One year after the Eaton wildfire tore through Altadena, many families are still living with the impact of what was lost—and the weight of deciding what comes next.
Standing in the Ashes: One Year After the Altadena Fires is the first short film in EBONY Voices, a new EBONY Media series focused on human-interest stories that reflect resilience, history, and community. The film follows three long-time Altadena families as they navigate life after the fire, balancing grief, rebuilding, and the choice to remain in a historically Black neighborhood that has faced disproportionate loss.
The Eaton wildfire claimed 19 lives and damaged or destroyed more than 9,400 homes and buildings. Black households were hit especially hard. Many of the affected homeowners are older adults, making recovery slower and more difficult. For the families featured in the film, rebuilding isn’t just about repairing homes—it’s about preserving community, culture, and a sense of belonging that has existed for generations.
The film also highlights the work of Antoinette “Toni” Bailey-Raines, a community leader and 2025 EBONY Power 100 Community Crusader, whose grassroots radio show and podcast, Altadena Talks, became a source of connection and information in the aftermath of the fires.
Standing in the Ashes offers a grounded look at what recovery really looks like one year later—without sensationalism, and without reducing people to numbers.
The film is now available as part of “EBONY Voices” and can be watched on EBONY.com and YouTube.