Welcome To Fairfax

Welcome To Fairfax is a captivating, reality-based docu-series that premiered in 2014 on the Pivot network. The show delves deep into the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, a vibrant, culturally diverse neighborhood that’s become the unofficial hub for the “New Los Angeles” movement, empowering the city's fresh, artistic, street-savvy youth.

The series explores the intertwining lives, careers and ambitions of a group of young entrepreneurs who are at the heart of this progressive, creative culture. They are the visionaries, trendsetters, hustlers, artists and instigators who make Fairfax one of the hottest and most influential spots in the nation, if not the world.

The premise of 'Welcome to Fairfax' revolves around the day-to-day interactions, pursuits, highs and lows faced within the locale's environment. These young entrepreneurs manage a variety of endeavors ranging from running clothing stores, producing music, creating street art to even baking gourmet popcorn. They are dreamers and doers striving to follow their passion whilst adding value to the youth-driven culture of Fairfax.

Woven throughout the series is the essential role that community, collaboration and cultural diversity play in sparking creativity, innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit. With each episode, viewers get the chance to meet different entities, personalities that are redefining fashion, art, and hip hop culture in L.A.

One of the central figures in the series is Mizzle, a revered local figure, store owner and aspiring music manager who is known for his wisdom, humility, and unwavering belief in the Fairfax District. Mizzle serves as a mentor for many of the young creative individuals in the neighborhood, a testament to the importance of community support in the district’s thriving entrepreneurial culture.

Also featured prominently is Gavin “Mizzle” McNeill, owner of the popular streetwear store, Brooklyn Projects, and his mentee, Jay “Jay-U Ice” Percy, an aspiring hip-hop artist. Both of them provide a deeper, more intimate study into the struggles and joys of pursuing dreams in this vibrant neighborhood.

Although primarily focusing on the youth culture, 'Welcome to Fairfax' mildly touches on the subject of gentrification. The district, once acknowledged for its affordable Jewish bakeries and thrift stores, is transitioning into a hip, costly neighborhood due to the influx of a younger, wealthier demographic.

The show captures this transition, layering in the complexities and ironies of the gentrification process: how a neighborhood, by becoming popular and desirable, often becomes inaccessible to the very people who made it what it is. While the series celebrates the entrepreneurial verve and fresh cultural impact of Fairfax’s vibrant community, it does not shy away from acknowledging these more challenging socio-economic changes underway.

Each episode of 'Welcome to Fairfax' serves as a fascinating examination of the balance between ambition and community. The tension brought about by the diverse individuals collectively shaping Fairfax, their struggles, hopes, and dreams serve as the heartbeat to this engrossing, entity-defining series.

'Welcome to Fairfax' is not just a series about a neighborhood; it's a vivid portrait of the New Los Angeles - a new generation of driven, dynamic, diverse young people who are transforming the culture, carving their own paths and making a difference in their community and beyond.

An array of talented directors including Todd and Brad Barnes, Andrew Fitzgerald, Ava Warbrick, and Andrew Neel bring the series to life with vivid cinematography and a knack for storytelling, offering viewers a front-row seat to the highs, lows, triumphs and trials of the Fairfax District and its remarkable residents.

In summary, 'Welcome to Fairfax' explores the dreams and realities of a new generation of entrepreneurs, artists, and innovators, presenting a deeply human, authentic, and compelling account of what it means to create, hustle, struggle, and thrive in today's world. It's a celebration of the indomitable spirit of youth, the power of community, and the compelling, unpredictable journey of pursuing one’s dreams.