In a modest front yard, a 22-year-old Searsia lancea thrives, a free gift from the City of Los Angeles, planted where a white birch once stood. This sumac, far from its native Africa, flourishes in Southern California, exuding an enchanting fragrance from its leaves. As it grows, this resilient tree has quietly observed the community’s evolution—enhancements to local green spaces and a burgeoning sense of pride through community-driven projects. It stands not only as a source of beauty but also as a testament to the Valley’s cultural mosaic and the persistent spirit of its people, nurturing both identity and environment.