South Los Angeles is the state’s first-ever Black Cultural District, following Friday’s vote of approval by the California Arts Council.
Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, who represents the South Los Angeles area, led the effort for the state to designate Historic South Los Angeles as a Black Cultural District.
“I think California today sent a strong message,” she said during Friday’s news conference. “We sent a strong message that we celebrate our diversity, that we protect cultural heritage, and that we will not allow Black history or Black creativity to be erased.”