18 ways to honor Black History Month around L.A.

A look at the many activities happening — mostly virtually — for Black History Month in and around Los Angeles. Other online events include the opening ceremony on Feb. 4 highlighting the history of Santa Monica’s Black community, author Catherine Adel West reading and discussing her debut novel “Saving Ruby King,” on Feb. 11; a discussion on Feb. 16 about the history and upcoming art project commemorating Historic Belmar Park, once the center of Santa Monica’s African American community; an Afro-Joy Dance Party with dancer Tatiana Zamir on Feb. 18, and the second Celebrating Black Excellence Community Awards on Feb. 25. Info: santamonica.gov A Zoom discussion of “Black Diamond Queens,” a history of African American women in rock and roll between the 1950s and 1980s by Maureen Mahon, hosted by the California African American Museum from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Panel members include Mahon, New York University Professor Daphne Brooks, Yale Professor William R. Kenn, George Washington University Professor Gayle Wald and visual artist Nikita Gale. Feb. 22 Hip-Hop artist Talib Kweli discusses his memoir “Vibrate Higher: A Rap Story,” in a free Zoom talk hosted by the California African American Museum from 4 to 5:30 p.m. RSVP for Zoom instructions. Feb. 27 Men of Change: A Healing Circle, the final event of the California African American Museum’s celebration of Black History Month, is billed as an “interactive healing circle by and for Black men and masculine-identifying folks,” led by Zen Buddhist Gregory Reimoku Smith, a member of Black Boys OM.