"Marin City, established during World War II, housed all the migrating Marinship workers. "Everybody was coming out here. They left the Jim Crow South. They wanted to make more money. They wanted to build a new life for themselves," Gaston explains, "They were determined. They were resilient. At one point, there were 20,000 black people who were in Marinship to help build the ships.""
"When visitors drive down Donahue Street and Drake Avenue, they will be welcomed by colorful, commemorative banners. Collaborating with artist James Shields, Gaston has displayed more than 40 banners. "We want people to walk around the community to see these banners. We have a map. It tells them where the banners are," Gaston explains, "What I'm most proud about is that more people are going to be more exposed to Marin City's Black history.""
Marin City originated as a wartime housing community for Marinship workers and retains a strong Black shipyard heritage. Community banners along Donahue Street and Drake Avenue commemorate Black shipyard workers and encourage walking tours aided by a published map. The Marin City Historical and Preservation Society, founded in 2022, created more than 40 banners with artist James Shields, a traveling exhibit, and two books: "Grandmothers Feed US Love" and "A Brand New Start: This is Home." Five bus stops feature shipyard worker images and QR codes linking to educational material. The project aims to elevate public exposure to Marin City's Black history and legacy.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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