Origin Award Honoring Director Charles Burnett,

Lura D Ball

OUR VISION

We envision a world in which Black history is understood not as a separate or supplemental narrative, but as the foundation of American history itself — fully recognized, honored, and integrated into the nation's cultural and historical consciousness.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to ignite and sustain conversations that reframe how Black history is understood, affirming the African and African American experience as central to the American story. Through scholarship, storytelling, art, media, and public engagement, we confront the erasure and misrepresentation of Black heritage, hold cultural and educational institutions accountable, and support rigorous study and creative expression that ensure Black lives, contributions, and legacies are seen, honored, and preserved.

WHAT WE STAND FOR

Truth & Historical Accuracy  We are guided by rigorous historical integrity. Every program, publication, and partnership we undertake is held to the standard of truthful, evidence-based scholarship.

Cultural Accountability  We hold educational, cultural, and media institutions accountable for how Black history is represented — and we advocate actively when that representation falls short.

Equitable Access to Knowledge  We believe that knowledge of Black history belongs to everyone. We work to remove barriers and create pathways for communities to access authentic scholarship and storytelling.

The Power of Representation  Whose stories are told shapes collective memory. We center Black voices, honor lived experience, and champion representation as a tool for systemic change.

Collaborative Action  We work in partnership — with communities, institutions, scholars, artists, and youth — to create lasting impact across education, media, and culture.

OUR STORY

Founded in 1945 by visionary leader Vassie Davis Wright, Our Authors Study Club was personally chartered by Dr. Carter G. Woodson — the Father of Black History Month. Their shared mission was to study authentic African American writings and ensure Black history's rightful place in America's story.

From a small group of postal workers in Los Angeles to a nationally recognized cultural institution, OASC has inspired thousands through storytelling, scholarship, and community action. Today — eight decades later — OASC continues that founding mission through education, community programs, and cultural preservation, carrying forward the legacy of those who understood that the fullness of American history cannot be told without centering the Black experience.

"Black History IS American History."
 — The founding principle of Our Authors Study Club, 1945

PROGRAMS THAT INSPIRE

Every February, OASC's City-Wide Black History Celebration brings together voices from across generations — scholars, artists, civic leaders, and students — to honor the past and shape the future. Through performances, discussions, and student recognition, the month-long program reminds us that Black history is not confined to a month: it is a living story.

OASC programs include:

• City-Wide Black History Celebration — annual month-long program in partnership with the Mayor and the City of Los Angeles
  • Origin Award — honoring distinguished Black Angelenos whose work carries forward the legacy of the city's African-descended founders
  • An Evening  with Authors — public literary engagement spotlighting Black Authors and discussion of the topic of their book
  • Black History Legacy and Landmarks Bus Tour — experiential learning journeys through Southern California's Black history
  • Annual Rountable - Top academic scholars debate the National theme with input from the community
  • Youth Oratorical Contest — building public voice and historical confidence in the next generation
• A Conversation with Authors — public literary engagement series spotlighting Black scholarship and storytelling at the AC Bilbrew library
• Speakers Bureau — connecting communities with scholars focused on Black Southern California history
• Media Literacy Workshops — quarterly sessions strengthening critical thinking through Black history and current media
• Youth Black History Bowl & Debate Team — competitive academic programs rooted in civic engagement