Every city is built by people who want to get involved. Telling their story, let alone preserving it. And that can be a lot of work.
Do you know the name of the first black man elected to public office, planning commissioner and one of Santa Clarita’s city founders?
“We need a street sign for Louis E. Brathwaite. Yes, we do. Why don’t we have one?” said Gloria Locke.
Activist, journalist and artist Gloria Locke was perhaps the right person tenacious enough to make it happen. In 2025, the city of Santa Clarita honored the legacy of Mr. Brathwaite by dedicating a street in his name.
Locke set out on a mission to discover and document many of the accomplished African Americans who were making a historic mark on their city.
“In 2016, I had a list of people who were like trailblazers. I didn’t know it was trailblazing at the time, but I was like, wow, this is fascinating. and then all of a sudden, I found out that Louis Brathwaite was a founding father, mind-blowing,” said Locke.
Trail Blazers like Jim Ventress, who worked closely with Brathwaite, mentored children for over 30 years as CEO of Santa Clarita’s Boys and Girls Club, have a building named in their honor.
“This building right here,” said Ventress, pointing to the Boys and Girls Club building behind him.
First and Famous Black Trailblazers of Santa Clarita, a newly released book authored and illustrated by Locke, is a compilation of their historic contributions.
“What it means in our country, especially now, this book is really critical. We need to make sure that we get this book and all of our libraries in the Hart district,” said Dr. Cherise Moore, a William S Hart District Board Member.
Also recognized is Austin Dave College of the Canyons, Visual and Performing Arts staff, an award-winning journalist and a former video News Chief for the city’s largest newspaper.
“What we have here is our walk of fame. It’s our book, and it’s our lineage,” said Selena Thomas, CEO of Six Degrees HR Consulting.
Locke says she will continue her work as an advocate for history.
“This is how we’re going to do it, by documenting things and not letting things just be erased or pretend they didn’t happen,” said Locke.
“Oh no, there are a lot of people like me out there. They’re going to say this is what happened.”
Because of Trailblazers like Louis E. Brathwaite, the author reminds us that recording historical contributions is not only a privilege but also a responsibility to inspire future generations.
