Something new was added to this year’s Leimert Park Village Book Fair! Angelinos had and opportunity to participate in an interactive experience called “My Life, LA: The Los Angeles Legacy Project.” Participants viewed Los Angeles landmarks, images of life in Los Angeles, recorded their own stories and were photographed. The goal for this project was to create a historical document of Black Los Angeles. Eventually these stories will be compiled into a book and featured in a documentary.
The creator of this project is Pam Ward, a third generation native of Los Angeles, author and graphic designer. She states, “My grandfather remembers a Black man starting his own bus service in Watts at 103rd and Central by converting a broken down truck into a public bus and charging a nickel a ride. Fifty years later my father James C. Moore, a Black architect, designed the Watts library in the same location. I learned the Venice Beach canals were dug by black laborers, that Lincoln lost the presidential bid in Confederate flag waving Los Angeles and that a black catering company was hired to feed the interned Japanese at Santa Anita race track. L.A. is filled with unique and enterprising stories and I thought there are probably lots of families with their own tales and how great it would be to weave them together.”
Partnering with Pam Ward was ProView, a photo company focusing on diversity. Photographer, David Cook and Guy Abrahams were stationed within the MY LIFE, L.A. booth, and many participants had their photos taken in front of Los Angeles landmarks. Proview photos, coupled with Pam ward’s words /graphics were displayed in a series of 26 posters depicting life in Los Angeles. These images and words made these time capsules a must see.
“As an author, activist and designer, I see the importance of documenting the moment. If we don’t record our stories, who will?” stated Pam Ward. Ms. Ward’s latest novel, BAD GIRLS BURN SLOW, a wicked romp through the funeral business, is filled with facts about Los Angeles’ oldest burial grounds. Her first novel, WANT SOME GET SOME featured a simmering Los Angeles shortly after the 1992 riots.
“I think this project has the great potential of becoming an outstanding document of our history in this city” added Cynthia Ethusian Exum, Leimert Park Village Book Fair founder and producer. “Indeed, we were pleased to premier this valuable family history project during our literary event, and we hope everyone enjoyed visiting the exhibit.”
My Life, L.A. was one of the busiest booth at the book fair as people huddled to share and see the display.
Stay tuned for more news on “my life, L.A.”and don’t miss upcoming opportunities to view this on-going project or to document your story.
