In 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, historian and author, founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Eleven years later, “Negro History Week,” coined by Woodson, was founded in a week that entailed both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays, according to the Library of Congress.
2026 marks the 100th year of federal recognition for African Americans, and 117 years since the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
In observance of the milestone month, the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department is celebrating throughout the month of February, and set up events for residents to enjoy last week at three Santa Clarita Valley parks: Dr. Richard H. Rioux Memorial Park in Stevenson Ranch, the Castaic Sports Complex and Val Verde Park.
“These events include food tasting, a little bit of Black history, culture, crafts, and you know, have the public come in and unite with each other. There was banana pudding and some line dancing,” said Dana Spautz, recreation service supervisor for L.A. County Parks. “This is a fun event that brings people together and we learn about each other’s cultures, which I think is a lovely thing to be able to learn about different cultures. And the food is delicious — it’s always about the food.”
According to Spautz, Dr. Richard H. Rioux Memorial Park had a solid turnout this year — at least 30 more people than last year’s event.
Attendees in Castaic and Val Verde were able to pay homage to the culture, including partaking in a drum circle and getting braids.
Shane Coleman, founder and executive director of Heroes of Life, and Tim Williams, president of the Val Verde Historical Society, shared sentiments with the attendees in Castaic.
“Heroes of Life is a multimedia music and production mentoring program. Black History, to me, means that we get a chance to put our flavor together. Individually, you have one sound, but when you bring it all together, you have a sound with great flavor. Later, we’re going to have a drum circle, in which we will be able to express ourselves by playing music together,” Coleman said at the event on Feb. 6. “The biggest thing is we are all human beings. We make a difference. We must love one another, respect one another at all times.”
“I’m a longtime resident of Val Verde, and I also went to school at Castaic Elementary. I’m the president of the Val Verde Historical Society, and we just want to keep the memory and legacy of Val Verde Park alive,” Williams said. “Anyone who wants to come to Val Verde Park for Juneteenth, you’re welcome [to do so].”
Denise Thomas, chair of the Community Collaboration Committee for the Santa Clarita chapter of the NAACP, discussed the history behind Black History Month and its formation during the Harlem Renaissance — at a time when Black intellectuals and entrepreneurs were building a strong foundation within their community.
“Black History Month was started by Black intellectuals who were concerned about the fact that our history was being diluted and then sometimes even destroyed. It stemmed from the initial impact of slavery, then the freeing of the enslaved people,” Thomas said. “We need to preserve our history. It started off as a week, and then it took a while, but about 50 years ago, it turned into a month, and it has expanded all over the United States.”
According to Thomas, preserving African American history is done by teaching the generations to come, but doing so in a respectful, delicate manner.
“I hope that the elements of history that are being taught are appropriate for the age level that they’re presenting it to. Some of the things too may be too painful for small children to understand, but I think eventually people — all people — need to understand how slavery impacted the African American community,” Thomas said. “However, we don’t want people to feel like their children are being brutalized with that kind of knowledge.”
Thomas hopes that any misconception about what is or isn’t “African American” history is eventually cleared, saying that African American history is embedded within America’s foundation.
“I’m very, very proud of the fact that I’m a part of a group of people who help to spark something in American consciousness. And I love it when people say, ‘There’s no such thing as African American history’ — it’s American history, period. All of these people are part of American history,” Thomas said.
Regardless of history and the past, Thomas reflected on the current and future state of America and what it represents for everyone.
“We wouldn’t have our country if we didn’t have all of the different cultures or people who decided to come here. Some people were brought here voluntarily, like my group was involuntary, but a lot of people came here with a hope and a dream, and they deserve to be heard. Their contributions deserve to be recognized,” Thomas said.
