Walter L. Gordon Jr., left, and Judge William C. Beverly Jr.

This week, the UCLA library honored the 103rd birthday Walter L. Gordon Jr., one of the pioneering African American attorneys in Los Angeles. Judge William C. Beverly Jr. was also honored for donating Gordon’s rich collection of photos, which has been titled the Walter L. Gordon Jr./William C. Beverly Jr. digital collection.

I interviewed Gordon years ago, when I was researching the life of Charles Matthews, the first African American member of the Police Commission. Gordon was extremely helpful and most gracious in describing his experiences in the Los Angeles courts.

Here’s a sample from the Gordon-Beverly collection:

These are contestants in a drag ball at the Club Alabam in the 1940s.

Photo 1: Walter L. Gordon Jr. and Judge  Judge William C. Beverly Jr. Credit: UCLA Digital Library

Photo 2: Drag ball at the Club Alabam, 1940s Credit: Walter L. Gordon Jr./William C. Beverly Jr. Digital Collection