Santa Monica is known around the world, but not everyone knows OUR Santa Monica—the Pico Neighborhood. Once a proud, vibrant community we called our own, the Pico Neighborhood has undergone significant changes, marked by the unprecedented displacement of communities of color. We’ve lost the heart of what made our neighborhood feel like family—our homes, our roots, and our sense of belonging. From familiar bus rides on the #7 and nights at Virginia Avenue Park to shopping at the local 99 cent store, these places hold pieces of who we are.

This collection aims to create a platform where our voices and stories can be shared, including those of our grandparents and elders, whose generational experiences shaped the very fabric of our community. Through poems, essays, and short stories, we will document our truths—our history, our resilience, and our lived experiences. This collection is a testament to our pride—a celebration of our resilience, our truth, and the history that shaped us as we reclaim our narrative and share it with the world.

Your story matters. Share it. Preserve it. Let the voices of the Pico Neighborhood be heard.