Black History Month - The Whole Child

Celebrating Black History Month

Black history is American history. What began as historian Carter G. Woodson’s concept for a week of historical learning in the 1920s has now officially been celebrated in the United States during February for nearly 50 years. (Watch this video to learn more).

The Whole Child celebrates Black History Month in many ways: by providing educational and cultural resources, sharing personal stories and perspectives from among our own team members, and recognizing Black pioneers in social service fields. Watch our site and our social media accounts all month for more content and resources.

Remember, though, that celebrating Black history and culture need not be limited to one month of the year. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is always eager to work with our staff to ensure The Whole Child becomes an even more inclusive and welcoming environment. We encourage you to contact DEI@TheWholeChild.org with your ideas and suggestions.

Events

Observations in Black – A Pictorial Celebration of Black History Month
1. Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/observations-in-black-a-pictorial-celebration-of-black-history-month-tickets-798216104857?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
2. When: Saturday February 17, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
3. Where: Hasting Branch Library (3325 East Grove Blvd Pasadena)
8^th Annual Los Angeles Black History Month Festival
1. Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-los-angeles-black-history-month-festival-tickets-782499496057?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
2. When: Sunday February 18, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
3. Where: 7600 Beverly Blvd Los Angeles
Her Travelling Shoes with Ina Buckner-Barnett
1. Website: https://visit.lacountylibrary.org/event/10038716
2. When: Tuesday February 20, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
3. Where: Hacienda Heights Library (16010 La Monde St, Hacienda Heights)
Celebrate African American and Black History Month
1. Website: https://visit.lacountylibrary.org/event/10008398
2. When: Wednesday February 21, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
3. Where: La Mirada Library (13800 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada)
Raffia Basket Weaving
1. Website: https://visit.lacountylibrary.org/event/9947610
2. When: Wednesday February 21, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
3. Where: South Whittier Library (11543 Colima Rd, Whittier)
African American Genealogy Workshop (*VIRTUAL)
1. Website: https://visit.lacountylibrary.org/event/9912829
2. When: Wednesday February 21, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
3. Where: VIRTUAL
Celebrate Black History Month: Black Education Expo
1. Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-black-history-month-black-education-expo-tickets-769209535427?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
2. When: Saturday February 24, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
3. Where: Lake Avenue Church (393 N Lake Avenue Pasadena)
MORE EVENTS FROM LA PARKS AND RECREATION

Resources for Finding a Black Therapist

Psychology today
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/ca/los-angeles?category=african-american
African American Therapists
- https://africanamericantherapists.com

Cultural Resources

Movies:

Documentaries:

10 ‘Must-Watch’ Black History Documentaries

Books:

Celebrating Black Historical Figures

Black-Owned Businesses in Los Angeles
For an extensive list, we recommend visiting https://blackownedinla.com

