Vanessa Noemí Rodríguez, February 13, 1978 - December 11, 2019 Family members, loved ones, friends and acquaintances whose lives had been touched, graced and enriched for having known her are saddened to announce that Vanessa Noemí Rodríguez transitioned to the great hereafter on Dec. 11th,  2019. A beloved daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, partner, aunt, godmother, niece, cousin, and friend, she passed during the early afternoon while surrounded by her loving family, relatives and friends. They are understandably grief-stricken by her untimely passing. Welcomed as a blessing and a gift from the creator by parents Sandra Aguirre and Jaime Rodríguez, Vanessa was born on February 13th, 1978. Over time, a substantial number of others would grow to regard her with similar gratitude and affection. It goes without saying that all will mourn her departure deeply. An extraordinarily compassionate human being from childhood on, she readily opened her home to anyone in need, at...

Deborah (r.) and Denise Lewis, at 8 and 9-years-old. Photo courtesy of the Lewis Family. By Shirlee Smith Boyle Heights - African Americans Were There, our organization, seeks to develop a historical perspective documenting the early arrivals and the continuous influx of our elders into this vibrant and multicultural community. Through stories, pictures and more, we work to present the facts surrounding our existence. We work to restore our history.  And equally as important, we work to educate the public. Please contact us (626) 296-2777 with stories or other information regarding African Americans in Boyle Heights. The stories of Black families in Boyle Heights have a common thread—moving from Boyle Heights but coming back to the “home place,” race relations, and the unique ability to never be too far away from their local relatives. African Americans N Boyle Heights - We were there stories focus on where they worked, where they came from, their hopes and dreams. African A...