February is Black history month in the United States and most people outside our city don’t realize the depth of African American culture and history in the city of Los Angeles.
Most of the American Black history that gets celebrated today comes out of the South and East coast but there are so many fascinating stories right here in LA but sometimes you just have to dig a few levels deeper.
Here are just some of our suggestions to explore cultural landmarks for Black history in LA.
1 – Biddy Mason Memorial Park
Description:
Biddy Mason started as a slave in Georgia and died a millionaire in Los Angeles. The Biddy Mason memorial park, although small, pays tributes to her great history and impact on Los Angeles. The main exhibit to see is a beautiful time wall of her life by artist Sheila deBretteville.
The timeline wall takes you back to 1866. Biddy Mason was born into slavery in 1818 but after gaining her freedom in Los Angeles she saved her money got into business and had many accomplishments including running the city’s first child care.
She also found the very first African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles and she purchased several properties in the city over the years which gained her some substantial wealth.
But Biddy Mason was most beloved by her community because she took the fruits of her success and shared it with others during a time when the opportunities were so limited for Black Americans.
The mini park designed by landscape architects Katherine Spitz and Pamela Burton, is located on Broadway and Spring Street, between 3rd and 4th streets.
Location: 333 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Pic Credit: @awh_tourproject_sandiego
2 – California African American History Museum
Description:
The California African American History Museum in Exhibition Park is the first African American museum of art and culture fully supported by a state.
This is because California recognizes the value of the Black communities influences in cultural, economical and political development in the Western part of the country.
Although the museum is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 at the time of this writing, be sure to make a point to visit when everything opens back up again. The museum is located in an amazing location at Exposition Park near some other well known LA Museums and also the LAFC Soccer stadium.
In early 2021 while its closed there is still so much wonderful information you can access through their website.
Location: 600 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
PIC Credit: @caaminla
3 – The Watts Towers
Description:
The Watts Towers were built by Italian immigrant Simon Rodia but has been embraced by the black community in Watts as the city’s cultural landmarks. Mr. Rodia built these towers in a very racially diverse neighborhood at the time, but after WWII the neighborhood of Watts became mostly populated by African Americans and one of the most well known Black communities in Los Angeles.
The city wanted to destroy the towers but for the Watts residents they symbolized initiative and freedom, and they successfully fought for them to stay, and by the mid seventies it officially became the Watts Towers Art Center.
The Watts Towers are a collection of impressive interconnected hand sculpted towers. Typically the Arts Center offers two annual Heritage Festivals. It also welcomes visitors and school groups for tours.
As of this writing the center is temporarily closed due to COVID-19, check their website for updates.
Location: 1727 E 107th St, Los Angeles, CA 90002
PIC Credit: @lamag
4 – Jackie & Mack Robinson Memorials
Description:
Jackie Robinson was the first Black player to break the color line as a major league baseball player. He not only was a hero to the baseball world overall but he had a special impact on our city as he was rasied in Pasadena and played for the Brooklyn Dodgers which eventually became our beloved Los Angeles Dodgers.
Most sports fans know about Jackie but do not know that he had an older brother named Mack who was an accomplished athlete himself. In fact Mack won a Silver medal in the 1936 Olympics and Jackie said his brothers success is what inspired him to try his hand at sports.
There are two very large bronze statues of these titanic sports figures, Jackie and Mack Robinson. displayed at the Jackie and Mack Robinson Memorial Park in Pasadena.
The statue of Mack Robinson faces the City Hall, the place he worked after winning a silver medal in the Olympics. And the Jackie Robinson’s bronze tribute faces East. The city of Pasadena where they grew up is obviously very proud of the brothers, not only for their impact in sports but their contributions to civil rights.
If you are fan of the Robison brothers or civil rights history in Los Angeles be sure to check out this incredible dedication, located directly across from Pasadena City Hall.
Location: 100 Garfield Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
PIC Credit: @elisaborner
5 – Leimert Park
Description:
Leimert Park is a vibrant neighborhood in South Los Angeles that has been nicknamed the black Greenwich Village. Although there are many black owned business and restaurants at its core is the Historic Leimert Park Village.
The Village is centered by a large plaza is popular for cultural celebrations, monthly art walks, poetry jams, and amazing restaurants featuring authentic Afro-Caribbean flavors.
Other very remarkable spots within the village include The World Stage, this is a performance and arts gallery and offers workshops and ticketed jazz performances.
You can also go to appreciate the historic Vision Theater first built in 1932 that displays beautiful art deco. This landmark is beloved by the community and it offers an amazing venue for exhibiting the diverse cultural of the residents.
Location: 3341 W 43rd Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90008
PIC Credit: @son_of_oakland
Do you agree with our list or did we miss an obvious one? Let us know by commenting below!