I was born and raised in Santa Monica. My grandmother owned property in the Pico Community, I learned the histories of Santa Monica from my elders. Reflecting on those histories, I realized the community was losing people and the history needed to be preserved. Reading local obituaries, I recognized the connections of the people in the community and the roots they brought with them from other parts of the country like Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas.

I found it so interesting that I wanted to tell those stories. I started offering tours for my family and friends in the late 1980s. Friends began asking if I would offer a tour to their families and friends. I found myself offering group bus tours and concierge services for families, schools, and more. Black Santa Monica Tours and Concierge was born.