2 REMEMBERING BLACK HISTORY -EVERY MONTH - DAY! A PASADENA TREASURE DESIGNED BY 
Mountain Views News Saturday, February 14, 2026 AFRICAN AMERICAN ARCHITECT PAUL R. WILLIAMS 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH - WHY?

FRED THOMAS 

Yesterday I was asked by a friend if I thought it was neces


sary to celebrate Black History Month (must be a really good 
friend to be comfortable to ask me that question). My response was simple. 
Yes! Now I do fully appreciate the need to celebrate the accomplishments 
of all of the cultures that have labored, sacrificed, and contributed to making 
the US the best place on earth (I still whole-heartedly believe that and 
I've almost been everywhere). 

The absence of formalized recognition of other cultures and contributors, 
should not create a climate of anti-celebrations for groups that are 
represented. 

Maybe one day there won't be a need to specifically celebrate the accomplishments 
of minorities and women. Maybe one day, there will no longer 
be the "first" of a specific group of people to accomplish great things. 

Maybe one day, equality and fairness (I'm not talking about handouts, I'm referring to systems 
that truly allow everyone to work to create the future they desire) will become so normal that the 
conversations will become moot. 

Maybe one day...But that is not today. So this month I celebrate the accomplishments of the Black 
men and women that came before us, the "firsts" if you will. I celebrate the future "Firsts" and the 
Last "firsts". I will also, as I always have, continue to learn about every culture, race, and nationality 
that has significantly contributed to the great experiment of America and abroad. 

Love to all, respect to some, and prayers for everyone! Fred Thomas 

HONORING ALTADENA’S LEGACY AND SUPPORTING ITS FUTURE 
== EXPRESSING OUR ENDURING SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY IN 
ITS RECOVERY AND REBUILDING EFFORTS. By Rueben Smith 

Wildfires and the Risk to Black 
Cultural Heritage

Recent wildfires have threatened 
the identity, charm, and 
preservation of Altadena’s 
historic core. The impact on 
Black culture in Altadena is intertwined 
with both the physical 
and social aspects of the 
community. While Altadena is 
diverse, its Black residents have 
a rich cultural history that ties 
into the broader identity of the 
area. The Eaton wildfires have 
affected this community in 
several ways.

Wildfires have caused displacement, 
economic strain, 
and loss of cultural spaces, 
raising concerns about the erosion 
of Black heritage and the 
risk of gentrification. The high 
cost of rebuilding threatens to 
force longtime residents out 
permanently, further altering 
the community’s historic 
fabric. Yet, despite these challenges, 
Altadena’s Black community 
continues to show deep 
resilience, rallying together to 

support recovery efforts and 
preserve the unique and rich 
cultural identity of the area. 

A Safe Haven Amid Discrimination 
-The unincorporated 
community of Altadena, located 
in Southern California,
has a unique history as a predominantly 
Black community, 
standing in contrast to 
its neighboring cities. While 
surrounding areas enforced 
discriminatory practices like 
redlining—which prevented 
Black individuals from purchasing 
homes in many neigh-
borhoods—Altadena became a 
refuge for Black residents during 
the mid-20th century. 

The Rise of a Thriving Black 
Middle Class In the early1900s, Altadena was mostly rural, 
but by the 1960s and 1970s,
it attracted a significant Black 
population, partly due to restrictive 
housing policies nearby. 
Altadena Meadows was one 
of the few areas exempt from 
redlining, ultimately becoming 

a middle-class Black neighborhood. 
Between 1960 and the 
mid-1980s, Black residents increased 
from 4% to 43%. 
Amid race-based discrimination 
in surrounding cities,
Black families found a sense 
of community and ownershipin Altadena, even as they faced 
segregation in other aspects 
of life. Over time, Altadena 
developed a strong Black 
middle-class community, with 
businesses, schools, and social 
organizations serving the community’s 
needs. 

