Westside Story Newspaper – Online The News of The Empire – Sharing the Quest for Excellence
Sweet Alice Harris
LOS ANGELES, CA-The California African American Museum (CAAM) is pleased to announce the next Conversations at CAAM with Watts community activist “Sweet” Alice Harris, Saturday, May 16, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., The discussion will highlight Sweet Alice’s unwavering commitment to the community of Watts and will be moderated by CAAM’s History Council Member Ruby Quallsgray.
A local hero and legend, Sweet Alice has dedicated her life to servicing residents in the community of Watts. As the executive director and founder of Parents of Watts (POW), she has organized many programs for the community that focus on education, job training, voter registration, counseling, drug abuse and prevention on behalf of the organization. Additionally, through POW she provides residents with necessities such as food, clothes and shelter. During Christmas, Sweet Alice gives away free bikes to disadvantaged youth. She is also known to give the community’s youth five dollars each, under the condition that they place the money into a savings account.
Having founded POW in 1979, Sweet Alice’s drive for change comes from a life of struggle. She was a mother by the age of 14, homeless by 16 and moved from Detroit to Los Angeles to care for her ailing mother. It was then, she realized her calling for community activism. Sweet Alice has received an honorary doctorate from USC and many awards including awards from Essence magazine and former President George W. Bush.
This event is free and open to the public. CAAM is located at 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, 90037. RSVP is encouraged by calling (213) 744-2024. For more information visit www.caamuseum.org. Follow CAAM on social media: Facebook/Twitter @caaminLA and Instagram @caaminlosangeles.
