•PLACES
TO GO •THINGS TO SEE
Los Angeles, Here and Now !
The African American Tourism and Hospitality Council of Los Angeles - a permanent division of the African Marketplace, Inc. - was created to promote African American historical sites in the inner city as tourist/visitor destinations, and to foster increased business for African American merchants to insure that these businesses benefit from Los Angeles successful tourism, trade and convention industries.
Additionally, the African American Tourism and Hospitality Council of Los Angeles supports the ultimate establishment of a permanent African Marketplace facility - a complex of hotels, shops, restaurants, night clubs, and meeting suites - as a cultural destination. In collaboration with the Mayor's office, the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Council will also actively market African American tourist agencies and tour operators to the general population. Coming soon an expansion of Los Angeles African American community's cultural tourism destinations and locations.
•Tourism
Murals
Colorful, expressive interior and street murals are located throughout the African
American Community. They depict the aspirations of a people still in a quest for
equality and acceptance. Many of the works are by noted artists-muralists Charles
Freeman, Noni Olabisi, Elliott Pinkney and Richard Wyatt.
Contact: Robin J. Dunitz, Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles (310) 470-8864
Where To Go
•Historical African American Panels by Charles Alston & Hale Woodruff
Lobby of Golden State Mutual Insurance Building
•Portrait of Mary McCloud Bethune by Charles White - Exposition Park Public Library
•Cecil by Richard Wyatt - Watts Towers Arts Center
•To Protect and Serve by Noni Olabisi - 11th Avenue & Jefferson Boulevard
•Freedom Won't Wait by Noni Olabisi - 54th Street & Western Avenue
Email: mcla@lamurals.org
African American Fire Fighters Museum
Engine Company 30
1401 South Central Avenue,
Los Angeles
(213) 744-1730
The first all 'Negro' fire station in Los Angeles during a period of segregation in the city's fire
department which lasted for 25 years.
Biddy Mason Memorial
331 South Spring Street, (downtown) Los Angeles
A slave when she arrived in Los Angeles in 1851, Brigit 'Biddy' Mason won her freedom and
became a landowner. A philanthropist, she founded the First African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
Dunbar Hotel
4225 South Central Ave, Los Angeles
(323) 234-7882
In the heyday of 30's, 40's and 50's, the Dunbar Hotel was the prominent 'Negro' hotel and
gathering place for visiting jazz entertainers and prominent national and international guests.
El Pueblo de Los Angeles / Pio Pico House
622 Main Street (Civic Center), Los Angeles
(213) 628-1274
The Pueblo represents the area, which was the original center of town. Approximately Twenty-six
of the original settlers of Los Angeles were of African or mixed ancestry. Many of them were escaped
slaves or freemen. Pio Pico, the first governor of California was of African ancestry.
Lafayette Square
Gated community West of Crenshaw Boulevard
Between Pico & Washington Boulevards.
Homes of the African American Composer William Grant Steve and architect Paul R. Williams
are located here.
Leimert Park Village
43rd Street & Degnan Bl.
(323) 299-9789
Popular Arts Enclave that features African American art galleries and museums, Boutiques
featuring imported African clothes, jewelry, art and sculpture, dance studios, theatres
and the world renowned World Stage Jazz Performance Space
Second Baptist Church
2412 Griffith Avenue, Los Angeles
The original congregation dates back to 1885. African American architect Paul R. Williams
designed the current edifice in 1925. Descendents of African American families who arrived
in Los Angeles in the early 1900's still attend services at the church.
St. Elmo Village
4830 St. Elmo Drive, Los Angeles
(323) 931-3409
Live performance in the Courtyard Theatre, Art displays in the Café d' Art Gallery are two
of the artistic attractions in this exclusive arts enclave where artists reside. Colorful, painted
and uniquely designed sidewalks are one of the many additional attractions.
Sugar Hill
Western & Adams Bl. (westward), Los Angeles
During the 1930's and 1940's Sugar Hill was the exclusive neighborhood of professional,
well-to-do 'Negros,' and entertainers. The design of many of the homes resembled the
Ante-bellum mansions of the South. Actresses Lena Horn, Hattie McDaniels, Louise Beavers,
Ethel Waters and the Mills Brothers are among the entertainers who had homes here.