Los Angeles Wildfires Hit the Black Diaspora Community Hard: A Call for Support and Action

As the devastating wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles, the Black Diaspora community, particularly in neighborhoods like Altadena, is facing catastrophic losses. The fires have claimed at least 27 lives, destroyed over 12,300 structures, including homes, schools, and businesses, and displaced more than 100,000 residents, many of whom are still under mandatory evacuation orders.

The situation is dire, with Los Angeles Fire Department officials likening the fire’s intensity to a blowtorch. As the blaze moves westward, residents in affected areas are urged to prepare for further evacuations, with smoke from the fire visible over the Santa Monica Mountains.

The Impact on Altadena: A Historically Black Community Altadena, a predominantly Black neighborhood with a homeownership rate of 81.5%, almost double the national average, is one of the hardest hit by the Eaton Fire. More than 7,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed, and only about 26% of the damage assessments for homes have been completed so far. Despite the severe impact, the community’s resilience shines through, but more help is urgently needed.

Organizations Stepping Up to Support Affected Communities Several organizations are providing critical aid to the impacted communities. Among them:

1. California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund: This fund is focused on addressing the long-term consequences of the fires by rebuilding homes and restoring livelihoods for those most affected.
2. Pasadena Community Foundation Eaton Canyon Fire Relief & Recovery Fund: Supporting local nonprofits that are actively responding to the Eaton Fire and assisting affected residents.
3. Los Angeles Regional Food Bank: Offering essential food and supplies to those impacted by the wildfires and other disasters.
4. American Red Cross LA: Providing shelter, meals, and reunification services to residents of heavily impacted areas.

Call for Donations and Awareness In the face of this crisis, it is vital that individuals across the country, especially those outside the Los Angeles area, recognize that the devastation is not limited to the high-profile celebrities often covered in the media. Communities like Altadena, with a significant Black population, are enduring incredible hardships, and they need support now more than ever.

Let us come together to help the residents of Los Angeles, especially those in the Black Diaspora community, by donating to the organizations mentioned above and spreading awareness of their needs. Every contribution counts in rebuilding these communities and providing the relief they so desperately need.