Attendees can engage in cooking demonstrations, book readings and dance performances
Santa Monica, in collaboration with the Black Santa Monica Community Group, is set to host the 9th annual Black History Greens Festival—a free community celebration aligning with the city’s Black History Month events.
This year’s festival will honor Lloyd Allen, a significant local figure and former commissioner, Santa Monica business owner, and civil rights champion. Having recently celebrated his 103rd birthday, Allen holds the distinction of being the first Black member of the Santa Monica Rotary Club and the Santa Monica Recreation and Parks Commission. He played a pivotal role in establishing Virginia Avenue Park.
The event, themed “Acknowledging the Past, Living in the Present, Building for the Future,” will occur on Saturday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Virginia Avenue Park.
Attendees can engage in cooking demonstrations by local chefs and an array of activities such as book readings, giveaways, dance performances, wellness information, and special guest KJLH radio’s Arron “BOBO” Arnell as the master of ceremonies.
The day’s festivities feature:
- Opening performance by the Olokun Cultural Group
- Blessing by Shekinah “Paradise” Shakur
- DJ music mixing by Mark Birotte
- Book reading of “Flowing through the Elements” by local author Darin Glenn
- Live cooking demonstrations with local chefs showcasing favorite greens recipes
- Book giveaways and coloring activities hosted by the Pico Branch Library
- A farmer’s market with Master Gardeners distributing seedlings
- Various resource booths and vendors
Attendees are encouraged to bring picnic blankets or lawn chairs.