Opening Ceremonies at Los Angeles City Hall
Ribbon Cutting For Opening of Bridge Photo Exhibition By Leroy Hamilton
Friday, February 7, 2025 | 9:30 AM
Join us for the grand opening of the Bridge Photo Exhibition, "The Story of Us," featuring the stunning work of renowned photographer Leroy Hamilton. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the official launch of Our Authors Study Club's 75th Diamond Celebration for the 2025 African American Heritage Month. This year's theme is African Americans and Labor.
LOCATION: Henry P. Rio Bridge Gallery at City Hall
200 N. Spring Street | Los Angeles, CA 90012
COST: Free to the Public
INFO LINE: 213.770.0399
RSVP: No RSVP Needed
Voices of the City: Los Angeles Council Honors African American Distinguished Leaders
Friday, February 7, 2025 | 10:00 AM
At this in-person celebration, presentations will be made to the 2025 Living Legends Honorees: George Weaver, Environmental Policy Innovator and Architect of Youth Hope; Richard Brooks, Pioneering Artist, Emmy-Nominated Actor, Entrepreneur and 2025 Hall of Fame Honorees: Cecily Myart-Cruz, President United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), Pioneering Woman Education Leader and Labor Justice Champion; Lynell George, Cultural Chronicler, Grammy Award-Winning Writer.
LOCATION: Ferraro Council Chambers at City Hall
200 N. Spring Street | Los Angeles, CA 90012
COST: Free to the Public
INFO LINE: 213.770.0399
RSVP: No RSVP Needed
Celebrating Our Champions: The Community Gathers
Friday, February 7, 2025 | 11:30 AM (or immediately following end of the city council session)
Civic, elected leaders, and the Los Angeles community gather in a public celebration to honor award recipients: Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith, Dean of Charles Drew University College of Medicine, Founding Dean CDU MD Program, Education; Dr. Richard Allen Williams, Pioneering Cardiologist, Healthcare Equity Advocate, and Cultural Innovator, Renaissance Influencer; Dr. Mike Davis, Commissioner Emeritus, Public Works Legislative Champion, Guardian of Public Service; Jessie Sherrod, Founding Physician, Medicine; Dr. Darnell Hunt, UCLA Dean, Executive Vice Chancellor and Author, History/Mass Media; OASC 75th Diamond Award recipient Mary Louse Reeves, Centenarian Legacy Builder, Educational Pioneer and Community Pillar.
LOCATION: West Forecourt City Hall (as of 2/6, location change, see note below)*
200 N. Spring Street | Los Angeles, CA 90012
COST: Free to the Public (limited seating, RSVP suggested)
INFO LINE: 213.770.0399
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
* Location Update: The event has moved from the West Forecourt (publicly accessible) to Tom Bradley Towers (private, enclosed) due to protests.
signature EventS
AN AFTERNOON WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN AUTHORS – Featuring Courtney B. Vance in a Moderated Discussion
Saturday, February 8, 2025 | 2:00 – 5:00 PM
William Allen Young, actor, director and philanthropist, moderator
2025 OASC Living Legend Awards will be presented to both Mr. Vance and Mr. Young in honor of their body of work, leadership and personal philanthropy.
LOCATION: Los Angeles Public Library – Mark Taper Auditorium
630 W. 5th St. | Los Angeles, CA 90012
COST: Free to the Public (limited seating, RSVP suggested)
INFO LINE: 213.770.0399
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
Parking will be $1.00 with your Los Angeles Public Library card. Come early and sign up for your card if you do not already have one.
NOW ONLINE Only - ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON “AFRICAN AMERICANS AND LABOR”
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 | 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Moderated by popular co-anchor of ABC7 Eyewitness News, Marc Brown (Invited), join local scholars and labor leaders: Dr. Maulana Karenga, Chair, Africana Studies, CSULB; Shomari Davis, ret. IBEW Local 11, Ron Turner, Int'l Brotherhood of Teamsters, and Rev. Donald Wilson, Unite Here Local 11 will discuss and expand on the 2025 national Black History theme for African Americans and Labor.
