Background

On December 6, 2021, the West Hollywood City Council directed staff to prepare and issue a Request for Proposals to complete a historical context study of the City of West Hollywood. The study will include an in-depth analysis of the historical context of West Hollywood and identify the history of Indigenous peoples and demographic shifts of inhabitants. It will also research racially and culturally discriminatory policies that existed in the area from the 19^th century until present day. The findings of the study will inform the City on next steps in establishing initiatives to address social and racial equity.

On January 18, 2022, the Council approved the issuance of a Request for Proposals to complete a historical context study of the City of West Hollywood, and on January 19, 2022, the City issued a Notice of Request For Proposals.   

The findings of the study will guide the City Council in their steps to establish racial equity initiatives and programs in West Hollywood.  

Community Engagement

On November 1, 2022, the City of West Hollywood invited the community to attend an in-person Information and Engagement Session about the City's Historical Context Study.  The Information and Engagement Session was an opportunity for the City's project Consultant, Architectural Resources Group, to provide an overview of the goals and purpose of the study, including project updates on findings and discoveries thus far, and encourage the community to give feedback on individual/lived experience with discrimination in West Hollywood or knowledge of past discrimination perpetrated against groups/individuals living or working in West Hollywood. The Information and Engagement Session followed a virtual Community Listening Session led by the Architectural Resources Group held in August 2022.  

If you were not able to attend the in-person Information and Engagement Session and are interested in learning more about the City's Historical Context Study, the meeting can be accessed here. 

The Historical Context Study can be viewed here.  

Staff Reports

• Historical Context Study and Evaluation of a Reparations Program
• Authorization to Release a Request for Proposals for a Historical Context Study
• Approval of Agreement for Services with the Architectural Resources Group to Complete Historical Context Study of West Hollywood

FAQs

For additional information about the City of West Hollywood's Historical Context Study, contact Jasmine Duckworth, the City's Community Programs Coordinator at jduckworth@weho.org or (323) 848-6559.