The City of Santa Ana is kicking off a new program created by the City Council with two streets honoring Santa Ana’s African-American heritage during Black History Month.
Willits Street from Fairview to Bristol streets will get the honorary name Helen M. Shipp Way, for the founder of the Orange County Black History Parade & Cultural Faire.
The intersection of Willits and Raitt streets will be designated Black History Square.
These are ceremonial names that don’t change the official names of the streets or local addresses. The names will be recognized with sign toppers.
The ceremony will take place on Thursday, February 16, at 11 a.m. at the corner of Raitt and Willits.
According to Santa Ana Council Member Jessie Lopez the street renaming was spearheaded by her colleague, Councilman Johnathan Ryan Hernandez.