LOCATION: ONLINE
COST: Free to the Public (limited seating, RSVP suggested)
INFO LINE: 213.770.0399
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
ONLINE: Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HmPStEv6SLGNdGs7RofLmg
ORIGIN AWARDS COMMEMORATING THE LA SECURITY OFFICERS' MOVEMENT
Thursday, February 20, 2025 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM
"Standing Together: The Power of Community and Labor"
Join us as we honor the extraordinary coalition of civil rights leaders, labor organizers, and security officers who transformed the landscape of workers' rights in Los Angeles. This historic gathering will celebrate the power of unity that brought dignity and justice to over 4,000 security officers and revitalized the partnership between organized labor and the Black community. Rev. KW Tulloss; Rev. William D. Smart; Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Anton Farmby, VP SEIU; Rev. William Monroe Campbell, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Chair African Studies Cal State Long Beach
LOCATION: El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
125 Paseo de la Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
GETTING THERE: El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, close to the cultural communities of Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and the Arts District. Just North of the U.S. Route 101 Freeway, the site is the historic birthplace of Los Angeles.
PARKING: There are four nearby parking lots.
COST: Free to the Public (limited seating, RSVP suggested)
INFO LINE: 213.770.0399
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
MORE INFO: elpueblo.lacity.org
100th Anniversary of the Pullman Porters Union – The Rise of the Black Middle Class
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 | 6:00 to 9:00 PM
100th Anniversary of the Pullman Porters Union – The Rise of the Black Middle Class and fuel for Civil Rights
LOCATION: TBA
COST: Free to the Public (limited seating, RSVP suggested)
INFO LINE: 213.770.0399
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
More Info: www.bherc.org
2025 ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY BUS TOUR
Saturday, March 1, 2025 | 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
OASC also offers its exclusive Black Heritage Bus Tour of Los Angeles, a meticulously curated experience that stands apart from imitators. This tour delves deeper than surface-level landmarks, featuring expert guides with unparalleled knowledge of Los Angeles’ African American history, rare insights into hidden gems, and firsthand stories of local pioneers that you won’t find elsewhere. Participants gain access to historically significant sites, including those with limited public recognition, while enjoying a unique blend of storytelling, historical narratives, and cultural pride. As a longstanding city-wide tradition, the tour is more than an event—it’s an immersive journey that connects past and present. The tour follows the progress of the African American community in Los Angeles. It includes the Biddy Mason Wall, Sugar Hill, the Island, Central Avenue, Leimert Park and other locations throughout the city.
LOCATION: Consolidated Board of Realtists
3875 Don Felipe Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90008
COST: Free to the Public (limited seating, RSVP required)
INFO LINE: 213.770.0399
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
Sponsored by Metro
CITY-WIDE WORSHIP SERVICE
Date: Thursday, March 13, 2025 (new date)* | 6:30 PM
Join us at our annual city-wide worship service. Experience an uplifting gathering featuring clergy from the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME), Church of God in Christ (COGIC), African Methodist Episcopal (AME), Christian Fellowship, Christ Liberation Ministries, Baptist, and other interfaith ministries. Together, let’s honor our shared heritage, faith, and culture in a spirit of unity and reflection.
TIME: 6:30 PM
LOCATION: TBA
COST: Free to the Public (limited seating, RSVP suggested)
INFO LINE: 213.770.0399
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
* Date changed due to impact of Eaton Canyon Fire on key partner’s residence.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson Oratorical Contest
Date: New Date Forthcoming
Students showcase their talent and passion for public speaking at the Carter G. Woodson Oratorical Contest. Participants are scored on content, presentation, and persuasion as they deliver compelling speeches that inspire and inform.
TIME: TBA
LOCATION: Airport Police Community Center
9160 South Loyola Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA, 90045
COST: Free to the Public (limited seating, RSVP required)
PARKING: Lot and Street parking
INFO LINE: 213.770.0399
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
MORE INFO: Read the full executive summary on the 2024 theme “African Americans and Labor” online at www.asalh.org.
Councilmember Traci Park, 11th Council District