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.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH (FEBRUARY 2025)
Presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), African American Heritage Month is a City of Los Angeles cultural celebration that runs concurrently with Black History Month. Many DCA events are included in the Black HIstory Month list - for a complete schedule of African American Heritage Month online and in-person events, visit the DCA website and download the 2025 AAHM Program Guide.

Now on view at the Henry P. Rios Gallery in Los Angeles City Hall, The Story of Us is an exhibit of LA-based photographer Leroy Hamilton's series that captures Black Angelenos in several dimensions of their lives—at home with family, in the conference room, on the court, in government halls of power, on the mainstage, in the streets and in places of worship. The Story of Us is on view through February 26.

A true innovator, George Washington Carver championed sustainable agriculture and plant-based engineering in the early 20th century. He also incorporated sustainability into his art practice, which included weaving and painting. For PST ART, the California African American Museum (CAAM) is presenting World Without End: The George Washington Carver Project, now on view through March 2. The exhibition features Carver’s art, lab equipment, samples and formulas alongside contemporary pieces from LA-based artist Judson Powell and others.

Two exhibits are on view at the iconic Watts Towers through March 8.

Robin Strayhorn: A Woman in Charge (Noah Purifoy Gallery)
A Woman in Charge is a solo show highlighting the cumulative work of Robin Strayhorn using various mediums including graphite, collage, acrylic and monoprints. Strayhorn is a multidisciplinary artist residing in Los Angeles for the past 40 years. Some of her most recent work reflects time spent living and studying in India.

Spirits of the Ancestors (Charles Mingus Gallery)
Spirits of the Ancestors is a moving visual arts project that was conceptualized and developed by Arts Center Director, Rosie Lee Hooks, who commissioned 13 artists from the community—Joseph Beckles, Charles Dickson, Mark Greenfield, Varnette P. Honeywood, Toni Love, Gilbert “Magu” Lujan, L. Frank Manriquez, Willie Middlebrook, John Outterbridge, Elliot Pinkney, R. Judson Powell, Ramsess and Kenzi Shiokava— to use shovels as a canvas to honor the legacy of our ancestors. Each of the world-renowned master artists who accepted the challenge have a history of building arts institutions in Watts and the greater Los Angeles community.

Luther Vandross: Artistry and Elegance (through June 15, 2025)
Now on view at the GRAMMY Museum through June 15, Luther Vandross: Artistry and Elegance celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of Luther Vandross, an eight-time GRAMMY® winner, revered songwriter, arranger, producer, performer, and one of the most gifted vocalists in music history. The exhibit offers an intimate glimpse into Vandross’ creative process and showcases his ornate stage wardrobe, exclusive performance footage from his tours, and a never-before-heard recording of him in the studio.

Luther Vandross first captured the spotlight in the 1970s as a sought-after backup singer, collaborating with luminaries such as David Bowie, Roberta Flack, Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler and Carly Simon. As a solo artist, he became renowned for his relatable lyrics about love and mesmerizing live performances, characterized by dynamic bands, elaborate stage designs, and striking custom costumes worn by his background singers. Vandross achieved remarkable success, charting a Top 10 R&B hit every year from 1981 to 1994 and releasing 11 consecutive platinum records, with over 40 million albums sold worldwide.

Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit (through Feb. 17, 2025)
The GRAMMY Museum celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit. Now on view through February 17, the 5,000 square-foot exhibit delves deep into the world of hip-hop through expansive exhibits on hip-hop music, dance, graffiti, fashion, business, activism and history, providing visitors with an immersive experience that explores the profound impact and influence of hip-hop culture.

On display is an incredible array of artifacts, including the Notorious B.I.G.’s iconic red leather pea jacket, LL Cool J’s red Kangol bucket hat, Slick Rick’s rose gold eye patch, bejeweled crown, and handwritten lyrics for “Children’s Story”; and much more. Additionally, the exhibit features a one-of-a-kind Sonic Playground, featuring five interactive stations that invite visitors of all ages to unleash their creativity through DJing, rapping and sampling.

