Saturday, September 20, 2014 • 9:00 A.M.–Noon

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Join Heal the Bay, Santa Monica College, the Santa Monica Conservancy, the Black Surfers Collective, the California Historical Society, Los Angeles Black Underwater Explorers and other local organizations in the annual cleanup at the historical African American beach/Inkwell Monument site  in Santa Monica, California.

Santa Monica Beach at Bay Street, near Lifeguard Tower 20
Parking Lot 4 South, Enter at Bicknell Street

At this site we celebrate our collective love of the ocean and our layered community history through Coastal Cleanup Day site in Santa Monica. Volunteers will be educated about the history and environmental concerns of this site.

In 2008 the City of Santa Monica installed a monument Bay Street and Oceanfront Walk officially recognized this important Jim Crow era African American gathering place, and Nick Gabaldón, the first documented surfer of African and Mexican American descent, who was also attended Santa Monica College.

Verna Williams (Lewis) and friend Sidney at the Bay Street beach in Santa Monica, ca. 1924.
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At this site Gabaldón and others challenged racism and class structures to enjoy beach public space, and contributed to opening up leisure and public spaces for all Americans.

Coastal Cleanup Day gives us an amazing opportunity for action and education, and remembrance of our collective history. We stand united by our love of the ocean. We remember the past and move forward together as stewards of this precious environment.

Santa Monica Conservancy docents will be on hand to talk with volunteers about the history of this unique site sometimes known as the “Inkwell”.  The Los Angeles Black Underwater Explorers will share information with volunteers about scuba diving and marine life.