31 Black History Month Events That Will Keep You Busy

In a city as diverse as Los Angeles, Black History Month is a special time, offering seemingly countless discussion panels, festivals, live performances, and more to honor Black culture. Putting together a completely comprehensive list of Black History Month events is an impossible task, but we’ve done our best to guide you in the right direction with some stand-outs and personal favorites. Honestly, the offerings for Black History Month 2025 are all pretty stellar, so the real challenge will be figuring out what to sit out. 

The 26th Annual Los Angeles Black College Expo

Our first of the 2025 Black History Month events takes place at SoFi Stadium; a terrible place to see live music but possibly a great place to apply for college? In partnership with Honda’s Battle of the Bands (speaking of live music), the 26th Annual Los Angeles Black College Expo promises over $20 million in available scholarships. But even if you don’t secure funding, it’s worth a visit just to meet some of the top recruiters for the country’s Black colleges and universities. And if you’ve got your heart set on a more traditional institution, there will be plenty of those too. The Black College Expo celebrates its 26th year with over 100 colleges, some even offering on-the-spot acceptance. Entry is free so, at the very least, it doesn’t hurt to explore your options. 

Forest Lawn’s Black History Month Event

• Saturday, February 1
• 4 – 7:30 pm
• Forest Lawn
• 1712 S Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91205

One of the first of the city’s 2025 Black History Month events takes place at… Forest Lawn cemetery? Typically, we’d say that a graveyard is a pretty morbid spot to celebrate the African-American diaspora. But most cemeteries don’t look like Forest Lawn. Expect a special evening of cultural catharsis and revelry through live music, poetry, and plenty of dancing. Things kick off early with a resource fair and light reception with refreshments and even a few prizes. But the main event comes later with guest speeches courtesy of community luminaries and a live music show that will keep guests on their feet until the last beat. It’s all happening in the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection. It’s also worth noting that it’s a free event, right down to the parking. 

Black History Month Lecture with The Teacha KRS-One

• Saturday, February 1
• 4 – 10 pm
• Thymele Arts
• 5481 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029

BDP.ONE in collaboration with The Temple of Hip Hop is bringing us the strongest start to our calendar of Black History Month events in 2025 with a guest lecture from KRS-One. Yes, that KRS-One. The Brooklyn legend will share some wisdom before guests enjoy an evening of specially selected food, drink, and inspiring art. Tickets are limited so get them while you can… because “You Must Learn.” Hey, we had to. 

R&Brunch – School Daze Edition

• Sunday, February 2
• 11 am – 5 pm
• Shannon’s at The Top
• 201 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802

Brunch is served in this special School Daze edition of R&Brunch with a focus on celebrating Black History Month. You’re invited to come out and enjoy some good eating and R&B jams while repping your fraternity or sorority (or alma mater for the old heads). Long Beach’s collegiate crowd past and present are no strangers to Shannon’s at The Top, and all are welcome to this Black History brunch bash. Eat up, because you’ll need your energy for the rest of this month! 

Black History Month Crafts: Alma Thomas

• Wednesday, February 5
• 3 – 4 pm
• Angeles Mesa Branch Library
• 2700 W 52nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90043

Take an hour out of your busy schedule to explore your crafty side with this creative all-ages event hosted by the Angeles Mesa Branch Library. The event looks at the inspiring artwork of African-American artist and teacher Alma Thomas whose mosaic-like paintings captured an abstract facet of the multitude of experiences felt growing up Black in a country still struggling to find itself. Guests will be invited to create their own vibrant stamped hearts. Whether you directly explore Thomas’s influences or go off on your own creative journey, it’s sure to be an illuminating hour to punctuate your week. 

Love, Peace & Spades: Black Family Game Night

• Wednesday, February 5
• 6 – 11 pm
• The LINE LA
• 3515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Dedicated to the appreciation of their Black family heirlooms, Love, Peace & Spades has built a reputation for engaging game nights all across the city, offering safe spaces created by and for Black people. This special Black History Month edition of their monthly game night invites guests of all ages and skill levels to come out for an evening of fun and nostalgia with active games of Uno, Bid Whist, Dominoes, Tunk (a.k.a. Tonk), and Spades. Don’t know how to play? Coaches will be on hand to patiently walk you through the process. Just make sure to register ahead of time and reserve your spot. Open tables run from 6 until 7 pm. They’ll also be holding a raffle, and the big prize will be given during the intermission. Who knows? Love, Peace & Spades might become your new family tradition. 

