February is Black History Month, honoring Black voices, achievements, struggles and stories. Here are some events and exhibits happening in Orange County.
Anaheim
Feb. 4: The 43rd annual Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival, produced by the Orange County Heritage Council, returns to Anaheim’s Center Street Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 4 with the theme “Our History, Our Voice, Our Pride.” The event starts at 9 a.m. with a blessing of the city, followed by the community parade. The afternoon unity festival includes food and business vendors, health screenings, kids’ activities, a cultural fair, live entertainment, a car show and more. The parade route starts at Anaheim Blvd. and Lincoln Avenue at 10 a.m., featuring marching bands, special guests and community leaders.
Information: oc-hc.org, 714-579-9966
All month: Disneyland’s “Celebrate Soulfully” honors Black culture with food, music and themed experiences at the parks and Disney hotels. The Downtown Disney stage will feature live music, and select restaurants in the park, Downtown Disney and hotels will offer Black History Month menu items.
Fullerton
All month: Cal State Fullerton’s African American Resource Center will host public events and discussions, themed around “I’m Rooting for Everybody Black — Uplifting and Celebrating our Community.” A conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of “The 1619 Project,” will take place at 6 p.m. on Feb. 9 in the Titan Student Union. Other planned programming includes a Zoom panel on “Empowering Black Communities” on Feb. 22 and a book signing on Feb. 24. Through March 26, CSUF’s Pollak Library will also have a Black History Month curated art and book display. Information: www.facebook.com/Csufaarc/
Irvine
Feb. 2: The Pretend City Children’s Museum will have a Black History Month celebration Thursday, Feb. 2, where kids can learn about Black historical figures, jazz musicians, and explore Black history and achievement. There will be sensory art activities and a story time. Information: pretendcity.org, 949-428-3900
Month-long: Irvine Valley College will have open workshops and events throughout the month, including a talk-back discussion on self-love for marginalized identities on Feb. 22. Information: www.ivc.edu/equity/bhm
Santa Ana
Feb. 4: The main library at 26 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, will host a conversation at 1 p.m. on Feb. 4 with Jayne Allen, author of the series “Black Girls Must Die Exhausted” and creator of an online book marketing course. The discussion will center on writing and furthering diversity in book publishing. Books will be given away first come, first served.
Feb. 23: The main library will also host a free screening of Disney/Pixar’s “Soul,” at 4 p.m. Attendees will receive a jazz-themed craft to take home. Information: 714-647-5250
Month-long: Santa Ana College will have events all month long on campus, from performances to community talks. On Feb. 28 at noon, a Q&A will feature female Black community leaders, including Huntington Beach Councilmember Rhonda Bolton, Tustin Councilmember Letitia Clark, Costa Mesa Councilmember and Orange County Superior Court Judge Karen L. Robinson. There will also be a traveling exhibit on display with more than 20,000 artifacts celebrating Black history. Information: sac.edu/bhm
Related links
OC Black History Parade celebrates community
Disneyland kicks off Black History Month with food and music festival
CSUF uplifts Black history with a monthlong calendar of events
Two-day celebration will launch Black History Month in Long Beach
Mother-daughter duo launch Downtown Disney’s first Black-owned business
Black History Month events in the LA area, February 2023
Black History Month billboards salute African Americans and their seminal achievements
Laguna Beach
Fridays in February: St. Mary’s Episcopal Church will host free cultural events on Feb. 3, 10 and 24 to celebrate African American art, music and literature. The celebration will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Guild Hall in the rear of the church, 428 Park Ave. Information: 949-494-3542, stmaryslagunabeach.org
