His Dreams Of An ‘Ebony Beach Club’ Were Bulldozed But Didn’t Die

a group of people in clothing on a car
Briona Lamback
December 20, 2024

In 1957, Silas White didn't know any spaces where Black people could go for leisure, especially by the water in Santa Monica, so he started creating one. Buzz was building, and over 2,000 people signed up for membership, including one of White’s earliest supporters, Nat King Cole. White was ready to change the game until things got rocky.

A few months before the doors of Ebony Beach Club were scheduled to open, the city swooped in with a racist land grab, condemned the property, and demolished the building. If you're wondering how they could do that, this loophole explains it.

The racist loophole known as eminent domain has historically been responsible for destroying many Black communities to build places like New York City’s Central Park. They bulldozed White's dreams, so guess what they put there instead?

A damn parking lot. White did fight back, though, and his family continues to fight for reparations today. Now, a modern-day Ebony Beach Club is thriving as an accessible space for Black people to connect with nature and each other.

History has wronged our people over and over again, but today, we have the power to continue their work and legacies. How can you use your talents to carry the torch forward for our community’s dreams?

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