This Week in Pasadena - Altadena Black History April 20 - April 26April 20, 1912: Altadena Baptist Church founded - Altadena Baptist Church was established as the first African American church in Altadena, California. The church provided a place of worship and community for African Americans in the area during a time of segregation and discrimination.
April 21, 1960: NAACP Sit-In at Local Restaurant - The Pasadena chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) organized a sit-in demonstration at a local restaurant to protest segregation. The protest was part of a larger effort to end segregation and discrimination in public places in Pasadena and the surrounding areas. April 22, 1949: Dr. John Muir was appointed the first African American principal in the Pasadena Unified School District at Webster Elementary School. Dr. Muir went on to serve as principal at several other schools in the district and was a pioneer in promoting racial equality in education. April 23, 1950: Robert J. Farrell became the first African American to graduate from Pasadena City College. He became a prominent civil rights activist and politician, serving on the Los Angeles City Council and as a member of the California State Assembly. April 24, 1954: The landmark Supreme Court case Brown v Board of Education was decided, ruling that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. The case was a significant victory for the civil rights movement and helped pave the way for greater integration and equality in American society. April 25, 1987: The Pasadena Black Pages was first published as a directory of black-owned businesses and organizations in the Pasadena area. The directory helped promote economic empowerment and support for the black community in Pasadena. April 26, 1968: The Pasadena chapter of the Black Panther Party was formed, with a mission of fighting police brutality and promoting social justice for African Americans in the area. The Black Panther Party was a major force in the civil rights movement and had a significant impact on American politics and culture. |