underrepresented communities to feel seen in their local news. She's written extensively about diversity; from covering Asian and Latino American communities in California, to religion in Brooklyn and Queens. Allyson covered the Inland Empire with The Press-Enterprise before starting her new beat in 2023. She's written for outlets including NBC News, the LA Times, Angelus News, KCETLink, The Daily Pilot, America Magazine, National Catholic Reporter, The Tablet and Asian Journal. She earned a master's degree from the CUNY Newmark School of Journalism in New York, after attending Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles for undergrad. She loves hiking and a good game of Scrabble.
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![The event marks the continuation of a beloved local Christian tradition that has inspired millions since 1990, organizers say. The event marks the continuation of a beloved local Christian tradition that has inspired millions since 1990, organizers say.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/OCR-L-HARVEST-072002-1.jpg?w=132)
![New research shows that while overall hate crimes statewide went down, reported attacks against the LGBTQ+, Jewish and Muslim communities rose in 2023. New research shows that while overall hate crimes statewide went down, reported attacks against the LGBTQ+, Jewish and Muslim communities rose in 2023.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LDN-L-HATEREPORT-0705-09-1.jpg?w=132)
Local organizations condemn hate, as attacks against LGBTQ+, Jewish and Muslim communities rise
![From a jazz and arts festival to city-wide celebrations Juneteenth events across Southern California promise to highlight and uplift Black culture. From a jazz and arts festival to city-wide celebrations Juneteenth events across Southern California promise to highlight and uplift Black culture.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/LPT-L-JUNETEENTH-0616_dk_08-1.jpg?w=132)
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Juneteenth celebrates ‘turning point’ in Black, American history
![Educators throughout the region are mindful of their students' rights to free expression, but are confident they can avoid any commencement disruptions. Educators throughout the region are mindful of their students' rights to free expression, but are confident they can avoid any commencement disruptions.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/OCR-L-HSPROTESTS-0526.jpg?w=135)
SoCal high schools work to ensure safe, ‘celebratory’ graduations amid college turmoil over Gaza
![The security concerns come at a time when students are preparing for final exams and graduation ceremonies. The security concerns come at a time when students are preparing for final exams and graduation ceremonies.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/LDN-L-UCLA-NITE2-0502-52-2.jpg?w=132)
As school year winds down, Southern California colleges weigh security measures in wake of protests
![Officials say security is a priority both at campuses that have experienced unrest and those that have not. Officials say security is a priority both at campuses that have experienced unrest and those that have not.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/OCR-L-USCFOLO-0428-05-SR_e4936c-1.jpg?w=132)
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Will more graduations get canceled? Southern California colleges grapple with safety amid Gaza protests
![One day after nearly 100 people were arrested following pro-Palestinian protests on campus, USC administrators have canceled the "main stage" commencement ceremony next month, citing "new safety measures." One day after nearly 100 people were arrested following pro-Palestinian protests on campus, USC administrators have canceled the "main stage" commencement ceremony next month, citing "new safety measures."](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/OCR-L-USCFOLO-0428-04-SRA-1.jpg?w=132)
USC cancels ‘main stage’ graduation ceremony amid protests, valedictorian controversy
![The study issued ahead of the Oscars highlights the successes of movies such as 'Barbie' that had diverse casts. The study issued ahead of the Oscars highlights the successes of movies such as 'Barbie' that had diverse casts.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/OCR-L-OSCARSDIV-0310_d8fa5b.jpg?w=137)
Representation in Hollywood improves, but still not enough, UCLA report finds
![March events across the region celebrate Women’s History Month — and honor women. March events across the region celebrate Women’s History Month — and honor women.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/OCR-L-WOMENSHIST-0307.jpg?w=132)
Where to celebrate Women’s History Month across Southern California
![On the 'Day of Remembrance' to mark the 82nd anniversary of Executive Order 9066, Anaheim's Nori Uyematsu will help make sure the legacy of those who served is protected. On the 'Day of Remembrance' to mark the 82nd anniversary of Executive Order 9066, Anaheim's Nori Uyematsu will help make sure the legacy of those who served is protected.](https://www.ocregister.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/16x9_OCR-L-KVETERAN-0204-03-LO-1.jpg?w=140)