J. Alfred Cannon, M.D., M.P.H.

Dr. Cannon graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, in 1954. Upon moving to Southern California, he completed his residency in psychiatry at the U.C.L.A. School of Medicine, where he later earned a master's degree in public health and held a faculty appointment.

In 1962, he founded the Central City Community Mental Health Center, became Chairman of the Psychiatry Department at Charles R. Drew Medical Center, Chairman of the Psychiatry Department at Augustus F. Hawkins Mental Health Facility, and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA. Dr. Cannon was a persistent supporter of quality mental healthcare for inner-city neighborhoods in the aftermath of the 1965 Watts Riots.

Dr. Cannon was the vice chairman of the Black Psychiatrists of America (BPA) and an APA Life Member. He crusaded for better mental health facilities for minority communities and was instrumental in establishing the Drew Medical School in South Central Los Angeles.