Embedded Files
Arturo Ybarra,
Arturo Ybarra,
Co-Founder & President/CEO Emeritus
Co-Founder & President/CEO Emeritus
May 1, 1944 – July 27, 2023
May 1, 1944 – July 27, 2023
In July of 2023, WCLO and the community faced the devastating loss of Arturo Ybarra, WCLO co-founder and long-time President and CEO. Mr. Ybarra dedicated 32 years of service to empowering Watts residents in the areas of family and housing stability, financial empowerment, leadership development, multicultural unity, and much more.
In July of 2023, WCLO and the community faced the devastating loss of Arturo Ybarra, WCLO co-founder and long-time President and CEO. Mr. Ybarra dedicated 32 years of service to empowering Watts residents in the areas of family and housing stability, financial empowerment, leadership development, multicultural unity, and much more.
In the wake of his passing, Watts residents, admirers and friends near-and-far expressed the wide-reaching impact of Arturo's decades of service and activism. Among the outpouring of love, the L.A. Times published an obituary which featured long-time friend to Arturo and WCLO, U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters' reflection that he was "a bridge builder, a waymaker, a healer, and a foundational beam of our vibrant South Los Angeles community". Former L.A. City Councilwoman for the Watts area and curent L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn echoed the effusive praise with her reflection that Arturo was the "epitome of what a community activist should be". Her words were preceded by adjourning the Board of Supervisors' August 8, 2023 meeting in his honor.
In the wake of his passing, Watts residents, admirers and friends near-and-far expressed the wide-reaching impact of Arturo's decades of service and activism. Among the outpouring of love, the L.A. Times published an obituary which featured long-time friend to Arturo and WCLO, U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters' reflection that he was "a bridge builder, a waymaker, a healer, and a foundational beam of our vibrant South Los Angeles community". Former L.A. City Councilwoman for the Watts area and curent L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn echoed the effusive praise with her reflection that Arturo was the "epitome of what a community activist should be". Her words were preceded by adjourning the Board of Supervisors' August 8, 2023 meeting in his honor.
In its tribute, long-time collaborator, Parent Organization Network expressed that Arturo's "most enduring legacy is the impact he had on making lives better – whether at the most personal level with a single individual or colleague or with the community as a whole. Over the years, Arturo was instrumental in mentoring activists in both the Latino and African American communities who today are working on critical issues such as housing, education reform, local environmental concerns and voter participation." L.A. Commons recognized his impact in South Los Angeles with a touching feature that acknowledged Arturo as a "Legend".
In its tribute, long-time collaborator, Parent Organization Network expressed that Arturo's "most enduring legacy is the impact he had on making lives better – whether at the most personal level with a single individual or colleague or with the community as a whole. Over the years, Arturo was instrumental in mentoring activists in both the Latino and African American communities who today are working on critical issues such as housing, education reform, local environmental concerns and voter participation." L.A. Commons recognized his impact in South Los Angeles with a touching feature that acknowledged Arturo as a "Legend".
He will forever be deeply missed by family and friends, in Watts and beyond.
He will forever be deeply missed by family and friends, in Watts and beyond.
Biography
Biography
Born on May Day 1944 in Villa Gonzalez Ortega, Zacatecas, Arturo Ybarra's remarkable journey began as the sixth child of Alberto Ybarra and Maria Espino, within a household of nine siblings. At the age of three, Arturo’s family relocated to Ciudad Juarez, where he grew up and his spirit of advocacy was sparked. This passion led him to study at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico City. In 1968, as a second-year student, he survived the harrowing Tlatelolco student massacre, a pivotal moment that ignited his lifelong pursuit of justice. A year later, while commemorating the incident and his fallen peers, Arturo was arrested, imprisoned and subjected to torture, while many of his peers vanished. He often reflected on how he witnessed the numerous dead and injured bodies being loaded onto Mexican government vehicles, noting that the truth would never be made public.
Born on May Day 1944 in Villa Gonzalez Ortega, Zacatecas, Arturo Ybarra's remarkable journey began as the sixth child of Alberto Ybarra and Maria Espino, within a household of nine siblings. At the age of three, Arturo’s family relocated to Ciudad Juarez, where he grew up and his spirit of advocacy was sparked. This passion led him to study at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico City. In 1968, as a second-year student, he survived the harrowing Tlatelolco student massacre, a pivotal moment that ignited his lifelong pursuit of justice. A year later, while commemorating the incident and his fallen peers, Arturo was arrested, imprisoned and subjected to torture, while many of his peers vanished. He often reflected on how he witnessed the numerous dead and injured bodies being loaded onto Mexican government vehicles, noting that the truth would never be made public.
Arturo Ybarra with daughter, Autumn (left), grandchildren, and wife, Albeza at Unity Under the Sun mural unveiling.
Faced with persecution, Arturo found refuge in the US, beginning in Moorpark with his sister, then Gardena, and ultimately settling in Watts. There, fate united him with Albeza, his partner in life and activism. United by their passion, they married in 1982, fostering a blended family of seven children: Nora Ostler (52), Hector Valencia (50), Danny Valencia (48), Sandra Cronk (47), Cristian Ybarra (39), Autumn Ybarra (34), and Pahola Ybarra (32). After 41 years of marriage, they experienced their growing family, welcoming eight grandchildren: Jennifer Valencia (27), Aaron Valencia (20), Alyse Cronk (25), Ashlyn Cronk (22), Daniel Valencia (23), Matthew Ostelr (17), Lielah Ybarra (13), and Aaron Ybarra (9). His family remembers him as loving and tender, always keen to educate and offer a guiding hand. Never controlling and overbearing, he let his children be themselves without any judgment.
Faced with persecution, Arturo found refuge in the US, beginning in Moorpark with his sister, then Gardena, and ultimately settling in Watts. There, fate united him with Albeza, his partner in life and activism. United by their passion, they married in 1982, fostering a blended family of seven children: Nora Ostler (52), Hector Valencia (50), Danny Valencia (48), Sandra Cronk (47), Cristian Ybarra (39), Autumn Ybarra (34), and Pahola Ybarra (32). After 41 years of marriage, they experienced their growing family, welcoming eight grandchildren: Jennifer Valencia (27), Aaron Valencia (20), Alyse Cronk (25), Ashlyn Cronk (22), Daniel Valencia (23), Matthew Ostelr (17), Lielah Ybarra (13), and Aaron Ybarra (9). His family remembers him as loving and tender, always keen to educate and offer a guiding hand. Never controlling and overbearing, he let his children be themselves without any judgment.
The couple's journey led them to Watts, where they cared for Arturo's parents and championed the interests of Latino residents, a fast-growing demographic in Watts whose needs and concerns were overlooked. Their story of how they arrived in Watts was centered around advocating for Watts residents during a public meeting. Together, they founded the Watts Century Latino Organization, a beacon of advocacy serving the community for over three decades. Justice was integral to the organization and residents received housing rights education and other family stability services. The work caused them to be at odds with various organizations, including the government, but Arturo and his comrades persevered in their focus on human rights. At WCLO, Arturo founded and led the Latino Leadership Institute, which propelled the work of many individuals and organizations doing leadership development, resident advocacy, and organizational management today, in Watts and beyond. He hosted the annual Cinco de Mayo Multicultural Festival and Posadas to demonstrate the value of rooted identity. Proud of his African and Indigenous heritage, he identified as a Mexican Afro-Latino Native American, embodying WCLO's motto "In the Spirit of Multicultural Unity."
The couple's journey led them to Watts, where they cared for Arturo's parents and championed the interests of Latino residents, a fast-growing demographic in Watts whose needs and concerns were overlooked. Their story of how they arrived in Watts was centered around advocating for Watts residents during a public meeting. Together, they founded the Watts Century Latino Organization, a beacon of advocacy serving the community for over three decades. Justice was integral to the organization and residents received housing rights education and other family stability services. The work caused them to be at odds with various organizations, including the government, but Arturo and his comrades persevered in their focus on human rights. At WCLO, Arturo founded and led the Latino Leadership Institute, which propelled the work of many individuals and organizations doing leadership development, resident advocacy, and organizational management today, in Watts and beyond. He hosted the annual Cinco de Mayo Multicultural Festival and Posadas to demonstrate the value of rooted identity. Proud of his African and Indigenous heritage, he identified as a Mexican Afro-Latino Native American, embodying WCLO's motto "In the Spirit of Multicultural Unity."
