-Kacee Biggs-

Cousins!

Almost a century ago, miles of a mesmerizing beachfront Southern California real estate were taken from Black owners during the Jim Crow era!

We are pleased to announce within recent updates, the waterfront community known as Bruce’s Beach located in the city of Manhattan Beach; has officially been returned to the family’s descendants.

According to CNN, in a unanimous vote, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors decided to restore and give the land to the remaining family of Charles and Willa Bruce. The couple paid $1,225 for the beach in 1912, with the property being legendary for providing a safe haven for Black families to relax and enjoy the Cali sand and sun. A cafe and changing rooms were amongst the favorious amenities.

Unfortunately, once Klan members and white neighbors joined forces to drive the Black families out of the area, there was nothing they could do.

Charles and Willa lost the beach in 1924 to eminent domain. Meaning, the government nor the city, can take private property for public use with payment. The city said it wanted to use the beach area to build a park. They paid the couple way less than the original purchase price. Today, homes along Bruce’s Beach sell for about $7 million dollars. The beach itself is said to be worth around $20 million dollars.

What led to the newly announced unanimous decision has been going on for years. Holly Mitchell (chair of the county board of supervisors) presented the proposal. She called it “a historic moment for our county.”Duane Yellow Feather Shepard, a spokesperson for the family said, “All the terror that is still in our hearts regarding these criminal acts that were perpetrated against innocent people of our family, it’s important for people to understand, more so than the money that was lost. We lost our family to this. This is one step toward justice.”

News broke out on Twitter, with the overwhelming response being positive.

“We are finally here today,” said Hahn, who launched the complex process more than a year ago. “We can’t change the past, and we will never be able to make up for the injustice that was done to Willa and Charles Bruce a century ago. But this is a start, and it is the right thing to do.”

Cousins, how happy are we for the family?!