Vigil mourns Eaton fire victims at Nickerson Gardens, including grandson of community’s namesake
Members of the Watts community ranging from community leaders to elected officials gathered at Nickerson Gardens on Tuesday, Jan. 14, to honor those killed by the Eaton and Palisades fires, including Rodney Nickerson — the grandson of the Gardens’ namesake.
The candlelight vigil was organized and hosted by the Watts Gang Task Force, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, and 15th District L.A. City Councilmember Tim McOsker, with dozens of Nickerson Gardens and Watts community members in attendance to pay homage to the victims of the fire.
Nickerson Gardens — L.A.’s largest public housing development complex and one of the first of its kind — was named after William Nickerson, a prominent Black businessman who founded Golden State Mutual Life Insurance.
His grandson, Rodney Nickerson, was found dead in his Altadena home amid the Eaton fire. He was 83 years old.
“To think about Mr. Nickerson, (the) grandson of William Nickerson, who was so significant in our history as a people for being an entrepreneur (and a fore-sighted) person to say that Nickerson Gardens is an important asset to our community,” McOsker said Tuesday, “and here we are, generations later, reflecting on the long arch of the Nickerson family and mourning the loss and this tragedy of William Nickerson’s grandson.”
So far, authorities have confirmed 24 deaths related to both the Palisades and Eaton fires, as of Tuesday. Another 24 are missing, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday — the majority of which are tied to the Eaton fire, with another 11 missing in relation to the Palisades fire.
“We are here today to send the love and praying for the families,” Donny Joubert, president of the Watts Gang Task Force, said. “We here in Watts just want to let them know we are here, we are100% behind you and understand what you are going through — and whatever we can do here in this community, we want to be a blessing to you.”
Nickerson Gardens, Joubert added, is a pillar of the Watts community — especially for many who spent their entire lives there.
“Mr. Nickerson lost his life in his home, that he worked so hard for — that he paid a $5 bill to get — at a time when it was so hard for people of color to own property in this city,” LAPD Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides said, “it is truly amazing that we are honoring his life and his family here in this community.”
After several community members and organization representatives spoke, the crowd participated in a few prayers administered by Elder Michael Cummings and Rev. Jermaine Johnson — better known as Rev. J.J.
“Deacon Rodney Nickerson was a strong prayer warrior, and he was always the business of the church,” Rev. J.J. said. “We are going to miss him tremendously.”
Joulet of the Watts Gang Task Force, during the memorial, also announced that the organization — alongside several others, including Project Blue and Top Dawg Entertainment — are hosting a supply drive on Wednesday, Jan. 15 aimed at collecting toys for kids impacted by the fires.
Top Dawg Entertainment has deep connections with Watts and Nickerson Gardens. The music label — most notable as the former home of Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar — hosts an annual Christmas concert and toy giveaway at Nickerson Gardens.
“Living here in the inner city, one thing that I’ve learned just over the years, we have always been blessed and fortunate with resources finding their way here,” Project Blue CEO Marc May said, “and now, it’s an opportunity for us to put our resources together and make their way back to the other side.”
The supply drive will get underway at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 804 E. Compton Blvd., on Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The groups will be accepting basic necessity items and non-perishable foods, though they’re hoping to collect new toys to deliver to kids in Altadena throughout the rest of the week.
“One thing we can say about kids right now is that they might not really understand the magnitude of what’s really happening,” May said, “and if we can do anything to leave some of the pressure and stretch off the parents while the parents while the parents try to put the pieces to the puzzle back together — we know a nice toy will always bring some love and happiness in a time where almost non-existent right now.”