Interviews in this series preserve the spoken memories of individuals, mainly musicians, who were raised near and/or performed on Los Angeles's Central Avenue from the late 1920s to the mid-1950s.
Biographical Note:
Jazz trombone player and bandleader. Leader of the Pan-Afrikan People's Arkestra.
General booking manager of the Lincoln Motion Picture Company and lifelong collector of materials on African Americans in motion pictures. Founder of the Pacific Coast News Bureau.
The interviews in the series African American Architects of Los Angeles document the work of selected African American architects who have enhanced the built environment, principally in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Influenced by earlier pioneers such as Paul R. Williams, these individuals ...
Biographical Note:
African American architect who designed schools and public buildings, including Carson City Hall and Community Center, Van Nuys State Office Building, and LAX Parking Structures 1, 3, and 4. Championed minorities in the architectural profession, creating mentorship programs for schools in the Los...
These interviews with African American musicians provide details about the narrators' background, training, influences, and musical choices and discuss their contributions, and connections to the music of black Los Angeles. The series was a collaborative project of the UCLA Center for Oral Histor...
Biographical Note:
Music teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District and University of Southern California training teacher in the School of Music. Founder of the BEEM (Black Experience as Expressed through Music) Foundation for the Advancement of Music. Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the city of Los ...
This series documents black women’s activism in Los Angeles from 1950 to the present, showing how women’s roles in the professions and in religious, civic, and social organizations translated into community activism to address disparities in education, healthcare, housing and political rights and...
Biographical Note:
Ordained Dean at Westminster Presbyterian and civic activist with the Harvard Heights Block Club, different civic committees, and the American Red Cross. Serves on various courts of the church Presbytery, Synod, General Council, and women's division. Vice President of the national United Presbyte...
This series includes interviews with African Americans who were involved in Los Angeles politics from the 1940s to the present day. In addition to African American politicians, it includes individuals who could speak to the political history and influence of the black community in Los Angeles. Th...
Biographical Note:
Member of the Los Angeles City Council. Founder of Cunningham Short Berryman and Associates, a public affairs consulting firm advising government officials and small businesses.
This series documents black women’s activism in Los Angeles from 1950 to the present, showing how women’s roles in the professions and in religious, civic, and social organizations translated into community activism to address disparities in education, healthcare, housing and political rights and...
Biographical Note:
County of Los Angeles Public Library system librarian serving underrepresented communities. Founding member and president of the California Librarians Black Caucus, member of the California Library Association's Council, and member of various American Library Association committees and programs.
This series documents black women’s activism in Los Angeles from 1950 to the present, showing how women’s roles in the professions and in religious, civic, and social organizations translated into community activism to address disparities in education, healthcare, housing and political rights and...
Biographical Note:
Editor and Freelance Writer for the Los Angeles Sentinel, California Eagle Newspaper, Los Angeles Herald Examiner, and Sould Publications. Founder of the annual Youth on Parade Community Achievement Program. Commissioner of the Los Angeles County Music and Performing Arts Commission.
These interviews with African American musicians provide details about the narrators' background, training, influences, and musical choices and discuss their contributions, and connections to the music of black Los Angeles. The series was a collaborative project of the UCLA Center for Oral Histor...
Biographical Note:
Founding member of the Watts Prophets, a music and spoken word performance group. Influential in development of hip hop and rap musical styles.
These interviews with African American musicians provide details about the narrators' background, training, influences, and musical choices and discuss their contributions, and connections to the music of black Los Angeles. The series was a collaborative project of the UCLA Center for Oral Histor...
Biographical Note:
Educator, school psychologist, composer, musician, conductor, church and community leader with a focus on gospel music. CEO of the Heritage Music Foundation and founder of the the Gospel House.