PALM SPRINGS — February is Black History Month,  an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history.

The city of Palm Springs and the entire Coachella Valley community is encouraged to participate in a host of fun and educational events that the City’s Black History Month Committee has planned.

Following is a list of upcoming events:Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history.

  • Black History Month Art Collaboration, 5 pm, Thursday, Feb. 6, Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive.
  • Black History Month Gospel Fest, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2 p.m – 4 p.m.
  • Desert Highland Unity Center, 480 Tramview Road.
  • Black History Month Men’s Basketball Tournament Saturday, Feb. 22, 9 am, Demuth Community Center, 3601 E. Mesquite Ave.
  • 33rd Annual Black History Parade and Town Fair. Parade is Saturday, Feb. 29 at 11 a.m. along Palm Canyon Drive. Town Fair runs noon to 6 p.m. in Frances Stevens Park on the corner of Palm Canyon Drive and Alejo Road.

For more information about events, click here.

Other events to commemorate the Month include:

  • Author Lauren Nile, who was recognized as Advocate of the Year in 2019 by Palm Springs Pride, will discussher book “Race” at the Welwood Murray Memorial Library. The event will take place 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information click here, or call the Welwood Murray Memorial Library at (760) 323-8296
  • The annual Black History Month Gala will be held at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The awards will recognize the people and groups who have helped support the African American community and society. The event starts at 6 p.m. and is $60 in advance and $70 at the door. For more information: Contact Jarvis Crawford at Jarvis.Crawford@palmspringsca.gov or (760) 416-5716

  • On Tuesday, Feb. 11, Michael D. McCarty, a multicultural storyteller, will share tales from Africa to highlight the struggles that black people have overcome throughout history. McCarty will appear at the Palm Springs Public Library, 300 S Sunrise Way, Palm Springs at 6 p.m. For more information, click here.

Image Sources

  • Black History Month: Shutterstock