Our Mission

Our mission is to honor, preserve, and help revitalize the Altadena community, particularly the historically Black West Altadena neighborhood, in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire. By embracing the interdisciplinary principles of place-based humanities, we seek to create and sustain a physical and community-centered space that fosters storytelling, collaboration, and innovation. By providing an inclusive hub for cultural preservation, interdisciplinary engagement, and participatory discourse, we aim to empower community members and organizations to shape a more just and connected future for Altadena.

Our Vision

We envision a resilient, connected, and thriving Altadena where cultural heritage is honored, community voices are uplifted, and public spaces serve as sites for meaningful engagement, transformation, and liberation. Our vision is to cultivate a reimagined space that supports creative expression, historical preservation, inclusion, and collective action—ensuring that Altadena’s rich history and evolving identity remain accessible and celebrated for generations to come. Through placemaking and placekeeping efforts, we seek to provide an equitable platform for dialogue, learning, and collaborative innovation, working in tandem with residents, local organizations, and policymakers to align our efforts with the genuine needs of the community.

At the heart of this vision is our commitment to developing a “third place”—a welcoming, accessible, and community-driven environment beyond the home (first place) and workplace (second place). This reimagined public space will function as a gathering hub where residents can engage in meaningful discussions, cultural programming, artistic expression, and collaborative problem-solving. Designed to be inclusive and reflective of Altadena’s rich cultural heritage, this space will foster deep social connections, inspire innovation, and provide a home for community-led initiatives.