The Lasting Impact of Redlining 
and Discrimination The 
legacy of redlining in the region 
prevented many Black 
families from accessing housing 
opportunities, pushing 
them toward Altadena, which 
remained more accessible and 
welcoming. Despite these challenges, 
Altadena became home 
to notable Black residents and 
has maintained a rich cultural 
history shaped by these social 
and political dynamics. 


Though he passed away over four decades ago, with his 
brief obituary unceremoniously buried in a Los Angeles 
newspaper beneath a weather report and an investigation 
into a regional planning commissioner, noted architect 
Paul R. Williams nonetheless left a vaunted legacy that 
continues to live on throughout Southern California. Not 
only did he work on iconic structures like The Beverly Hills 
Hotel, where its sign still bears the iconic cursive letteringbased on his handwriting, but he also created numerous 
residences for celebs the likes of Frank Sinatra and Lucille 
Ball. Now one of the historic gems crafted by the first African-
American architect to be admitted into the ranks of the 
American Institute of Architects. 

In 2018, the city of Pasadena named the structure a des


ignated monument for its “exceptional representation of the architectural style in addition to 
possibly featuring regional, state or national significance.” 


THE ROAD TO RECOVERYTHE ROAD TO RECOVERY 
DISASTER-AFFECTED HOMEOWNERS NOW QUALIFY FOR ONE YEAR OF MORTGAGE RELIEF UNDER EXPANDED STATE PROGRAM 

LOS ANGELES — The CalAssist 
Mortgage Fund announced 
today a major expansion of 
mortgage relief for homeowners 
who were affected by a qualified 
disaster, including Los Angeles 
homeowners impacted by last 
year’s wildfires, offering eligible 
households a full year of mortgage 
assistance that does not 
need to be repaid. The expansion 
also increases income limits 
to allow more families to access 
this assistance. 
Under the expanded program, 

eligible homeowners may receive 
twelve months of mortgage 
payments, paid directly to their 
mortgage servicers. Assistance 
is available to homeowners who 
are current on their mortgage, in 
forbearance, or behind on payments. 
Families who previously 
received three months of assistance 
will be offered additional 
support, bringing total assistance 
to a full year.
“This expansion is about lifting 
weight off families who have lost 
so much,” said Rebecca Franklin, 

CalHFA Chief Deputy Director. 
“The timing here is critical. 
Many families affected by the 
LA fires have been on forbearance 
for a year now and haven’t 
made a mortgage payment since 
the fires started. By offering a 
full year of mortgage assistance 
and expanding income eligibility, 
we’re making it clear that this 
support is real, available, and intended 
for families who are still 
recovering.” 
More families may now qualifyfor the program through an in


crease in the income limit, which 
vary by county. In Los Angeles 
County, households with a 
combined annual income of up 
to $281,400 now qualify. This 
reflects a $70,000 increase from 
the previous limit. In places like 
Butte County, income limits are 
now $255,000. A list of income 
eligibility by county can be 
found on the CalAssist website. 
The CalAssist Mortgage Fund,
administered by the California 
Housing Finance Agency (Cal-
HFA), was launched to provide 

direct mortgage relief to homeowners 
whose primary residences 
were destroyed or rendered 
uninhabitable by qualifying disasters. 
Since its launch in June 
of 2025, the program has helped 
disaster-impacted homeowners 
across California stabilize their 
housing while navigating insurance 
claims and rising construction 
costs. 
For Aurora Barboza Flores, an 
Altadena resident who lost her 
home during the 2025 fires, the 
program provided critical relief 

during an overwhelming period, 
and the expansion offers 
renewed hope.
"Twelve months is huge,” said 
Barboza Flores. “I was happy 
even thinking I could get three 
months, but a full year of assistance 
— that’s big. I’m so grateful. 
I’m so happy."
Homeowners are encouraged to 
apply as soon as possible. For 
eligibility details and application 
information, visit CalAs-
sistMortgageFund.Org or call 
800-501-0019. 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com