Earlier today the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works proudly presented this year’s African-American Heritage Month celebration, recognizing the rich history, achievements, and contributions of Black Americans to the City of Los Angeles and the United States.
The recognition of African-American history in February dates back to 1926, when historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson established “Negro History Week” during the second week of the month, coinciding with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Over time, this observance expanded into Black History Month, officially recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976.
Los Angeles has long played a significant role in this history. Mayor Fletcher Bowron was the first to officially recognize Negro History Week, thanks to the efforts of Vassie D. Wright, founder of Our Authors Study Club (OASC), the city’s branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). This organization has championed the study and celebration of Black history for decades, securing official proclamations and leading citywide observances.
Los Angeles' commitment to African-American leadership was further strengthened in 1963 with the election of Tom Bradley as the first Black member of the City Council. A decade later, he became the first Black mayor of Los Angeles, serving for 20 years. Mayor Bradley also appointed the first Black commissioners to the Board of Public Works, including Warren Hollier in 1973 and Myrlie Evers-Williams in 1987.
This year, Mayor Karen Bass joined Lura Daniels-Ball, current president of Our Authors Study Club, and Yvonne Wheeler, the first African-American woman to serve as president of the LA County Federation of Labor, in celebrating Black History Month. Next year marks the 100th anniversary of Dr. Woodson’s first annual celebration of Black history.
Mayor Fletcher Bowron proclaims the City’s first official Negro History Week, February 1950
(UCLA Library Digital Collections)
The AAHM 2025 Honorees:
As part of this year’s celebration, the Board of Public Works is proud to recognize several outstanding African-American employees for their contributions and dedication to the City:
Kenneth Johnson, Construction Inspector – With over 30 years of service, Kenneth has played a key role in citywide projects, from repairing the 110 Freeway after the Northridge earthquake to his current role in inspection scheduling. His dedication to helping Angelenos navigate the permitting process reflects his commitment to excellent customer service.
LaMeisha Candler, Principal Clerk – A leader in the Board Secretariat since 2019, LaMeisha has demonstrated exceptional work ethic and adaptability, ensuring the smooth operation of critical city processes. Her leadership and support for her team have been invaluable.
Albert Bobb IV, Street Lighting Engineering Associate II – A civil engineer with a decade of service, Albert has contributed to key safety initiatives, including intersection lighting, pedestrian crosswalk enhancements, and smart city technology integration. His expertise helps shape the city’s infrastructure for the future.
Lt. Charles Smith, Senior Street Services Investigator II – A dedicated leader in enforcement and safety, Charles has strengthened collaboration with LAPD, LAFD, and CHP while overseeing the Reserve Investigator Program. His leadership and commitment to professional development make him an asset to the Bureau of Street Services.
Alisa Blake, Director of Systems – With over 30 years in the Bureau of Engineering, Alisa has led transformative IT initiatives, from multi-cloud strategies to cybersecurity enhancements. Her innovative leadership continues to modernize and secure city operations.
Joya Norman, Payroll Supervisor – Known as “Payroll Supervisor extraordinaire,” Joya ensures payroll accuracy for over 3,500 employees at LA Sanitation and Environment. Her expertise, patience, and dedication make her indispensable to the City’s workforce.
As we celebrate African-American Heritage Month, we honor these individuals for their contributions to the City of Los Angeles and thank them for their dedication, leadership, and service.