Community-Led Advocacy: Saving Places and Building Power

When M. Rosalind Sagara entered the world of heritage conservation, she brought along a deep passion for, and background in, community organizing. At USC, she researched heritage advocacy through the lens of two contentious campaigns — both led by local stakeholders working not just to save places, but to build power and community. Hear what Rosalind learned about community-led conservation then, and how she’s building community and cultivating new leaders now with the Los Angeles Conservancy, Save Our Chinatown Committee, and Asian & Pacific Islander Americans in Historic Preservation.

Transcript

Hand-tinted detail photo of Riverside Chinatown, circa 1910. Photo courtesy of Museum of Riverside, Riverside, CA.
Proprietors in front of Pow Hing & Company at Riverside Chinatown, circa 1914. Photo courtesy of National Archives at San Francisco; Case file 18889/17-5, Record Group 85.
Chinese pioneers labor in Riverside, California’s citrus groves. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Riverside, Riverside, CA.
George Wong at Riverside County Landmark ceremony at Riverside Chinatown, July 24, 1968. Photo courtesy of Museum of Riverside, Riverside, CA.
Save Our Chinatown Committee and supporters in silent protest at City Hall, February 24, 2009. Photo courtesy of Christi Gambill.
Riverside Chinatown Matters! Local citizens at Riverside Chinatown, May 2011. Photo by R. Sagara.
Map of 1987 posadas route through Wyvernwood Garden Apartments. Photo courtesy of Comite de la Esperanza.
Re-enactment of the Passion of Christ at Wyvernwood Garden Apartments, 1987. Photo courtesy of Comite de la Esperanza.
Dancing at Wyvernwood Garden Apartments to protest the Boyle Heights Mixed-Use Community Project, February 2013. Photo courtesy of Kris Fortin/LAStreetsblog.
“Take Back Wyvernwood: Wyvernwood for People, Not Profit!” rally at Wyvernwood Garden Apartments, March 13, 2013. Photo courtesy of Comite de la Esperanza.
Graphic design published on Save Wyvernwood Facebook page, April 5, 2013. Photo courtesy of Comite de la Esperanza.
May Day March to City Hall, event leaflet, 2013. Photo courtesy of Comite de la Esperanza.
Councilmember Jose Huizar joins FACE leaders in front of City Hall on May Day 2013. Photo courtesy of Comite de la Esperanza.

M. Rosalind Sagara	M. Rosalind Sagara is the Neighborhood Outreach Manager with the Los Angeles Conservancy, where she develops local preservation leaders throughout Los Angeles County. She is a co-founder and the Board Chair of the Save Our Chinatown Committee and serves on the Board of Asian & Pacific Islander Americans in Historic Preservation.
Cindy Olnick	Podcast co-host Cindy Olnick recently interviewed Rosalind about her thesis and career since. Cindy is a communications pro who loves L.A. and thinks historic places are magical.