Celebrate Frederick Douglass ‘being recognized more and more’

At a breakfast in celebration of Black History Month a few weeks ago, President Trump gave us this gem: “I am very proud now that we have a museum on the National Mall where people can learn about Reverend King, so many other things. Frederick Douglass is an example of somebody who’s done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more, I notice.” While Mr. Douglass is celebrating his newfound fame from the grave, check out these other events where you can celebrate and learn about Black history:

On Thursday, February 16, the Oak Park Community Center (3425 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard) and Sacramento Juneteenth Inc. join forces for Celebrating Black History Month from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free, and there will be guest speakers, live music from Flyism Uncensored Band, and various vendors pushing food and drinks; visit www.sacramento365.com/event/black-history-month-celebration-2 for more information.

Civil rights activist and journalist Shaun King makes a stop at University of the Pacific in Stockton (3601 Pacific Avenue). An outspoken critic of police brutality, King has been a prominent champion of the Black Lives Matter movement, though his incendiary journalism career has been a controversial one, criticized by media across the political spectrum. Considering today’s political climate, attendees to this free-of-charge talk at Faye Spanos Concert Hall at 7 p.m. will no doubt be in for an impassioned speech.

On Wednesday, February 22, the Sacramento African American Nonprofit Coalition hosts its second annual Black History Month Luncheon, emceed by Good Day Sacramento’s Courtney Dempsey. President and CEO of the California Wellness Foundation Judy Belk will be giving the keynote. The luncheon goes from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center (6151 H Street); tickets are $45 and can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saancs-2nd-annual-black-history-month-luncheon-tickets-30343581469.

Also kicking off Wednesday, February 22: Catch Sacramento/Black Art of Dance in its 25th year of celebrating African-American concert dance. Directed by Linda Goodrich, various pieces of modern dance choreographed by Sacramento State University faculty will be performed. Performances run through Sunday, February 26; tickets are $5-$12 and show times vary. Visit www.csus.edu/dram for more info.