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 research collective when Black Historical past was excluded from colleges, libraries, and public establishments. At this time, 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 research of Black Historical past, it might 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 reality, affirming identification, and making certain that future generations inherit the complete American story.”
Honorary Chair Cookie Parker, Chair and Co-Founding father of Yes2Jobs and a nationally revered expertise entrepreneur and civic chief, emphasised the urgency of this yr’s observance. “Black Historical past will not be a sidebar to American historical past — it’s foundational to it,” Parker stated. “As we strategy the nation’s 250th anniversary, we have to 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.”
Through 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.
Residing Legends Pillar Awards had been offered to:
• Denise Nicholas, actress and writer, honored for her civil rights activism, groundbreaking tv profession (Room 222, Within the Warmth of the Night time), and literary works together with Freshwater Highway and her memoir Discovering Residence.
• Charles Dickson, artist and sculptor, acknowledged for greater than six a long time 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 had been offered to:
• DMA Anderson, expertise entrepreneur, patent-holding inventor, and Founder & CEO of KORGI, for leveraging innovation to develop entry and civic participation.
• Antwone Fisher, best-selling writer and award-winning screenwriter, acknowledged for preserving Black Historical past by 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 includes 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 can be held for foster youth and guardians, adopted by a Q&A with Fisher.
Extra Signature occasions embrace:
• “From Emmett Until to SNCC & Past: Phrases + Music + Artwork” (Feb. 20), a one-night-only multidisciplinary profit efficiency commemorating Black Historical past Month’s one 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 school 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: https://www.oascla.org/rsvp
Full 2026 Occasion Calendar: https://www.oascla.org/occasions
Restricted print copies of the 2026 DCA African American Heritage Month Information can be distributed at official occasions.
For greater than 80 years, OASC has served as a guardian of Black mental life — making certain 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.
Membership: https://bit.ly/oascmembership26Donations: https://bit.ly/oascdonor26
For press inquiries, contact (562) 270-4881 or oasc1945@gmail.com