September 9, 2008 -- Arturo Ybarra, President and founder of Watts/Century Latino Organization. The current location, where they moved to in 1998, is a former liquor store and that was converted into a community resource center. (Photo by Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Arturo, a fervent advocate for social justice, labored tirelessly until his last breath. As recently as May and June 2023, Arturo could be found moving tables and coordinating the banner placement at the Cinco de Mayo celebration or ensuring meeting attendees at WCLO had bottled water, notepads and pan dulce to ensure a productive gathering. Along with his dogged determination to uproot the systemic oppression that hampers Black and Brown communities, Arturo maintained a hopeful outlook, humor and levity that caused many to be drawn to him and his friendly, welcoming manner. He regularly shared a witty retort, warm hug, and radiant smile, all the while donning his signature newsboy cap.
Arturo, a fervent advocate for social justice, labored tirelessly until his last breath. As recently as May and June 2023, Arturo could be found moving tables and coordinating the banner placement at the Cinco de Mayo celebration or ensuring meeting attendees at WCLO had bottled water, notepads and pan dulce to ensure a productive gathering. Along with his dogged determination to uproot the systemic oppression that hampers Black and Brown communities, Arturo maintained a hopeful outlook, humor and levity that caused many to be drawn to him and his friendly, welcoming manner. He regularly shared a witty retort, warm hug, and radiant smile, all the while donning his signature newsboy cap.
Arturo receiving 'Guardian of the Community' honor from Danza Mexica, indigenous dance group at Unity Under the Sun Mural Unveiling. (Photo credit: L.A. Commons)
Arturo was widely hailed for his decades of leadership and community organizing. Among many accolades received by U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, City and County of Los Angeles elected officials, and the highly-coveted Durfee Foundation Sabbatical Fellowship, Arturo was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) where he also served on the CDU Foundation’s Board of Trustees. In the Spring of 2023, Arturo was immortalized via public art by being featured in the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations L.A. vs Hate "Unity Under the Sun" mural, which celebrates the 'many peoples, cultures, and movements that have been rooted, nurtured, and grown in Watts, and the surrounding area'. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony where he was surrounded by family, fellow longtime leaders like Ms. Wajeha Bilal and friends, Arturo expressed gratitude to be recognized while also emphasizing the need to continue to fight against enduring social ills and build bridges across cultures. At this event, he was also extremely humbled and gratified to be honored by the Danza Mexica indigenous dance group which performed a dance ceremony to designate Arturo as a 'guardian of the community' including gifting him with an eagle talon. Arturo was taken aback by what he felt was an immensely spiritual honor and reflected on this often in the weeks following the ceremony.
Arturo was widely hailed for his decades of leadership and community organizing. Among many accolades received by U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, City and County of Los Angeles elected officials, and the highly-coveted Durfee Foundation Sabbatical Fellowship, Arturo was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) where he also served on the CDU Foundation’s Board of Trustees. In the Spring of 2023, Arturo was immortalized via public art by being featured in the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations L.A. vs Hate "Unity Under the Sun" mural, which celebrates the 'many peoples, cultures, and movements that have been rooted, nurtured, and grown in Watts, and the surrounding area'. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony where he was surrounded by family, fellow longtime leaders like Ms. Wajeha Bilal and friends, Arturo expressed gratitude to be recognized while also emphasizing the need to continue to fight against enduring social ills and build bridges across cultures. At this event, he was also extremely humbled and gratified to be honored by the Danza Mexica indigenous dance group which performed a dance ceremony to designate Arturo as a 'guardian of the community' including gifting him with an eagle talon. Arturo was taken aback by what he felt was an immensely spiritual honor and reflected on this often in the weeks following the ceremony.
Arturo Ybarra's legacy lives on through the love, perseverance, and activism of the many individuals, families and leaders he's served throughout his life. His hard work and dedication leaves an enduring legacy of empowerment and change. Arturo Ybarra, a beacon of hope and champion for the marginalized, lives on in the hearts of those he touched. Arturo Ybarra Presente!
Arturo Ybarra's legacy lives on through the love, perseverance, and activism of the many individuals, families and leaders he's served throughout his life. His hard work and dedication leaves an enduring legacy of empowerment and change. Arturo Ybarra, a beacon of hope and champion for the marginalized, lives on in the hearts of those he touched. Arturo Ybarra Presente!
Page updated
Report abuse