African American history is in the spotlight across Los Angeles, with six buildings having received historic-cultural monument status as part of a project led by the Getty Museum and the city.
StylesVille Beauty and Barbershop in Pacoima has looked pretty much the same since 1957, when it was founded by Fred and Ollie Carter. Owner Gregory Faucett, who currently runs it, says that’s the point.
Faucett’s grandparents first opened up shop across the street in 1957, moving to the current location on Van Nuys Blvd in 1977.
The barbershop is believed to be the oldest black owned business in the San Fernando Valley.
“I appreciate that my grandmother and grandfather started something that I can keep going on, and it means a lot to people who leave the area to come back and we’re still here”, says Faucett.
This is not the barbershop’s first time being recognized, still, Faucett said its inclusion in the African American Historic Places Los Angeles registry is meaningful.
“I love it, it’s something I’ve been wanting to do, and I’m glad it’s happening, I’m making damn sure my grandmother and grandfather go down notable.”
African American Historic Places Los Angeles is a collaboration between the City of LA and the Getty Museum.
The organization has designated five other locations as historical cultural monuments, including: St. Elmo Village’s mid-city artist enclave, Tom Bradley’s Leimert Park home, Catch One nightclub, a historic gay disco founded by the late Jewel Thais-Williams, and the former location of the California Eagle, one of LA’s longest-running Black newspapers.
Another designated African American landmark is in a place you might not expect, the Oakwood Neighborhood of Venice. It’s a historically black community. Michelle Williams says she’s attended New Bethel Baptist Church since she was five.
“There are so many places here that they have changed, but this will be here, this is very important, this church has been a very important part of Venice,” says Williams.