by Dianne Anderson

Long Beach, while known for its wide spectrum of diversity, still has a lot to learn when it comes to the history of the Black experience, a gap design that has played out in many ways through the decades.

That obvious blindspot inspired Oba Totton to create the upcoming local Legacy and Unity festival, the first of what he hopes will become an annual celebration honoring Black movers and shakers who not only shaped the city, but also America.

Their stories never got the attention they deserve.

“I want to get the point across that we were not allowed downtown Long Beach as early as the 1930s. It was like a Sundown Town. To throw this [event] is a statement to where we have come as a society,” said Totton, founder of the nonprofit, DIG LIFE, Dreamz Into Goals.

On Saturday, February 8, Legacy & Unity: Black History Celebration starts at noon with live music, spoken word poetry, dance performances, and an Open Mic Hour. The event is paired up with the artwalk downtown for those walking the promenade that day to celebrate Black history.

Local performances are in the mix, but there are also impressive cultural heritage exhibits, Black-owned businesses with food, art, fashion and handcrafted items. Educational resource booths feature Black pioneers including Ernest and Lillian McBride. A Heritage Wall honors the contributions of African Americans throughout history.

Kids can go on scavenger hunts, attend art workshops, and a storytelling corner offers wellness resources. There will be free health screenings, fitness sessions, mental health support, to name a few.

Totton said he’s excited about the installments that represent the theme of legacy and unity, including the Second Line with Black Fist Brass Band. They are also energized to welcome Sister City Mombasa, a hub to partner and promote cultural, educational, and economic exchanges.

“We still have the cultural things we do in America that they did in Africa. The Second Line celebration, that’s one of the things I want to push. I want to make sure that’s conveyed to the public. I’m most excited about someone coming to the event and walking away with something,” he said.

Originally from Oklahoma, Totton grew up hearing local conversations about Black towns that were burned to the ground and destroyed. He started his program with the idea of giving back to the community to help balance the scales for all that has been lost or torn down.

Over the past several years, he’s given laptops to kids every month, and dozens of bikes. Soon after starting, he said the nonprofit decided to include the skate meetup and give away shoes, clothes and haircuts.

“The idea behind that was to give the ability to get to school, and things to learn. A month later some kids didn’t have clothes or shoes [during] COVID. We felt if we could lighten the load, if they look good, they learn better they don’t get ridiculed as much at school,” said Totton, also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

To get the local event started, the city offered support after he contacted them and he was surprised to learn no Black History Month celebrations were planned for downtown. This time of year, Totton usually charters a busload to Allensworth, the only all-Black town in California history, but that trip is set tentative for Juneteenth.

But most of all, he feels everyone in the city should know about the Black experience. Historically, the fight of African Americans has greatly benefited so many other groups in areas of social justice, awareness, and accountability.

“Being African Americans, we set the standard. We help every culture by what we do in this society and the government so let’s celebrate us. You can get something new that you can learn about us and take it home and teach someone else,” Totton said.

In Orange County, Santa Ana College also has a long lineup of attractions that started with support for the recent Black History Month Parade and Unity Festival.

SAC programs and events wind through the month with an array of cultural activities, including the U2 Scholars Program to empower Black students and African Diaspora with academic support, mentorship, and cultural enrichment resources.

At their recent tabling event at the Unity Festival, they featured several offerings including college counseling, how students can connect to financial assistance, and get priority registration. She said the events help personal, and professional academic success.

“The program demonstrates its commitment to engaging with the community, celebrating Black achievements, and fostering a supportive network for students. This presence highlights the importance of collective action in advancing equity and representation,” said Ethereal Violet Reyes, Interim Public Information Officer, in an email.

Throughout February, the college hosts a packed month of standout Black cultural contributions to U.S. History. Students can also get creative and explore Black History Rocks!: Art Project from February 10-14, by decorating rocks with facts and QR codes linked to the U2 Scholars website.

The college is committed to promoting diversity through initiatives like the U2 Scholars Program and partnerships with organizations such as the 100 Black Men of Orange County. She said they are also broadening their impact with recruitment, and cultivating entry into the local university, as well as HBCU transfer opportunities.

“By participating in events like the Black History Month Parade and Unity Festival, SAC actively showcases its inclusive programs and creates opportunities to connect with prospective Black students and their families,” she said.

For more information, see DIG LIFE,  https://www.dreamzintogoals.org/
For more information, see https://sac.edu/StudentServices/U2Scholars/Pages/BHM.aspx