Introduction to the Belle Haven History Project (BHHxP)

Belle Haven, a diverse neighborhood in Menlo Park, California, became a literal haven for Black American families fleeing domestic terrorism in the Jim Crow South and seeking economic opportunities during the Great Migration of the early twentieth century. Many of these families migrated to California hoping to achieve the American Dream, but they still encountered exploitation and discrimination in the industrial workforce and housing market. Black men and women in Northern California largely found work at shipyards and manufacturing plants in industrial cities like Richmond and San Francisco. As job opportunities expanded to the peninsula, families moved out of squalor and into suburban homes. However, practices like blockbusting, white flight, redlining, and restrictive covenants soon shaped Belle Haven into a predominantly Black community. Despite facing systemic and institutional racism, these families remained resilient and influential. Regrettably, as the Peninsula and Silicon Valley have rapidly developed, many Black families in Belle Haven have been—and are being—displaced and overlooked amid redevelopment efforts.

Mission Statement

The Belle Haven History Project empowers and connects the community by preserving, celebrating, and sharing its unique history. Our mission is to be a dynamic educational resource that ensures the legacy of our neighborhood is accessible to all generations.

This project will be executed in a phased approach, beginning with a dedicated focus on the history of the African American community who shaped Belle Haven. Subsequent phases will then be initiated to highlight the contributions of the white population who chose to remain in the neighborhood during its demographic shift and the transition to the predominantly Hispanic community it is today. We believe each group's unique story must be told separately to honor its specific experience, allowing each narrative the space it deserves. The Belle Haven History Project will culminate in a comprehensive, unified archive of the most diverse neighborhood in Menlo Park, California, reflecting the layered history that makes our community unique.

Statement of Purpose

This project aims to illuminate and preserve the histories and collective memories of Black American families who have lived in Belle Haven, including both current residents and those who have since left the neighborhood. Belle Haven's legacy as a formally redlined neighborhood with natural boundaries was documented in the 1960 Hearings before the United States Commission on Civil Rights. This history is reflected in the neighborhood's demographic shift, from a peak of 95% African American population in 1970 to just 12.5% in 2020. Faced with ongoing economic disparity, incarceration, and now gentrification, these families and their histories are disappearing. Our goal is to create a repository of their stories of migration, settlement, injustice, empowerment, strife, and unity. It is paramount that we holistically document family lineages and histories to ensure their presence and impact are not forgotten, misrepresented, or co-opted. We must archive both physical and oral records for future generations and researchers.

Past Projects

Here is a list of Belle Haven related presentation by Juanita Croft and Pam D Jones.

June 14, 2025 Juneteenth Display (Slide Deck) at Kelly Park

February 8, 2025 Black Liberation (Slide Deck) was a fifteen-minute presentation to over one hundred people at the Belle Haven Community Campus Black History Month. It was a lively interactive discussion about who remembered the listed African American business. The community was deeply engaged, and many details were shared, along with new information. Multiple participations requested more presentations on various topics.

2022 Chat #7 Color of Law: Belle Haven Education (Slide Deck) Overview of the history of education in the Ravenswood City School District (RSCD) and Sequoia Union High School District (SUHS) that affects us today. We discuss events that segregated the RCSD and affected funding. Also included are the SUHD’s decisions that segregated our high schools.

2022 Chat #8 Color of Law: Belle Haven, Segregation, Education & Zoning (Slide Deck) In-depth overview of the history of Belle Haven, segregation, education, zoning and along with some of the legacy of the discriminatory practices.