The city of Santa Monica has teamed up with the Black Santa Monica Community Group to present the 9th annual Black History Greens Festival. The free community celebration takes place on Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 10am – 2pm at Virginia Avenue Park. The event is part of the city’s Black History Month series of events.
Black History Greens Festival
This year’s theme is “Acknowledging the Past, Living in the Present, Building for the Future.” It is a key initiative in advancing the city’s strategic priority of advancing Justice, Equity & Diversity.
The festival will feature greens cooking demos with local chefs in addition to a wide array of activities like book readings and giveaways. Attendees will enjoy dance performances, vendors, wellness information, as well as special guest KJLH radio’s Arron “BOBO” Arnell as the master of ceremonies.
This year’s event will highlight Santa Monica’s local history by paying tribute to a prominent community member, former commissioner and local Santa Monica business owner Lloyd Allen, who recently celebrated his 103rd birthday. Allen is a champion for civil rights and a trailblazer as the first Black member of the Santa Monica Rotary Club and the Santa Monica Recreation and Parks Commission and is also a key figure in establishing Virginia Avenue Park.
Festivities
•Event opening with a drumming and dance performance by Olokun Cultural Group
•Blessing by Shekinah “Paradise” Shakur
•DJ music mixing by Mark Birotte
•Book reading of “Flowing through the Elements,” by Santa Monica author Darin Glenn
•Live cooking demonstrations with local chefs of family favorite greens recipes
•Book giveaways and coloring activities hosted by the Pico Branch Library
•A farmer’s market featuring Master Gardeners giving out seedlings
•A wide variety of resource booths and vendors
Guests are encouraged to bring picnic blanket and/or lawn chairs. Walking and biking are encouraged; For more information call (310) 458-8688 or visit santamonica.gov
Virginia Avenue Park
VAP comprises a community campus set on 9.5 acres in the Pico Neighborhood. It offers a variety of amenities: basketball courts, playgrounds, as well as splash pads. Rental facilities including a reservable picnic area are also available. Also included is the Thelma Terry Building, Teen Center, PAL Fitness Center, weekly Farmers Market, and the Pico Branch Library. VAP serves as a hub for community-based programs that promote the wellbeing of youth and their parents through supporting the arts, academic success, healthy living, and community engagement.
See the website below for more info – events are in date order.
What: Black History Greens Festival
Where: Virginia Avenue Park, 2200 Virginia Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90405
When: Saturday, February 24, 2024, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Website: https://www.santamonica.gov/events
CLICK HERE for additional upcoming art exhibitions, as well as performances and foodie events.
