In celebration of the historical achievements of Black/African American’s for our country, Black/African-American led organizations continue the tradition of coming together to provide events for Black History Month (BHM) in February and year-round in Santa Barbara. Events in 2022 will be mostly virtual (online) with a handful in-person to accommodate guests’ comfort level as we continue to navigate COVID-19 and the recent rise in cases. All organizations strive to be in-person but understand the necessity to provide an array of options for guests to participate and celebrate.
Community organizations include Healing Justice Santa Barbara, UCSB Multicultural Center (MCC), UCSB Hosford – The Healing Space, Gateway Educational Services, Santa Barbara Young Black Professionals, Santa Barbara Black Culture House, Coffee with a Black Guy, Endowment for Youth Committee, African American Women in Santa Barbara County, Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara, and Juneteenth Santa Barbara – which coordinates with all organizations.
We’re taking the opportunity to spotlight some of the organizations behind this year’s BHM events which serve to uplift the joy, accomplishments, challenges, and successes of local Black/African-American individuals.
Read on to get to know the organizations, and find a preview of this month’s events.
1. African American Women in Santa Barbara County
African American Women in Santa Barbara is an effort for a luncheon to provide a space and a place for African American Women to “Come Together,” “Being together” in the form of networking, and supporting each other and to build a strong well-connected community of women of color. Learn more at aawsbc.com.
Coffee with a Black Guy (CWABG) is an innovative social impact movement launched in July 2016 by Santa Barbara resident James Joyce III. In these community conversations, Joyce facilitates candid cross-cultural dialogue to help counteract racial tumult. The sessions are a time to share stories, have conversations, impart perspective or just listen and learn from fellow citizens of the world. Simply put Coffee. Connection. Conversations. Learn more at cwabg.com.
3. Gateway Educational Services
Serving students since 2009 Gateway Educational Services is Santa Barbara County’s only nonprofit learning center. This year Gateway expanded its services to provide 40 Black/African American students needing support in Santa and Lompoc. Gateway was founded by Connie Alexander and Audrey Gamble African American educators and leaders. Learn more at gatewayeducationalservices.org
4. Healing Justice Santa Barbara
Healing Justice Santa Barbara aspires to uplift all Black/African-Americans to affirm that they are deserving of safety, love, equity, respect, and joy. Simply put we do it for the love of Black people. Learn more at HJSB.org.
The Cultural & Creative Arts Center of the Santa Maria Valley is a community space for discovering and experiencing arts and culture. They advance the Juneteenth is an annual event, that brings community members together to celebrate the freedom of slaves in the United States. It’s a time to honor ancestors and celebrate freedom, showcasing black joy and culture in Santa Barbara, California. The community event also honors local black artists, performers, and organizations as well as providing free food, dancing, and singing. Learn more at juneteenthsb.com.
6. Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara
The mission of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara is to foster positive relationships between the many diverse groups in the Santa Barbara Community and the surrounding areas; to sponsor programs and events which exemplify the teachings of Dr. King; and to observe, and celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. Learn more at mlksb.org.
7. Santa Barbara Young Black Professionals
This group is intended to create a space for young black professionals in the Santa Barbara area to; build community, establish roots, network, and excel personally and professionally. To learn more please go to SBYBP.com.
8. UCSB Hosford, The Healing Space
The collective toll of racism on Black Americans in the US is widespread. The Healing Space was formed to provide a therapy space to address racial trauma and foster resilience among Black and African American residents in the larger Santa Barbara area. Learn more at sbhealing.org.
9. UCSB MultiCultural Center (MCC)
In 1987, the MCC was created out of demand for a safer and inclusive community space for students of color at UCSB. Since then, the center has grown, both in its mission and physical footprint, to address myriad social justice issues and take action in pursuit of a more just society. Learn more at mcc.sa.ucsb.edu.
Below is a list of Community Events as of Feburary 1, 2022. Please visit Juneteenth’s 2022 Black History Month Page for the most up-to-date information as the event calendar may be edited throughout the month.
- Open All February (in-person)
- Santa Barbara Black History Month Historical Museum & Melanin Gallery (Healing Justice Santa Barbara)
- Open all February at Melanin, 833 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Santa Barbara Public Library – Black History Month display
- Open all February at Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 East Anapamu, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
- Santa Maria Black History Month display (NAACP, Santa Maria – Lompoc)
- Open all February at Santa Maria Public Library, 421 S McClelland St, Santa Maria, CA 93454
- Santa Barbara Black History Month Historical Museum & Melanin Gallery (Healing Justice Santa Barbara)
- January 24 – February 5 (online)
- NAACP Santa Barbara Branch Membership Drive | become a member
- Select Santa Barbara Unit # 1070, select your membership type and complete the membership form. Send your confirmation receipt to Regina Crawford at regina.crawford@naacp-venturacounty.org.