Off the Press: An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States

• Thursday, February 6
• 2 – 4 pm
• The Fowler Museum at UCLA
• 308 Charles E. Young Dr N, Los Angeles, CA 90024

When not illuminating students as an associate professor at UCLA, Professor Kyle T. Mays was hard at work writing his 2021 historical exploration of the Black experience, An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States. The scholarly text takes a deep dive into the delicate and complex relationship between Indigeneity and being Black in the ever-changing American cultural landscape. In this exclusive discussion, Professor Mays expands on the points explored in his book while referencing notable moments in U.S. history, urbanization, pop culture, and, of course, race relations. Easily among the most profound Black History Month events on this list, this one is not to be missed. 

Skid Row Community Improvement Coalition’s Black History Month Festival

• Thursday, February 6
• 6 – 9 pm
• Star Apartments, Skid Row Housing Trust
• 240 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Details are still forthcoming on one of the more vague Black History Month events on this list, but for now, the Skid Row Community Improvement Coalition (SRCIC) is promising a free evening of “music, art, dancing, and community celebration.” Food and beverages will also be provided. The SRCIC promotes a noble cause, using its platform to push for equal access to community resources and highlighting systemic points that need improvement. However, this evening will take a decided focus on the generation-transcending culture and history shared by African Americans in our diverse city. 

African Clothing & Cosmetics Roadshow

• Friday, February 7 – Sunday, February 9
• 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
• Hilton Los Angeles Universal City
• 555 Universal Hollywood Dr, Universal City, Los Angeles, CA 91608

The African Clothing & Cosmetics Roadshow marks the first of several Black History Month events for 2025 focused on helping African-American entrepreneurs network and grow their businesses. This weekend-long event takes over the Hilton in Universal City, presenting an exclusive offering of African-based manufacturers working within the beauty industry. It’s a rare opportunity for buyers and retailers to network with bonafide African sources. Events throughout the weekend include expert panels, runway shows, investment forums, conferences, and even a “Made in Africa” pop-up shop. 

Black\stract

• Friday, February 7
• 6:30 – 9:30 pm
• NeueHouse Hollywood
• 6121 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Art is an integral part of Black History Month, offering an outlet for the complex experience of Black life in America. That’s what makes Black\stract one of the most anticipated Black History Month events on our 2025 calendar. This gallery show tackles the mammoth task of summarizing Black identity… an impossibility in any art show, but one that the multidisciplinary artists cultivated for Black\stract handle with aplomb. Shapes, colors, textures, and patterns convene to create an essence that words struggle to reflect. Expect an emotional evening brimming with tales more experienced than spoken. 

Friday Fix! The Smokes & The Big Team, Live and Livestreamed

• Friday, February 7
• 8:30 pm
• Upright Citizens Brigade
• 5919 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028

While Upright Citizen Brigade’s regularly occurring Friday Fix! may not be among the official Black History Month events for 2025, we thought it deserved a mention simply for the inclusion of one of the most interesting up-and-coming improv teams (who also happen to all be Black men), The Big Team. They’ve been on the comedy circuit for some time now, having formed at UCB’s Black History Month show back in 2013. Since then, they’ve headlined comedy festivals across America. But this is your chance to see them on their home turf, right at the site where it all happened: the intimate UCB theater in Franklin Village. 

Inspire Danz Co. Black History Dance Celebration

• Saturday, February 8
• 12 – 2 pm
• Stomping Ground L.A.
• 5453 Alhambra Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90032

Dance has always been an integral part of Black culture across the world, a fact that Inspire Danz Co. honors all year round. But in this special Black History Month session, they invite guests of all skill levels to learn from their dance masters, schooled in a variety of culturally relevant dance styles. The afternoon will specifically focus on the following:

• Afro Fusion – combines contemporary styles with traditional African dances
• Jazz – 20th-century method blending African and European styles
• Musical Theatre – incorporates choreography with written text and music for a dramatic, interpretive method
• Worship Arts – expressions of worship and spiritual gratitude

Tickets are selling fast, but encore sessions will be held at the same times on February 15 and 22. 

