Opening Ceremonies Celebration
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- 9:00 AM - Part 1 -
Bridge Art Exhibition
Presented by the Office of Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson
- 10:00 AM - Part 2 -
“Voices of the City: Los Angeles City Council Honors Distinguished Leaders”
A special City Council program honoring the 2026 Living Legend Honoree, Denise Nicholas, Actress and Author (Freshwater Road, Finding Home); and the 2026 Hall of Fame Honorees, Antwone Fisher, Author (Finding Fish) and Founder, Glenville House Press, and DMA Anderson, Entrepreneur and CEO, Korgi Tech.
This program also includes the unveiling of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) national Black History Month theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” and the introduction of the 2026 Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) Black History Guide and Cover Artist.
In honoring this year’s theme, we salute the past and present members of Our Authors Study Club, Inc., who first partnered with the City of Los Angeles and the Mayor in 1950, marking 76 years of collaboration in celebrating Black achievement, resilience, and cultural legacy—while looking ahead to inspire future generations to continue keeping Black history alive and vibrant.
[Read the full executive summary of the 2026 theme at asalh.org.]
- 12:00 PM - Part 3 -
Community Reception & Celebration
City Hall West Forecourt
Sponsored by Council Districts 8, 9, 10, and 15
LOCATIONS:
The Bridge │ City Hall Council Chambers │ City Hall West Forecourt
Los Angeles City Hall
200 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
COST: Free
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
Woodson rising Voices oratorical contest launch & orientation reception
Saturday, February 7, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
High school, 9 to 12 grades; freshmen and sophomore College student, parents, guardians, community leaders are invited to the 2026 Launch and orientation of the OASC Carter G. Woodson "Rising Voices" Oratorical Contest.
This program uplifts youth voice and scholarship while affirming the role of young people in carrying Black history forward with insight, confidence, and
Come and meet the coaches and find out all of the details of the program.
In advance of the competition, students receive coaching and guidance to support their research, writing, and public speaking skills. This year’s essays respond to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) national theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”
At the culminating event, students will be capable to present their orations with confidence.
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION AND POSTER SESSION
Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Poster Round Robin Reception: 4:00 p.m.
- Round Table Discussion: 6:00 p.m.
Location: AfroCity Market Place (inside the Crenshaw Mall)
4020 Marlton Los Angeles, CA 90008
SITE: Streaming @ourauthorsstudyclub │ COST: Free
RSVP: Online www.oascla.org/rsvp
INFO: 562.270.4881
In recognition of the national theme, A Century of Black History Commemorations, this year’s Annual Black History Roundtable Panel reflects on the enduring legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the founders of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, whose work institutionalized the study, teaching, and commemoration of Black history beginning in 1915. From Negro History Week in 1926 to Black History Month 1976, these observances have shaped historical consciousness in the United States and across the global African Diaspora.
Join local scholars: Dr. Anthony Asadullah Samad, Executive Director, Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political & Economic Institute (MDAAPEI), California State University, Dominguez Hills; Dr. Francille Rousan Wilson, associate Professor of American Studies, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Chair Africana Studies, California State University, Long Beach, Executive Director African American Cultural Center and Creator of Pan African Holiday Kwanzaa; Dr. M. Keith Claybrook, incoming Chair of Africana Studies at CSULB ;Dr. Marne Campbell, Chair of African American Studies at Loyola Marymount University and Dr. Donna J. Nicol, Associate Dean of Personnel and Curriculum and professor of history, California State University Long Beach.
Scholars, students, and community members are invited to attend, engage in dialogue, and participate in this meaningful exploration of Black history and its enduring impact. Discuss emerging thought and research with current students
SPONSORS: Institutional Sponsor, Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political & Economic Institute (MDAAPEI), Mayor Karen Bass; Dr. Lura Daniels-Ball, President, Our Authors Study Club, Inc.; Heather Hutt, Councilmember, Tenth District; the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA); Cookie Parker, Chair, Yes2Jobs, Honorary and General Chair, 2026 Black History Month Committee
ORIGIN AWARD HONORING CHARLES BURNETT
Thursday, February 19, 2026
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
125 Paseo de la Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
SITE: El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument │ COST: Free (RSVP required)
INFO: oascla.org │ elpueblo.lacity.org
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
In a tradition begun in 2023, this Black History Month program honors the twenty-six founding families of African American descent who, alongside other courageous founders, helped establish what is now El Pueblo de Los Angeles—by recognizing contemporary Black trailblazers whose lives reflect enduring impact and achievement.
Aligned with the national theme “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” friends and colleagues gather to present the OASC ORIGIN Award to Charles Burnett, Academy Award–winning filmmaker and visionary storyteller.
Hailed by The New York Times as “the nation’s least-known great filmmaker and most gifted Black director,” Burnett’s body of work—including Killer of Sheep, My Brother’s Wedding, To Sleep with Anger, The Glass Shield, Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation, and numerous short and documentary films—offers an eloquent and uncompromising chronicle of Black American life. In 2017, he received an Academy Honorary Award recognizing his profound influence on cinema and cultural memory.
This evening affirms the power of place, history, and artistic vision—honoring Black legacy not only as remembrance, but as living inheritance.
An Evening With Authors
Saturday, February 21, 2026
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
SITE: Streaming @ourauthorsstudyclub : Location: Highways Performance Space
1651 18th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404, │COST: Free
TIME: Reception 5:00 PM Discussion: 6PM 7:30PM Book Signing
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
Two voices. Two Journeys. One Legacy
OASC in Partnership with the African American Film Critics Association, with co-presenters, Highways Performance Space & The Till Artists Collective (tillartistscollective.org)
Featuring Actress, Author Denise Nicolas, and Author, Antwone Fisher, Gil Robertson, AAFCA Moderator
An intimate and inspiring literary and cultural gathering celebrating the power of Black storytelling across generations and mediums. In partnership with the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA), this year’s evening spotlights the written works of Antwone Fisher Finding Fish and Denise Nicholas Fresh Water Road andFinding Home, —two voices whose stories continue to shape conversations around identity, healing, artistry, and legacy. This special evening invites readers, thinkers, and culture-shapers into meaningful dialogue that bridges literature, film, and lived experience, honoring Black history not as a moment, but as a continuum.
Mr. Fisher’s work embodies the transformative power of truth-telling. Through deeply personal narratives rooted in resilience, self-discovery, and emotional restoration, his writing aligns with our 2026 theme by affirming that healing is both a personal journey and a collective responsibility. His voice reminds us that confronting the past is essential to shaping a more liberated future. Ms. Nicholas brings a legacy of artistry, activism, and cultural consciousness. Her written work reflects the evolution of Black womanhood, creative courage, and social awareness. Her storytelling honors the importance of voice, representation, and the responsibility of artists to illuminate paths forward while preserving cultural memory.
We are excited about our partnership with AAFCA. It reinforces the vital connection between literature and visual storytelling. As champions of Black narratives in film and media, AAFCA aligns seamlessly with OASC by amplifying authentic stories and fostering critical conversations that expand how Black life, history, and creativity are seen, valued, and remembered.
This Black History Evening is more than a literary celebration—it is a living conversation lead by the president and co-founder of AASCA, Mr. Gil Robertson. It creates space to reflect, question, and connect across generations and disciplines. At a time when stories matter more than ever, this event affirms the role of authors, critics, and cultural institutions in shaping understanding, empathy, and progress.
Attendees will leave inspired by the depth of shared wisdom, moved by the honesty of lived experiences, and energized by the continued relevance of Black storytelling as a force for cultural clarity and change.
Join us for an evening where words, history, and vision meet—and where the dialogue continues long after the final page is turned.
ANNUAL Landmarks and Legacies BLACK HISTORY BUS TOUR
Saturday, February 28, 2026
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Consolidated Board of Realtists
3875 Don Felipe Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90008
COST: Free (RSVP required in advance)
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
This guided Black History Month tour traces the historical and cultural progress of the African American community in Los Angeles. Participants will visit significant sites that reflect Black achievement, resilience, and community-building across generations.
Highlights include the Biddy Mason Wall, Sugar Hill, The Island, Central Avenue, Leimert Park, and other important locations throughout the city. Together, these sites tell a collective story of migration, creativity, entrepreneurship, and civic life—illustrating how Black Angelenos have shaped the social, cultural, and political landscape of Los Angeles.
