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Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have  Missed  

June 24, 2025

California is investing $3 million to establish a Black Cultural District in South Los Angeles, championed by State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas. The district will honor historic neighborhoods including the Crenshaw Corridor, Leimert Park, and Historic Central Avenue through public art, cultural markers, and monuments celebrating Black history and creativity. Led by the nonprofit LA Commons, this initiative aims to protect Black heritage against threats like gentrification and displacement.

Who is affected

  • South Los Angeles Black communities, particularly in the Crenshaw Corridor, Leimert Park, and Historic Central Avenue neighborhoods
  • Black residents whose history and cultural contributions will be recognized and preserved
  • Local artists, designers, and architects who will help shape the district
  • California residents who will benefit from the preservation of Black cultural heritage
  • Communities vulnerable to gentrification, displacement, and climate disasters

What action is being taken

  • $3 million in state funding has been secured for the Black Cultural District initiative
  • LA Commons is leading community engagement efforts for the project
  • The district will be formally proposed to the California Arts Council for official designation
  • LA Commons is hosting the annual Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks on June 29 in Leimert Park
  • LA Commons has released a new report summarizing community input and design ideas for the district

Why it matters

  • The district formally recognizes the historic and cultural contributions of one of California's largest Black communities
  • It helps protect Black heritage from threats including gentrification, displacement, and climate disasters
  • The initiative supports long-term cultural preservation of Black history in California
  • It creates opportunities for belonging and connection through storytelling and cultural celebration
  • The project is part of a larger statewide movement to recognize and preserve Black cultural assets

What's next

  • LA Commons will host the annual Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks on June 29 in Leimert Park
  • The district will be formally proposed to the California Arts Council, which oversees official state cultural district designations

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint