Nate Holden: 1929-2025

Born at the calendar limits of what author Tom Brokaw defined as “The Greatest Generation” that any society has ever produced (1920-1929), the late community leader and visionary 95-year-old California political leader Nathan Holden first attempted to enlist to fight Hitler in World War II when he was only 14 years old. Although too young to serve, it was the start of Holden’s community service commitment, not driven by fame or recognition, but because it was the “right thing to do,” an attribute reiterated by multiple notable speakers at the memorial service held in his honor at West Angeles Church of God in Christ on May 30.

“He was a voice for the disenfranchised and a champion for the oppressed.” – Glynn Turman, actor.

Award-winning actor, producer, director, writer and long-time friend of Holden, Glynn Turman, eulogized Holden as “a Renaissance man, a cultured man who was knowledgeable, educated and proficient in a wide range of fields,” citing Holden’s work as an aerospace industry systems engineer where he contributed to historical projects like the Surveyor Lunar Lander Spacecraft project;  his famous athleticism of one-arm push-ups, marathon runs and his tactical precision as a boxer; and his patriotism, which was realized at age 16 when he was finally allowed to enter the US Army Military Police Corps.  

“He was a voice for the disenfranchised and a champion for the oppressed. No challenge was too daunting to take on, no problem too complex. He was called to serve the people,” said Turman.  “He was always willing to step into good trouble. If you really needed someone to help you make it through, that was Nate.”

Turman also commented on Holden’s love for the arts in his life and community, reminding the mourners of Holden’s role in rebuilding the Crenshaw district after the uprising of 1992, as well as the restoration of the Ebony Showcase Theatre, now renamed the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center. A solo dance performance honoring Holden’s commitment to the arts from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy was also featured at the memorial service.

“He was a source of civic pride and inspired limitless opportunity for ensuring generations to dream,” said Turman.

Born in Macon, GA, Holden was raised in Elizabeth, NJ, where his family said he developed an unwavering commitment to justice. Holden’s public service career spanned more than 30 years, serving as the chief deputy to Supervisor Kenneth Hahn,  four years in the California State Senate, and four terms on the Los Angeles City Council representing District 10.

“He led with righteous conviction, courage and vision…” – The Honorable Karen Bass, Mayor, City of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also spoke about Holden’s legacy “of service, strength and unwavering dedication to this city. He led with righteous conviction, courage and vision, and throughout his life, he remained firm in his belief that the people of Los Angeles deserve to be seen and heard.”

“His decades of public service,” said Bass, “from the California State Senate to the Los Angeles City Council, were marked by bold leadership and deep moral conviction.”

Some of Holden’s more notable contributions included authoring legislation that made Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a California State holiday and launching a Los Angeles gun buyback program.

“I hope, “said Bass, “you feel here in this sanctuary and across the city just how deeply Nate Holden was loved and how far-reaching and enduring his impact will be for generations.”

Also in attendance were Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, former US Representative  Dianne Watson (CA-33), LA City Council President Herb Wesson, and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn and many other elected and civic leaders.

Hahn’s remarks included how influential Holden had been in her life for decades and was a close personal advisor.

“I sat next to him on the LA City Council,” she said. “He would say, you know, it’s not rocket science, councilmember, but in this instance, he was a rocket scientist and so smart. He taught me to learn the rules of the LA City Council, because, he said,  whoever knows the rules wins the game.”

“He gave me the courage to do things.” The Honorable Janice Hahn, Member, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

“He gave me the courage to do things,” she continued, “and I agree with Mayor Bass. I think he had me on speed dial. He called me at all hours of the day and night, sometimes to scold me when he didn’t think I’d lived up to his expectations. He always had advice, and he was so loyal.”

“I know that there would not be a political Herb Wesson were it not for Nate Holden giving me a shot when nobody else would,” said Herb Wesson, President of the Los Angeles City Council, who served as Holden’s Chief of Staff during Holden’s LA City Council tenure. “Many of you think it’s hard being Black in America today, but think about how tough it was in 1929. Nate Holden was supposed to be somebody’s statistic. But he wound up being our success.”

Wesson cited one of those successes as the Holden gun buyback program and acknowledged, “I have a thousand Nate Holden stories.”

US Representative Maxine Waters addressed the many elected officials and community activists who were paying their respects to Holden at the event.

“You may know him from his tenure on the Los Angeles City Council representing the 10th district, where he served for 16 years. However, he also served in the California State Senate. He made substantial contributions, and in 1975, he authored and helped pass the bill to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday in California. Other key legislative accomplishments included the California Housing Financial Discrimination Act of 1977, which prohibits financial institutions from providing or denying assistance based on race, religion, sex, or marital status. This bill changed the restrictions that prevented women from acquiring a mortgage without the signature of a man.”

“Much of what he did is still helping me today.” US Representative Maxine Waters (CA-43)

“I want to tell you,” she emphasized, “that as a ranking member and former Chair of the Financial Services Committee of Congress, much of what he did is still helping me today,” said Waters.

Grandson Nick Holden described his grandfather’s “great energy and enthusiasm in pursuit of his goals, and his extraordinary vision, conviction and heart. He carried Los Angeles in his heart and took his story to the world,” he said.

“My father made it his personal crusade to make sure, whatever the issue, he gave it his full personal attention. He was committed to public service like no other person,” said former Assemblymember and former Mayor of Pasadena, Chris Holden.

“When you give back to a community,” he continued, “when you try to do something greater than yourself, that means that you have to be able to go out and make that difference, to follow that calling, to do what you know God has put in your heart to do.”

“Early in his life, my dad made the decision to leave school and go to war to fight for freedom, to fight for liberty, to fight for principles that he was not even able to enjoy personally,” says his son. 

“And when he returned from military service, he went back to school, got his high school diploma, his college degree and then his master’s. He took great pride in being able to say that, as a scientist, he was able to make a difference in a very profound way, expanding the boundaries of this earth. That was important to my Dad.”

“On Saturday before he passed,  he was still taking vegetables to seniors. I  said, ‘Dad, you know you are a senior.’ But that’s just who he was. He couldn’t help himself because it was about serving, giving all he had to serve.”

“You have to be humble,” continued Holden, “and you have to care. You also have to be able to pass the torch by putting your hand in the water and creating a ripple for the next generation to experience.”

Nate Holden is survived by his three children, Chris, Reggie, and Melissa, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.