It’s February and Black History month! In this episode, historian and writer Hadley Meares tells us the story of Georgia Ann Hill Robinson, the first black woman hired to the LAPD in 1919. Her story is very topical to what’s going on today and the conversation about the role of police officers and the use of social agencies to help address community problems.
Every weekday of Black History month, Hadley profiles fascinating Black Angelenos in history for Los Angeles Magazine.
Hadley also tells the amazing story of Biddy Mason who came to Los Angeles as a slave in the mid 1800s, was freed, and then became a real estate mogul. It’s the ultimate rags to riches American story!