Quick Take
Santa Cruz officials proclaimed the city's first London Nelson Day, celebrating the birthday of the formerly enslaved man who donated land for the city’s first schoolhouse in 1860.
London Nelson, a formerly enslaved man who donated land for Santa Cruz’s first permanent schoolhouse in 1860, was commemorated at his gravesite Monday as the city officially proclaimed May 5 as London Nelson Day.
The London Nelson Legacy Initiative organized the ceremony at Nelson’s Evergreen Cemetery gravesite, where 20 community members gathered to mark Nelson’s birthday.
A prominent figure in Santa Cruz history, Nelson was born into slavery in North Carolina in 1800. While details about his early life are scant, he is believed to have traveled to California as part of the gold rush, apparently earning his freedom and eventually settling in Santa Cruz in 1856.
In 1860, Nelson left a lasting legacy by donating land to the Santa Cruz school district, which helped establish the city’s first permanent schoolhouse.
Photo gallery: Honoring London Nelson
Luna HighJohn-Bey, director of the London Nelson Legacy Initiative. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz 
London Nelson’s grave. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz 
Isaac Collins raises his fist in front of the portrait of London Nelson. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz 
Santa Cruz resident Amaya Rose placing plants on top of London Nelson’s tombstone. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz 
Artist Abi Mustapha looking at her portrait of London Nelson. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz 
Rachel Kaufman from Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation holds up the mayor’s proclamation for London Nelson Day. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz 
Santa Cruz philanthropist George Ow spoke during the London Nelson event at Evergreen Cemetery on Monday afternoon. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Luna HighJohn-Bey, director of the London Nelson Legacy Initiative, emphasized the importance of preserving Nelson’s story and those of other early Black residents in Santa Cruz. HighJohn-Bey said researchers have identified about 20 other African Americans buried in the cemetery. The organization is working to identify them.
Santa Cruz artist Abi Mustapha unveiled a new portrait of Nelson at the event. With no known photographs of Nelson in existence, Mustapha spent more a month researching his likely appearance, drawing on historical records such as slave auction documents from North Carolina, where Nelson was born. The project, according to Mustapha, became a deeply spiritual journey as she imagined Nelson’s life before he won his freedom and his decision to settle in Santa Cruz as a free man.
Monday also marked the beginning of London Nelson Week, an annual citywide celebration recognizing Nelson’s contributions to Santa Cruz. As part of the week’s festivities, the Museum of Art & History will unveil a new Black history section in its gallery this Friday. Mustapha’s portrait of Nelson will be featured as part of the exhibit and available for public viewing.
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