LA Fires: The Impacted Black Community Urgently Needs Help!

The underserved Black community impacted by the LA County fires is in dire need of your support for survival. In partnership with the two largest African American law firms in California, The Cochran Firm and Ivie McNeil Wyatt Purcell and Diggs, The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons State of California Inc., and Community Advocate Jasmyne Cannick, our organizations have established an official and trusted GoFundMe campaign where 100% of the funds raised will be used to assist the victims impacted in the Pasadena/Altadena Community.

As a result of the Eaton Fire, the Pasadena/Altadena community has suffered devastating losses to life and property. As all of L.A. County has been impacted by these destructive fires, we wanted to highlight that the Pasadena/Altadena community is one of the more underserved communities that have been victims of these catastrophic events. Altadena hails one of the largest Black homeownership rates per capita in the state and is home to a proud and vibrant African American community, comprising nearly 20% of the city's total population. The Black community in Pasadena/Altadena is very diverse, with age ranges from the elderly to infants, from families who have lived in this community dating back six generations to new families who have recently become residents after discovering Pasadena/Altadena to be a welcoming and prosperous place to raise their children. The impact on these Black residents has been devastating as a large population of these families has lost everything. Furthermore, many of these homes that were burned in the fires were not insured for fire disasters, whether it be due to insurance companies who recently canceled thousands of fire insurance policies in the past few months, or owners who simply did not have fire insurance as it was not required because the property did not have a mortgage. A large portion of the nearly 20,000 Black residents are displaced, with nowhere to go other than temporary shelters. Due to the fact that a number of the older residents were on fixed incomes, whether they were homeowners or living in one of the assisted living facilities that were destroyed, this sensitive population is left completely at risk.

Currently, the Pasadena Convention Center is providing temporary shelter for over 1,000 residents, many of whom are elderly and children from the most underserved communities within Altadena. Due to the speed of the fire, these displaced residents are left without clothing, essentials, and no prospects of future permanent housing. The funds raised will be used to provide temporary and permanent housing, clothing, living essentials, and furniture.

The Eaton Fires is still 0% contained and we expect more loss as time passes. We are calling for the help of our community across the nation to assist our impacted brothers and sisters who are currently battling unimaginable grief, fear, anxiety, and shock as a result of this unprecedented and once unimaginable disaster. Whether it be $1 or $1,000, every donation will help this community on its way back to recovery and healing.

Many of our own friends, family, staff members, and clients have been personally impacted by this devastation, so we personally understand the pain being felt right now. While most lives have been preserved, the loss of a home is more than just property; it's the loss of invaluable and sentimental items and mementos that cannot be replaced, it's the memories and life energy that filled that home, it's the pride of ownership for a country where homeownership for African Americans is significantly lesser than other races/ethnicities. As members of our community, it is our duty and honor to raise this matter to your attention and to provide the much-needed assistance to these victims.

Many Thanks in Advance,

- James A. Bryant, Esq., Rodney S. Diggs, Esq., Brian T. Dunn, Esq., Rah Davis and Jasmyne Cannick

Physical Donations: If you are currently located in the L.A. County area, please bring donations described below to the following location: Prince Hall, 9027 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90003. Things needed: Blankets and pillows, clothing of all sizes, undergarments, toiletries/essentials, children's toys and games, phone chargers, extension cords, and adult and children's diapers.

Brian Dunn and James Bryant are partners at the Los Angeles, CA office of the Cochran Firm, Rodney Diggs is a partner at Ivie McNeil Wyatt Purcell and Diggs located in Los Angeles, CA, and Rah Davis is a member of the Prince Hall Masons, and is based in Los Angeles, CA.