By Nicholas Ibarra  | OBSERVER Staff Writer

All listed events, and more, can be viewed online on The OBSERVER’s community events calendar at SacObserver.com. 

  1. Black History Month Self-Guided Tour – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and Sunday, and noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Friday, Feb. 10, through Friday, Feb. 24, at the California Museum. The tour features a look at Black American contributions to California’s rich history, focusing on themes of resilience, activism, democracy and community.
  2. Black History and Beyond – 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at Rancho Cordova City Hall. This is a celebration of artistic expression created to uplift and highlight Black achievement. This event offers an opportunity to acknowledge, honor and celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans who have devoted their time, talents, culture and resources to make a difference in Rancho Cordova and throughout the Sacramento region.
  3. 34th Annual Sweet Potato Festival – 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Sam and Bonnie Pannell Community Center. Along with the sweet potato contest, there will be food, activities, music, and a bunch of fun! 
  4. Let’s Read Oak Park: Black History Month – 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Underground Books. Let’s Read Oak Park celebrates Black History Month with a special interactive reading and a cultural activity. Each child will receive a free book from Underground Books. Space is limited to 12 per event.
  5. 19 Keys – 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at Luther Burbank High School. Join us for Black excellence in honor of Black History Month: a high-level conversation with 19 Keys, thought leader, entrepreneur and public speaker. Special guests include Jay Robb, Khalil Ferguson and Marianna Sousa. Featured artists include M’ster Lewis, Chris Coon and Keon Johnson.
  6. Black Prophetic Fire: An Evening with Dr. Cornel West – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, online. Dr. Cornel West joins CalEndow for a special Black History Month program moderated by Dr. Robert K. Ross, president and CEO of the California Endowment. Dr. West will share memories of his upbringing in Sacramento and describe how the lessons he learned at Shiloh Baptist Church shaped his values and philosophy of life.
  7. Black365 Knowledge Bowl – 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Sacramento State in the University Union Ballroom. The Black365 Knowledge Bowl is a buzzer-slapping, action-filled academic competition where teams of Sac State students will answer a series of questions about African American history.