This immersive experience invites participants to see the city through a historical lens, connecting place, memory, and legacy while honoring Black history as a living continuum.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson Oratorical Contest
Saturday, March 14, 2026
9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
Using the annual Black History Month theme, high school students write and deliver original essays that explore the impact of Black history on the past, present, and future of Black society. Participants are encouraged to think deeply and broadly about the theme, engaging history as both reflection and responsibility.
In advance of the competition, students receive coaching and guidance to support their research, writing, and public speaking skills. This year’s essays respond to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) national theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”
At the culminating event, finalists present their orations—each up to six minutes—before a panel of judges. Students are evaluated on content, presentation, and persuasive impact, and awards include cash prizes and other recognitions.
This program uplifts youth voice and scholarship while affirming the role of young people in carrying Black history forward with insight, confidence, and purpose.
2025 Events Archive
2025 Annual Scholars' Brunch - 10:30 AM | Saturday, July 26, 2025 | Ability First, 8090 Crenshaw Blv
2025 Annual Scholars' Brunch - 10:30 AM | Saturday, July 26, 2025 | Ability First, 8090 Crenshaw Blv
2025 Annual Scholars' Brunch - 10:30 AM | Saturday, July 26, 2025 | Ability First, 8090 Crenshaw Blv
Our Authors Study Club, Inc. (OASC) in partnership LA METRO,
SEIU-USWW, BHERC
Excitement is in the air! Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at Our Authors Study Club, Inc's Annual Scholarship Brunch Saturday, July 26th, 2025 10:30 AM.
Join us for an inspiring celebration of academic achievement and community impact. Escape the summer heat and connect with purpose at our intimate annual scholarship brunch. This relaxed gathering offers a unique opportunity to meet the bright minds we're supporting and witness firsthand the incredible progress of our scholars.
What to Expect:
- Meet Our Scholars - Connect directly with scholarship recipients and hear their inspiring stories of growth and achievement
- Casual Networking - Build meaningful relationships in a warm, laid-back outdoor atmosphere that encourages genuine conversation
- Delicious Refreshments - Enjoy a thoughtfully prepared light lunch paired with an array of cool, refreshing beverages perfect for the season
- Inspiring Updates - Discover the real impact of your support through personal stories and progress updates
Attire: Casual-chic -- think effortless elegance that's comfortable for a relaxed summer gathering.
This isn't just another networking event - it's a chance to see your investment in education come to life through the achievements of remarkable young people. Come ready to be inspired, refreshed, and reminded of the powerful difference we're making together in our community.
Reserve your spot today for this exclusive opportunity to celebrate our scholars' success in an intimate, welcoming setting.
Saturday, July 26th, 2025
10:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Ability First - Harry Mier Center
8090 Crenshaw Blvd.
Inglewood, CA 90305
Note: There is limited parking on the lot.
Free | RSVP Requested
Open to the public • Light refreshments • Books and history memorabilia Available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the OASC Scholarship Fund.
100th Anniversary of the Pullman Porters Union – The Rise of the Black Middle Class
2025 Annual Scholars' Brunch - 10:30 AM | Saturday, July 26, 2025 | Ability First, 8090 Crenshaw Blv
2025 Annual Scholars' Brunch - 10:30 AM | Saturday, July 26, 2025 | Ability First, 8090 Crenshaw Blv
NEW DATE! Saturday, June 21, 2025
Reception: 1 PM
2 to 4 PM Program/Film/Discussion
Honoring Director Robert Townsend
OASC Hall of Fame Transformative Torchbearer Award
Join us with BHERC for the Juneteenth Jubilee. 100th Anniversary of the Pullman Porters Union – The Rise of the Black Middle Class and fuel for Civil Rights
LOCATION: Los Angeles Public Library
Mark Taper Auditorium
630 W. 5th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
COST: Free to the Public (limited seating, RSVP suggested)
INFO LINE: 213.770.0399
RSVP: www.oascla.org/rsvp
Sponsored By: The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center
OUR Sponsors & PARTNERS
