Pasadena Celebrates Black History Month with Events Starting Saturday

Celebrate Black History 2017 in Pasadena by attending the Black History Parade parade and other special events, lectures and activities beginning Saturday, February 4, through Sunday, March 19, 2017.

The City and volunteer Black History Parade & Festival Planning Committee will present a full schedule of events in celebration of the achievements by black Americans and in recognition of African-Americans in U.S. History. Pasadena is proud to host one of the largest Black History Month parades in the U.S.A., set for 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., February 18 with a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Robinson Park Recreation Center at 1 p.m.

Pasadena’s Black History Month Parade is one of the largest in the U.S. Pasadena Media, www.pasadenamedia.tv, will record the parade in its entirety for broadcast on KPAS, the City’s government TV station. A list of the events follows. All events are free unless otherwise noted.

February 1-28: “Black History Month Displays”

• 38th Annual Pasadena Martin Luther King Community Coalition’s Art Contest Winners? Featuring the artwork of students grades 4 through 12. Central Library/Centennial Room & Business Wing, 285 E. Walnut St.
• A historical view of African-American families as seen through African-American literature and the Civil Rights Movement.? Hastings Branch Library, 3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd.
• A Game of Color, an exhibit of photographs, artifacts and artwork spotlighting the Negro Leagues, which thrived from the 1920s through baseball’s integration in 1947, and which featured the greatest African-American ballplayers of that era.
• Eight Ballplayers from the Negro Leagues, artist Tina Hoggatt’s suite of linocut and letterpress portraits of African-American baseball icons.
• A display of books available to check out on the Negro Leagues. Presented by the Baseball Reliquary and the Institute for Baseball Studies at Whittier College.? La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
• Book display featuring stories of prominent African-Americans.? Villa Parke Branch Library, 363 E. Villa St.

February 4: “Pasadena African-American Genealogy Group”
Search out your heritage and recover the past with this dynamic genealogy group., 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Lamanda Park Branch Library, 140 S. Altadena Dr.

“The True Story Of An American Legend”
Kick off Black History Month with this film screening of the dramatic and moving story of Jackie Robinson’s courageous fight to desegregate major league baseball, 3 p.m., La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103.

“Red, Black & Green Honors Dinner”
Black History Parade & Festival Planning Committee honors parade grand marshals and presents community service awards, 7-9 p.m., Noor, Paseo Colorado, 300 E Colorado Blvd #200, Pasadena, CA 91101. Call the Jackie Robinson Center, (626) 744-7300, to purchase tickets, $65 per person.

February 10: “Celebrate Black History Month”
Expand your knowledge of Black History. Join us for an all-day crayon-coloring event featuring the portraits of prominent African-Americans, and then check out books on their stories. For ages 5+. All materials provided, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Villa Parke Branch Library, 363 E. Villa St.

February 11: “Matters of the Heart: A Morning of Nutrition and Exercise”
Come together and embrace wellness, 9-11 a.m. All fitness levels welcome. Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.

“Only the Ball Was White Film Screening and Discussion”
A screening of the 1981 film Only the Ball Was White, which documents a bygone and bittersweet era in baseball. The film features interviews with many players who were legends in the Negro Leagues but were denied the opportunity to play in the Major Leagues, including Satchel Paige, Buck Leonard, Jimmy Crutchfield and Quincy Trouppe. Daryl Grigsby, Negro Leagues historian and author of Celebrating Ourselves: African-Americans and the Promise of Baseball and Ken Solarz, filmmaker, television writer and producer will be the featured speakers at this program, presented by the Baseball Reliquary, 2-4 p.m., La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.

February 12: “Black Film Showcase: 13th”
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation’s prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans. The film is named after the Constitutional Amendment that abolished slavery except as punishment for crime. 2 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Sponsored by the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Pasadena Alumnae Chapter.

February 18: “35th Annual Black History Parade and Festival”
Begins at 10 a.m. at Charles White Park in Altadena, heads south on Fair Oaks Avenue and ends at Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. After the parade, enjoy the Black History Festival on Hammond Street and the north side of Robinson Park from 12-4:30 p.m. Food for purchase, fun activities for kids, displays, music and other free fun.

“Robinson Park Recreation Center Ground Breaking Ceremony”
Begins at 1 p.m. on the lawn in front of the Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. Join local dignitaries and the Robinson Family in breaking ground for a major rehabilitation project. The Center renovation project is being designed and constructed to better serve the recreational needs of the community.

February 22: “Jungle-Drum Circle with Chazz Ross”
Travel along on Chazz’s whimsical safari with 26 African djembe drums! You’ll create realistic jungle sounds, play simple rhythms and sing silly songs, all while learning about the amazing culture of African drumming! 1 p.m., La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.

February 23: “NOBLE Black History Breakfast”
NOBLE Black History Breakfast with Pasadena Police and Fire departments and the San Gabriel Valley Chapter, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), 7:30-10:00 a.m. at the Pasadena Senior Center, 85 E. Holly St. Call (626) 744-4547 or (626) 744-7054 for info.

February 24: “Chocolate Storytime: Tales & Candy Treats for Children”
Join us for an afternoon of storytelling and village building, featuring stories authored by and/or about African-Americans, followed by a chocolate treat! Led by Dr. Ayesha Randall. For ages 3+.?, 4 p.m., La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.

“Senior Night Out”
Enjoy good food,conversation and upbeat fun at the Pasadena City College Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd., from 7-10 p.m. during this year’s special Senior Night Out event.

March 12: “Praise Dance & Song Jubilee”
Enjoy music, dance and fellowship at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 2283 N. Fair Oaks Ave., 3 p.m., Sunday, March 12.

March 19: “Celebrating Women: Afternoon Tea”
Celebrate women’s contributions to black history over tea service. 3 p.m. at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave.