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Toyota celebrates Black history with inner-city tour

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As the celebration of Black History Month winds down, and recognition of Women’s history month starts, scholar Alison Rose Jefferson, Ph.D., joined forces with Toyota Motors to introduce a group of young journalists to a little-known part of Black Los Angeles history via a driving tour that began at El Pueblo de Los Angeles. One of the first items visitors there were introduced to was a plaque commemorating the 44 African-descended founders including Pio Pico, the last Mexican governor of California, through its #SteepedInHistory hashtag campaign Jefferson also introduced noted African descendants.

From the Pueblo, the tour moved to a site commemorating a homestead purchased by Black pioneer Biddy Mason, who fought in the court to win the freedom of her daughters and 11 others. She also was able to contribute to resources needed to build First A.M.E. Church. This stop was populated by an “urban park” that some of participants remarked that they had never paid attention to.

Jefferson also led the tour to Second Baptist Church; the 28th Street Y; the Dunbar Hotel also known as the Sommerville Hotel and the various local businesses situated on and around Central Avenue.

The next stop on the tour will be a workshop March 11 from 10 a.m. to noon at Holman United Methodist Church, 3320 W. Adams Blvd. The goal is to invite individuals to bring information about their Black historic resources so that they can be included in a listing that will be made available to the public. The event is also sponsored by the LA Office Historic Resource by the LA.

To RSVP, call Sara Delgadillo Cruz, (213) 978-1189.

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