Following a daylong mediation on October 30, 2025, the City of Santa Monica and Constance White reached a settlement outlining steps the city will take to recognize the legacy of Silas White and his efforts to establish the historic Ebony Beach Club. While the agreement includes no admission of liability by either party, it provides $350,000 to Constance White in acknowledgment of her work to address alleged past wrongs involving her father’s project.
“The action taken by council marks a significant step in honoring the legacy of the late Silas White and acknowledging the harm caused by the city’s past decisions,” writes Councilmember Caroline Torosis, who authored motions and led the discussion for years that led to this week’s actions. “With this commitment of $3.5 million to our reparations program, the City of Santa Monica is affirming that justice is not just a gesture but a promise we intend to fulfill.”
In 1957, Silas White purchased a block of beachfront property to create a space where African Americans could peacefully enjoy a day at the beach without having to deal with the racism of the day…at least for a few hours. The Ebony Beach Club would have featured not just beach access but a jazz club, stage and social hall. Silas remarked at the time that the club would be “one of the best establishments in America for lodging and comfort of my people.”
But the city government at the time, like much of the rest of the country, was overtly racist and worked to crush White’s dream. The city denied his permits and then used tools such as eminent domain to steal his land. The city demolished the existing structure and the rehab work already done by White and built a surface parking lot. For more on the history of the Ebony Beach Club, read past coverage at Next here and here.
Under the settlement, White may file an administrative reparations claim if the city creates such a process. Should a reparations fund be established, claims from residents 90 years or older would receive priority. The city also committed to exploring additional funding sources and providing White or her representative with a status report within 90 days of creating the fund.
City staff will recommend several provisions to ensure the White family’s claim can proceed, including recognizing leasehold interests as eligible and confirming that neither the structure of the process nor White’s acceptance of a finder’s fee would disqualify the claim. Any claims process will require legislative approval, and the city noted there will be no negotiations outside that framework. Both parties also agreed to a mutual release of claims.
Beyond financial terms, the settlement includes several commemorative actions. By February 2026, the city will establish a Silas White exhibit at the main library and rename a portion of Vicente Terrace as Silas White Street. The city will also issue a proclamation designating October 12 as Silas White Day.
The City Council unanimously approved the settlement in closed session on September 9, 2025. Staff also announced plans to bring forward a proposal for a citywide restorative justice program by January 2026.
“We are among the first jurisdictions in the country to move from apology to action. This program isn’t about symbolic plaques, it’s delivering tangible repair, accountability, and creating the conditions for true equity,” Torosis concluded.
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