Saturday, September 19, 2015, 9.00 AM to 12.00 PM

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Local organizations join together in the worldwide annual beach cleanup at the Bay Street/Inkwell monument. The historical African American beach site became a cleanup site in 2012.

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

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.

In addition to cleaning up the beach and learning about ocean stewardship from Heal the Bay, docents from the Santa Monica Conservancy will be on hand to talk with beach cleanup volunteers and anyone stopping at their exhibit about the history of this unique site sometimes known as “the Inkwell.”  Members of the Los Angeles Black Underwater Explorers will also share information and a display about scuba diving and marine life.

Location: Santa Monica Beach at Bay Street, near Lifeguard Tower 20

Parking Lot 4 South, Enter at Bicknell Street

Site sponsors: Heal the Bay, Santa Monica College, the Santa Monica Conservancy, the Black Surfers Collective, the California Historical Society, the Los Angeles Black Underwater Explorers and others.