The Circus Saints and Sinners Club of America is a national organization that raises money for local charities. Dr. John Somerville, born in Jamaica, was the first black graduate of USC School of Dentistry (1907). He married Vada Jetmore Watson (1912), who also became a dentist. He built the Somerville Hotel (1928), was instrumental in the founding of the Los Angeles chapter of NAACP (1914), and served on the Police Commission 1949-1953. Group portrait with Dr. John A. Somerville (standing, 6th from left), at a meeting of the Circus Saints and Sinners Club. In the very front are two men dressed as a clown and a policeman.
Type
image
Identifier
uclalsc_1889_b14_f10_022a.tif ark:/21198/z1378ss3
Subject
African American civil rights workers African American businesspeople African American dentists Circus Saints & Sinners Club of America Somerville, John Alexander, 1881-1973
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
