As the nation ushers in February and prepares to celebrate Black History Month, the city of Palm Springs is honoring the occasion with class, style, and fun.

The city of Palm Springs encourages the entire community to participate in a rich selection of educational events that the city’s Black History Month Committee has planned.

This year’s theme is “Black Migrations and Urban Realities.”

A list of upcoming events includes:

  • Black History Month Awards Gala, 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, Palm
    Springs Air Museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail. Honorees are Father
    Andrew Green, pastor at St. Paul Church of the Desert, local Coachella Valley artist Bernard Hoyes, local volunteers John Caranci and Keith Howard, Riverside County sheriff’s deputy Tim White, Anne Kalisek, administrator from Palm Springs Unified School District, Desert Highland resident Dieter Crawford, Jeff Grubbe, Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, along with local Tuskegee Airman Bob J. Friend, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Gala will also feature a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and the popular World War II P-51 Mustang airplane known as “Red Tail.”
  • Sip & Paint Night, 4 p.m. Feb. 9. Antigua Kitchen & Bar, 105 S. Palm
    Canyon Drive.
  • Black History Month Art Exhibit & Reception, 2 p.m. Feb. 10, Palm
    Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, featuring the work of African American artist Todd Gray.
  • Adult Basketball Tournament, 10 a.m. Feb. 16, Desert Highland Unity
    Center, 480 Tramview Road.
  • 32nd Annual Black History Parade and Town Fair. Parade is Saturday, Feb. 23 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.

According to History.com, 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. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.

Image Sources

  • Black History Month: Shutterstock