DATE:Saturday, September 10, 2011

TIME:6:00 - 9:00pm

LOCATION:
Santa Anita Park - Chandelier Ballroom
285 W Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007

Jose De Sosa, born in Panama City, migrated to the United States in February of 1955. Four months later Jose joined the United States Air Force. For over nine years, Jose served his country until he was Honorably Discharged in 1964. During his travels in the Air Force Jose claims, "I saw poverty at its worst and decided I wanted to devote my time and resources to do whatever I could to help." In less than a year after leaving the Air Force he started to work at the Pacific Telephone Company (PTC) where he began in 1964 as a "Frameman" working on telephone poles and ascended to key supervisory positions during his 32 year tenure. His efforts to advocate equal access to professional opportunities for people of color did not end with his work at PTC, now AT&T. In 1964 Jose joined the Board of Directors at Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County to help advocate for a growing number of people in need. Under Jose’s leadership, NLSLA has grown to be one of the largest and most successful legal aid agencies in the United States.

Introduced to the NAACP by wife and fellow activist, Juanita, Jose was the face of the local NAACP and the civil rights movement for over two decades. Jose served as president of the San Fernando Valley and California State Chapters of the NAACP from 1978-1994. As president, Jose led campaigns that resulted in fundamental changes in Los Angeles Police Department practices, which later led to police reform nationwide. Jose led efforts that resulted in Los Angeles City Council outlawing an aggressive choke hold implicated in the deaths of many citizens apprehended by the LAPD. Jose picketed for days in front of Parker Center and even spoke to the Mayor demanding a unified justice for his community. His hard work paid off when other states throughout the U.S. followed suite and outlawed this deadly tactic used by police.

The attention brought upon the LAPD by Jose’s activism resulted in the resignation of then Police Chief Daryl Gates and city wide change in Police recruitment and hiring for the LAPD composition reflect the ethnic demographics of the community.

Jose was not only actively involved in protecting the civil rights of his fellow man but he also worked very closely with the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Youth Motivated Task Force (YMTF). His own children attended Pacoima public schools and Jose felt very strongly that all students deserved a chance to reach their potential and education was key. He spent his time speaking and mentoring youth to get their H.S. Diploma and helped reduce school dropout rates.

In 1997, for 200 days, the LA Times featured members of the community who left their mark on the San Fernando Valley area. Jose was featured in the first week. When asked why Jose devoted so much of his life to helping his community he said: "During my travels I saw such poverty. I witnessed in my neighborhood how minorities were impacted and I couldn’t stand it. I needed to do what I could to help my fellow man, my brothers."

Today Jose lives in Pacoima, where he and his wife, Juanita, raised five children. He continues to actively spread the message of peace and neighborly collaboration, not only through his service to NLSLA, but also as the Board President for Boys & Girls Club of GSFV, a member of Valley Interfaith Council, and an organizer for the African American Leadership Coalition.