Black Altadena family spanning generations lost 20 homes in Los Angeles wildfires

A Black family whose history in Altadena, California spans generations has lost 20 homes in the Los Angeles wildfires, reports CBS News.

Altadena Black family tries to pick up the pieces after devastating Los Angeles wildfires

The devastation of the wildfires has destoryed more than seven decades of legacies the family built within the historic community.

“I lost everything,” Oscar Benn told CBS News. “There is nothing to dig from the rubble. I’m grateful that we have our lives.”

In the 1950s, the Benn family migrated from the Jim Crow South to California to establish a foundation and build generational wealth.

The town of Altadena has a deep rooted racial history, known as a safe haven for Black families, professionals, and creatives, who settled in the neighborhood, seeking refuge and asylum from systemic racism.

During the Great Migration, many African Americans moved west to escape the Jim Crow South. Altadena’s affordability made it an attractive neighborhood.

In recent years, Altadena’s home prices have risen astronomically, leading to fears that generational wealth could be lost to gentrification. Those fears have now intensified after the Los Angeles and Eaton fire destoryed large parts of the community.

Oscar’s daughter, Loren, says they’ve gotten calls from those looking to buy their land, and is angry about what she calls an attempt by some to profit off her family’s tragedy. She says they don’t have any plans to sell.

As the Benns try to move forward and put the pieces together, there’s a feeling of uncertainty about what’s next.

“Even if our homes rebuild, our neighborhood has to, too… If we rebuild and the city changes, now we have to decide if we want to stay,” Loren said.

Still, she says there are no plans to walk away from the land that’s been in the family for generations.

GoFundMe

The family started a GoFundMe to help during this difficult time.

“We have always been a resilient family, but this devastation has left us struggling to find our footing”, the GoFundMe reads.

If you are interested in donating to the Benn family, visit the GoFundMe fundraiser here.