Several organizations are coming together in February to celebrate Black History Month in the Santa Barbara community.

Santa Barbara Young Black Professionals, Coffee with a Black Guy, Black Rock Coalition (NYC), El Centro, Endowment for Youth Committee, African American Women in Santa Barbara County, Martin Luther King, Jr Committee of Santa Barbara, Black Lives Matter Santa Barbara, Juneteenth Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Public Library are providing and supporting a series of culturally enriching programs, including a newly launched BHM Culture House on State Street as a central location, to celebrate and display black culture.

“While Santa Barbara’s black community may be small in number, collaboration and partnerships are key to our strong and vibrant community,” said James Joyce III, founder of Coffee with a Black Guy. “The last couple of years have reinforced the importance of coming together and supporting one another.

“Our hope is that from such a shared celebration we can all learn from one another and uplift Santa Barbara as a whole.”

This year’s events range from a Kick-Off Brunch to a debate between candidates for District 1 county supervisor. Most notable is the BHM Culture House that will occupy the 1219 State St. space on weekends.

The idea behind the Culture House comes from The Black Rock Coalition, represented by Darrell McNeill and Sally Foxen-McNeill, who wanted a space to bring the community together and celebrate black culture.

“The Black community of Santa Barbara has contributed so much to the history, the infrastructural growth and cultural vitality of the city,” said Darrell McNeill, director of operations for the Black Rock Coalition. “But, sadly, it’s also one of the most overlooked and underserved.

“As a transplanted New Yorker, I’m fascinated by the richness Black Santa Barbara has brought through history, but also frustrated by the many challenges as well, much like New York, Los Angeles and nationwide.

“I wanted to bring my experiences as a producer to the table and create a space to put that vibrancy in the center of the public mind here in town,” he said.

The community is invited enjoy the following events”

Feb. 1, 11 a.m. — Kick-Off Brunch presented by Santa Barbara Young Black Professionals – Bren School UCSB (2400 Bren Hall, Lot 1). Tickets $35; buy tickets at SBYBP.com.
Feb. 1, noon-4 p.m. — Community Organization Meet & Greet – Black History Month Culture House, 1219 State St. Free
Feb. 2, noon-2 p.m. — Film screening of “Standing In the Shadows Of Motown,” Black History Month Culture House, 1219 State St. Free
Feb. 5, 5:30 p.m. — Crime Book Club: “Bluebird, Bluebird” by Attica Locke, Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. Free
Feb. 7, 2 p.m. — Friday matinee: “The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. Free
Feb. 8, 2-4:30 p.m. — Coffee with a Black Guy, Black History Month Culture House, 1219 State St. Free, music by Comfort Food
Feb. 9, 1-2:30 p.m. — Live Music Performance by singer/songwriter/composer Maritri – Black History Month Culture House, 1219 State St. Free
Feb. 11, 5:30 p.m. — Fiction Book Club: Washington Black by Esi Edugyan, Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. Free
Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m. — Black Table Talk presented by Santa Barbara Young Black Professionals – Location TBD Free
Feb. 13, 5:30 p.m. — Exploring Art: Celebrating Black Artist in the United States, Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. Free
Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m. — I Chocolate Baby Story Time presented by El Centro, 629 Coronel Place. Free
Feb. 15, 1 p.m. — Black History Month Culture House Debate, between District 1 Supervisorial candidates Das Williams and Laura Capps, 1219 State St. Free
Feb. 16, noon-3p.m. — Film Screening of  “Wattstax” – Black History Month Culture House, 1219 State St. Free
Feb. 16, 3 p.m. — The Measure of Her Life: A Tribute to Toni Morrison, organized by Sojourner Kincaid, Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. Free
Feb. 16, 3:30 p.m. — Visions of Hope, 10th Annual Worship and Celebration Service, Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St. Free
Feb. 19, noon — Civic Forum: The Untold Story of Women of Color in the League of Women Voters, with speaker Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins, Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. Free
Feb. 22, noon-1 p.m. — Live Music Performance by The Cookies – Black History Month Culture House, 1219 State St. Free
Feb. 22, 7 p.m. — Black Art Now! Paint & Sip at Paseo Nuevo (next to Nordstroms). Tickets $35; buy tickets at SBYBP.com
Feb. 22, 7 p.m. — Black Art Now! exhibit, The View From Here at Paseo Nuevo (Next to Nordstroms). Free
Feb. 23, noon-4 p.m. — Album launch/listening event for Mandrill, featuring Dr. Ric Wilson and Carlos Wilson- Black History Month Culture House, 1219 State St. Free
Feb. 23, 6 p.m. — All Aboard Black History’s Country Soul Train, featuring Petrella and Mixed Influence, Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St. Free
Feb. 28, 2 p.m. — Friday matinee: Harriet, Santa Barbara Public Library, 40 E. Anapamu St.
Feb. 29, 2-4 p.m. — Screening of “I Promise To Remember” documentary on Jimmy Castor, talk with Jimmy Castor Jr. and Jayson Castor – Black History Month Culture House, 1219 State St. Free