Now on view at LACMA through August 3, Imagining Black Diasporas: 21st-Century Art and Poetics finds aesthetic connections among 60 artists working in Africa, Europe and the Americas. The exhibition and its catalogue are among the first to examine nearly a quarter-century of production by Black artists. The project debuts new acquisitions for LACMA and expands the Pan-African exhibition canon, historically focused on the Black Atlantic, by showcasing artists working along the Pacific Rim. Nearly 70 works of painting, sculpture, photography, works on paper, and time-based media are organized into four themes: speech and silence, movement and transformation, imagination and representation.

Founded by artist Mark Bradford, philanthropist and collector Eileen Harris Norton, and community activist Allan DiCastro, Art + Practice (A+P) is a nonprofit foundation based in Leimert Park Village. A+P supports the needs of South LA foster youth and provides the community with access to museum-curated contemporary art.

As part of a five-year collaboration with the California African American Museum, A+P presents KAOS Theory: The Afrokosmic Media Arts of Ben Caldwell, now on view through March 8. Caldwell is a community-minded filmmaker, educator and cultural producer who in 1984 opened KAOS Network, the intergenerational media arts hub that has helped steward Leimert Park Village’s traditions of Black artistry, fellowship and love. This retrospective multimedia exhibition celebrates Caldwell’s archive and the vibrant creative life and communities of KAOS Network.

KAOS Kids creative space is held on Saturdays and one Sunday a month during the Leimert Park ArtWalk. Taking place from 2pm to 5pm, it's an afternoon filled with fun and educational activities for the whole family! Sankofa City is a community design project that aims to envision the future of urban spaces, such as Leimert Park, through technology, STEM, transportation, and culture.

Free admission, RSVP at Eventbrite.

The Museum of African American Art (MAAA) is a hidden gem located at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The nonprofit museum exhibits the work of world-renowned artists as well as emerging local artists, while ensuring that its art experiences are free and accessible to the public. The museum is currently exhibiting in a temp space across from TJ Maxx on Level 2 of the mall. Now on view are selected works from the museum's Permanent Collection, including recently donated artwork, newly conserved works on paper, materials from the archives, and local artist Aiseborn's mural of MAAA founder, Dr. Samella Lewis.

Founded in 1977, the William Grant Still Arts Center is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs - offering summer camp, creative workshops, music and art classes for adults and youth, an exhibition space, concerts, and a place for community meetings and the neighborhood to come together.

Now on view through February 15, the 44th Annual Black Doll Show is curated by Aiysha Sinclair. in need of good folk… "MAGIC FOLK LIKE US” invites visitors to journey through a magical world where Black folklore and fairytales are celebrated, woven together through the power of storytelling and art. The show is an homage to the oral tradition and its limitless possibilities, seen through the lens of Black artists and doll makers.

Every Sunday, the whole family is invited to enjoy an afternoon at the African American Firefighter Museum, with special surprises for future firefighters!

Take a 40-minute guided tour filled with stories and little-known details about the African American firefighter legacy in Los Angeles. Explore the grounds of historic Fire Station No. 30, which operated as a segregated firehouse from 1924 to 1955. Experience a real fire truck up close and enjoy a Kid’s Corner creative space and fun photo ops.

Free admission, RSVP at Eventbrite.

Taking place every Sunday evening in the David Geffen Theater, Oscar Sundays is an ongoing series that celebrates films that have been recognized at the Academy Awards.

This winter, the museum curates a selection of exceptional Black artists who have been nominated for or have won Oscars over the last 65 years. February screenings include:

• Get Out (Feb. 2)
• Judas and the Black Messiah (Feb. 9)
• The Holdovers in 35mm (Feb. 23)

Tickets to Oscar Sundays are on sale at the Academy Museum website.