- NAACP Santa Barbara Branch Membership Drive | become a member
- February 2, 9, 16, 23 (online)
- Voices of Liberation (Healing Justice Santa Barbara) | FREE – register now
- Wednesdays in February at 7 pm on TVSB and HJSB.org
- Voices of Liberation (Healing Justice Santa Barbara) | FREE – register now
- February 3 (online)
- Tawengwa Tanyaradzwa, Etienne Charles, and Gerson Lazo-Quiroga (UCSB MCC) | FREE – event link
- 7 pm, online performance screening and Q&A
- Tawengwa Tanyaradzwa, Etienne Charles, and Gerson Lazo-Quiroga (UCSB MCC) | FREE – event link
- February 5, 12, 19, 26 (online)
- Chocolate Baby Storytime (Healing Justice Santa Barbara) | FREE – register now
- Saturdays in February at 9 am on TVSB and HJSB.org
- Chocolate Baby Storytime (Healing Justice Santa Barbara) | FREE – register now
- February 7 (online)
- Racism in Policing on Campuses (UCSB MCC) | FREE – event link
- 6 pm, the panel includes Charmaine Chua, Dylan Rodriguez, Krystle Farmer Sieghart, Kavya Suresh, with moderator Geo Lucero
- Racism in Policing on Campuses (UCSB MCC) | FREE – event link
- February 15 (online)
- Radical Self Love as Transformative Activism with Sonya Renee Taylor (UCSB MCC & The A.S. Black Women’s Health Collaborative) | Free – register now | 6 pm
- February 16 (online)
- Rafiki, film screening (UCSB MCC) | Free – event link | 6 pm
- February 17 (online)
- Prioritizing the Preservation of Black Legacies in Santa Barbara (Healing Justice Santa Barbara) | By donation – register now
- 6-9 pm live stream of film screening and panel
- Prioritizing the Preservation of Black Legacies in Santa Barbara (Healing Justice Santa Barbara) | By donation – register now
- February 19 (in-person)
- Xtreme Hip-Hop Fitness Event (Healing Justice Santa Barbara) | $40 – purchase tickets
- 10 am & 11 am at Santa Barbara Dance Arts, 531 East Cota Street, Santa Barbra, CA 93103
- Xtreme Hip-Hop Fitness Event (Healing Justice Santa Barbara) | $40 – purchase tickets
- February 20 (online)
- Supporting Loved Ones in Crisis: The Black Perspective (UCSB Healing Space & Healing Justice Santa Barbara) | Free – register now
- 11 am – 12:30 pm, event host Tamara Cummings, M.A., Ed.S., NCSP, and Jazzmyn Ward, M.A.
- Supporting Loved Ones in Crisis: The Black Perspective (UCSB Healing Space & Healing Justice Santa Barbara) | Free – register now
- February 20 (in-person)
- Santa Barbara Black/African American History Trolly (Healing Justice Santa Barbara)
- 12 pm & 2 pm – more details to come
- Santa Barbara Black/African American History Trolly (Healing Justice Santa Barbara)
- February 24 (online)
- Coffee With A Black Guy — A community conversation, Reparations 101 | Free
- 6 pm Panelists and special guests TBA, registration will be at cwabg.com
- Coffee With A Black Guy — A community conversation, Reparations 101 | Free
- February 25 (in-person)
- Open Mic Night, MC Vivian Storm (UCSB MCC and UCSB RCSGD) | Free
- 7:30 pm at Biko House, 6600 Sueno Road, Isla Vista, CA 93117
- Open Mic Night, MC Vivian Storm (UCSB MCC and UCSB RCSGD) | Free
- February 26 (online)
- Virtual College Fair : Historical Black Colleges (Gateway Educational Services) | Free Event grades 6-12 and Community College Students
- 10:00 am – 12 pm – contact info@gatewayeducationalservices.org
- Virtual College Fair : Historical Black Colleges (Gateway Educational Services) | Free Event grades 6-12 and Community College Students
- February 26 (online)
- 9th Annual Social Justice Conference: Revitalizing Community in a Changing World (UCSB MCC) | Free – event link
- 8 am conference
- 9th Annual Social Justice Conference: Revitalizing Community in a Changing World (UCSB MCC) | Free – event link
