March 13, 2026

Celebrating the life of our dearest Jataun Valentine

Take a moment to celebrate with us the life of Jataun Valentine, an excellent human being who passed away on 3/7/2026. Jataun has been a friend to Cornerstone Theater Company since 2015 when we met her as a vital community advocate for Venice, CA. She, along with two other powerhouses, Carmen Navarro & Sue Kaplan, invited us to “do what we do” with the Oakwood Park neighborhood. With their help we produced Ghost Town which included stories Jataun’s family in the founding of Venice, as well some of her family members in the cast onstage. Jataun was also a member of Cornerstone’s Community Council and was honored with our 2018 Bridge Award for her community activism & extensive volunteer work with local organizations like Venice Community Housing. Jataun was one of those special people who knows so many people and connects with many more. And as she could school you on all kinds of complex current & historic community dynamics, she was also a really fun person to spend time with, whenever you could catch up with (or run alongside) her. 

Sending peace and condolences to all who will miss her. It’s good to know that we can say Hey to Jataun each time we pass the mural of her near the intersection of Lincoln Blvd & Rose Ave.