By Roberta Alvarado | OBSERVER Correspondent
The 37th Annual Sacramento Black History Month Expo took place Feb. 21-23, bringing the community together to celebrate Black excellence, history, and future prosperity. As the spring-like weather embraced Meadowview, Antioch Progressive Church served as the heart of the festivities.
Founded by Rick Warren, this year’s Expo drew nearly 800 attendees over the course of two days with an array of programming aimed at education, empowerment, and community that included a delicious soul-food court, local fashion, artists, musicians, and more.
Friday and Saturday were packed with classes, workshops, and panel discussions.
Rooted in celebrating Black history, the event welcomed historical legacy keepers like Lanelle Roberts Brent who shared her father’s legacy and that of the Tuskegee Airmen. Major George “Spanky” Roberts, was the first of the Tuskegee Airmen accepted into the program while contending with the discriminatory military practices of segregation. They went on to become WWII heroes. When Brent’s father passed away in 1984, her mother was determined to keep his legacy alive and started the Living History Team for which Brent continues the efforts today, by honoring these stories through vital representation that fuels a vision for the future.
With an eye toward long-term impact, interactive workshops like Youth Emotional Intelligence taught Black history and provided young people with essential tools. Practical workshops for all ages addressed the digital economy, financial freedom, homeownership, mental health and well being, supportive discussions for women coping with losing a child. Additionally, resources at the job fair highlighted the event’s commitment to both historical reflection and future empowerment.
Community members converged, fostering unity alongside Councilmember Mai Vang and organizations such as the Sacramento NAACP, Black Women’s Network, Women and Business, I Am SAC, and more.
“The annual Black History Month Black Expo gives us the opportunity to meet, share together, enjoy, and learn from one another,” says Stacy Anderson, Vice President of the Sacramento NAACP.
The weekend was packed with community development rooted in history, while addressing the needs of today to foster a prosperous tomorrow. The celebration concluded with the Black Tie Red Carpet Gala at the Dante Club Event Center, honoring civil rights leaders and commemorating the 60th anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.