In conjunction with the Getty’s PST ART: Art & Science Collide initiative, Roberts Projects presents Mojotech, a monumental altar assemblage by the renowned artist Betye Saar. Originally conceived in 1987 during Saar’s residency at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), this installation serves as a profound exploration of the intersection between contemporary technology and ancient spiritual practices.

Now in its 33rd year, the Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) is renowned as the nation's largest Black History Month event. PAFF celebrates the rich tapestry of Black diaspora stories through film, art and cultural expression. Centered on this year's theme, "Dream Beyond," PAFF will screen more than 100 films from 40+ countries at The Culver Theater from February 4 to 17. The 18-day ArtFest (Feb. 6-23) will take place at Westfield Culver City.

Signature events include the Spoken Word Fest, LOL Comedy Show & Fashion Show, Opening & Closing Night Galas, along with FREE programming for students, children and seniors.

For the full slate of films and to purchase tickets, visit the PAFF website.

Making her Walt Disney Concert Hall debut on Friday, February 7, twenty-four-year-old Bronx native Samara Joy sings with a young person’s passion and an experienced artist’s wisdom. As the great bassist Christian McBride said, “It’s spooky. She sounds and tells stories like an elder.” Joy’s refined, distinctive style has been compared to Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald—all legendary singers who also recorded for Verve Records—but the perspective she shares on her GRAMMY Award-winning album Linger Awhile is all her own.

On Saturday, February 8, the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL), Our Authors Study Club (OASC) and the Leimert Park Book Fair present a Conversation with Courtney B. Vance, who will discuss his book, The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Re claiming Their Power. Written with Dr. Robin L. Smith, The Invisible Ache is a unique combination of moving memoir and practical tools that offers guidance for Black men seeking to reclaim their mental well-being–and, ultimately, to live wholeheartedly. Taking place at the Central Library from 3pm to 5pm, the conversation will be moderated by William Allen Young (A Soldier's Story, District 9). Arrive early for an hour-long performance in the Children's Courtyard by cellist Adrienne Woods. Free with RSVP at Eventbrite.

On Saturday, February 8, visit The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion anytime between 6:30pm and 8:30pm for The Music Center Presents: The Gift, an immersive, music-filled reading room experience exploring grief, loss, human connection and self-discovery through the story of two intertwined stars. Free and open to the public.

Join LeVar Burton for an intimate conversation with the co-creators of The Gift as they explore its powerful themes of connection and loss. Be sure to experience the immersive installation beforehand to deepen your perspective and fully engage with this unforgettable conversation. Free with RSVP.

On view at the Hammer Museum from February 8 to May 4, Alice Coltrane, Monument Eternal is inspired by the life and legacy of jazz musician, devotional leader and mother Alice Coltrane. The title takes its name from her book Monument Eternal (1977), which reflected her newfound spiritual beliefs; the loss of her husband, the saxophonist John Coltrane; and the path to healing and self-discovery. The exhibition presents works by contemporary American artists paired with ephemera from Coltrane’s personal archive. Featuring a range of mediums including video, installation, performance, and sculpture together with Coltrane’s archival handwritten sheet music, unreleased audio recordings, and rarely seen video footage, Alice Coltrane, Monument Eternal explores themes including spiritual transcendence, sonic innovation, and architectural intimacy to honor Coltrane’s cultural output and practice.

The Hammer is hosting an opening night celebration on Saturday, February 8, featuring a DJ set by Flying Lotus - Alice Coltrane's grandnephew, Steven Ellison - and special guest WEBSLINGER. Admission is free, and food and drink will be available for purchase throughout the night. Entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.

GRAMMY nominated singer-songwriter Terry Steele sings Luther Vandross at Herb Alpert's Vibrato on Thursday, February 13. Two performances, at 7pm and 9:30pm. Book your dinner reservation and show tickets at Resy - options include Main Level, Balcony Preferred and VIP Sweetheart Banquette.

