Los Angeles has a rich and vibrant Black history that dates back to the city's early days. In the early 20th century, Los Angeles became a hub for Black migration from the Southern United States, as African Americans sought better job opportunities and freedom from racial segregation and discrimination.

During the Great Migration, thousands of African Americans settled in neighborhoods like Watts, South Central Los Angeles, and Leimert Park, forming thriving Black communities with their own businesses, schools, and cultural institutions.

Throughout the civil rights movement, Los Angeles played a significant role as a battleground for racial justice. The city was home to prominent civil rights leaders like Charlotta Bass, who published the California Eagle, one of the oldest Black newspapers in the West, and led numerous campaigns for racial equality.

In 1965, the Watts Riots erupted in response to police brutality and systemic racism, leading to widespread unrest and calls for change. This event marked a turning point in the city's history and fueled the growth of the Black Power movement in Los Angeles.

In the decades that followed, Los Angeles continued to be a center of Black cultural and political activism. The city produced influential musicians like Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dr. Dre, as well as filmmakers like Oscar-winning director John Singleton.

Today, Black Angelenos continue to make significant contributions to the city's cultural landscape, from the thriving arts scene in neighborhoods like Leimert Park to the activism of grassroots organizations advocating for social justice and racial equality. Los Angeles remains a dynamic and diverse metropolis shaped by its rich Black history.