For the fourth consecutive year in celebration of Black History Month, the Los Angeles LGBT Center will host The Future is Black: Embracing Our Roots on Saturday, February 22, from 2–7 p.m. at The Village at Ed Gould Plaza in Hollywood. The free event will include award presentations, art exhibit, resource fair, dinner, and live performances by Stroll Groove, Alyesha Wise, Luminous, The Singers of Soul, Carlton Ellis, and Brayjonn.
Spoken word poet, actress, content creator, educator, and activist Yazmin Monet Watkins is this year’s keynote speaker. Author of Love Without Limits: The Bi-Laws of Love, Watkins’ collection of poems explores her journey through love, sexuality, religion, heartache, and eventual discovery of self-love.
Princess Arthur will be honored with the Marsha P. Johnson Award, an accolade given to a burgeoning youth community activist. Actress and activist Jazzmun Crayton will be saluted with the Bayard Rustin Award for her prominence in advancing the social movement of black and LGBT rights. The Village Health Foundation will receive the Freedom Riders Award given to an organization or group which provides outstanding and impactful work in the black community.
Local television news anchor Melvin Robert will host the ceremony.
“American history includes the many valuable contributions of black people—both past and present—who are proud of their heritage and their identities and who never backed down from the racism, discrimination, and violence they endured,” said Melantha Hodge, the Center’s strategic partnership manager and chair of this year’s event. “We embrace the bravery of our predecessors and look forward to inspiring the next generation of black LGBT leaders.”
Art exhibit Moment to Moment will be displayed at the Center’s Advocate & Gochis Galleries, featuring works from Nia Lee, Gregory Prescott, Kelli Washington, Martin Alexander Spratlen Etem, Frances Ampah, and Kraig King. A fashion show segment will feature creations by Stuzo Clothing and Harley Patricio.
Participants of the resource fair include: AIDS/LifeCycle; APAIT; Center for Health Care Rights; Invisible Men; LA City Clerk’s Office; Planned Parenthood; ProjectQ; Stuzo Clothing; Trans Wellness Center; Unique Woman’s Coalition; and the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s various programs and services, including Children, Youth, & Family Services; Community Health Programs; Culinary Arts; Membership; Senior Services; and Volunteer Resources.
Complimentary dinner and beverages provided. Music provided by DJ Asha.
This year’s sponsors include Angel City Brewery and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
WHAT:
The Future is Black: Embracing Our Roots
The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s day-long community celebration in honor of Black History Month, filled with award presentations, live performances, art exhibit, resource fair, dinner, and more.
WHEN:
Saturday, February 22
2–7 p.m.
Schedule of Events:
2 p.m.
Doors open
2:30–4:30 p.m.
Ceremony
4:30–6 p.m.
Dinner
4:30–7 p.m.
Art Exhibit, Resource Fair
5:30–7 p.m.
Drinks and Dancing
WHERE:
Los Angeles LGBT Center
The Village at Ed Gould Plaza
1125 N. McCadden Place
Los Angeles 90038
COST:
FREE
To attend, please RSVP at lalgbtcenter.org/futureisblack
For more information and a full rundown of events, visit lalgbtcenter.org/futureisblack.
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