There are a ton of special Black History Month events happening all month in and around Los Angeles to celebrate and show appreciation for Black History Month.
Below are some of the best kid-friendly activities you can do with the whole family.
We encourage you to take note of the places and organizers and continue to support Black-owned businesses (including Minibop) all year round!
Feb 1-25: Santa Monica Black History Month Committee
The Santa Monica Black History Month Committee will celebrate its fourth year of providing diverse programming in February 2023. This year will have a departure from the usual activities with two main events: a kickoff celebration and an author reading and conversation.
The theme for 2023 is Black Resistance, established by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Black Resistance can be seen through various forms such as seeking knowledge, participating in the arts, political action, challenging racist practices, supporting Black authors and entrepreneurs, and honoring and making visible Black histories, communities and cultures through celebrations.
The events include the following:
- Feb 1: Kickoff Event Featuring Food Trucks and Dancing
- Feb 2: Black History Month Concert and Documentary Film Screening
- Feb 16: Screening of “The Gabby Douglas Story”
- Feb 21: Mystery Book Group Discussion
- Feb 23: Catherine Adel West Discusses “The Two Lives of Sara”
- Feb 25: Black History Greens Festival
Feb 3-5: Academy Music: Regeneration Summit: A Celebration of Black Cinema
Join the fun at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures for a celebration of Black History Month! From Feb 3rd-5th, participate in the Regeneration Summit and experience a weekend-long festival honoring Black cinema. With interactive activities, live entertainment, workshops, film screenings, and captivating talks, this event offers a rich and immersive history of Black participation in American cinema. Meet Black cinema’s brightest stars and those dedicated to preserving its history. General admission grants access to all same-day activities.
Feb 4: Cars + Coffee @ Hilltop Coffee
Calling all car lovers! Come and enjoy an amazing display of cars, from new to vintage, at Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen (Slauson). Hilltop is Black-owned, and this event is in partnership with NASCAR and Black Restaurant Week. RSVP here.
Feb 4: Orange County Black History Parade
The 43rd Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival takes place on February 4, 2023, from 9 AM to 4 PM, in the 205 W Center Street Promenade. The event includes a blessing of the city, parade from 10 AM to 12 PM, and unity festival from 12 PM with a youth village, health village, college fair, food vendors, product vendors, information booths, live entertainment, car & bike show, and break dance contest. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Feb 5-26: Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association (MDBAA) Kick-off
Monrovia Duarte Black Alumni Association is hosting several events with the first being a book reading event sharing Black stories from their “Monrovia’s Changemakers.” They are also putting on the other evens listed below. You can get more information and tickets here.
- Feb 11: Free Health Fair and Workshops
- Feb 18: Reading, Music, Arts & Crafts
- Feb 23: 10th Annual Children’s Art Festival
- Feb 26: Black History Month Luncheon/Art Exhibit
Feb 9-20: The Pan African Film & Arts Festival
The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) was established in 1992 to become the international beacon for the Diaspora arts community to showcase Black stories and preserve the cinematic creativity of Pan-African Culture. It was founded by Hollywood veterans Danny Glover, the late Ja’Net DuBois, and Ayuko Babu.
PAFF is a non-profit organization that has remained dedicated to the promotion of Black stories and images through the exhibition of film, visual art, and other creative expression. As the largest Black film and arts festival in the United States, PAFF features filmmakers, artists, and unique craftspeople from over 40 countries. It showcases over 200 new high-quality Black films every year and features vibrant red carpets and inspiring panels and workshops.
If you and/or your child are film lovers, consider attending a PAFF film at Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw and XD. The film festival runs for about 2 weeks with numerous events and films screenings. There is a Children’s Fest on February 11 which includes film screenings, storytelling, and interactive activities.
Feb 16: Jammin’ On The Hill @ Hilltop Coffee
Another Hilltop Coffee event! Come to this free event at their Slauson location from 6:30-10pm for live music and food (Cornbread, Chili and desserts)
Feb 18: Pasadena Black History Parade and Festival
The largest Black history parade in Southern California is in Pasadena! The parade starts at 10 a.m. at at Fair Oaks Avenue and Figueroa Drive and ends at Robinson Park (1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave). The festival features live music, dances, guest speakers, food, and more. Festivities runs until 4 p.m.
Feb 25: Black History Month Prosperity Market @ CAAM
Celebrate Black farmers, chefs, and entrepreneurs at the Prosperity Market pop-up event at The California African American Museum (CAAM). The event will feature a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, prepared foods, and artisan goods. There will also be a DJ, cooking demonstrations, a kids corner, and wellness offerings such as a Sound Bath and Self Care Yoga session (at 10am and 11am respectively). Be sure to bring your own yoga mat!
