Our Authors Study Club, Inc. (OASC) is continuing its long tradition of honoring the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans during Black History Month in February despite the traumatic wildfires and ongoing recovery.
“Even in this moment of profound challenge, we are reminded of why the vision of Dr. Carter G. Woodson–the father of this annual salute to Black history–remains so vital to our community’s resilience,” Dr. Lura Daniels-Ball, president of OASC, said.
Expressing support, grief and condolences to victims who lost family members, homes and all of their processions, she also acknowledged the deeply rooted, multi-generational African American community in Altadena, which was hard-hit by the blazes.
This Black History Month celebration marks the OASC partnership, that began in 1950 by founder Vassie D. Wright with Los Angeles Mayor Fletcher Bowron. It has continued for nine mayoral administrations. Additional information including schedule changes and updates can be found at: www.OASCLA.org/RSVP.
“African Americans and Labor,” this year’s national theme “focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people,” according to Association for the Study of African American Life and History, (ASALH) founded in 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. OASCLA is the Los Angeles Branch.
In keeping with that theme, Yvonne Wheeler, president of the LA City Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, will serve as the honorary chair of the LA celebration.
The opening day, a tribute to the 2025 honorees at City Hall will be held Friday, Feb. 7, due to the destruction and aftermath of the disaster. At that time, the popular African American Heritage Month Calendar and Cultural Guide, will be presented by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. It is filled with community events, artwork, activities for children and teens, a bibliography and original poetry. A version of the guide will be downloadable from the organization’s website. www.OASCLA.org
On Saturday, Feb. 8, in partnership with the Leimert Park Village Book Fair and Los Angeles Public Library, Emmy and Tony award-winning actor Courtney B. Vance will discuss his book “The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power.”
Known for movies like “Hamburger Hill” and “The Hunt for Red October;” as well as roles on television shows such as “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” and stage plays including “Lucky Guy.” Vance lost his father to suicide.
The conversation will be moderated by veteran actor William Allen Young, known for playing the father in “Moesha” and many other roles in more than 100 television, stage and film projects. This event will be held in the Mark Taper Auditorium at the Los Angeles Public Central Library, parking will cost only $1 for anyone who has a city library card.
On Tuesday, Feb. 11, a round-table discussion will be held at Los Angeles Trade Technical College (Trade Tech) on “African Americans and Labor.”
On Thursday, Feb. 13, in partnership with the Baptist Ministers Conference, multiple clergy will participate in the annual City-wide worship service at a location that to be announced.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, an additional labor-related event will commemorate the “L.A. Security Officers Movement,” which honors “the extraordinary coalition of civil rights leaders, labor organizers and security officers who transformed the landscape of workers’ rights in Los Angeles.” It will be held at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.
On Tuesday, Feb. 25, in partnership with the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center, the history of Pullman Porters will be featured in films, followed by a discussion at a location to be announced.
On Saturday, March 1, thanks to the sponsorship of LA Metro, OASC will mark the return of the popular Black Heritage Bus Tours, which will leave from the Consolidated Board of Realtist in Baldwin Hills. Also, the student oratorical contest will be rescheduled.
The dates of these final events have been changed and will be held in March after Black History Month because of the wildfires.
