Joe Hopkins (Photo – pasadenajournal)
Joe Hopkins, longtime resident of the Altadena/Pasadena area passed away on October 31 at the age of 82. A lawyer, publisher, and fierce activist and advocate for Black recognition and rights, he had dedicated much of his life and energies to the local community.
By Briony James
Originally from Oklahoma, Hopkins relocated to Altadena in 1967, earning his doctorate in jurisprudence and establishing his legal practice in 1982. A man of great conviction and a natural leader, he advocated for the Black Business and legal communities, served the San Gabriel Back Business Association and West Coast Black Publishers Associations. He founded the Pasadena/Altadena Black Lawyers Association and co-founded the Pasadena San Gabriel Valley Journal in 1989. His legal career focused on discrimination, diversity issues and workplace discrimination, and criminal defense.
Honored and recognized for his many accomplishments and his tireless community leadership, he published his noted book, “I Will Not Apologize: Uncompromising Solutions to America’s Dilemma in the 21st Century” in 2003. He was the Grand Marshall of the Pasadena Black History Parade in 2000, was acknowledged by the Altadena NAACP, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and received a Special Congressional Recognition award, presented by Adam Schiff in 2006. Joe Hopkins, along with his wife Ruthie, was recognized for his civil rights activism by Assemblyman Chris Holden for the California Legislative Black Caucus in 2018.
Tributes and condolences have been issued from the community at large, from those he worked with, from leaders and locals alike.
Mr. Hopkins is survived by his wife, his three sons, seven grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. Funeral services will be held at the First AME Church Pasadena, Nov. 11, 2023, at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Joe C. Hopkins Scholarship Fund at naacplosangeles.org.
[This article has been updated to correct funeral services time. Nov. 10, 11:20 am]
I always liked him. Very pleasant to work with.
Rip Joe..