Pasadena Black History Month Magazine - February 2023 | Pages 21 & 22

BRIDGING THE GAPS OF BLACK PASADENA

written by BRANDON LAMAR

Pasadena has a rich and diverse history, and African Americans have played an important role in shaping the city.

There are so many notable Black figures in Pasadena's history that we continue to stand on their shoulders to make this an equitable and inclusive place to live.

Even though Pasadena is a great diverse place to live, we can't forget the pain of our past that allows us to see the victories of the present.

Redlining was one of the pains that Black Pasadena had to endure. Redlining refers to the discriminatory practice of denying or limiting financial services, such as mortgages or insurance, to certain neighborhoods based on the racial makeup of the area.

Historically, redlining was used to discriminate against Black and other minority communities, making it difficult for residents of those neighborhoods to buy homes or access other financial services.

Pasadena Black History Month Magazine - February 2024 | Pages 21 & 22

KIDSPACE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH THREE-DAY LINE UP OF EVENTS.

Kidspace Celebrates

Black History Month

April Banks is an artist and creative strategist with a diverse practice that spans visual art, social engagement, and exhibition design. She has been involved in various art projects and exhibitions in different parts of the world, including the United States, Switzerland, Colombia, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates, Senegal, and Ethiopia. Her work has been exhibited in several cities and is part of the collection of the Getty Museum and other private collections.

Banks has a connection to Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena, California, through her collaboration with the museum and Transformative Arts. She has been involved in creating large-scale community art pieces representing a commitment to continue activism for freedom and civil rights. For example, in February 2023, Kidspace celebrated Black History Month with a collaborative community art project called LINEAGE, which was presented in collaboration with Transformative Arts and featured April Banks as one of the artists involved in the project. The project aimed to honor the history of the

African Diaspora and express Black life through art.

Dr. Ray Briggs is Professor of Music, Assistant Director of Jazz Studies, and Faculty Equity Advocate for the College of the Arts at CSU Long Beach. In addition, he teaches courses on African American music for Pasadena City College's Dual Enrollment Program at Muir High School.

Dr. Briggs holds a Ph.D and a M.A. degree. in Ethnomusicology from the University of California, Los Angeles, a M.M. in Music Performance: Woodwind Doubling from the University of Redlands, and a B.M. in Music

Education from the University of Memphis. His areas of specialization include Jazz Studies, African American Music, and Arab Music.

APRIL BANKS

DR. RAY BRIGGS

The mission of Kidspace Children's Museum is to nurture the potential of all children through kid-driven experiences, inspiring them to become joyful, active learners. The museum. is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution committed to engaging children emotionally, intellectually, and physically through joyful, kid-driven experiences. It hosts nearly 380,000 guests each year on a 3.5-acre outdoor campus with more than 40 hands-on exhibits, a live animal collection, and a variety of creative play spaces and water features. Kidspace offers a wide array of free and discounted programs, field trips, and digital resources.

Kidspace Children's Museum is located at 480 N. Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena. For more call (626) 788-8795.

kidspace

children's museum

BLACK HISTORY MONTH MAGAZINE 2024