The California African American Museum, located in Exposition Park, is a state-supported museum that showcases art, history, and culture of African Americans. Its permanent collection includes 5,000 items including paintings, modern art, historical objects, and mixed-media artworks. The museum hosts special events and programs, many of which are suitable for families. Even if you can’t attend the Prosperity Market event, this museum is still an excellent place to visit with your ;little one.
Feb 25 & 26: The Aquarium of the Pacific’s African-American Festival
The Aquarium of the Pacific will host its twenty-first annual African American Festival which features music, dance, storytelling, historical displays, and an award ceremony. The Aquarium will also announce and celebrate the recipients of its 2023 African American Scholar Program.
The event is free with general admission. Tickets for non-members cost $37 for adults and $27 for children aged 3-11 (free for 3 and under!).
Feb 29: Black History Month Festival
The 6th Annual Black History Month festival hosted by Open Arms Food Pantry and Resource Center will take place in Los Angeles on February 19, 2023, at the Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex. The theme this year is “Health & Wellness” and “Literature,” and the event will include guest speakers discussing topics affecting African American communities. You can get tickets to the festival by making a donation of any amount.
Anytime: The Museum of African American Art
The Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles is a non-profit educational and cultural institution dedicated to the interpretation, promotion, and preservation of African American art and culture. It offers free admission and serves as a gathering space for the community, offering educational experiences for students and lifelong learners.
The museum’s permanent collection includes works from the US, Africa, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and South America, including the Palmer C. Hayden Collection, a central part of the collection showcasing one of the leading artists of the Harlem Renaissance. MAAA was founded in 1976 and operates primarily based on memberships, donations, grants, museum store sales, and event rentals. During the month of February the museum will feature a solo exhibition called “From the HeArt” by “Aiseborn.”
Anytime: LACMA Afro-Atlantic Histories
The Los Angeles Contemporary Museum of Art (commonly spoken as “Lack-Mah”) is one of LA’s most prominent art museums. Currently there is an exhibition called “Afro-Atlantic Histories” which showcases the transatlantic slave trade and its impact on the African diaspora through art. The exhibition is organized into six sections and features works from Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The exhibition originated in Brazil in 2018 and has toured several museums in the U.S., with the West Coast presentation being the only one.
LACMA features a diverse collection of over 140,000 works of art spanning from ancient times to the present, including American, Asian, European, and Latin American art. The museum is a major cultural destination, attracting over a million visitors annually, and offers a variety of exhibitions, public programs, and educational initiatives. Certain days and times are completely free to visit, but at most an adult ticket is $20 (and kids are always free).
Anytime: The GRAMMY Museum: Marley: A Family Legacy
The GRAMMY Museum is a nonprofit focused on celebrating and exploring music from all eras, inspiring future generations of musicians through exhibits, education, grants, preservation initiatives and public programming. The Museum connects people through music and its mission is to make music a valuable and lasting part of society through these various initiatives. One of their initiatives is in partnership with Minibop, where we instruct a Sensory and Sounds music class hosted at The GRAMMY Museum.
Marley: A Family Legacy is an exhibit showcasing the continued impact of Bob Marley on music and society. Bob Marley, one of the greatest musicians in history, inspired his children to carry on his message of justice and freedom through their own unique artistic pursuits. The exhibit features custom-made clothing, guitars, album proofs, and other personal items of the Marley family members.
Visitors can participate in an interactive drum lesson with reggae drumming icon Santa Davis, who played drums for Bob Marley and other Jamaican reggae artists. Santa Davis teaches how to create the reggae off-beat and guests can take a seat at the drum kit for a lesson.
Anytime: MOCA DTLA
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is an artist-founded museum in Los Angeles, dedicated to collecting and exhibiting contemporary art. It has a significant collection of roughly 7,500 objects and is known for presenting important and challenging works. MOCA has two venues in LA and also has a seminal artwork in the Nevada desert. It engages audiences with exhibitions, education programs, and publishing.
Although MOCA has no official Black History Month events or exhibitions, there are currently several Black artists on exhibit now and through the spring, including Garrett Bradley: American Rhapsody and Henry Taylor: B Side.
Anytime: Los Angeles Public Library
The Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) is another great place to celebrate and educate for Black History Month. The library has resources and events both online and in-person. They partner with various neighborhood libraries across the city to bring programming to people who can’t make it all the way to DTLA. The Hyde Park branch for example has a kid’s crafts pickup with activities centered around heroes from Black history zines.
Anytime: Minibop’s Black Music History Playlist
If you’re looking for a music-themed activity that you can do at home, Minibop has just the thing. We’ve created some playlists featuring Black music artists from oldies to current day hits. All songs are clean and kid-friendly. We’ve also created some tips for how to discuss the subject of Blackness (and race in general) with your child.
