On this episode, Chavonne Taylor speaks with the owners and founders of Word of Life Christian Bookstore. The bookstore was founded by Joseph and Evelyn Curtiss in 1961 following their move to South LA during the Great Migration. As the oldest operating Black Bookstore in Los Angeles, it has become a community pillar, managed and now owned by their son Jonathan Curtiss and his wife LaShalle, who celebrate 35 years of marriage. Alongside their two adult sons, they ensure the bookstore's growth and its mission to support the community through connections with over 500 churches and faith-based organizations. The Curtiss family's dedication extends through the United Gospel Outreach, a nonprofit offering essential services to South LA families, established by Joseph and Evelyn in 1968.
Resources:
6321 West Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90043
Community Announcements
SCOPE Seeds of Unity Fest
- Saturday, April 20th from 11am to 3pm at Harvard Park Located at 1535 W. 62nd Street
- Link to register: https://secure.everyaction.com/grvfVypwikK9xqN1Co52kQ2
Crenshaw Farmers Market
- Every Saturday from 10am - 3pm (rain or shine)
- Located in the Historic Fire Station 54 parking lot at 5730 Crenshaw Blvd (off of Crenshaw and Slauson, adjacent to U.S. Bank)
- Link: foodaccessla.org/crenshaw-farmers-market
Sit Down with a Staffer Resources:
Economic and Development Workforce Department (ewddlacity.com)
Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (vsedc.org)
My LA 311 (myla311.lacity.org)
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