In her latest book, African Americans in Long Beach and Southern California, Ms. Burnett weaves a compelling history of racial discrimination, community resilience, and social progress across the region. Spanning from the 1800s through 1970—and extending into modern times—the book draws from over five years of meticulous research using newly digitized Black newspapers. This unique archive delivers vital perspectives rarely covered by mainstream media or traditional histories. Combining personal narratives, key legislation, and local history, this seminal work offers both a candid look at the past and thoughtful approaches to long-standing issues.

Featured Highlights

Pioneers & Former Slaves

• Nate Harrison: A Gold Rush pioneer who escaped slavery and built a new life in Southern California.

• Abram & Amanda Cleag: A couple whose perseverance overcame profound personal tragedy.

• Jefferson L. Edmonds: Born into slavery in Virginia, he became the founder and editor of The Liberator, an influential early African American newspaper.

Regional & National History

• The transformation of Willmore City into Long Beach and the arrival of the Southern California railroad.

• The presence and impact of the Ku Klux Klan in the region.

• Military service from the Civil War through World War II and the Korean War.

• The local impacts of the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics and the devastating 1933 Long Beach earthquake.

Local Heroes

• D. H. Hoyt: A survivor who led rescue operations following the collapse of the Hotel Virginia despite his own injuries.

• Warren Jordan: A decorated Army veteran who served as Long Beach’s first Black police officer.

• Bailey Johnson: A Breakers Hotel doorman and World War I veteran awarded the Croix de Guerre with Palm and the Purple Heart.

Legislative & Legal Milestones

• Key historical legal turning points, including the Fugitive Slave Law, the Atlanta Compromise of 1895, federal Civil Rights Acts, California’s Rumford Fair Housing Act, and affirmative action policies.

Tragedies & Injustices

• Anthony Wilkins: Shot by an off-duty Los Angeles police officer at the Hollywood Bowl.

• Ron Settles: An athlete whose mysterious 1981 death in a Signal Hill jail cell exposed deep systemic issues.

• Rev. William Hardy: A local pastor tragically convicted of murder while attempting to assist a parishioner.

• R.C.O. Benjamin: A journalist and lawyer murdered in Kentucky while aiding Black voter registration efforts.

Activists & Community Leaders

• • Ernest McBride, Lavade Jones, Roscoe Hayes, & Nathan Holly: Founders who established the NAACP branch in Long Beach.

  • Darthula Bouggess & Willie White: Organizers of the Roland Hayes Political Study Club and dedicated educational scholarship funds.

  • Elijah Lane: An activist who led public protests to shut down an offensive amusement game on Long Beach’s Pike.

  • George H. Hawkins: Co-founder of the Colored Business Men’s League of Los Angeles.

Comments such as this one have been received from local African Americans: Charles Brown, community advocate, who received an advance copy writes: I couldn’t wait… I just completed a “quick scan” of your draft, and I am overwhelmed by the thoroughness and clarity of what I did have chance to survey. I can tell you now that it is the most definitive coverage of African American History in the Long Beach/Southern California area, I have read. I was struck by the depth of documentation and resources you had available to you to not only validate the information you imparted, but also provided the context and “flavor” of the times it was written. Again, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of the soon to be growing tribe of aficionados of your work.

Watch the video of author Claudine Burnett discussing her book.