Pasadena Black History Month Magazine - February 2023 | Pages 29 & 30
PROMINENT BLACK PASADENA RESIDENTS TALK ABOUT PEOPLE, MOMENTS AND MOVEMENTS IN BLACK HISTORY THAT SHAPED THEM
BY ANDRÉ COLEMAN, MANAGING EDITOR
As Black History Month kicked off, Pasadena Now asked prominent local African Americans to list an event, figure, moment or quote in Black History that inspired them. Of course this in no way is a full list of inspirational or successful local African-American residents.
As a matter of fact, we could break the internet with the experiences and wisdom of local Black residents that have shaped not just Pasadena, but the country.
But we work with the quotes we were given and we present this and say to the City, enjoy Black History Month.
"The moment in history that inspired me the most was when Barack Hussein Obama was elected as the 44th President of the United Slates of America," said School Board President Michelle Richardson Bailey. "His most inspiring quote for me is 'It's important to make sure that we're talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.'
Obama, a former Pasadena resident, ascended to the White House in the early part of the last decade. He broke the ultimate color barrier becoming the nation's first Black President.
"IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TALKING WITH EACH OTHER IN A WAY THAT HEALS, NOY IN A WAY THAT WOUNDS.
Former Pasadena Police Lt. and current Assembly Candidate Phlunte Riddle said she was inspired by her mother when she campaigned for Shirley Chisolm.
"As a young girl, I remember hearing my mother on the phone with friends asking them to vote for Shirley Chisholm," Riddle said. "She would say 'how can she win if you don't vote for her and how are our lives going to be better if we don't have someone to fight for us?"
"That really impressed me at an early stage of my life. My mother demonstrated the value of getting out the vote to have the right representation. My mother has always been my role model."
Community activist Nicole Bernard mentioned Chisolm as a direct inspiration.
"As an active member in my community one of the most inspirational women for me is the honorary Ms. Shirley Chisholm," she said. "Ms. Chisholm is a lifelong advocate who was passionate about serving the community. Her contributions to the civil rights movement including her election to Congress as the First African-American women and the First African-American to run for President broke barriers for all people of color, especially African-American women, in both politics and leadership positions. During her time in Congress, she was an advocate for reproductive rights and fought for parental leave, unemployment benefits for domestic workers and civil rights of African-Americans. Her unwavering selflessness and perseverance serves as a reminder for me that Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes. Through education, advocacy and civic engagement we can continue to bring change to our community because Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes."
"MY MOTHER DEMONSTRATED THE VALUE OF GETTING OUT THE VOTE TO HAVE THE RIGHT REPRESENTATION. MY MOTHER HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY ROLE MODEL.
Pasadena Black History Month Magazine - February 2024 | Pages 23 & 24
PASADENA MARKS 2024 BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH CELEBRATIONS AND ACTIVITIES
PROGRAMS
CHOCOLATE STORYTIME
Join us for an afternoon of storytelling and village building, featuring stories authored by and/or about African Americans, read by Dr. Ayesha Randall. Kids will have fun, make new friends and do crafts.
Saturday, Feb. 10 3 p.m. La Pintoresca Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
PRESERVE YOUR FAMILY PHOTOS
Bring your family photos to be digitized and immortalized! We will help you scan your photos onto a USB flash drive. For ages 13+.
Thursday, Feb. 22 4:30 p.m. La Pintorescal Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
BLACK HISTORY AND ASSEMBLAGE ART
In honor of Black History Month, join us to learn about Noah Purifoy, a prominent sculptor integral in the creation of the Watts. Towers. Learn about assemblage art with artist Alyson Toone then make your own with various objects and materials provided. For ages 13-19. Held in partnership with Remainders Creative Reuse. To attend, sign up at PasadenaLibrary.Trumba.com/.
Saturday, Feb. 17 4 p.m. Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 E. Villa St.
CELEBRATE YOUR FAMILY HISTORY
Create a display about your family history with posterboards and scrapbooking materials. All materials provided. Presented in partnership with Pasadena Black Equity Project. For ages 13+.
Tuesday, March 23 11 a.m. La Pintorescal Branch Library, 1355 N. Raymond Ave.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH MAGAZINE 2024
CRAFTS
FREEDOM QUILT PAPER CRAFT
Freedom quilts are a historic craft that served as a form of visual communication and a tool for escaping slavery. They were used to convey messages and directions to those seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad. Come by San Rafael Branch Library to make your own paper craft. For ages 3-12.
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Feb. 1 - 10.10 a.m. 6 p.m. San Rafael Branch Library, 1240 Nithsdale Rd.
TAKE & MAKE CRAFTS
Enjoy fun, free take-and-make crafts that are simple and easy to make! Follow the instructions below to reserve your craft kit. Sign-ups begin at the start of the day.
you do not need to wait for the library to open to sign up. Kits are limited to one per participant. Kits contain the necessary craft materials and instructions to help guide you in creating the craft. Additional household items such as scissors, a stapler, glue or tape may be needed. The kits are extremely popular and available while supplies last. Kits not picked up by a certain date will be released to those on the waiting list. For all ages unless specified.
TAKE & MAKE: ALMA WOODSEY THOMAS COLLAGE BOOKMARK
Alma Woodsey Thomas was a prominent African American artist whose colorful abstract paintings are widely displayed, including in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her watercolor and oil paintings incorporated the use of (sometimes overlapping) colorful rectangles. This bookmark is a tribute to her 1968 work, "Untitled," which you can see at the Museum of Modern Art in Los Angeles.
Tuesday, Feb. 12. While supplies last
BLACK HISTORY MONTH MAGAZINE 2024