Legacy & Unity: Black History Celebration on the Promenade

• Saturday, February 8
• 12 – 4 pm
• The Promenade
• Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

This free event turns the spotlight on the community contributions and history of African Americans in a street festival that blends education, enlightenment, and entertainment. And it’s all set against the beautiful backdrop of Long Beach’s Promenade. Expect an afternoon of live entertainment, culture, and resources fit for the whole family. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to shop at Long Beach’s black-owned businesses conveniently collected together in one place. 

Black History Event at Malik Books: Book Signing Discussion with Best Selling Author Derrick Barnes

• Monday, February 10
• 7 pm
• Malik Books
• 6000 Sepulveda Blvd, Ste 2470, Culver City, CA 90230

The only of our Black History Month events for 2025 to fall on a Monday night, this book signing and discussion at Malik Books is a pretty exciting appearance for a school night. Author Derrick Barnes will be on hand to sign copies of his 2022 award-winning graphic novel Victory. Stand! – Raising My Fist for Justice. Not only did this inspiring work win the 2023 YALSA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Award and Coretta Scott King Award Author Honor, but it also nabbed him a National Book Award Finalist spot. Tying in with the pioneering themes of Black History Month, Barnes was also the first African-American man to work for Hallmark as a copywriter. Of course, we think you’ll find Victory. Stand! a more moving read than any birthday card. 

Empowering Black Owned Small Businesses

• Thursday, February 13
• 11 am – 2 pm
• Rose Goldwater Community Center
• 21710 Vanowen St, Canoga Park, CA 91303

The NEW Women’s Business Center brings the next of the business-focused Black History Month events with this intimate fireside discussion offering insights from experts in Finance and Business Certification. The talk will feature an as-yet-unnamed distinguished “government speaker” who will delve into diverse entrepreneurial themes including networking, accessing capital, and the certification process. While this is not a free event, lunch will be provided with your ticket. 

Black Rocks

• Friday, February 14
• 7 – 10 pm
• LA Boulders
• 1375 East 6th St #8, Los Angeles, CA 90021

So far, only one of the Black History Month events we’ve found for 2025 has the stones to schedule on the dreaded Valentine’s Day Friday, but we think it could be one of the best date night options out there… if you’re hoping for a sweaty evening of getting your rocks off. We of course mean rock climbing with Black Rocks; a space dedicated to providing a worry-free experience for the Black and Pan-African climbing communities. Well, except for the worry of how to get down from a giant rock. Black Rocks is welcoming all levels to come out for this culturally supportive evening which also just so happens to be its one-year anniversary. How romantic!  

Soul Shadows

• Sunday, February 16
• 6 – 11 pm
• Wonzimer
• 341-B South Avenue 17, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Historically, the Black community has been underrepresented in horror media. Thankfully, that’s changing, albeit gradually. The Soul Shadows art show aims to hold a light up to these cherished Black spots in the fabric of horror history, honoring the movies, the characters, the actors, and the business insiders that bring a Black voice to our screams. Expect a horrifyingly immersive experience as well as performance art, luminaries, panels, vendors, and plenty of horror-inspired visual art that transcends disciplines… and maybe even a few dimensions. 

Black Education Expo

• Saturday, February 22
• 9 am – 3 pm
• Magic Box
• 1933 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Kicking off one of the busiest days on our Black History Month 2025 calendar, the Black Education Expo is a day-long event aimed at providing resources to educate and empower school children from kindergarten to 12th grade. This free community event uplifts and inspires Black youth with a variety of resources including but not limited to:

• Career guidance
• Financial literacy tools
• Immersive activities
• Interactive workshops
• Networking opportunities

Through the Black Education Expo, children are taught that academic and financial development is theirs for the taking. 

