Jesse "Chuco" Becerra

Chuco’s Justice Center is dedicated to Jesse “Chuco” Becerra and all the youth lost to the streets, prisons, police violence or deportation.

Jesse was 24 years young when he was gunned down shortly after midnight before the early Saturday morning of September 24, 2005. He was shot in the streets after leaving a party in South Los Angeles near 21st Street and La Brea Ave.

Chuco was loved for many reasons. He was a committed youth organizer with the YJC, a loving father, community leader, friend, son, cousin, homie, brother and nephew.  He was building a truce between three rival neighborhoods. He was generous – quick to share a kind word, a smile and a helping hand.

We do not have an explanation for this senseless killing, but we want people to know that we will make sure that Chuco did not die in vain. He has inspired many young people to continue. When he was killed, we asked his family if we could honor him by naming our space “Chuco’s Justice Center” in his memory. Our first Chuco’s was a small storefront on Martin Luther King Blvd. in South Central Los Angeles. As we grew and needed more space, Chuco’s moved into an old factory on the border between South Central and Inglewood near Florence and West.

Chuco’s is currently relocated to the former Kenyon Juvenile Justice Center on the corner of Central Ave. and 76th St. five blocks south from the intersection of Florence and Central.