Joy Atkinson, community advocate, civic leader, and dear friend passed away.

Posted on 01/13/2026

The Sylmar Neighborhood Council lost a friend and advocate.

Joy Atkinson was a monumental figure in Los Angeles civic life whose decades of service transformed the city's political and community infrastructure and landscape. A bridge-builder and mentor, Joy dedicated her life to ensuring that the voices of the marginalized—particularly Black women—were not only heard but were leading the conversation.

A Legacy of Public Service

A native of Los Angeles, Atkinson was known for her grassroots organizing and civic involvement.  She embodied the phrase about being “able to walk with kings but never losing the common touch.”

Joy Atkinson's commitment to public service was deeply rooted in her family history; she was the daughter of Eddie and Antoinette Atkinson, and her father was the first African American to reach a general election for the Los Angeles City Council. She carried this torch forward with a professional career that spanned nearly every level of local and state governance:

•  State Leadership: For 16 years, she served as Chief of Staff for Assemblywoman Gwen Moore in the 47th District, where she managed legislative staff and spearheaded critical constituent outreach.
•  City Commissions: Joy was a trusted advisor to multiple Los Angeles Mayors. She served on the South Los Angeles Area Planning Commission (President), the Los Angeles City Planning Commission, and the Police Permit Review Panel.
•  Neighborhood Empowerment: Appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti, Joy served as a Commissioner and eventually as President of the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners (BONC), where she advocated for the citywide system of neighborhood councils until 2022.
•  Community Advocacy: She worked closely with Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas for eight years to build the Empowerment Congress, a model for civic engagement that remains a cornerstone of local democracy.

Joy had an equally impressive impact through her many community engagement activities, which included being a founding member of Citizens for Accountable Leadership.  She was also the founding executive director of LAAAWPPI, where she prepared and trained thousands of young women for executive careers in politics and nonprofit agencies.

Our thoughts and thanks.

Rest in peace & power.

 

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