Black Hair Magic Marketplace

• Saturday, February 22
• 10 am – 3 pm
• BareMaker’s Studio
• 714 South Hill St, Ste 605, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Black Hair Magic Marketplace is becoming something of a tradition for Black History Month, and this year’s event is already shaping up to be their biggest yet. Perfect for Black entrepreneurs working in the cosmetics industry, this vendor marketplace offers rare access to skin, beauty, and hair products designed for the comforts of the Black community including many products that rely on high-end organic and vegan formulas. Admission to the annual Black Hair Magic Marketplace includes:

• 10% off BareMaker’s Studio rental
• Complimentary gift bag
• Complimentary sparkling wine
• Music
• Networking opportunities
• Photo ops
• Shopping access to exclusive vendors

Vibrations of History: A Black History Month Sound Bath Celebration

• Saturday, February 22
• 3:30 – 4:30 pm
• SoulPlay Yoga
• 9711 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Sound baths are primarily spiritual exercises that allow guests to relax and, in some cases, reflect. And there are few months more ideal for reflection than Black History Month. Guided by Dr. Arianna Deans, this special sound bath session takes a specific focus on using sound vibrations to heal the body while honoring the sacrifices and achievements made by the Black community throughout a shared rich history. Sure to be a rejuvenating experience, this is easily one of the most intentionally spiritual Black History Month events on our calendar. 

Observations in Black – A Pictorial Celebration of Black History Month

• Saturday, February 22
• 4 – 6:30 pm
• Altadena Library
• 600 East Mariposa St, Altadena, CA 91001

Running for its ninth consecutive year, the 2025 edition of Observations in Black is particularly poignant in the wake of the Eaton Fire that decimated the historic Black community of Altadena. Held at the Altadena Library which was miraculously unscathed by the wildfires, this art show of black-and-white photography capturing fragments of the Black experience in America offers one of the first opportunities for this community to come together again since the devastating fires. This year, founder and photographer Alfred Haymond will be discussing his work in parallel to the community; certain to be a powerful examination rife with emotion. Though the photos will be on display from February 1 through March 31, the evening of Saturday, February 22 is your only chance to attend the artist meet-and-greet reception. 

LACAAEA – 2025 Black History Month/Annual Black-Tie Gala & Fundraiser

• Saturday, February 22
• 5:30 – 10:30 pm
• Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza
• 251 South Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

On the higher end of the Black History Month events on the 2025 calendar, the Los Angeles County African American Employees Association (LACAAEA) Annual Black Tie Gala and Fundraiser will honor the work of Dr. D’Artagnan Scorza this year. Dr. Sorza is Los Angeles County’s first Executive Director of Racial Equity; a role focused on improving diversity and inclusion in LA. As this year’s Keynote Speaker, Dr. Sorza is sure to provide illumination into county initiatives that align with LACAAEA’s mission to aid in the professional development of the county’s African-American employees. Of course, the evening also promises fine dining and entertainment, all in the name of an admirable cause. 

Open Arms Food Pantry and Resource Center 9th Annual Black History Month Festival

• Sunday, Feb 23, 2025
• 11 am – 6 pm
• Pan Pacific Park
• 7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

While this looks like it could be one of the bigger events of Black History Month 2025, it’s also scant on details at the time of writing. What we know for sure is that it’s being hosted by the Open Arms Food Pantry and Resource Center who are still actively searching for vendors for the festival as we type this. However, they are also promising insightful community discussions from special guests with an overarching theme of Healthy Mental Awareness as it relates to the African diaspora. There will also be plenty of occasions to celebrate the Black community with notable live performances and culturally-relevant food in the AfriKan Marketplace and Foodie Area. Again, no specifics, but consider us hyped. 

Fashion Show: A Walk Through History & Time

• Sunday, February 23
• 2 – 4 pm
• The Fox Hollywood
• 6506 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Through the decades, African Americans have often been at the forefront of fashion, informing huge movements with culturally significant taste. Of course, due to racial inequality, credit wasn’t always given where it was due. This fashion-forward (and playfully backward) event aims to cast the spotlight where it belongs, taking a tour through the decades of some of the most stirring and enduring fashions to be born from Black culture. Designs will be paraded down the runway with model choreography provided by Bobbie Bell who has been providing her coaching expertise to the fashion industry for over three decades. 

Black Images: A Black History Month Poetry Slam

• Sunday, February 23
• 2:30 – 4:30 pm
• Family Source Center
• 4305 Degnan Blvd, Ste 105, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Remember earlier in this blog when we wrote that the Black experience is one “that words struggle to reflect”? Well, this poetry slam may very well leave us standing corrected. Black Images pits 10 local poets against one another in a one-round, one-poem poetry slam with a cash prize and trophy on the line. Judges will be choosing the winner based on three factors:

• Originality
• Content
• Performance

This special poetry slam is hosted by award-winning poet and emcee Mike Guinn and is set to feature NAACP Image Award Nominee and Poet Laureate Samuel Rain (a.k.a. Complicated Passions). And as we’re writing this, it’s already close to selling out, so we wish you luck! 

