The Guide to Black History Month Events in Los Angeles

Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their important role in U.S. history. The event was originally the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Following is a list of Los Angeles events and cultural institutions participating in Black History Month.

LA Opera Connects celebrates the work of Black composers with a performance at California African American Museum featuring Cedric Berry (bass), Ashley Faatoalia (tenor), Grace Lee (piano) and Thalia Moore (soprano). 

This year’s Pan African Film +Arts Festival begins with the PAFF Artfest to take place between February 7 and 16 in Baldwin Hills Crenshaw. The film festival kicks off on February 16 and runs through February 22 with screenings The Culver Theater and Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw. 

Influential hip-hop artist Slick Rick stops by the Grammy Museum on February 10 to celebrate the release of his latest album and film Victory. The event includes a screening of Victory as well as a chat with Slick Rick.

Award winning documentarian Louis Massiah will appear in conversation with UC Riverside professor Courtney R. Baker at Vidiots for the February 11 screening of new documentary TCB- The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing. The film, produced and directed by Massiah, reflects on the lessons of author, filmmaker and activist Toni Cade Bambara.

In 1991, Daughters of the Dust became the first feature by a Black woman to be nationally distributed. Writer/director Julie Dash will be on hand at the Academy Museum on February 11 with Academy Governor Ava DuVernay for the February 11 screening of her landmark film. 

The theme for the 45th annual Black Doll Show, Sower of Seeds: Creating a New Tomorrow, is inspired by Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the Sower and includes both handmade and collected dolls that reflect renewal, resilience and transformation. Doll workshops will take place on February 7 and February 12. 

Plan to arrive early for Vidiots’ screening of Juice, the 1990s coming-of-age film known for the first film appearance for Tupac Shakur. There will be a pre-show, all-vinyl DJ set, as well as a post-show conversation with writer and director Ernest Dickerson. 

Aquarium of the Pacific’s 24th annual African American Festival is February 21 and will include the Aquarium’s Heritage Award ceremony. Enjoy a day of music, dance and storytelling with the whole family. Festivities begin at 9 a.m.

Black History Month Festival heads to La Brea Tar Pits on Saturday, February 21 with an afternoon of family-friendly events, including soccer games for children and a live performance from punto rock artist Chico Ramos. 

Make Ghanaian-inspired jewelry, learn how to collect oral histories or see a performance from Tommy the Clown at Central Library's day-long celebration of black history, Inspiring Journeys. The all ages event is free to attend.