African American Women in Santa Barbara County is an effort for a luncheon to provide a space and a place for African American Women to come together. Being together in the form of networking, and supporting each other and to build a strong well-connected community of women of color. Learn more at aawsbc.com/.

Black Lives Matter, Santa Barbara was formed in the summer of 2016 and inspired by the closest chapter Black Lives Matters, Los Angeles. The grassroots community organization helps to consider what Santa Barbara would be like if Black Lives Matter. Follow on Facebook at @BlackLivesMatterSB.

The Black Rock Coalition (BRC), founded in 1985, is the nation’s only 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to championing the work by progressive/alternative artists of color whose work goes largely underrepresented by mainstream media outlets and the music industry.

The BRC was co-founded by Vernon Reid, Greg Tate and Konda Mason and is headquartered in New York City. Learn more at blackrockcoalition.org/.

Coffee with A Black Guy – Coffee with a Black Guy (CWABG) is an innovative social impact movement launched in July 2016 by Santa Barbara-resident James Joyce III. In these community conversations, Joyce facilitates candid cross-cultural dialogue to help counteract much of the racial tumult going on in the world, particularly the U.S.

The sessions are a time to share stories, have conversations, impart perspective or just listen and learn from fellow citizens of the world. CWABG seeks to merge the tactile and digital worlds to bring greater understanding, compassion, empathy and love in our shared global community. Learn more at www.cwabg.com.

Since its start in 1986, the Endowment for Youth Committee (EYC) has been one of the largest organizations on the California Central Coast that remains dedicated to the educational success and advancement of Black/African American youth.

Co-founded by Cliff Lambert and Melvin Richey, EYC provides educational, cultural, social and recreational programs for young African-American men and all other segments of  youth. Some 30 after its founding, EYC is adapting to today’s dynamic youth to more accurately address their needs and concerns. Learn more at endowmentforyouth.org.

El Centro, also known as the Santa Barbara Lower Westside Community Center, is a volunteer activist-led grassroots community space on Santa Barbara’s lower Westside. Its focus centers on people working toward the liberation and uplift of people of color, womxn, youth, indigenous and queer communities.

El Centro was established for these groups to exercise artistic expression, fundraise, and host meetings and educational events, building local networks that connect folks to a collective struggle toward self-determination, self-empowerment, self-expression and liberation.

El Centro is run by local volunteers and organizers working together work to build critical dialogue and action for justice and equity. El Centro actively builds toward financial autonomy on a membership-based model. Learn more at http://www.elcentrosb.org/.

Juneteenth Santa Barbara – Juneteenth is an annual event, where community members come together to celebrate the freedom of slaves in the United States.

Two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, slaves in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom and immediately danced in the streets. Today, Juneteenth honors our ancestors and celebrates our freedom, showcasing black joy and culture in Santa Barbara.

The community event also honors local black artists, performers and organizations, as well as providing free food, dancing and singing. Join the 2020 event on June 19. Learn more at juneteenthsb.com.

The mission of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara is to foster positive relationships between the many diverse groups in the Santa Barbara community and surrounding areas; to sponsor programs and events that exemplify the teachings of Dr. King; and to observe and celebrate the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. More at mlksb.org.

Santa Barbara Young Black Professionals’ goal is to create and foster positive relationships that empower young Black professionals in the Santa Barbara area by creating and participating in opportunities for professional development, social enrichment, and community service.

The group is intended to create a space for young black professionals in the Santa Barbara area to build community, establish roots, network, and excel personally and professionally.

For more, visit SBYBP.com.

The mission statement of the Santa Barbara Public Library System is to provide information services, reading materials, and educational resources to residents of all ages from the Santa Ynez Valley to Carpinteria. Visit santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/lib/default.asp.