Thank you for signing this petition and for sharing it with your family and friends. Here is an update on the status of our efforts.

The City of L.A. is moving forward with its plans to develop housing on the site and has told us that a developer has still not been chosen although they have moved to have the building vacated. A notice for all tenants - except the Watts Coffee House - to vacate within 90 days was rescinded due to COVID-19 protocols. The Los Angeles Education Corps is now sharing space with an organization called Homeless Free America (HFA). HFA has been providing temporary services for those experiencing homelessness. The site continues to be used by the community for food give-a-ways, poetry jams, and even for the recent filming of a  documentary titled “Barbershop Medicine” which explores the topic, COVID-19 and the Black community.  There are plans to locate a Water Box for the community there - sponsored by Watts Native Stix and Jaden Smith’s nonprofit, 501CTHREE.

We have submitted the necessary paperwork to the Office of Historic Resources requesting that the Watts Happening Cultural Center/Mafundi Building be nominated a Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM). During the first (of two) public hearings on April 15th at 11am (we are on agenda closer to 1pm), the Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) will vote on whether or not to take the nomination under formal consideration. During this time all permits in process are flagged for review and a temporary stay on demolition or substantial alteration becomes effective. The stay remains while the property undergoes review. 

If you would like further information on how we are coordinating efforts for our voices to be heard at the Commission hearings, email friendsatmafundi@gmail.com. We can show signs of strength by getting as many supporters to show up in the zoom room as possible. You can also stay updated on the hearing and results by going to

https://planning.lacity.org/pdiscaseinfo/search/encoded/MjQ1NDgw0

Please continue your support of our efforts by: copying the letter immediately below with your name at the bottom in advance of the Commission’s April 15, 2021 meeting, and emailing it to Joe Buscaino [joe.buscaino@lacity.org]. Then, using the letter below as a model, prior to the April 15th hearing, writing a separate brief email expressing why you support the nomination and sending it to the Cultural Heritage Commission [chc@lacity.org]. 

Cc to the following list of public servants and concerned citizens when sending to Councilman Buscaino:

eric.garcetti@lacity.org; daniel.luna@lacity.org; ottavia.smith@lacity.org; michael.valdivia@lacity.org; cpc@lacity.org; vince.bertoni@lacity.org; ken.bernstein@lacity.org; lambert.giessinger@lacity.org; danielle.brazell@lacity.org; chc@lacity.org; mike.feuer@lacity.org; HollyJMitchell@bos.lacounty.gov; kendrick.jones@sen.ca.gov; keara.joe@asm.ca.gov; norchelle.brown@mail.house.gov; blanca.jiminez@mail.house.gov; afine@laconservancy.org; watts2k@pacbell.net 

Let's show Councilman Buscaino that support for Watts extends beyond its 2.1 square miles. Help us save the Mafundi Building by sharing this petition with at least 10 more people, sending emails of support to Buscaino and the Cultural Heritage Commission, before April 15th. And please join us at the hearing as well!

In solidarity,

F.A.M. 

************************************************

Dear Councilman Joe Buscaino,

I am writing to express my strong support for supporting the nomination of the Watts Happening Cultural Center/Mafundi Building located at 1827 East 103rd Street in Watts as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument.

Designed by Black architects Arthur Silvers and Robert Kennard, the Mafundi building was built in 1970 in the aftermath of the ‘65 Watts Uprising.  It is rare to find historic buildings built by African Americans, even more rare that they are modern, and rarer that they are still standing.  As a cultural hub, the building served as a major gathering, training and performance center for the community’s actors, musicians, dancers, visual artists, filmmakers, and poets and writers from Budd Schulberg’s Watts Writers Workshop.  The Writers Workshop and seasonal festivals continue in Watts to this day.  Many of these artists, such as the Watts Prophets, emerged from the Watts Happening Cultural Center and significantly affected the evolution of American art, music and culture. 

We must not allow fast-tracked development to remove or significantly alter this cultural and architectural landmark or allow its historic arts programs to be replaced with revisionist planning in other community locations as consolation.  Anything short of adaptive reuse and support of its cultural legacy will erase the full story of Watts and its place in the history of Los Angeles and our nation, a story of resilience and accomplishments rarely told.

I stand with the Friends At Mafundi in their efforts to save the Mafundi Building from demolition and significant alteration, and support the restoration of the artistic and educational resources to the Mafundi Building that will sustain the history, culture and traditions of Watts for the future of this great community. 

Sincerely yours,

[INSERT YOUR NAME]