Published poet and author, Andrea Mauk has worn a lot of hats in her community, including theater teacher, blogger, photographer, real estate agent, neighborhood advocate, and preservationist. An Angelena by way of Arizona, Andrea is passionate about preserving historic places important to her community.

“I live in the Charles Victor Hall Tract in West Adams, which is not a designated historic neighborhood,” says Andrea. “Our homes here are ripe for flipping and we’re seeing large developments squeezing out our mom-and-pop businesses, longtime residents, and turn-of-the-century character.”

With some preservation experience already under her belt, Andrea was looking for more learning opportunities when she applied for the Conservancy’s Community Leadership Boot Camp and was accepted as a part of the third cohort.

“Boot Camp was hands-on projects based on real-world scenarios,” Andrea said about the program’s immersive and practical approach. She also enjoyed broadening her community and meeting so many other people who shared her passion for preservation.

Since Boot Camp, Andrea enrolled in USC’s Master of Heritage Conservation Program and has worked on multiple issues close to her heart. This has included supporting the Conservancy’s advocacy efforts for Hung Sa Dahn (Historic-Cultural Monument #1274), research for the L.A. Women’s Landmark Project, and producing two documentaries as a Summer intern with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Most recently, she provided research and advocacy support for the Historic-Cultural Monument Nomination for the Greater Page Temple Church of God in Christ.

“I am a part of West Adams Neighborhood Association’s housing committee and was hearing from Pastor Harris that he was getting real estate offers for Greater Page Temple Church [of God in Christ] in the mail every day,” Andrea remembers.

Senior Pastor Dr. David E. Harris enlisted Andrea to help him preserve the historic church, which is significant for its architecture, its associations with the spiritual, social, and cultural development of the Black community in Los Angeles, as well as the church’s namesake, Bishop L.C. Page: founder and longtime pastor of Greater Page Temple Church of God in Christ.

“When I started researching the church’s history, I was amazed to learn its stories and the connections to evangelism’s roots in Los Angeles,” Andrea recalls. “That’s when I asked the Conservancy for help with preparing the Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM) nomination.”

Landmarking this historic church became deeply important for Andrea as she reflected on its significance to the Black community in West Adams—especially during the Civil Rights Movement. This church was more than just a place of worship; it was a place where people felt truly safe, free to speak openly without fear or scrutiny.

In June 2025, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission unanimously voted to consider the HCM nomination for Greater Page Temple Church of God in Christ, getting one step closer to local designation.

In August, Andrea will graduate with a master’s degree in Heritage Conservation from USC.

Boot Camp graduates expand the reach of preservation in Los Angeles County and beyond. Check out more of our Boot Camp Graduate series here.