*The world has bade farewell to a cultural icon and humanitarian, Jewel Thais-Williams, affectionately known as “Mama Jewel.” She passed away on July 7, 2025, at the age of 86.
A pioneer of Black queer liberation, Jewel transformed the social and cultural landscape of Los Angeles and beyond through her unwavering commitment to equality, community, and inclusion.
In 1973, Jewel defied racism, sexism, and homophobia by purchasing a Pico Boulevard ballroom and creating Jewel’s Catch One, the first Black-owned queer nightclub in the United States.
For over 42 years, Catch One became a safe haven for LGBTQ+ people of color and allies, hosting legends like Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Shalimar and Madonna.
Dubbed the “Studio 54 of the West,” the club was more than nightlife—it was a sanctuary for self-expression, belonging, and resistance during an era of intense discrimination.
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Mayor Karen Bass Honors Jewel’s Legacy
At Jewel’s recent Celebration of Life, Mayor Karen Bass announced that Catch One will be officially recognized as a historical landmark in the city of Los Angeles.
“Jewel Thais-Williams not only built a space for joy and resilience, she built a movement,” Mayor Bass stated.
She added: “We will ensure her legacy stands for generations by preserving Catch One as a historic landmark.”
A Champion of Health, Housing, and Healing
Jewel’s activism extended far beyond the dance floor. She co-founded the Minority AIDS Project in 1987 and, alongside her life partner Rue Thais-Williams, established Rue’s House, the first U.S. housing facility for Black women living with HIV and their children.
In 2001, she founded the Village Health Foundation, offering holistic healthcare, nutrition, and wellness programs to underserved Black and Brown communities in Los Angeles.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters on Jewel’s Brilliance
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who attended Jewel’s Celebration of Life, reflected on her multifaceted legacy: “Not only was Jewel a Black gay woman helping the LGBTQ community, but she was also a damn good businesswoman.”
A Lasting Legacy
Throughout her life, Jewel’s vision and advocacy inspired generations of activists and community leaders. She was honored as Grand Marshal of the 2016 L.A. Pride Parade, and in 2019, the intersection of Pico Boulevard and Norton Avenue was named Jewel Thais-Williams Square by the Los Angeles City Council, commemorating her contributions to LGBTQ+ rights and Black history.
Her groundbreaking story was captured in the acclaimed 2016 documentary Jewel’s Catch One, directed by C. Fitz and distributed by Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY.
Jewel is survived by her partner Rue, siblings Carol Amos, Lula Washington, and Kenneth Williams and a global community she nurtured with love and courage.
“Jewel Thais-Williams reminded us that creating safety and joy in marginalized communities is an act of radical love and resistance.”
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