Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Event celebrates African-American history in Las Vegas

Hundreds turn out for event that included historical displays and music

blackhistory

Erin Dostal

Cameron Cherry, 8, of Las Vegas, gets flames painted on his arm by Ashley Holbrook of Celebrate Kids at the Black History Month Festival at Springs Preserve on Sunday. Hundreds of locals attended the event to enjoy entertainment and learn about black culture.

Black History Month Festival at Springs Preserve

Eleven-year-old Camryn Levert of Henderson performs at the Black History Month Festival at Springs Preserve on Sunday. Hundreds of locals attended the event to enjoy entertainment and learn about black culture. Launch slideshow »

In order to move forward, we have to remember — and be inspired by — the past.

That was the core message of the Black History Month Festival at Springs Preserve, according to its organizer, Nicole T. Lise.

“I think so often we take things for granted,” Lise said. “We want to recognize the people who made the Las Vegas we know today.”

Hundreds of local residents attended Sunday’s event, where patrons listened to rappers and singers perform, browsed historical displays, sunbathed and munched on fried fish and chocolate-covered marshmallows. Many families and groups of teens attended the event. Two movies — Akeelah and the Bee and The Wiz — were .shown during the event, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and cost $5 for adults to enter, $3 children ages five to 17 and was free to children younger than four.

Since the mid-1970s, Americans have celebrated Black History Month in February. Lise said that the event was a great way to end the month-long celebration in Las Vegas.

“Black history is American history,” Lise said. “This is important for everyone.”

Inside one of the buildings there were 20 posters depicting a timeline of black history in Las Vegas. Everyone from Bob Bailey, the head of the Equal Rights Commission in Nevada in 1963, to performer Sammy Davis Jr., were depicted in the display.

“It’s an exciting thing to see young people taking an interest in the history of the African American in Las Vegas,” said Bailey, who is 83.

The Nevada activist attended the event to sign copies of his autobiography titled: “Looking Up! Finding My Voice in Las Vegas.”

“We must remember that knowledge is the bedrock of liberty,” he said.

Pamela Reynolds, who was browsing the posters indoors during the early afternoon, moved to Las Vegas nine years ago from Detroit. She said that when she arrived in the valley, she instantly felt the culture shock.

Detroit has a very large, vibrant black population, she said. Blacks make up a significantly smaller part of the population in Nevada, so finding cultural outlets has been harder for her since the move.

“But if you look hard enough, you’ll find them,” she said, adding that she brings her family to events such as Sunday’s as often as she can.

Fannie Mitchell, 50, founded K.F.A.B.S. in 1992 with her brother in an attempt to give at-risk children an outlet. K.F.A.B.S., which stands for Kidz for a Better Society, was started in the wake of the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles, Mitchell said.

A number of youths in K.F.A.B.S. performed during the event, dancing and singing songs for Mitchell’s musical titled “What’s Going On: The Reality High School Musical.” There are about 40 teens in the group.

“These kids need something positive to do,” she said.

Nina Waldman, 36, of Las Vegas, attended the event with her 3-year-old daughter, Niah. Waldman sat cross-legged in the sun while her daughter danced to the music with her friend, 3-year-old Mayson Enus.

“Every culture should celebrate their heritage,” Waldman said. “It’s important … be proud of it.”

Part of the purpose of the event wasn’t only to teach history, but also to showcase local talent, Lise said. Dozens of rappers, singers and dancers performed throughout the day.

“We wanted them to have the opportunity to inspire others,” she said.

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