Monrovia Old Town Report: A congrats to Julian Fisher, the first Black police officer in Monrovia

By, Shawn Spencer

It’s February and as usual our winter is starting to feel a lot like spring. The weather is simply perfect! Perfect for a cup of coffee at your favorite café. Perfect for lunch on a sidewalk patio with a friend. A perfect day to take your dog on a walk or go hunting for sidewalk poems. We could not have asked for better weather for the official Hallmark holiday month dedicated to love. Not only does love abound this month, but February is also Black History Month. While some scheduled events were postponed due to COVID-19, there are still quite a few on the calendar for this month.

Unfortunately, Jazz Under the Stars was pushed out until April 2. Tickets already purchased will still be honored. The Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association is holding a Community Health Fair on Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Learn how to take a holistic approach when it comes to your health. The fair will be held at the Community Center at 119 W. Palm Ave.

On Feb. 17, from 5:30 p.m. through 7:30 p.m., all are welcome to join, as we celebrate the art made by our kids in the community. Wrapped sandwiches will be offered for purchase by the Monrovia High School Black Student Union as a fundraising effort.  This event will also take place in the Community Center. 

On Feb. 19, from 2 p.m. through 4 p.m., at Library Park, join us for Music and Movement with Rhythms of the Village. There will be informational booths from Day One, a nonprofit that promotes health and wellness and a local, holistic health coach.  There will be displays celebrating African American icons of medicine and science to align with this year’s Black History Month theme of health. There will also be an interactive play area celebrating doctors and health workers and fun craft activities for kids in the Youth Services area, at 3 p.m. 

Do not miss Conversations with Monrovia High School alum, leader and mentor Chris Loos. Chris will be joined by his former student and Duarte alum, Brian Richie on Feb. 20 from 2:30 p.m. through 3:30 p.m. at the Duarte Historical Museum. This is sure to be a magnificent event, as Chris Loos is such a dynamic and admirable young man. He is truly a role model for our youth and for many of us adults as well.

I would like to end this week’s column in honor of Vivian Fisher. Vivian was daughter to Julian Fisher, the first Black to graduate from Monrovia High School, the first Black police officer in Monrovia and the namesake of our Julian Fisher Park. Vivian, an amazing girl who should have graduated in 1938, had to drop out to help care for her eleven siblings.

In 2020, 82 years later, she finally realized her dream and graduated at the spry age of 98, alongside her great, great nephew, Elijah. You may remember Vivian Fisher from her days at MUSD or as the Clifton crossing guard. What an awesome accomplishment!  Her family and her community are incredibly proud of her. On that note, I’ll leave you with the wise words of Miss Vivian: “Stay in school and be somebody. Being a nobody, anybody can do that.”

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