In 1912, a Black couple named Charles and Willa Bruce bought a parcel of land in Manhattan Beach, CA and turned it into a successful seaside resort for Black Californians. Until they were driven out of town -- by white city officials who didn’t want Black neighbors. Now, a hundred years later, a new state law will allow for the return of the property to the Bruces' descendants. But the city of Manhattan Beach refuses to apologize for its actions. VICE producer Julia Nutter heads to Manhattan Beach to explore the tensions playing out right now in what may be a test case of land reparations for African Americans.

This episode was reported and produced by Julia Nutter. 

Cover art photograph: Courtesy of the California African American Museum.

VICE News Reports is hosted by Arielle Duhaime-Ross and produced by Jesse Alejandro Cottrell, Sophie Kazis, Jen Kinney, Janice Llamoca, Julia Nutter, and Sayre Quevedo. Our senior producers are Ashley Cleek and Adizah Eghan. Our associate producers are Steph Brown, Sam Eagan, and Adreanna Rodriguez. Sound design and music composition by Steve Bone, Pran Bandi and Kyle Murdock. Our intern is Leily Rezvani.

Our executive producer and VP of Vice Audio is Kate Osborn. Janet Lee is Senior Production Manager for VICE Audio.

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