Councilwoman Heather Hutt, along with Getty Conservation and city officials, recently unveiled plaques commemorating three new historic-cultural monuments in Los Angeles that honor Black history and heritage.
The designated sites include the residence of Tom and Ethel Bradley, Los Angeles’s first Black mayor and his wife, St. Elmo Village, a renowned Black arts collective and residential space, and Jewel’s Catch One, a historic establishment that has served as a safe haven for Black LGBTQ+ nightlife and activism.
Hutt expressed her pride in the significance of these commemorations, stating, “There’s some history and there’s some contributions of people who made a real effort to make our city great.”
She emphasized the importance of educating younger generations about these landmarks, saying, “So, you’ll be able to see them, look them up, kids will be able to look up more about the history, more about the contributions and more about why those contributions are making changes.”
The plaque unveilings are part of the African American Historic Places Los Angeles (AAHPLA) initiative aimed at recognizing sites of historical significance throughout the city. The L.A. Sentinel was present during the unveiling at the Bradley home, where Hutt, Vince Bertoni from the City of Los Angeles Planning Department, Rita Cofield from Getty Conservation, along with Lorraine and Toney Bradley, shared insights into the importance of the recognition.
Hutt acknowledged the legacy of Tom Bradley, who served as mayor for 20 years and was once a council member for the 10th district. She remarked, “We’re in Leimert Park and what we’ve done is designated this home as a historical monument—it’s an amazing day.”
Lorraine Bradley, one of Tom and Ethel’s children, shared reflections on growing up in a less multicultural environment than it is today, stating, “Oh, it’s so very exciting because our parents were just the bravest people I could tell you—to move here, under such hostility and to make a life for all of us here was the best thing that could happen.”
Hutt noted the intentional efforts by Getty to memorialize spaces across Los Angeles, adding, “It feels amazing because everyone knew its importance, but to get this plaque was solidifying. It’s putting a stamp on what everybody already knew.”
Addressing the ongoing threat to Black history in contemporary society, Hutt underscored the significance of the AAHPLA initiative, stating, “It’s a very exciting day especially for folks that worked hard to commemorate this place at a time when so much of our history is trying to be erased.”
She acknowledged that the process of designating historic sites can be lengthy but expressed her satisfaction with the progress being made under her leadership. Hutt remarked, “They went through the whole process and I’m happy that it’s happening under my watch.”
Reflecting on their journey, Bradley expressed gratitude for the community’s evolution, noting, “They saw opportunities that were better here and that’s one of the reasons we moved and the community finally came around.”
“We thank them so much for their courage,” Lorraine added, emphasizing the lasting impact their parents have had on their lives and their community.
image source from：lasentinel
