Senators Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Sasha Perez and First AME Pasadena each host Equitable Recovery Forums to ensure Black Altadena is NOT lost in the rebuild efforts.
In the wake of the devastating disaster that has ravaged communities across Southern California, faith leaders, labor advocates, grassroots organizers, and impacted residents united, led by Senior Pastor and Head Coach Kerwin Manning and First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Pasadena, led by Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Larry E. Campbell.
On Monday, Jan. 20, Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas and Senator Sasha Perez hosted “Equitable Recovery for Historic Communities.” At this event, Smallwood-Cuevas and Perez brought together leaders and resources from FEMA, California Office of Emergency Services (OES), Red Cross, California Insurance Commission, Altadena Town Council, Pasadena Unified School District, Los Angeles Urban League, California Federation of Labor and a host of other agencies to assist victims of the Eaton fire in understanding the steps and resources available in recovery and rebuilding.
During both events, survivors shared deeply personal accounts of loss and resilience, underscoring the urgent need for equitable support systems and policies that address both immediate relief and long-term rebuilding.
Key policy demands included enhanced access to in-language support for navigating FEMA and insurance claims, protections against housing displacement through price gouging and greedy corporate developers seizing land, economic assistance for impacted workers and small businesses, and investments in sustainable rebuilding to combat the growing climate crisis.
Former Pasadena Councilmember Jacque Robinson-Baisley and her husband, Black Carpenter’s Union Organizer Marcus Baisley, shared their story of losing their home and the devastation and challenges that their family has had to endure through these tragic days.
“We are a family who usually is on the other side of these disasters providing assistance to others, so to find ourselves on the other side of this disaster and needing assistance is not a place that our family has had to endure. But we are thankful for the love and support of our family and friends who have been assisting us as we work to rebuild,” said the Baisleys.
“Together, we can ensure that the legacy of Altadena lives on, not in the structures we rebuild but in the hearts and compassion of our community members. This is our moment to shape the future,” said Rosa Salas, Member of CHIRLA. “The people united will never be divided.”
“Recovery must meet everyone’s needs where no one gets left behind or stands alone,” said Pastor Manning.
“We must prevent speculators from preying on our communities and our land. The vultures are circling. We must cover our neighbors and make sure the vultures cannot land.”
Speakers included wildfire survivors from Altadena, senior citizens facing housing insecurity, displaced landscape workers, and teachers grappling with unaffordable housing options. The event also highlighted the role of the coalition organizations in supporting these communities, including LA Voice, PICO California, and more than 20 other grassroots and advocacy groups.
Policy Proposals for a Just Recovery include”
- Comprehensive Support: In-person, in-language services for navigating disaster relief systems, regardless of immigration status.
- Housing Protections: Countywide rent freeze, eviction moratorium, and anti-displacement measures for homeowners and renters.
- Economic Relief: Guaranteed cash assistance for impacted individuals and businesses, with provisions for rebuilding local economies.
- Environmental Resilience: Sustainable rebuilding efforts incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge and advanced infrastructure practices.
“We’ve lost gas and electricity but we have not lost power , we have not lost community. We will be here after the fires go out and the cameras go home. ‘Dena Strong’ and ‘Beauty Will Rise,’” said Kevin Cosney, co-founder of California Black Power Network.
Coalition members vowed to remain committed to ensuring that recovery efforts center the voices and needs of those most impacted, paving the way for a more equitable and resilient future.
