Our Authors Study Club, Inc., (OASC) will co-host a several citywide events for African American Heritage Month. This year marks the 73rd celebration held in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles.
The national theme is, “Black Resistance in The Past, Present, and Future.” Programs are both virtual and in-person and include panels, discussions, author book talks, and recognition of inspirational legends and icons.
Lura Daniels-Ball is the OASC president and Public Works Commissioner Mike Davis is the African American Heritage Month coordinator for the City of Los Angeles.
The celebration opens Thursday, February 2, at 6:30 p.m., with the Annual Round Table hosted by Marc Brown, Eyewitness News, KABC7. The virtual discussion features Dr. Maulana Karenga, chair of Africana Studies at CSU-Long Beach; Dr. Julianne Malveaux, dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at CSU-Los Angeles; Dr. Donna Nicol, chair of Africana Studies at CSU-Domiguez Hills; Dr. Boris Ricks, director of the Center for Southern California Studies at CSU-Northridge; and Dr. Francille Rusan Wilson, professor of American Studies & Ethnicity, History, Gender & Sexuality Studies at USC.
On Friday, February 3, at 10 a.m., the opening ceremonies take place with Leslie Sykes of KABC7 as the emcee. The virtual program will honor 2023 Living Legends producer/actor/recording artist Ice Cube, producer/contemporary gospel vocalist Erica Campbell, and R&B recording artists Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. The 2023 Hall of Fame honorees are former U.S. Attorney Eric Holder, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Yvonne Wheeler, Charles Drew University President Dr. David Carlisle, and former Council President Herb Wesson, Jr.
On Saturday, February 4, at 3 p.m., the Annual OASC. Sigma Gamma Rho Sigma Sigma Chapter Oratorical Contest Reception and Kickoff will be held in-person at the Airport Police Community Center, 9160 South Loyola Boulevard in Los Angeles. At this event, students will have the opportunity to learn about all the resources available as they prepare their orations. Refreshments will be served. Apply for the contest through February 28th online at www.oratoricalcontest.com. This event is free.
On Tuesday, February 21, at 6:30 p.m., A Virtual Evening with Authors will be presented. Invited authors include Tamika Mallory (“State of Emergency”), Nickole Hannah-Jones (“1619 Project”), Kevin Powell (“Going Shopping with Mother”), Aaron Phillip Clark (“Under Color of Law”), Kellye Garrett (“Hollywood Homicide”), and Devyn Bakewell, (“Greater Life”).
In addition, a special Trailblazing Award will be presented to educator Dr. Donald Singleton of Susan Miller Dorsey High School in Los Angeles for his work as an AP instructor for 20 years and his groundbreaking leadership to teach AP African American Studies and elevate it to the level of AP Comparative Government and Politics, AP Human Geography, and AP European History. This is the only program in California and one of sixty-five in the country.
Visit www.oascla.org for a complete schedule of events, updates and an electronic copy of the African American Heritage Cultural Guide, which lists events occurring throughout the Southlandas well as literary and artistic works by local African Americans.
