By Dianne Anderson

For a city that was incorporated in 1897, everybody is still energized about a topic that will never grow old and took 125 years in the making – the election of the first Black Mayor of Long Beach, Rex Richardson.

Sharreace Baldwin, spokesperson for the upcoming Andy Street event, said this is an exciting time for the association to spotlight Mayor Richardson, along with several dynamic local history makers this month, including special guest speaker Thomas Parham, president of CSU Dominguez Hills.

“They’re also honoring and awarding a student scholarship to a high school senior, the Doris Topsy Elvord Leadership Scholarship. “’Mother Doris’ passed away last year and made a huge impact to the community,” she said.

Under the theme “Forging the Future–Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” the Boeing Company and Long Beach City College will be awarded the CEO Diversity Award for going above and beyond expectations through initiatives and programming.

She said having the event at the Long Beach Convention Center takes the event next level. Historically, the Andy Street project has supported the community through numerous projects, resources and programs.

“By bringing together our greater community to celebrate the historic election of Mayor Rex Richardson and African American legacy, we are able to build understanding with a diverse audience,” said LaVerne Duncan, founder and executive director of Andy Street Community Association.

In starting the association over 20 years ago, the violence was so entrenched during the 1990s that it was about the only place the mailman refused to deliver. Determined to clean up the neighborhood, Ms. Duncan started seeking grants and getting the community involved.

Since then, Baldwin said the North Long Beach community has seen a total revitalization. Duncan’s plan to address the struggle, unemployment, crime and violence has seen a major reduction in police calls, arrests, or disturbances.

“It’s a vibrant community, residents are enjoying their quality of life. She has over 20 years of public service to the city, absolutely a champion for this city and its residents in her immediate neighborhood and the city at large,” Baldwin said.

Around town, other Black History Month events brought the senior community together for a taste of soul last Friday for some who had never indulged.

Community Services Supervisor Daveth Yoak held their Black History Month event at King Park in hopes of expanding taste buds across cultural lines.

“My staff is doing side dishes, weekly tasters of dishes for seniors who have not tried soul food. Some people are like I’ve never had this before,” he said. “My senior program theme coordinator she’s has been doing this for quite some time. Food and music always bring people together.”

Since the pandemic, he said they have seen decreased participation of their African American population. Some may be keeping their distance because COVID-19 is still popping up in various forms.

But he said the city continues to promote information about the vaccine.

“Before the pandemic, there were more,” he said. “We’re trying to tell the community that our program is still open and about the things that we’re offering at the park.”

John Malveaux, president of the Long Beach Central Area Association, also co-sponsored the event along with the city of Long Beach.

On a personal note, Malveaux is jazzed about attending a premier at the 31st Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles on Feb. 9 at the Directors Guild of America. The screening is on the life of one of his all-time favorites Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, also known as the Black Mozart.

Reportedly, de Saint-Georges was the one that made Mozart jealous.

He believes the world is missing out on so many untold stories of Black prodigies like Chevalier, who also happened to be an expert swordsman.

“Chevalier preceded Mozart and not only that far [back],” he said. “Even from 1619 to today, the awareness of contributions in the genre isn’t known or publicized or taught in any university. He was an inspiration to Mozart, and Mozart sought him out to meet him.”

For more information on Andy Street Association, see

https://www.andystreetlb.org/

For more information on the film screening, see

https://www.paff.org/opening-night/