Celebrate and support the beauty and strength of the Black community at Healing Justice Santa Barbara’s Black is Beautiful Gala and Fundraiser on Friday, February 23 from 6:00 – 11:00 p.m. at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort (633 East Cabrillo Blvd). It will be an unforgettable evening filled with music, art, awards, raffles, and dancing.
Indulge in delicious food and drinks while mingling with like-minded individuals who share a passion for promoting equity and inclusion. The gala aims to raise funds for important initiatives that uplift and empower the Black community.
The program will be hosted by local artist and performer, Vivian Storm, and will include musical performances by a special guest for VIP sponsors, a Gospel Choir, a HBCU Honor Marching Band, a special HBCU Majorette Tribute, a Divine 9 Stroll, the Black Legacy Awards, a raffle giveaway, and HJSB will have the Black/African American Historical Timeline exhibition onsite to view for VIP sponsors.
Since the 1940s the Black/African American community in Santa Barbara has been engaging in organizing and civic leadership. Santa Barbara’s Black community members had a longstanding history of organizing around advocacy, equal opportunity, and safety for the betterment of Black lives.
The key to success and sustainability of the community was their investment in institution building. Organizations like the George Washington Carver Club, which flourished in the 1940s, worked to address educational inequities and raise scholarship money to send African American youth to college. The club held balls and galas frequently to help raise awareness to causes and to gather in community.
The Black is Beautiful Gala and Fundraiser will help raise funds to support Black-led organizations and initiatives to help re-imagine our collective investment in community care. Fundraiser beneficiaries are: Saint Paul AME Church, an historic African American landmark in Santa Barbara, Juneteenth Santa Barbara, the Sojourner Kincaid Rolle Youth Artivism Scholarship in honor of the late and beloved author and scholar, Sojourner Kincaid Rolle, and the Black Community Emergency Needs Fund.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to make a difference and celebrate the beauty of Black culture. Mark your calendars and attend the Black is Beautiful Gala & Fundraiser. Tickets available at: https://bibgala.eventbrite.com.