San Pedro Intersection Renamed NAACP Square

This Black History Month, the One-Five Aims to Become More of a Reality than a Dream

By Terelle Jerricks, Managing Editor

On Feb. 10, the intersection of Third and Mesa streets has been renamed “NAACP Square” for the local chapter of the San Pedro, Wilmington and Palos Verdes Peninsula NAACP Branch 1069.

Though the renaming of the intersection was pushed through during the waning days of Councilman Joe Buscaino’s administration on Nov. 22, the honor could be seen as a full-circle Black history moment.

In attendance at the unveiling were Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Compton Mayor Emma Sharif, state Senator Steve Bradford, and Assemblyman Mike Gipson, alongside Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. For anyone concerned about Black access to quality union jobs on the LA waterfront and familiar with this port town’s labor history, the scene should have been riveting.

The moment was probably most crystalized during Seroka’s comments at the podium.

During his comments, Seroka revealed that he became a member of the NAACP through his friendship with Joe Gatlin, vice president of the NAACP’s local chapter. He recounted his conversation with Gatlin during the protests following the police murder of George Floyd two years ago.

“In 2020, we had so much unrest on our nation’s streets,” Seroka said. “Joe and I sat down and talked about how the port could help.”