CALIFORNIA POSITIVE
By CalBroker Magazine
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. Recognized as its founder, African American historian and author Carter G. Woodson chose the month of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. One hundred years later, the month remains of utmost importance, celebrating the often-overlooked contributions of Black Americans.
California is home to a rich history of African American excellence. From marveling at the architectural feats of legendary architect Paul R. Williams to enjoying a wine tasting at a Black-owned winery, discover some ways to celebrate Black History Month below.
1. Visit a Museum
Several museums in California are dedicated to amplifying the history of Black culture, including the California African American Museum in Los Angeles. As the first African American museum of art, history, and culture fully supported by a state in the U.S., it recognizes the critically important role African Americans have played in the American West’s cultural, economic, and political development. The museum has a handful of exhibitions on view during the month of February, plus it is in the heart of Exposition Park, so you could pad your trip with a visit to the California Science Center, Natural History Musuem, or Exposition Park Rose Garden.
If you’re in San Francisco, head to the Museum of the African Diaspora where you can learn about the rich cultural heritage of the people of Africa and of African descent. Two exhibitions are on view during the month of February, including “UNBOUND: Art, Blackness & the Universe” and “Continuum: MoAD Over Time.”
Many museums will present events and exhibitions celebrating Black History Month. La Brea Tar Pits will host its annual Black History Month Festival on February 21 and the J. Paul Getty Museum’s exhibition “Photography and the Black Arts Movement, 1955-85” opens on February 24.
Other museums to explore include the African American Firefighter Museum in Los Angeles, the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach, and the California Museum in Sacramento, which offers a self-guided Black History tour.
2. Unwind at a Black-Owned Winery
Celebrate Black excellence in the wine industry by visiting a Black-owned winery. Napa Valley has several Black-owned wineries—Brown Estate being the first and most popular, famous for its Zinfandel and family legacy. Other Black-owned wineries in the area include J. Moss Winery, Housley Napa Valley, and The Vice Wine. About an hour south of Napa is Longevity Wines in Livermore, a family-owned winery founded by Phil Long.
In Southern California, hop over to Rideau Vineyard, a Black-owned winery in the Santa Ynez Valley with a nearly 30-year history. Another option is McClain Cellars—enjoy award-winning wines at one of its many tasting rooms in Solvang, Laguna Beach, or Irvine.
If you prefer to enjoy wine at home, consider supporting Black-owned wine brands like McBride Sisters Wine Company or Wade Cellars, founded by NBA legend Dwyane Wade. Another NBA-affiliated wine to support is Stephen Curry’s spouse Ayesha Curry’s wine brand, Domaine Curry.
3. Go on an Architecture Tour
According to a recent study by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, only about 2% of U.S. architects today identify as Black. Although this statistic is alarming, there have been some truly prolific Black architects in our nation’s history, particularly in Los Angeles.
Born in Los Angeles, groundbreaking African American architect Paul R. Williams was the first Black architect west of the Mississippi and the first Black member and fellow of the American Institute of Architects. He overcame racial barriers and designed thousands of buildings that shaped the architectural landscape of Los Angeles, including the LAX Theme Building, with its giant steel arches, along with the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel. Modernism Week in Palm Springs takes place every February and will offer a talk on February 14 about Williams and a series of exhibitions celebrating his work are slated to open in 2026 around Southern California. While you’re in the desert, stop by several Williams buildings, including the home of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, El Mirador Hotel, Palm Springs Tennis Club, and Town & Country Center.
Other Black-designed buildings to check out include the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, co-designed by Norma Merrick Sklarek; Carson City Hall, designed by Robert Kennard; and A.C. Bilbrew Library, designed by Vincent Proby. The library is home to the African American Resource Center, which holds important archives about the African American experience.
4. Explore Monuments and Outdoor Sculptures
Appreciating public sculptures and monuments is vital to encourage dialogue, acknowledge where we have been, and help build community. Public artwork and murals add character and humanity to our everyday lives.
For those in Los Angeles, a visit to Watts Towers is a must for architecture lovers. Situated in a historically Black neighborhood, the towers are recognized as a National History Landmark, reflecting the enduring spirit and creativity of the Black community. Biddy Mason Memorial Park in downtown honors philanthropist and formerly enslaved Bridget “Biddy” Mason who became one of the first prominent citizens and landowners in Los Angeles.
Head down to San Diego and stroll along the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, a 12-acre linear park featuring plaques engraved with Dr. King’s words and outdoor sculptures like “Breaking of the Chains” by Melvin Edwards—a large metal sculpture that symbolizes breaking the chains of discrimination. At the University of California, San Diego, the 17-by-40-foot Black Legacy Mural honors significant Black figures in history and academia, such as Malcolm X and Mahalia Jackson.
If you’re in San Francisco, visit the Willie Mays statue at Oracle Park to celebrate one of the greatest baseball players of all time. Another remarkable public artwork is “Portrait of a Phenomenal Woman” by Lava Thomas, which honors Dr. Maya Angelou, styled in the form of a book and situated outside the entrance of the Main Library.
5. Support Black Owned Businesses
One of the most useful ways to celebrate Black History Month is to consciously and actively support Black-owned businesses, including restaurants, coffee shops, artists, authors, and more.
If one of your New Years goals was to read more books, consider reading a novel by a Black author, from classics by James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, and Ralph Ellison, to more contemporary writers like Nathan Harris, Roxane Gay, James McBride, Colson Whitehead, and Angela Flournoy.
Need to paint your home? Consider buying paints from Clare, a woman- and Black-owned business that offers paint swatch stickers and a myriad of beautiful colors.
There are dozens of Black-owned eateries in most major metropolitan cities. In Los Angeles, dine at Poppy + Rose (2/1: just permanently closed this week in San Francisco.) or Two Hommés; in San Francisco, try Little Skillet or Tastebuds; and in San Diego, check out Louisiana Purchase.
Wherever you reside in California, you are likely within arm’s length of something exciting that is connected to the state’s Black history. So, take a moment to reflect on the importance of Black History Month and try something new—a Black-owned winery or restaurant, read a book by a Black author, or visit a museum.