How to honor history and culture during Black History Month in San Diego
With film screenings, crafting meetups and a weekend all about comics, here is how the region is celebrating the holiday.
Written by Lauren J. Mapp, Edited by Maya Srikrishnan
February is Black History Month, and over the next few weeks, San Diegans are honoring it through movie screenings, crafting events and author talks. From a Freedom Quilt crafting project at the San Diego Central Library to the honoring of artists during the Keepers of the Culture reception at the San Diego History Center, here are ways to celebrate throughout the month.
Know an event we missed? Send it to lauren@daylightsandiego.org.
Feb. 6
‘Judas and the Black Messiah’: The Black Panther Party San Diego is screening “Judas and the Black Messiah,” a 2021 biographical film about the murder of American activist and Black Panther Illinois Chapter Chairman Fred Hampton. The movie is directed and produced by Shaka King, and stars Daniel Kaluuya. Reserve free tickets online. Snacks will be available for purchase. 5:30 - 8 p.m., 6 Hensley St., San Diego, CA 92102
Faith & Freedom Fridays: St. Stephen's Cathedral Church of God in Christ is hosting a community and faith leader speaker series for teenagers on Fridays throughout February. The speakers will share stories of liberation throughout the month. The weekly event includes free food. 6 p.m., Reel Teens Center at St. Stephen’s Church, 5825 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Feb. 7
Women of Color ROAR Breakfast: Women of Color Roar Media is hosting its eighth annual breakfast in honor of Black History Month. Reserve tickets online starting at $125. 7 - 10:30 a.m., San Diego City College, Harry West Gym, 1452 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Freedom Quilt Fabric Mosaic: Toshwerks is guiding community members to make a Freedom Quilt at three San Diego Public Libraries locations inspired by those associated with slavery and the Underground Railroad. Materials are provided. Dates and times vary by location.
SHOP B.L.A.C: The Mental Bar is hosting a block party in the Black Arts and Culture District with vendors and crafts. Reserve free entry online. 1 - 5 p.m., The Mental Bar, 6325 Imperial Ave., Suite 103, San Diego, CA 92114
246 Art Show: The Block Club is hosting Ghetto District’s 246 Art Show with artists of all ages and backgrounds with live music, local food vendors and artisans. Reserve free tickets online. 2 - 6 p.m., The Block Club, 6403 Imperial Ave., San Diego, CA 92114
Blacktronika: UCSD professor and music producer King Britt is discussing Afrofuturism through electronic music every Saturday in February at the San Diego Central Library. Online registration is encouraged. Every Saturday in February, 3 - 5 p.m., Central Library Neil Morgan Auditorium, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Feb. 9
Anime HipHop: The Rise of Anime in the Black Community: Anime HipHop Founder Eric "CTHREE" McElroy — the first hip-hop artist to release an album, comic and video game — will discuss the rise of anime in the Black community. Leland Simpliciano — Mesa College’s Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions program activities manager and grant director — will lead the conversation. 9:35 - 11 a.m., San Diego Mesa College, 7250 Mesa College Drive, G101, San Diego, CA 92111
Feb. 10
Crafternoon: Love Tree: The Balboa Library is inviting kids age 4 and up to help craft a paper tree to symbolize love, community and growth for Black History Month. 4 - 5 p.m., Balboa Library, 4255 Mt. Abernathy Ave., San Diego, CA 92117
Local Authors Book Talk: San Diego authors Nita Love and Joi Jackson are discussing Black romance literature and their latest works during a book talk at the San Diego Central Library. Copies of their books will be available for purchase and signing during the event. Ages 18+. Register online. 6 - 7:30 p.m., Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Feb. 12
One Hundred Years of Celebration: San Diego College of Continuing Education is celebrating Black History Month with an afternoon of poetry, storytelling and performance. Featured artists include poet Selah Blak Sol, storyteller Yolanda Marie Franklin and jazz saxophonist Erisa Nicole. Food will be provided by Chef Budda Blasian Soul Food, a local soul food truck. Noon - 1:30 p.m., Educational Cultural Complex, Front lawn, 4343 Ocean View Blvd., San Diego, CA 92113
Feb. 14
Black Comix Day: The WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park is hosting its eighth annual Black Comix Day showcasing Black creators working in comics, film and animation. The two-day event includes activities for kids, plus a discussion of Afrofuturism and the culture of Black comics. Reserve free tickets online. Feb. 14-15, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Feb. 15
MLK Community Choir: The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir has three free performances scheduled across the county throughout the month. See online schedule for dates, locations and times.