Malik Books (2 locations)
https://malikbooks.com/
323.389.8040
Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall
3650 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90008
Westfield Culver City Mall
6000 Sepulveda Blvd, Ste 2470
Culver City, CA 90230
African-American Bookstore that specializes in books full of cultural diversity. African-American gifts and calendars are available.
Reparations Club
https://rep.club/
3054 S. Victoria Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Reparations Club is a concept bookshop and creative space curated by blackness in Los Angeles, CA. Black-owned and woman-owned.
Shades of Afrika (2 locations)
https://shadesofafrika.com/
shadesofafrika@gmail.com
562.436.2210
1001 E. 4th St.
Long Beach, CA 90802
1390 W. 6th St.
Corona, CA 92882
Shades of Afrika began with a concept when its owners noticed that too few places offered affordable Afrikan Art, Afrikan-made products, and even fewer bookstores. There seemed to be a pressing need to tell their story, establish themselves in the community, and provide a positive environment for businesses in their community.
Bloom and Plume
https://shop.bloomandplume.com/
1638 W. Temple St.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Maurice Harris is a Los Angeles-based artist best known as the visionary behind Bloom & Plume, a bespoke floral design studio in Echo Park. Maurice’s unique point of view, sense of humor, craftsmanship, and dedication to his community have made him one of the most sought-after floral designers in Los Angeles and one of the most followed florists on Instagram. Harris’ clients include some of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as top-tier brands such as Louis Vuitton, The Row, Goop, Opening Ceremony, Dior, Nike, Gucci, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Warby Parker, MOCA and LACMA, among others. Harris has been featured in Vogue, W Magazine, LA Times, Hollywood Reporter, Saint Heron, Rip + Tan, and appeared on air for Viceland. Harris’s art career has also emerged with a flower sculpture at MOCA, photography at the San Diego Art Institute, and a performance piece at the Broad. Most recently, you can see him on his TV show “Centerpiece” for Quibi and the upcoming “Full Bloom” for Max.
Watts Coffee House
https://wattscoffeehouse.com/
323.249.4343
1827 E. 103rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90002
Watts Coffee House currently operates out of the Watts Happening Cultural Center (also known as the Mafundi Building and Robert Pitts Westminster Neighborhood Center) at 103rd Street and Wilmington Avenue, one block south of the celebrated Watts Towers. This beloved legacy business is closely linked to the area’s cultural and political activism. The restaurant’s origins date back to 1965 when neighborhood youth converted an abandoned building located nearby into the Watts Happening Coffee House, a community arts center. Owner and chef Desiree Edwards re-opened the Watts Coffee House as a soul food restaurant in 1997. With the Watts Coffee House, Edwards holds space for history, food, and community. The walls display 1960s memorabilia, banners, photographs, and posters of Black actors and musicians alongside radical intellectuals. Edwards notes, “A meal is a hug sometimes. That’s why I’m happy being on this corner [of 103rd Street] helping people.”
ORA Cafe
https://www.instagram.com/oraenergy
4331 Degnan Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90008
Creative space and community hub that feels like a home.
Love Your Hair by Rachel Carter
https://www.loveyourhairbyrachelcarter.com/
310.402.7173
3265 Fletcher Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90065
Rachel Carter is a Paul Mitchell Schools, Santa Barbara graduate. She is licensed and trained in the states of California and New York. After investing some years in Brooklyn, NY, working as a Colorist, she has returned to Los Angeles to continue her journey as a Colorist and in the hair industry. She intends to celebrate diversity and a feel-good culture by providing elite style and service while creating a simple, safe, and natural environment. My experience and passion for hair have molded her into a versatile stylist who loves new styles and embracing classic ones.
Kathy’s Kitchen
https://kathyskitchenla.com/
323.814.8208
7701 Crenshaw Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90043
Kathy has spent the past 30+ years researching and studying nutrition and healthy eating to improve her well-being and the well-being of those around her. In March 2018, she retired from corporate America to pursue her passion, and Kathy’s Kitchen was launched to provide natural, delicious, nutritious products that heal. She also established Katheral Wellness Center, a non-profit dedicated to teaching Health through Nutrition.
Vurger Guyz
https://www.vurgerguyz.com/
1311 W. 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Founded in 2018 by four determined NCAA collegiate athletes, their mission was to “bridge the gap between meat-eaters and non-meat-eaters, all while making a positive impact on their lifestyles and the world around them.”
Citizen Public Market
https://www.citizenpublicmarket.com/
david@citizenpublicmarket.com
9355 Culver Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90034
Citizen Public Market is a neighborhood gathering place for food and connection. Their mission is to celebrate the creativity of Los Angeles-based chefs and entrepreneurs, to become a beloved local eating destination, and to honor the history and evolution of Culver City.
Alta Adams
https://altaadams.com/
323.571.4999
5359 W. Adams Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Located in Los Angeles’ historic West Adams neighborhood, Alta Adams is designed to be an inclusive setting, serving comforting food and great cocktails that bring people together in the community. Chefs Keith Corbin and Daniel Patterson lead Alta Adams’ culinary vision. They met during the opening of the original LocoL in Watts and worked together for four years, both at LocoL and then later at Alta Group restaurants in the Bay Area. With the opening of Alta Adams, Corbin returns to Los Angeles, introducing his distinct interpretation of soul food that draws the connection between traditional West African food and California cuisine. The menu they created fuses the Southern flavors and dishes Corbin grew up eating and preparing alongside his grandmother with a vibrant aesthetic and produce-driven approach.