Mentees Build First African American Fire Station

Our group showcases the fruit of their labor!

This past Saturday, February 20th, Second Chances Mentoring Program hosted its outing at the California African American Museum and California Science Center in Exposition Park! Although intimate, our group had a great time visiting the exhibits at the California African American Museum.

After a brief tour, our group sat down to get to work, creating their very own replicas of the first African American fire station. Black firefighters protected the public here in Los Angeles, but the conditions under which they served were difficult. Trailblazers included George W. Bright, hired in 1897 as the first Black firefighter on the Los Angeles Fire Department. An all-Black company was formed to prevent Bright from supervising whites.

Mentor Kabir helps his mentee build his own fire station

Once our work was done, we headed next door to the California Science Center, where some of us checked out the special America I AM The African American Imprint exhibit (open until May 2, for those interested!), and some of us checked out the hands-on science exhibits, including earthquake simulators and spiraling echo tubes!

Special thanks to mentors Kabir and Kristi, as well as Executive Director Melissa Wyatt and Program Manager Tiffany Ferrara, for coming out on a sunny Saturday with their mentees and children in tow.