Title:

Kiichi Uyeda from Manzanar (right), the first returnee to Little Tokyo, now Bronzeville, Los Angeles, opens the Bronzeville 5-10-25 Cents Store, assisted by his friend Matsuo Yoshida from Colorado River. This is the first venture of its kind in what used to be Little Tokyo, and is in the heart of that community. Now 40,00 Negroes live there--the district is solid Negro, and Uyeda and Yoshida are the only Japanese. Mr. Uyeda says 90% of his trade is Negro. He gets along very well with them, and civic leaders are among his close friends. He takes a deep interest in the Negro community and has spoken at their club and church. Mr. Uyeda's home is in Boyle Heights, where he owns five homes. Mr. Yoshida was a buyer at Colorado River, and is trying to find a place to live. The trouble is housing, he says. The people are fine. -- Photographer: Mace, Charles E. -- Los Angeles, California. 5/14/45

Contributing Institution:

The Bancroft Library. University of California, Berkeley.