Brenda Marsh-Mitchell was born and raised in Los Angeles. She was the mother of three lovely daughters and grandmother of 2 boys and she was the loyal and trusted confidant of Sentinel Executive Publisher Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. But what many don’t know was Brenda was and continues to this day following her untimely death on August 3, 2014 to be the driving force and motivation behind many of thecommunity’s most treasured and sacred events and institutions including Mothers In Action, which she founded along with community Icon Lillian Mobley and Danny Sr. , as well as Taste of Soul (the largest street festival and gathering of African American Businesses in the Western United States), as the President for the first 8 years and primary organizer since its inception.
Brenda was an icon in the Los Angeles community and devoted over 45 years of her life to serving her people. She was politically active, socially conscious and served the African American Community with an unwavering and fearless commitment to helping those less fortunate and disenfranchised.
“People will never understand what Brenda has meant to this community over the past 45 years. Her commitment and loyalty to serving not only me and my family but the Black people here in Los Angeles and throughout this country was second to none,” stated Bakewell Media Chairman Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. Ms. Marsh-Mitchell exceptionally organized and mobilized successful marches, rallies, receptions, community service events, fundraisers and political campaigns like only she could. She assisted elected officials in The White House, Congress, State Legislatures, Ambassadors, Supervisors, City Council and School Board.
She has worked with churches, commissioners, CEO’s of countries and corporations as well as grassroots organizations throughout the Los Angeles Area. Her daughter Tracy Mitchell who now serves as President of Mothers In Action said “Brenda was my Shero, she was my mentor and gave me a work ethic and taught me the meaning of being committed to your community as a way of life and not a job. Everything we do from community feeds, community clean ups, our Back -to- School event, tutoring young people and providing mentorship is all a testament to the foundation laid by Brenda”. Brenda was always working for the betterment of the African American Community, she was a devoted member of the AME church either in Pasadena or here in Los Angeles.
She was a devoted supporter of the labor movement and on April 15th of this year the first Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Award will be presented at this year’s A. Phillip Randolph Award Dinner. She has been the ultimate community servant. Taking solace in the fact that it was never about her or awards or accolades.
It was about the work. It was about the people. It was about the community. And because of this dedication, her commitment to family and God, Brenda Marsh Mitchell will always be a part of the fabric of African American History in Los Angeles, the country and the world. As Pat Prescott of 94.7 The Wave put it as they recognized her for 2016 Black History month, she is still “Making Waves.”
