Los Angeles City Council opens Black History Month with centennial celebration and living-legend honors

Presiding Officer (Council) opened the Feb. 4, 2026 session in the council chamber to begin the city's Black History Month centennial observance, calling for an inclusive celebration that recognizes the city's cultural contributions and history. "Hoy estamos aqued para celebrar 100 af1os de historia negra," the Presiding Officer said during opening remarks.

The program included a musical performance led by Laura Bou of "Lift Every Voice," remarks that traced the observance to Carter G. Woodson and local preservation efforts, and a series of "Living Legends" recognitions presented by the Arthur's Studies Club. Trinny Parker, introduced as the event spokesperson, framed the centennial as urgent and essential to preserving history in the face of efforts to erase or limit how Black history is taught: "La historia negra no es un accesorio a la historia americana, es fundamental," she said.

Honorees included Denisse (recognized for a lifetime of contributions to the arts), artist Charles Dixon (recognized for six decades of work rooted in South Los Angeles), and other local cultural leaders. City staff from the Department of Cultural Affairs and the city's manager for cultural affairs, Daniel Turica, thanked the Arthur's Studies Club and other partners for their work keeping these histories alive.

Presenters also highlighted an exhibition of portraits of Black women leaders on display in the rotunda and directed the public to a QR code for additional materials and context. After the program concluded, the council moved to the standard business portion of the agenda and opened the floor to public comment.

The event combined ceremonial recognition, a city presentation on themes for the centennial observance and public-facing exhibits; council members and city staff said the effort aims to ensure the local history is seen as central to Los Angeles's civic life.