Santa Monica has taken a major step toward righting a painful wrong from the past. The city has agreed to pay $350,000 to the family of Silas White, a Black entrepreneur whose land was taken unlawfully in the 1950s. The decision comes after years of silence and marks a new effort to address historic racism in the city.
Santa Monica Approves $350K Settlement for Silas White’s Family
The Santa Monica City Council approved the $350,000 settlement on November 18 after a closed session vote. The agreement follows a month of mediation with the family of Silas White, who lost his chance to open a Black-owned beach club due to the city’s actions.
City officials now admit that Santa Monica once took steps that harmed Black residents. Mayor Pro Tempore Caroline Torosis spoke strongly on the issue.
“I hate to say this, but the city of Santa Monica took a series of actions to deprive Black Americans of the opportunity of being in Santa Monica,” she said.
She added that words alone are not enough.
“A formal apology is great, but unless it comes with money and meaningful repair, it’s just an empty word.”
The settlement goes beyond financial compensation. It includes cultural recognition, public remembrance, and new efforts to educate the community about past injustices.
Street Renaming and New Exhibit Honor Silas White’s Legacy
As part of the agreement, the city will rename a section of Vicente Terrace as Silas White Street. This is a symbolic but powerful step because the land White once leased sits where Vicente Terrace is today.
The city will also create a public exhibit inside the Santa Monica Main Library. The display will share White’s story, including documents provided by his family. In addition, the city will officially celebrate Silas White Day every year on October 12.
These moves aim to restore the honor and dignity taken from him decades ago. They also help residents understand how racial discrimination shaped Santa Monica’s development.
How the City Blocked the Ebony Beach Club in the 1950s
Silas White was a businessman with a bold dream. He planned to open the Ebony Beach Club, a hotel and beach club meant to serve Black visitors during segregation. He leased a building at 1811 Ocean Avenue, and signs outside announced an opening date of October 15, 1958.
However, the city intervened. Officials claimed the land was needed for the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium project. They used eminent domain to seize the property, despite White’s legal lease.
Court records show that the city filed a condemnation complaint, which ended White’s project before it even began. Today, 5% of the nearby Viceroy Hotel’s land sits on what White once leased. The club would have stood in an area now known as Vicente Terrace.
Despite this injustice, White’s family says their fight is about truth, not profit.
In a 2024 Instagram video, Constance White said:
“I’m not doing this because of money. I’m doing this because of justice and for the future of all people.”
She also noted that many other families across America faced similar land seizures.
A Larger Push for Reparations and Racial Healing
The settlement is part of Santa Monica’s broader effort to correct historic harms. City leaders say they want to support meaningful reparations for Black residents and families who experienced discrimination.
Mayor Pro Tempore Torosis emphasized the city’s responsibility. She said Santa Monica must face its past, even during tough financial times. This includes addressing how systemic racism shaped land use and community access.
Furthermore, this moment follows a national wave of discussions about land justice, especially after the case of Bruce’s Beach in nearby Manhattan Beach. Silas White’s story adds another chapter to the ongoing fight for fairness and recognition.
The city hopes that the financial settlement, street renaming, and public exhibit will help bring some closure to the White family—while reminding the community that justice delayed can still be justice delivered.
