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By Maya Mackey.
The City of Inglewood’s Black History Month celebration was peaceful and empowering, with plenty of vendors, resources, food trucks and singing that brought the house down.
The LA County Department of Mental Health took up the most real estate with four tables worth of flyers, resources and stress balls to help people cope better with the many challenges of daily life. Some of the tips and tools shared by the DMH included a worksheet listing 60 ways to be kind to yourself, a daily affirmation sheet, and stress management exercises. If you or anyone you know is ever in crisis that doesn’t require medical professionals, know that you can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Hotline. If you prefer texting someone to help you talk through distressing feelings, you can text HELLO to 741741. There’s also a teen support line, (310) 855-4673.
To see more Black and Latino individuals consider therapy and discover tips to improve their mental and emotional wellbeing is such a delight. Science has shown that the effects of racism, violence and poverty directly impact one’s mental health, and we know that these factors are prevalent in our communities by design. As we become the most educated population and continue to grow our numbers in entrepreneurship, it’s important to increase our mental wealth in tandem with building our financial wealth. The DMH also offers classes and workshops on managing multiple distressing life situations such as the stigma around mental illness and dealing with grief and loss. If you want to offer mental health classes at your job, church or other organization for a group of at least six people, you may contact Paul Jefferson at pjefferson@dmh.lacounty.gov.
Also featured were tons of information booths with city resources like the Water Replenishment District. The agency saves rainwater, cleanses it and then recycles it back into our river. WRD offers classes on how to capture rainwater, as well as classes on gardening and watershed wise landscaping.
Mission City Community Network was there to assist low-income and uninsured households gain access to quality health care. The LA Education Partnership and Cypher Spot, a Christian-centered dance studio that offers classes for kids and teens up to 18 years old, were in attendance for parents who need activities and care for their children.
Of course, the City of Inglewood was in the house with representatives from the City Clerk’s office, City of Inglewood Human Resources Department and the Inglewood Public Library. The City’s interactive Black History Month booth had people lined up for impromptu interviews with staff videographer Thomas Bunn. People responded to a series of thought-provoking questions, such as, their ideal Black history playlist, an historical Black figure they’d like to have a conversation with, and life advice for the younger generations. Visitors also traced their lineage by pinning states on a map where their family came from, and wrote notes about what they love most about Black culture.
There was an essay contest for kids to share what Black History Month means to them, as well as pop-up banners with lesser-known Black history stories like Nick Gabaldon, the first African-American surfer, and Marie Rogers, the first Black member of the Los Angeles Yacht Club. Rogers is creating a legacy of diversifying the sailing world and has both learned to sail herself as well as created sailing classes and squads at prestigious clubs on the west coast.
Food trucks and clothing boutiques were out to feed and style the crowd as well as a handful of homemade candle companies. Overall, it was a positive event for the community and a potent reminder that a small community of entrepreneurs is what makes Inglewood unique and worth calling home.
