By Keely Aouga
Last week, the Palisades fire and the Eaton fire broke out in Los Angeles destroying thousands of structures and forcing thousands of people to evacuate.
As of Jan. 13, the Eaton Fire has scorched thousands of structures, decimating neighborhoods in Altadena.
Altadena's roots trace back to the Great Migration of the 1930s, when Black families sought refuge from systemic oppression.
By the Civil Rights era, Altadena became California’s first middle-class Black community. Today, it symbolizes hope and generational wealth for Black families.
The devastation is not just about the loss of homes but the erasure of cultural heritage.
Altadena, known for its strong sense of community, is a rare enclave where Black families have flourished despite systemic barriers. For many families, these homes were their ancestors’ dreams realized.
“My grandparents moved to Altadena more than 50 years ago and built their lives here, creating a home filled with love, memories and traditions that were passed down to us," Kayla Reed said.
Now, the community is rallying together to reclaim hope, unity and the promise of a better tomorrow.
Two of California’s prominent Black law firms partnered with local community leaders to launch a GoFundMe campaign.
“LA Fires: The Impacted Black Community Urgently Needs Help!” pledges to distribute 100% of the funds directly to Black residents affected by the devastating fires in Altadena and Pasadena.