Celebrate Black History Month In Los Angeles

Black History Month was begun as Negro History Week by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926. His goal was to educate the American people about African-American history, focusing on African Americans' cultural backgrounds and reputable achievements. Since 1976 it has been celebrated in the month of February. Los Angeles has observances and celebrations around town.

California's African American Museum kicked off Black History Month with a celebration highlighted the importance of education in history and for future generations. Throughout the month - and all year long - the museum preserve and exhibits the history, art and culture of African Americans.

Saturday, February 11, 2012 8:00am

In support of our Veterans, especially, the Tuskeege Airmen. Riverside's Black History parade for 2012 will be Themed: "Proof of Valor". We can stand in support of the men and women of this Country for protecting our Freedom. You can sign up for this event online.

Thursday, February 9, 2012 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

NAACP Riverside will host its 62nd Annual Freedom Fund Awards Gala on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012 at 5:30 p.m. at the Riverside Convention Center in downtown Riverside. This year's theme is "Affirming America's Promise" and the distinguished keynote speaker is NAACP State President Alice A. Huffman.
Individual dinner tickets are $75.00.
Table of ten is $750.00

The AC Bilbrew Library will hold events throughout the month. A free exhibit from The African American Miniature Museum will be open from Wednesday, February 15 through Saturday February 18, 2012 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM. On Sat, February 25 at 2:00 PM, writer Erin Aubry Kaplan will present her book: "Black Talk, Blue Thoughts, and Walking the Color Line: Dispatches from a Black Journalista." Erin has covered black issues as a journalist for twenty years, and was the first black weekly op-ed columnist in the history of the LA Times.

Wednesday, February 22, 4:00 PM

Chazz "Matazz" will lead a jungle drum circle using 20 djembe drums to celebrate Black History Month. Chazz is an accomplished performer and percussionist who regularly performs around Los Angeles and also leads therapeutic musical sessions.

The museum presents cultural artifacts from throughout the African world, black memorabilia, Blacks in advertising, Negro League baseball history, autographs, a reference library, thousands of artifacts and relics dating from before Christ, to rare and one-of-a-kind photographs dating from the beginning of America to yesterday's news.
Oran Z has just added a new exhibit: The Return To Blackness, in concert with Valley of the Kings' Prentice Luster. This is an awesome display of some of the wonders of ancient Egypt.