In a landmark event, the City of Los Angeles’ Civil Rights Department and its Reparations Advisory Commission unveiled a historic report titled “An Examination of African-American Experiences in Los Angeles.”
This groundbreaking study, which was publicly released on August 27 at CSU Northridge SOL Center, represents the first city-sponsored analysis of the Black experience in Los Angeles, documenting over 100 years of historical and contemporary harm faced by Black Angelenos.
The report, based on extensive survey responses and original historical research from California State University, Northridge, aims to address the impact of systemic and institutionalized racial violence in Los Angeles. Covering the Black experience from 1925 to the present, the study sets the stage for future reparations proposals.
Capri Maddox, executive director of the L.A. Civil Rights Department and the L.A. City Reparations Advisory Commission, presented the report. Maddox played a pivotal role in establishing the L.A. Civil Rights Department, which was created in 2020 with the support of former Mayor Eric Garcetti.
The department was founded to address and combat issues of hate and discrimination while promoting equity and inclusion across Los Angeles. Maddox, who previously served with the city attorney’s office, was instrumental in shaping the department’s mission to strengthen diversity, equity, and accountability within the city.
In an exclusive one-on-one interview with the Los Angeles Sentinel, Maddox emphasized the ongoing challenges faced by Black Angelenos.
“So I want us to be intentional to know that it is still a problem,” she said. “For example, many people are still dealing with the impacts of redlining. There are people right now in the city of Los Angeles paying more for their mortgages and taxes than their White Caucasian counterparts because of the color of their skin.”
Maddox elaborated on the historical context of these issues: “Racial covenants kept African Americans from purchasing homes in certain geographic areas, and the impacts of those past laws are hurting people today who may have moved into these areas only in recent decades. Their generational wealth has been altered because of it.”
She also addressed the broader implications of systemic inequality, stating, “African Americans continue to suffer in many spaces, from education to employment to environmental hazards. I’ve come to appreciate the need for reparations not just as a concept, but as necessary restitution for injustices.”
Reflecting on her perspective, Maddox noted, “As a former prosecutor, I see reparations as a form of justice. Imagine if everyone in your community who looks like you did not have access to jobs, education, or the ability to move freely.
“If that happened today, it would be a crisis. Now, multiply that by 16 generations and consider the cumulative impact of such deprivation. It’s a significant harm.”
Maddox underscored the resilience of the Black community despite these challenges: “Even with the adversity faced, the contributions to culture and society are profound. For example, the success of Black athletes in the Olympics highlights the immense potential that could have been realized had systemic racism not been a barrier.”
The report also addressed ongoing challenges faced by Black Angelenos, including significant housing instability, low homeownership rates, and educational disparities. It highlights that Black individuals constitute 35% of the unhoused population in Los Angeles and experience the lowest homeownership rates in the county. Additionally, less than 75% of Black students graduate high school compared to approximately 87% of their white counterparts.
Maddox expressed gratitude for the leadership and collaboration with county and city partners, including L.A. County’s Human Relations Commission.
“One of our human relations commissioners, Pierre Arreola, is the vice chair of the L.A. City Human Relations Commission,” she said.
“The hate crime prevention work is just a part of what we do. We want to be intentional about celebrating everyone’s culture and fighting hate discrimination on all fronts.”
The event also acknowledged the efforts of city leaders to address historical wrongs. Notably, $8.5 million has been allocated for community-based projects through L.A. REPAIR, the City’s first Participatory Budgeting Pilot Program, which focuses on neighborhoods affected by redlining and high COVID-19 mortality rates.
Maddox expressed gratitude to key figures such as Mayor Karen Bass, City Council President Pro Tempore Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and Councilmembers Curren Price and Heather Hutt, as well as the Reparations Advisory Commission and L.A. Civil Rights staff.
“This study would not have been possible without their unwavering commitment,” she said.
The public attended the event to learn about the report’s findings and the ongoing impact of the Black experience in Los Angeles. The unveiling of this report marks a crucial step in addressing past injustices and working towards a more equitable future for the city.
To read the Executive Summary of the Reparations Advisory Commission’s report, visit https://civilandhumanrights.lacity.gov/press-releases/reparations-report-executive-summary.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of
California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part
of the Stop the Hate program. The program is supported by partnership with the California
Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific
Islander American Affairs. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to
https://www.cavshate.org/
