“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” a celebration of Black History Month, will be a major free event at the EXPO Arts Center in Bixby Knolls on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 6, 7, and 8. Curated by the Andy Street Community Association (ASCA) in collaboration with The Office of 8th District Councilman Al Austin, The Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association and produced by Long Beach Works with musical direction by Charles Julian Fearing, several art exhibits and performances will celebrate African American history.

The Forgotten Images Collection, a featured attraction with over 5,000 authenticated pieces, will offer a glimpse into the of history and culture through books, art and artifacts of African American heritage from the 1800s to the modern Civil Rights Era. The Mamie Hansberry Art Collection and the Breaking Through, Lighting the Way exhibit will include works about Doris Topsy-Elvord, the first African American and third female on the Long Beach Harbor Commission and Wilma Powell, the first woman in the nation to serve as Chief Wharfinger and Director of Trade and Maritime Services at the Port of Long Beach.

Charles Julian Fearing, Long Beach resident and multi-platinum recording artist, will be a featured performer, alongside jazz singer and songwriter Sweet Baby J’ai, plus more artists to be announced.

“Power of Choice,” a photo exhibit by Duke Givens, a multi-media exhibit and performance by The Black History Club at Hughes Middle School, plus music and spoken word performances, panel discussions, video screenings and a Sunday Gospel Brunch catered by M’Dear’s will also be included in the weekend celebrations.

EXPO Arts Center is open on February 6 from 6:00PM to 10:00PM, on February 7 from 11:00AM to 5:00PM and on February 8 from 11:00AM to 5:00PM. The Sunday Gospel Brunch will be at 1:00PM on Sunday, February 8 and will cost $20 per adult and $13 per child that is 12 years and under. To purchase tickets, click here, for questions, email [email protected] .

EXPO Arts Center is located at 4321 Atlantic Ave.

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