Black History Month: African Americans and Labor
Published on February 01, 2025
Each February, Black History Month presents an opportunity for all Americans to reflect on the African American experience throughout our nation’s history. The City of Lakewood joins the federal government, state government and hundreds of public and private organizations in paying tribute to this important commemoration and celebration of the diversity in our community.
See the city proclamation issued in recognition of Black History Month on this page.
This year’s theme "African Americans and Labor" focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people.
Origins of Black History Month
Black History Month grew out of the work of Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans in the 1910s. Their organization, known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (or ASALH), is dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other peoples of African descent.
The commemorative week that they initially created inspired schools and communities nationwide to organize local festivities, establish history clubs and host performances and lectures that has since morphed into a month-long celebration.
Resources to learn more
Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation has themed recreation programming including movie screenings, cooking classes, arts and crafts and more for the entire month of February.
The Los Angeles County Library (lacountylibrary.org) has curated a booklist sharing a range of voices that continue to tell the stories of African American struggle, history, art and love. It will also host many in-person events in celebration of Black History Month at branches across the region, including Lakewood’s two libraries.
Come to a Lakewood library for their programs commemorating the month.
Angelo M. Iacoboni Library
African American and Black History Month: Activism Through Art
- Thursday, Feb. 6, 4 - 5 p.m.
- For teens ages 13 – 17.
Celebrate African American and Black History Month. Learn about youth activism and its impact, then create your activist coaster in support of a cause you care about.
Register for Feb. 6 event
Celebrate African American & Black History Month: Romare Bearden Collages
- Friday, Feb. 7, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
- For ages 6-12.
Join the Barnsdall Arts Center to learn about the colorful and abstract work of African American artist Romare Bearden. Create your own collage and learn how printmaking works!
Register for Feb. 7 event
George Nye, Jr. Library
Dreams as Resistance
- Wednesday, Feb. 19, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
- For ages 5 – 12 with a parent or caregiver.
Join us in celebrating African American and Black History Month at the library by writing down our dreams. We will learn how African American and Black people have used dreams to help them throughout history. Then you will have a chance to put your dreams for 2025 and beyond on paper, so you can watch them come to life! All materials provided.
Register for Feb. 19 event