Wealth & Money in the African American Community

• Sunday, February 23
• 4 – 6 pm

Hosted by the Georgia African Diaspora Development Institute, Wealth & Money in the African American Community is the first (and only) of the Black History Month events on our calendar to be held virtually. This educational forum focuses on financial growth with actionable information on wealth-building, investment practices, and securing financial stability within the African American community. The Eventbrite page specifies the start time as 10 am and the event description and flyer indicate 1 pm, but per an event representative, this is in Eastern Time. Therefore, guests should aim to join the meeting at 4 pm PST. And though the session promises expert speakers, our sources have not provided any names. In the meantime, we’ll just recommend reaching out to them if you’re interested in further details! 

Black History Veteran Event

• Thursday, February 27
• 12 – 3 pm
• Peer Resource Center
• 12021 Wilmington Ave, Bldg 18, Los Angeles, CA 90059

Historically, Black Veterans of the United States Armed Services have been woefully overlooked by our country, so the Black History Veteran Event is one of the most valuable Black History Month events of 2025. And that’s saying a lot. Featuring guest speakers offering accounts and insights into the history of Black Veterans, this event will also include interactive exhibits and opportunities to connect with veterans and thank them for their services. Though this event is free, a complimentary lunch will also be provided. 

Reaffirming Our Commitment: Black Minds Matter, 10 Years Later

• Thursday, February 27
• 4 – 6 pm
• Peerspace Highland Park
• 5507 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Join Dr. Tyrone Howard (UCLA Education Professor and Director of the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools and the UCLA Pritzker Center for Strength Families) and Natalie Wheatfall-Lum (EdTrust-West’s Director of TK-12 Policy) in this intimate fireside discussion. The focus? Methods our communities can use to inspire the state of California to invest more heavily in Black students. They will be revealing insights from the Black Minds Matter 2025 report that can lead to actionable plans for the community. If you care deeply for the future of California’s Black community, this is an event you can’t miss. Appetizers and drinks will be served. 

BASK with US: Celebrating Black Leadership in the Built Environment

• Thursday, February 27
• 5:30 – 9 pm
• BASK
• 718 Mateo St, Ste 01, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Furniture curator BASK is behind this design-focused forum, celebrating both Black History Month and their one-year anniversary with an illuminating look at Black furniture makers, artists, and designers. Panelists include:

• Cheryl Durst (EVP and CEO – IIDA)
• Jomo Tariku (Artist/Industrial Designer)
• Garland Fuller (Principal Consultant – Full Circle) 

Guests will also be invited to tour the BASK showroom where selected examples of art, design, and furniture from the minds of Black creatives will be on display. Moderated by BASK founder and CEO Adam Mims, the evening aims to identify ways that the Black perspective is shaping what’s possible with interior design spaces. Being one of the Black History Month events that most closely aligns with the real estate industry, we’re excited about this one! 

Celebrating Black Excellence Together: The Black Blueprint Network Mixer

• Friday, February 28
• 6:30 – 10 pm
• Connect 2 Rise
• 2594 East Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91107

In the final business-focused event on our list of Black History Month 2025 picks, The Black Blueprint Network Mixer offers just that: a constructive space for African American entrepreneurs to get together and network. Organized by Connect 2 Rise Inc., The Black Blue Print Mixer challenges business owners and cultural pioneers to put aside competition for the evening in the spirit of collaboration and support, putting great minds together with a shared vision of Black excellence. The result is an ecosystem where all ships rise, and wear guests are taught to look past surviving and focus on thriving. 

Jazz & Juice

• Friday, February 28
• 7 – 10 pm
• Sorry Not Sorry
• 11520 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Finally, some jazz to cap off a monumental Black History Month! This evening is centered around a live performance by Nisey Rashad supported by a band of up to five professional jazz artists. However, guests will have a chance to show off their own talents with an open mic segment punctuating the festivities. Throughout it all, Sorry Not Sorry will be slinging their signature drink specials. The night is themed to celebrate Black artists with an underlying theme of female empowerment. And with Women’s History Month happening in March, it’s the perfect transition point.