Los Angeles — Los Angeles, CA – The City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) celebrates African American Heritage Month by publishing the 2026 African American Heritage Month Calendar and Cultural Guide. The 2026 National Black History Theme: A Century of Black History Commemorations honors the origins and impact of Black history observance. The guide provides a history of the observance and impact on Black history celebrations in Los Angeles over the last 100 years, in addition to an article on how to observe Black History Month, and much more. Readers will find over 120 events taking place across Los Angeles, honoring the heritage, culture, and history of our city’s African American community. The guide also showcases a vibrant selection of visual art and poetry from established and emerging African American artists, a bibliography with suggested reading, an editorial spotlight on the cover artist Riea Owens, and much more.
The official City of Los Angeles Celebrations are presented in partnership with Our Authors Study Club, Inc. (OASC). OASC has been a vehicle for historical preservation and intellectual empowerment of the Black Community for over 75 years. Events kick off with the Opening Day Ceremony and Community Reception on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in City Council Chambers.
“The Department of Cultural Affairs is proud to present the 2026 African American Heritage Month Calendar and Cultural Guide,” says Daniel Tarica, General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. “The Guide honors Los Angeles’s vibrant Black community and marks a century of Black history that continues to shape our city, our culture, and our collective future. The 2026 National Black History Theme: A Century of Black History Commemorations honors the origins of Black history observance and its influence on us today. We invite you to engage with this guide, not only throughout the month, but for years to come as a celebration, a resource, and a testament to Los Angeles’s enduring Black heritage.”
Dr. Lura Daniels-Ball, President, Our Authors Study Club, Inc. (OASC) adds, “2026 marks the 100th year of national Black History commemorations. As president of the Our Authors Study Club, Inc. (OASC)—an organization rooted in the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who launched Negro History Week in 1926, this centennial must be more than remembrance. It must be a call to defend what Woodson began, our founder, Vassie D. Wright championed and generations continued. As we enter this centennial year, the next chapter will not be defined by what is taken from us, but by what we choose to protect, build, and pass forward—with purpose, confidence, and hope.”
View the guide to learn more about this and all the events and resources here: culture.lacity.gov/programs-
About the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)
As a leading, progressive arts and cultural agency, DCA empowers Los Angeles’s vibrant communities by supporting and providing access to quality visual, design, literary, musical, performing, and educational arts programming; managing vital cultural centers; preserving historic sites; creating public art; and funding services provided by arts organizations and individual artists.
Formed in 1925, DCA promotes arts and culture as a way to ignite a powerful dialogue, engage LA’s residents and visitors, and ensure LA’s varied cultures are recognized, acknowledged, and experienced. DCA’s mission is to strengthen the quality of life in Los Angeles by stimulating and supporting arts and cultural activities, ensuring public access to the arts for residents and visitors alike.
DCA advances the social and economic impact of arts and culture through grantmaking, public art, community arts, performing arts, and strategic marketing, development, design, and digital research. DCA creates and supports arts programming, maximizing relationships with other city agencies, artists, and arts and cultural nonprofit organizations to provide excellent service in neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles.
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