Feb. 17
‘Sinners’: The Pacific Beach/Taylor Library is screening “Sinners,” a 2025 vampire film set in 1930s Mississippi. Directed, written and produced by Ryan Coogler, the movie has been nominated for 16 Academy Awards this year, breaking the record for the most nominations to a single film in history. 4 - 6:15 p.m., Pacific Beach/Taylor Library Community Room, 4275 Cass St., San Diego, CA 92109
‘The Harder They Come’: The San Diego Central Library is screening “The Harder They Come,” a 1972 film about a young Jamaican man who dreams of becoming a reggae singer. Register online. 6 - 8 p.m., Central Library Neil Morgan Auditorium, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Feb. 18
Our Stories, Our Legacy: Black History Through Artifacts: San Diego Mesa College librarian Edeama Jonah is hosting a storytelling event where elders will share their personal histories in connection to cultural artifacts. 11 a.m. - 12:35 p.m., San Diego Mesa College, 7250 Mesa College Drive, D101, San Diego, CA 92111
Feb. 20
‘The Princess and the Frog’: The Pacific Beach/Taylor Library is screening “The Princess and the Frog,” a 2009 film featuring the only Black Disney princess, Tiana, played by Anika Noni Rose. 1 - 2:45 p.m., 4275 Cass St., San Diego, CA 92109
Tribute to Reggae Legends: The WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park is hosting the 45th annual tribute to reggae legends. The lineup for the two-day music festival includes Johnny Osborne and Fully Fullwood Band, King Yellowman, Quinto Sol, Pinnacle Roots and Julian Marley and the Uprising, led by Bob Marley’s son. Reserve tickets online starting at $45 for Friday, $60 for Saturday or $90 for a two-day pass. Feb. 20: 7 - 11 p.m., Feb. 21: 8:30 - 10 p.m., WorldBeat Cultural Center, 2100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Feb. 21
Mob the Business, Mob the Block: Women of Southeast is hosting an event to uplift Black-owned businesses to celebrate Black History Month. The group is leading an outing to Royal Creations Hair Beauty Supply in La Mesa, asking that each attendee spend at least $25 in the store. Attendees can snack on bagels and coffee. Register online. 10:30 a.m. - noon, Royal Creations Hair Beauty Supply, 6788 University Ave., La Mesa, CA 92115
Feb. 22
North San Diego County Black Festival: The Cultural Festivals Student Committee at El Camino High School is hosting its fifth annual festival to celebrate Black History Month in Oceanside. The event features an artist showcase, talent show, musical performances, games, food court and fashion show. Register to attend online. 2 - 7 p.m., El Camino High School, 400 Rancho Del Oro Drive, Oceanside, CA 92057
Feb. 24
'We Are Each Other's Harvest': The San Diego Public Library is hosting an author spotlight with Natalie Baszile to honor Black History Month. The evening includes a resource fair, book signing and a talk with Baszile, who wrote the novel “Queen Sugar” and nonfiction book “We Are Each Other's Harvest,” a collection of essays, poems, quotes and photographs centered on the experiences of Black farmers. Online registration is encouraged and the first 50 attendees will receive a copy of “We Are Each Other’s Harvest.” 5 - 8 p.m., Central Library Shiley Special Events Suite (Ninth Floor), 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
‘Summer of Soul’: The La Jolla/Riford Library is screening “Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” a 2021 documentary about a six-week Harlem Cultural Festival in the summer of 1969. Light refreshments will be provided. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., La Jolla/Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave., La Jolla, CA 92037
Feb. 28
Keepers of the Culture: The San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art is honoring its Keepers of the Culture recipients during a reception at the San Diego History Center. This year’s honorees are jazz singer Jeannie Cheatham, dance teacher Sandra Foster King, dance teacher Donald Robinson and The Stance Family, who own Bowlegged BBQ. The reception will feature a performance by jazz harpist Mariea Antoinette. Reserve tickets for free online. 5 - 7:30 p.m., San Diego History Center, 1649 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
