Title supplied by cataloger. Rolland Joseph 'Speedy' Curtis was born in Louisiana in 1922. After serving three years in the Marines during World War II, he and his wife, Gloria, relocated from New Orleans to Los Angeles in 1946. Curtis served four years with the Los Angeles Police Department, but resigned from the force in order to pursue both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from USC. He later became involved in city politics, as an associate of Sam Yorty, and later a field deputy to City Council members Billy Mills and Tom Bradley. He was briefly director of the Model Cities program in 1973. Rolland J. Curtis died in his home in 1979, the victim of a homicide. An affordable housing complex on Exposition Blvd. near Vermont Ave. was named in his honor in 1981, along with a nearby street and park.; Elected in 1963, Billy G. Mills (1929-) was the third African American to serve on the Los Angeles City Council, a seat he held until 1974 when he became a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. He was the first African American chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee, winning over fellow Councilman Tom Bradley by just three votes.; Marguerite Justice (1921-2009) was appointed to the Los Angeles Police Commission in 1971, becoming the second woman, and the first African American woman, to be named to the commission. Justice, or "Mama J" as she was affectionately called, was well-regarded as a great supporter of the LAPD, and for her extensive community work. Councilman Billy Mills is seen speaking at his re-election campaign event in the backyard of a private residence. The only visible guests from this angle are Marguerite Justice (right) and an unidentified man, who is sitting along the left. A poster that reads, "Re-Elect Councilman Mills" hangs along a wooden fence behind the Councilman, and a rolling cart with bowls of potato chips is visible on the left. Photograph circa 1967. See images 00143494 through 00143503 for additional photos in this series.
Type
image
Format
1 negative : safety ; 10 x 13 cm. Photographic safety negatives
Mills, Billy G Justice, Marguerite P.,--1921-2009 Los Angeles (Calif.).--Police Commission--Officials and employees African American men Men African American women Women African American politicians Politicians City council members Political campaigns Political candidates Political participation Political posters Neighborhoods Dwellings Backyards Outdoor furniture Food--Miscellanea Los Angeles (Calif.)
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