Black Image Center Looks to Help Residents Preserve Photos Damaged in Eaton, Palisades Fires
Every time Nairobi Hilaire Seabrooks visited her grandmother’s home in Pacific Palisades, she would point to photos framed on the walls and around the home and ask her family for the stories behind each memory.
Preserving Memories
Recently, Hilaire Seabrooks’ grandmother’s house was damaged in the Palisades and Eaton fires, and she is one of many residents who are now seeking ways to preserve their damaged photos. To help, the Black Image Center in Culver City hosted a free event on Sunday, February 23, 2025, focused on helping people clean and restore photos and other memories damaged by the fires.
Restoring Damaged Items
At the event, residents could learn how to clean and restore fire-damaged photos and other items using various techniques and supplies. Ronel Namde, a conservationist who volunteers at the Black Image Center, demonstrated how to use gloves, N-95 masks, and cosmetic and smoke cleaning sponges to remove soot and ash from damaged items. He also recommended using soot sponges, which can be found at hardware stores, for heavily damaged items.
Digitizing Family Photos
Madelyn Inez, a resident archivist at the Black Image Center, helped attendees scan and digitize their family photos, allowing them to preserve their family histories and share them with more family members and print more copies. She also offered one-on-one appointments to help residents digitize and preserve their family photos.
Importance of Preserving Memories
Hilaire Seabrooks emphasized the importance of preserving memories, especially for the Black community, which has a history of having their stories and histories erased. "It’s so important, especially when it comes to the Black community," she said. "Stuff has been burnt down countless times over the course of history."
Conclusion
The Black Image Center’s event aimed to help residents affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires restore and preserve their damaged photos and memories. The center’s quarterly Black Family Archive event, which is usually focused on digitizing and safely storing family photos and memories, shifted its focus to help fire victims restore their damaged photos and other sentimental items.
FAQs
- What is the Black Image Center?
The Black Image Center is a non-profit organization that aims to preserve and promote the history and culture of the African American community. - What services does the Black Image Center offer?
The center offers various services, including digitization, conservation, and preservation of family photos and memories. - How can I get involved with the Black Image Center?
You can learn more about the center’s events and services on their website, blackimagecenter.org. - How can I help preserve my family’s history and memories?
You can start by scanning and digitizing your family photos, storing them safely, and sharing them with other family members.
