Seniors' African American History Month Celebration at Athens Park on Thursday

 

 

 

For Immediate Release                                                              Contact:  Pat Senette-Holt

February 16, 2010                                                                                                                (213) 738-2065

News Advisory

 

SENIORS TO OBSERVE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

February 18, 2010 at Athens Park

 

WHAT:             Cynthia D. Banks, Director, Los Angeles County Community and Senior Services (CSS) Department, will join some 600 seniors, local elected officials, and civic and religious leaders, to pay tribute to the Our Authors Study Club at the 39^TH annual Senior Citizens observance of African-American History Month.

 

WHEN:             Thursday, February 18, 2010, at 11:00 a.m.

 

WHERE:           Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation

                        Athens Park Auditorium

                        12603 South Athens Way

                        Los Angeles, CA  90061

 

WHO:               This year’s seniors’ observance of African-American History Month will honor the “Our Authors Study Club, Inc.”  Our Authors Study Club (OASC) presents annual programs in the month of February and throughout the year to support and maintain the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Mrs. Vassie D. Wright, the Club’s founders.  Working with elected officials, community groups, educational institutions and the general public, the Club publishes and disseminates information about the contributions African-Americans and their descendents have made to the world’s history, literature and culture.

                       

Entertainment will be provided featuring senior groups and other individuals. The annual event is coordinated by the CSS Willowbrook Senior Center, Greg Robinson, Interim Center Director. The general public is invited and a free lunch will be served.   For more information about the program and luncheon, contact Joann Gaines at (310) 603-3358.

 

About Our Authors Study Club, Inc,

 

Since its founding in 1945, OASC has promoted the recognition and celebration of African-American contributions to our society at all levels of government for the betterment of all people.

 

Following the legacy of its parent organization, the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History, Inc., the OASC presents annual programs in the month of February and throughout the year to support and maintain the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson and Mrs. Vassie Davis Wright, the founders of the OASC.  The OASC sponsors the following programs. 

 

·         Opening Ceremony for African-American History Month (Since February 1950, the Mayors of Los Angeles have recognized OASC as the organization that  conducts annual celebrations of African-American history in the City of Los Angeles)

 

·         Black History Bus Tour of Los Angeles (During the month of February, OASC provides a free bus tour of the historic African-American sites and landmarks in the City of Los Angeles)

 

·         Dr. Carter G. Woodson Scholarship and Awards Program (The OASC’s only fund-raising program to support the scholarship program and other Black History programs)

 

·         Afternoon with our Authors (Book events to present African-American authors to the community)

 

·         Founders Day (Program to commemorate the founder, Mrs. Vassie D. Wright and the founding of the club on February 14, 1945)

 

·         Church and Community (Work with community and churches to present a program that recognizes the history of religion and the significant role that churches play in the history and development of the African-American community)

 

·         Oratorical Contest (OASC and Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, Inc, Sigma Sigma Chapter sponsor annual Oratorical Contest for High School Students based on an African-American theme).

 

·         Reading Program (Prepare bibliography of books suitable for elementary school students on African-American History.  Students are invited to join the OASC book club where they will read and discuss the books that appear on the bibliography.  Students are asked to write a letter to their favorite author explaining why they liked his/her book)

 

·         Scholarship Program (Grants to deserving students who are registered at an accredited college or university to support them annually through the completion of a bachelor’s degree).

 

·         Vassie D. Wright Fellowship (Vassie Wright endowment for Ph.D. candidates doing research in the field of African-American history, literature and/or culture)

 

·         Speakers Bureau (OASC members share knowledge of African-American history, literature and/or culture.  Elementary and High School and college teachers, as well as community organizations, may schedule a speaker)

 

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2.16.2010