Los Angeles is embracing Black History Month with a diverse array of events, extending beyond traditional museum exhibits to encompass culinary experiences, cultural travel, and musical celebrations. This year’s observances are particularly significant, marking the centennial celebration of Black history across the United States, though acknowledging that African American contributions span far longer than a century.
A Century of Recognition, Rooted in Earlier Observances
The formal recognition of Black history began in 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History initiated Negro History Week. Woodson strategically scheduled the week to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, both figures deeply revered within Black communities for their roles in the fight against slavery. This timing built upon momentum from the 50th anniversary of emancipation in 1915, which had already sparked broader interest in the formal study of African American history.
Woodson believed that Black history should be integrated into regular education, not treated as a separate, occasional topic. His organization developed lesson plans and teaching materials to support this goal. The week-long observance gradually expanded, and in 1976, President Gerald Ford officially designated February as Black History Month during the U.S. Bicentennial.
Los Angeles Celebrations: A Multifaceted Approach
This February, Los Angeles County Parks is hosting Black History Month celebrations across 60 park locations, offering free, family-friendly events, cultural experiences, and food tastings. These celebrations, running from through , aim to honor the achievements, contributions, and legacy of Black culture and heritage.
Norma E. García-González, Director of Los Angeles County Parks, emphasized the importance of these celebrations, stating, Black History Month honors the triumphs, contributions and resilience of African Americans throughout U.S. History. Too often, this history is minimized, marginalized, or erased, which is why we feel these LA County celebrations of Black history are also an important opportunity to uplift and highlight the Black community in LA County.
She further noted that the events are designed to be joyful and informative
and to underscore that Black history is American history.
The County Parks’ SPOT program, a free after-school program for teens aged 12-18, will also participate with events including documentary viewing parties, soul cooking classes, and inspirational quote chalk art. For the first time, senior centers will join the celebrations, offering programming that includes food tastings, art workshops, book readings, and jazz days.
Beyond Parks: A Culinary and Cultural Exploration
The celebration extends beyond the parks system, with a focus on the culinary achievements of Black Americans. Los Angeles offers 15 ways to celebrate Black History Month deliciously, recognizing the contributions of Black cooks who codified Southern cuisine, activists who launched affordable food hubs, and restaurateurs currently leading the culinary scene.
Events include a cinema supper club, a Sunday jazz brunch, and a community walk in Hyde Park. The celebrations also highlight contemporary contributions, such as a Black woman-founded grocery store providing organic vegan produce to South L.A. Neighborhoods.
A Shift in How History is Experienced
Black History Month is evolving beyond static displays and scripted explanations. Events are increasingly focused on providing firsthand experiences, allowing people to taste, hear, and experience
history through soul food gatherings, cultural travel, festivals, and live music. This approach emphasizes the preservation of stories of resilience and resourcefulness within African American cuisines and brings history out of academic footnotes and into public view.
The current landscape of Black History Month celebrations reflects a desire to make history more accessible and engaging, moving away from traditional formats and embracing opportunities for immersive cultural experiences. The events in Los Angeles, and across the country, aim to keep Black history shared and celebrated out in the open
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