Uplift. Celebrate. Inspire. This Black History month, the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), and a host of CNRA agencies and departments invite you to celebrate Black culture, community, and stories in nature with exclusive content and curated events. Join us, in person or virtually, in the events below.
Visit the Black History Month Mural – CNRA Plaza
Uplift the stories of prominent Black Californians, outdoor enthusiasts, environmentalists, story tellers, and luminaries. This year we honor the stories and contributions of:
- Pioneer surfer Nick Gabaldón
- American park ranger Betty Reid Soskin
- Gold-rush era entrepreneur, financier, real estate magnate and abolitionist Mary Ellen Pleasant
- Environmentalist and Planet Walker John Francis
- Urban farmers of Yisrael Farm Judith and Chanowk Yisrael
and commemorate their legacies in chalk and tempura paint. Now through February 28, visit the special mural exhibit located at the CNRA building plaza.
Let us know you stopped by and use the hashtag #BHMCNRA
About the artist:
Beth Consetta Rubel | Multidisciplinary Artist
Beth Consetta Rubel focuses on themes of duality, identity, and representation related to pop culture. Her work blends traditional mediums with historic found objects, and modern technology to reflect on what we have learned from the past. She taunts the viewer, while opening dialog to consider their role in our collective progress.
Rubel is a mixed media visual artist raised in Texas, currently residing in Sacramento, CA. She holds a BFA from University of Texas in Painting and Drawing and her work is featured in Politico Magazine, permanently installed at FaceBook Headquarters and also at the Native in Austin. Her work is in the permanent collection of UC Davis Health and has been exhibited at the Center for Art of Africa Diaspora at University of Texas in Austin, Museum of Science + Industry in Chicago, Root Division, Crocker Museum among many others. Rubel is a lead muralist of Community Murals Sacramento, an innovate pilot program funded by the City of Sacramento. Administered by the Office of Arts and Culture, CMS is designed to elevate the voices of neighborhoods across each of Sacramento’s 8 districts.
Career Pathways for Blacks and African Americans in State Service
This panel is designed to highlight the importance of the contributions of Black and African American people in state service and to help inspire and grow the number of Blacks and African Americans who work in natural resources for state service. This panel is focused on connecting young folks with the goal to share resources and knowledge needed to plan for and achieve meaningful state careers to support themselves, and their communities. Topics discussed during this panel will include: the benefits of state service, recruitment and outreach, and information on how to apply for state service.
Event Information:
Date: Friday, February 3, 2023
Time: 9:30 am – 11:00am presentation
Virtual:
Register here for the Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kdeypqDMuGNXX9TfIsy6fN6jBNO0FCmwS
Celebrate Black History Month: United through our History at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
Enjoy Black history, counter storytelling, cultural dance, indigenous education, developing critical consciousness, docents in period clothing, arts & crafts, live music, food, prizes and more! Participants will engage in experiences that highlight the cultural wealth of the central valley and provide an understanding of our local historical context.
Sponsored by the Friends of Allensworth, Fresno Unified School District and Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
Event Information:
Website: https://www.friendsofallensworth.org/pages/events
Date: Saturday, February 11, 2023
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $10/car
Location:
Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
4011 Grant Drive
Allensworth, CA 93219
Black History Month Prosperity Market @ California African American Museum
As Black History Month ends, celebrate Black farmers, chefs, and entrepreneurs at the Prosperity Market pop-up at CAAM! Expect your favorite farmers market goodies like fresh fruits and vegetables, discover delicious, prepared foods and handcrafted artisan goods, and enjoy a jammin’ DJ, cooking demonstrations, a kid’s corner, and the following additional wellness offerings:
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Sound Bath
Experience the healing possibilities of sound baths with Sol & Sound as they offer a group meditation and sound bath. Indoors. Please bring your own yoga mat. All ages.
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Self Care: Yoga
Move through a 60-minute flow with yoga and meditation teacher Constance Hartwell. No previous experience necessary. Please bring your own yoga mat. Indoors
Celebrating African Americans in the Environmental Field
Sponsored by the CDFW and moderated by Chuck Bonham, CDFW Director
In conversation:
Ibrahim S Abdul-Matin, author Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet and co-founder, Brooklyn Academy for Science and the Environment.
Tyrone Hayes, Professor and Department Chair of Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley
Krystle Hickman, Speaker, Community Scientist, Photographer, Artist and Native Bee Enthusiast (tentative)
Event info:
Date: Monday, February 27, 2023
Time: 10:00 am – 11:30am
Virtual:
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://wildlife-ca-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kp4YgqZ_RkCs0hPekQRs-g
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Secretary Speaker Series: Black Environmental Stewardship
Event info:
Date: Monday, February 27, 2023
Time: 12:30-1:30 pm
Virtual:
Register here for the Zoom Meeting: https://ca-water-gov.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MStqKyomTyWy8ar2rSW2CA
Throughout the month of February, California Conservation Corps (CCC) corpsmembers from across the state, in collaboration with State Parks, will be working to restore and beautify the historic Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park – a culturally and environmentally important legacy-space noted to be the only California town to be founded, financed, and governed by African Americans.
Corpsmembers will learn about the park’s history, the resolution of its founder and residents, while learning empowering lifelong skills that will restore the park to its full beauty and wonder.
Black history doesn’t end in February. The celebration continues this Juneteenth when the weather warms and we can all get together again! Sign-up now to learn about and join-in on Juneteenth celebrations.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T9WCGTC
Note: effective January 1, 2023, the Governor proclaimed the following holidays, which may be taken in lieu of receiving a personal holiday.
- Sunday, January 22 Lunar New Year
- Monday, April 24 Genocide Remembrance Day
- Monday, June 19 Juneteenth
- Friday, September 22 Native American Day
About Black History Month
Welcome to Black History Month – a time dedicated to uplifting, learning, and appreciating Black heritage and culture. The colors Black, red, green and yellow are often associated with Black History Month and each color has its own distinct meaning and significance. There is a rich history to the colors and many alternative perspectives on their significance worth exploring, but they are commonly thought to represent:
Red - bloodshed and sacrifice in the struggle against racism, slavery, and colonialism
Green - nature, the rich greenery of Africa and our natural resources
Yellow - justice, optimism, equality
Black – resilience, a shared identity, and the colors of Black skin
Altogether the colors are a source of pride and symbol of unity!