In collaboration with DCA, numerous branches of the Los Angeles Public Library are presenting events for African American Heritage Month, including Book Club readings, movie screenings, arts & crafts, and panel discussions.

"Io Capitano" (Feb. 15)
As part of its World Cinema Series, the historic Central Library in Downtown LA presents a screening of Io Capitano on Saturday, February 15. Longing for a brighter future, two Senegalese teenagers embark on a journey from West Africa to Italy. However, between their dreams and reality lies a labyrinth of checkpoints, the Sahara Desert, and the vast waters of the Mediterranean.

Inspiring Journeys: African American Histories (Feb. 22)
On Saturday, February 22, the Central Library is hosting Inspiring Journeys: African American Histories, a day of celebration for African American Heritage Month. From health and wellness to genealogy and technology to arts & crafts for all ages, there is something for everyone. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate African American history and culture in a fun and welcoming atmosphere. Inspiring Journeys is free and open to all, so bring your friends and family for a day of celebration and learning.

Presented by the Congress Of Racial Equality of California (CORE-CA), the Kingdom Day Parade is regarded as "the world's largest and longest-running life celebration" of Martin Luther King Jr. With the theme "Peace and Unity, Let it Start with Us" the 40th edition of the parade is taking place on Monday, February 17 from 10am to 2pm and will be televised live on ABC7.

The parade route starts at Western Avenue and runs west along Martin Luther King Boulevard, turns south on Crenshaw Boulevard, then east on Vernon Avenue before it ends at Leimert Park. The post-parade festival at Leimert Park features music, dancing, food and more.

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) hosts its February Monthly Film Festival and annual InFocus: Black Cinema program, spotlighting Black stories and emerging Black talent in front of and behind the camera. Taking place at the South Park Center on Saturday, February 22, the festival opens with a selection of short film highlights from NFMLA’s ongoing monthly program; followed by a two-part Black Cinema Shorts program.

Open Arms Food Pantry and Resource Center presents the 9th Annual LA Black History Month Festival, taking place from 11am to 6pm on Sunday, February 23 at Pan Pacific Park. The festival will feature live performances, an African marketplace, concessions and a community forum on topics that affect health, mental health and other issues related to the African American community. Free admission, RSVP at Eventbrite.

On Saturday, February 22, CAP UCLA presents JJJJJerome Ellis, a Grenadian-Jamaican-American artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries to probe the intersections of stuttering, justice, blackness, disabled speech and divinity. Through music, performance, writing, video and photography, Ellis delves into themes of unknowing, improvisation, and the transfiguration of archival documents into contemplative soundscapes and music-video-poems. His debut album, The Clearing, acclaimed as “an astonishing, must-listen project” by The Guardian, coupled with a book, navigates the realms of music, disabled speech and blackness, inviting listeners and readers into a metaphorical clearing of liberation and possibility.

The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its 23rd annual African American Festival on Saturday and Sunday, February 22-23. Celebrating the richness and diversity of African American and African cultures, the weekend will feature live entertainment, arts & crafts and more. Featured performances include hip hop and breakdancers, Mardi Gras second line dancers, live jazz, interactive drum circles, West African dance and cultural storytelling.

The festival is taking place from 9am to 5pm on both days and is included with paid General Admission and free to Aquarium members.

Cha Wa offers a euphoric celebration of New Orleans' rich heritage. With songs that resonate with the ongoing fight for liberation, Cha Wa's music, described by Popmatters as "a grand gumbo of singing, intoxicating rhythms, and deep funk grooves," invites you to experience the unstoppable energy of New Orleans.

Like all DFS programs, this hour-long student matinee performance is free for schools to attend, though we do ask that schools make their own transportation arrangements. If that means you might not be able to attend, let us know. We may be able to help. Our Perloff Memorial Bus Fund provides support for bus transportation. We often have more demand that we can accommodate; requests are filled on a first-come basis. Contact us at dfs@cap.ucla.edu for more information.