On February 4, a virtual opening ceremony kicked off the City of Los Angeles’ African American Heritage Month Celebration in honor of Black History Month. Mayor Eric Garcetti, Board of Public Works Commissioner Mike Davis, and Our Author’s Study Club honored recording artists, Thelma Houston and The Whispers, with Living Legend Awards, followed by an outstanding performance by Cece Winans. ABC7 Morning Show co-anchor, Leslie Sykes, hosted the event as Mistress of Ceremonies.
The City Council program also featured the induction of three Hall of Fame recipients who have gained national acclaim in fields of Government, Health, and Law.
California Secretary of State, Dr. Shirley N. Weber, Kedren Health Center President/CEO, Dr. John Griffith, and Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Eric C. Taylor all were honored for their hard work and dedication within the Black community and Los Angeles as a whole.
The hosts and panelists took time to discuss the importance of the Black community.
“Let’s do more than mark history let’s make history…let’s look at Black leaders who every single day are doing well and writing this history because that’s the world we need, the nation we want, and the Los Angeles we keep hoping for,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said in an introduction of the event.
Other Los Angeles public servants took time to discuss the important of celebrating Black History Month.
“This [Black History Month] is an opportunity for us to pause and recognize change makers,” City Councilman Curren Price Jr. remarked during the celebration.
Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer took time to recognize, not only the work of black leaders, but the continued work still to do in the community.
“We are not only celebrating today but we have to look forward to the work ahead. We’ve seen the vast inequities in our nation and in our city, racial prejudice and hate, a surge in gun violence with a disproportionate effect on the black community, and even very recently, we’ve seen Historically Black Colleges/Universities have to shut down because of bomb threats on the first day of Black History Month. The road ahead requires much more of us as we do more to lift up everyone in our community because we need each other.”
This year’s Association for the Study of African American Life and History’s national theme is “The Black Family: Black Health and Wellness.”
“As we enter year three of this pandemic, we’ve come to recognize that health and wellness isn’t what you’re eating and how often you’re exercising,” President of LA City Council Nury Martinez stated during the ceremony. “The past two years have showed us how important mental health can be. Representation matters, especially in health care. If we want more people of color in medicine, we need to encourage and support Black youth as they pursue medical careers.”
Multiple events throughout the month will be held to support and discuss the mental health of the Black community, as well as celebration Black history, culture, and Black History Month. A schedule of other City of Los Angeles African American Heritage Month activities is listed below:
Black History Month Worship Service
Sunday, February 13, 2022, from 10;00am to 12;00 noon
2270 Harvard Boulevard,Los Angeles, California.
An Annual Update from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
Link to service from: famechurchla.org
An Evening With African American Authors
Tuesday, February 22, 2022 6:00 PM
https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1619033411
Meeting ID: 161 903 3411
Passcode: 826835
Featuring:
Kimberley Baker Guillemet, Black Prep: Life Lessons of A Perpetual Outsider
Renee Danielle Flager, Society Wives
Dr. La-Doris McClaney, God, I Listened Too
Wanda M. Morris, All Her Little Secrets
Build with Construction Matchmaking
Construction Networking Expo
Thursday, February 24th, 2022
Register to participate in the 8th Annual BuildWith Construction Networking Expo brought to you
by Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Office of Budget & Innovation and Office of Economic Development, the
Board of Public Works and the Bureau of Contract Administration.
BuildWith provides the opportunity for diverse construction-related businesses to make
connections with prime contractors, City Departments, public agencies and business resources.
Register at acessingla.org
African American Heritage Month Closing Ceremonies
Thursday, February 24th, 2022 6:00 PM
https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1609725447
Meeting ID: 160 972 5447
Passcode: 259284
Contact:
Heather Johnson, Principal Public Relations Representative
Cell: 213-798-8714
[email protected]
