Mayor Bass Honors the Life of Civic Leader Joy Atkinson

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LOS ANGELES - Mayor Karen Bass issued the following statement:

"I'm deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend, Joy Atkinson, a legendary and iconic figure in Los Angeles. In addition to being a trusted friend and advisor, Joy was an amazing civic leader, an advocate for her beloved South LA, and her contributions to Los Angeles are countless.

Her legacy will live on through her meaningful contributions to the public life of Los Angeles, but I and many others will remember her most as a close friend. As many in City Hall mourn her loss deeply, we feel deep gratitude for her tireless work to make our City, and indeed the democratic process, stronger. We will miss her dearly.

"A proud daughter of South L.A., she committed her life to civic engagement and the betterment of Los Angeles, with a special focus on the community that raised her. Joy Atkinson was raised to be a trailblazer - her father, Eddie Atkinson, was the first African American to run for the Los Angeles City Council. Building upon her father's legacy, she became active in local and state politics, helping steer Los Angeles in a new direction.

"Ms. Joy Atkinson led with determination to bring African Americans into the political fold, serving as president of the New Frontier Democratic Club, which is now recognized as the oldest and largest African American Democratic Club in the State of California. She also spent 16 years as Chief of Staff to State Assemblymember Gwen Moore.

"Returning to serve the city she loved, Ms. Joy Atkinson was appointed as a commissioner by four consecutive Mayors, including myself, establishing herself as a trusted voice who brought the joy and passion of grassroots activism to City Hall for nearly 20 years.

"Constantly driven to make the democratic process more inclusive, Ms. Joy Atkinson was a founding member of both Citizens for Accountable Leadership and the Los Angeles African American Women's Public Policy Institute (LAAAWPPI). As the Executive Director of LAAAWPPI she helped launch hundreds of women into careers within government, corporate and non-profits sectors. Her stewardship, wisdom and impact has continued to inspire thousands of women to lead within the political landscape.

"Personally, I owe much of my political career to Ms. Joy Atkinson. Taking me under her wing, she helped me launch and win my first election to the State Assembly, then to Congress and finally as Mayor of Los Angeles. I'm grateful that she was willing to join my State Assembly staff, helping me navigate Sacramento, creating the foundation I needed to eventually become Speaker of the State Assembly. Now, as Mayor, I was honored when she agreed to continue her service on the Board of Neighborhood Councils - exemplifying her selfless devotion to Los Angeles.

"My thoughts are with her family, and the City of Los Angeles is grateful for the life and legacy of Joy Atkinson."