Uniting O.C. for a Month and More of History
When the Black History Parade goes marching through the streets of Santa Ana on Saturday, Bobby McDonald will be there, walking proudly among the local dignitaries, drill teams and drum majors.
“I’m proud to be in this parade because the theme is unity in the community. The whole premise is to bring all cultures together,” said McDonald, president of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange County in Santa Ana. “When you get a chance to understand someone else’s culture, there’s no longer any fear. It becomes positive.”
The Black History Parade, as well as films, festivals, lectures and ban quets, is among the special events taking place in Orange County during February to mark Black History Month.
“Black History Month is significant for all African Americans. It affords them the opportunity to reflect on the past cultural achievements of the people who came before,” said Taylor, director of leasing for the Irvine Co. in Newport Beach and board member of the 100 Black Men of Orange County, a group dedicated to enhancing the social and economic status of African Americans.
“It’s a time to remember your heritage and what you hope to accomplish,” Taylor said.
He hopes that message will spread beyond the local black community, which makes up about 2% of the 2.5 million residents of Orange County.
“In the future, all of California will become increasingly multicultural. The more we share each other’s heritage, the closer people become,” he said.
As a board member of the African American Student Union (AASU) at UC Irvine, 19-year-old sophomore Melissa Marchand also has been working to educate people about black heritage. And not just during Black History Month. Throughout UCI’s winter quarter, AASU is staging campus events around the theme “Reawakening of the African Spirit.” Ideally, she said, that spirit should thrive year-round.
“For me, this is a time we can learn about our past and focus on our future,” Marchand said. “It should be ongoing. It shouldn’t just be in February.”
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A Calendar of Black History Month events in Orange County:
* Friday, 6 p.m.: Lecture by Dr. Marimba Ani on “Maat-Maafa-Sankofa Paradigm: The Model of Healing the African Family/Nation.” UC Irvine Social Science Lecture Hall. Free. (949) 824-2226.
* Friday, 8 p.m.: Singer Mavis Staples will perform a tribute to Mahalia Jackson at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. $18-$22. 4242 Campus Drive. (949) 854-4646.
* Saturday, 10 a.m.: 1999 Orange County Black History Parade and Cultural Faire, featuring tributes to the late Olympic gold medal winner Florence Griffith Joyner. The parade will travel along Broadway and Civic Center Drive, ending at Flower Street, where a fair featuring food and entertainment will follow at noon. City of Santa Ana, (714) 571-4227, or Mission With Benevolence Foundation, (949) 440-8943.
* Monday, 6 p.m.: Money Monday, a mixer for small-business owners and professionals at Elite Beauty, 1631 E. 17th St., Suite F, Santa Ana. $5. (800) 746-8362.
* Tuesday, 8 p.m.: Chapman University School of Film and Television’s African Cinema series will screen “Borom Sarret” and “Black Girl.” Free. 333 N. Glassell St., Argyros Forum, Room 208, Orange. (714) 997-6765.
* Feb. 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Black Family Day, featuring performances, vendors and food. UC Irvine Student Center/Ring Road. Free. (949) 824-2226.
* Feb. 16, 8 p.m.: Chapman University School of Film and Television’s African Cinema series will screen “Mandabi.” Free. 333 N. Glassell St., Argyros Forum, Room 208, Orange. (714) 997-6765.
* Feb. 18, 7:30 a.m.: POWER (Professional Organization of Women Entrepreneurs Reunited) Breakfast. African American women business owners will discuss managing and maintaining profitable businesses in Orange County. 505 N. Tustin Ave., Suite 222, Santa Ana. (714) 972-2190 or (714) 547-3390.
* Feb. 18, 7 p.m.: Black History Month and Egyptomania film series at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art. “Who Was Cleopatra?” examines the influence of Egypt and Black Africa upon ancient Greece (23 minutes). “Goree: Door of No Return” visits the island where enslaved Africans were held (30 minutes). Free with museum admission ($6 adults). 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. (714) 567-3600.
* Feb. 20, 7-10 p.m.: Casino Night sponsored by the Black Chamber of Commerce-Orange County and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Edison International Field, 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim. $25. (714) 547-2646.
* Feb. 23, 8 p.m.: Chapman University School of Film and Television’s African Cinema series will screen “Touki Bouki.” Free. 333 N. Glassell, Argyros Forum, Room 208, Orange. (714) 997-6765.
* Feb. 24, 6:30 p.m.: Seminar on “Factoring Pros and Cons of Commerce Funding” sponsored by Black Chamber of Commerce-Orange County. Chamber office, 2323 N. Broadway, Santa Ana. (714) 547-2646.
* Feb. 25, 6 p.m.: Lecture by Dr. Mawiyah Kambon on “African Spirituality: A Beacon for Enlightenment.” UC Irvine Crystal Cove Auditorium. Free. (949) 824-2226.
* Feb. 25, 7 p.m.: Black History Month film series at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art. Tim Reid’s “Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored,” a film based on the book by Clifton Taulbert chronicling the author’s childhood in the segregated South. Free with museum admission ($6 adults). 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. (714) 567-3600.
* Feb. 27, 6 p.m.: Ninth Annual Citizens of Distinction Awards Banquet hosted by the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People of Orange County at the Anaheim Marriott, 700 W. Convention Way. Call for ticket prices and reservations. (714) 543-3637.
* March 1, 6 p.m.: Closing Ceremonies for African Consciousness Quarter at UC Irvine. Dr. Thomas Parham will speak on “The Essence of MAAT Character Building for African Descent Students in the New Millennium.” UC Irvine Crystal Cove Auditorium. Free. (949) 824-2226.