Authors Denise Nicholas and Antwone Fisher
Nationwide — As the USA approaches its 250th anniversary and nationwide debates intensify over the narrowing of Black Historical past in school rooms, Los Angeles has made a transparent declaration: Black Historical past is a public belief — and it’ll not be erased!
Our Authors Research Membership, Inc. (OASC), in partnership with the Workplace of the Mayor, the Los Angeles Metropolis Council and the Metropolis of Los Angeles Division of Cultural Affairs (DCA), formally opened the 76th Our Authors Research Membership, Inc. (OASC) Citywide Black Historical past Celebration on February 4, within the Mayors’ Chambers adopted by a ceremony contained in the Metropolis Council Chambers on the Los Angeles Metropolis Corridor.
The launch coincides with two historic milestones: America’s semiquincentennial and the 2026 nationwide Black Historical past theme, “A Century of Black Historical past Commemorations,” issued by the Affiliation for the Research of African American Life and Historical past (ASALH), based by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. At a second when Black Historical past faces renewed scrutiny throughout the nation, Los Angeles’ steady, city-supported observance stands as each commemoration and declaration.
Based in 1945 by educator and cultural steward Vassie D. Wright, OASC started as a grassroots examine collective when Black Historical past was excluded from faculties, libraries, and public establishments. Immediately, it stays one of many nation’s longest-running unified citywide Black Historical past celebrations, sustained throughout generations and supported by 9 Los Angeles mayors.
“Our founders understood that if we didn’t institutionalize the examine of Black Historical past, it may very well be silenced or erased,” stated Lura Daniels-Ball, President of Our Authors Research Membership, Inc. “Seventy-six years later, our accountability is even clearer. We’re not merely commemorating the previous — we’re defending fact, affirming identification, and guaranteeing that future generations inherit the complete American story.”
Honorary Chair Cookie Parker, Chair and Co-Founding father of Yes2Jobs and a nationally revered know-how entrepreneur and civic chief, emphasised the urgency of this yr’s observance. “Black Historical past just isn’t a sidebar to American historical past — it’s foundational to it,” Parker stated. “As we strategy the nation’s 250th anniversary, we should be intentional about lifting the voices of innovators, artists, and freedom fighters whose contributions formed this nation. Los Angeles is main by instance in ensuring that historical past is seen, valued, and vigorously defended.”
In the course of the Metropolis Corridor ceremony, Councilmembers Heather Hutt (District 10), Nithya Raman (District 4), and Traci Park (District 11) offered honors to the 2026 award recipients.
Dwelling Legends Pillar Awards have been offered to:
• Denise Nicholas, actress and creator, honored for her civil rights activism, groundbreaking tv profession (Room 222, Within the Warmth of the Night time), and literary works together with Freshwater Street and her memoir Discovering House.
• Charles Dickson, artist and sculptor, acknowledged for greater than six many years of inventive management rising from the Black Arts Motion and for reworking public areas throughout Los Angeles into websites of cultural reminiscence.
Corridor of Fame Inspiration of Life Awards have been offered to:
• DMA Anderson, know-how entrepreneur, patent-holding inventor, and Founder & CEO of KORGI, for leveraging innovation to increase entry and civic participation.
• Antwone Fisher, best-selling creator and award-winning screenwriter, acknowledged for preserving Black Historical past via private narrative, together with Discovering Fish and his forthcoming Reflections Beneath the Buckeye Timber.
View the Metropolis Council presentation right here:YouTube.com/stay/JWYLd6KkW2A?t=2623s
“Night with Authors” to Anchor Celebration
Anchoring the second half of the official OASC Citywide Black Historical past Month packages is the Annual Night with Authors:
Saturday, February 21 | 5:00 PM at Highways Efficiency Theater, Santa Monica, CA. Two Voices. Two Journeys. One Legacy. The night incorporates a stay dialogue, e-book signing, and reception with Denise Nicholas and Antwone Fisher. Earlier that day, a particular 10:00 AM screening of The Antwone Fisher Story will probably be held for foster youth and guardians, adopted by a Q&A with Fisher.
Further Signature occasions embody:
• “From Emmett Until to SNCC & Past: Phrases + Music + Artwork” (Feb. 20), a one-night-only multidisciplinary profit efficiency commemorating Black Historical past Month’s a centesimal anniversary, the U.N.’s World Day of Social Justice, and key Civil Rights Motion milestones. Highways Efficiency Theater, Santa Monica, CA.
• Citywide Multi-Denominational Worship Service: A Stand for Therapeutic (Feb. 26 | 6:00 PM) at Second Baptist Church
• Dr. Carter G. Woodson Rising Voices Oratorical Contest (March 14 | 10:00 AM), with purposes now open and a brand new faculty freshman and sophomore class.
All occasions are free and open to the general public. Advance registration is required for choose packages. House is proscribed.
RSVP:
Full 2026 Occasion Calendar:
Restricted print copies of the 2026 DCA African American Heritage Month Information will probably be distributed at official occasions.
For greater than 80 years, OASC has served as a guardian of Black mental life — guaranteeing that Black Historical past stays studied, honored, and publicly commemorated in Los Angeles. Be a part of the celebration. Help the legacy. Stand with OASC as we enter a brand new century of Black Historical past commemorations.
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For press inquiries, contact (562) 270-4881 or oasc1945@gmail.com
