A Must See Exhibit Celebrating Black Women in Los Angeles County
The Museum of Black Women & Girls Pop-Up is one of the most significant free African American events in Los Angeles this summer — a celebration of the women who shaped California through their brilliance, grit, and lasting bloom.
From historic trailblazers to political powerhouses, artists to athletes — this exhibit gives them their flowers. In real time. In living color.
Hosted at the Black Resource Center inside A.C. Bilbrew Library in partnership with CABWCEI, the pop-up runs all summer with free activations, oral history opportunities, and community programming rooted in Black women's empowerment in Los Angeles.
30 +
Black Women and Girls Honored
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Historic Trailblazers
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Political Powerhouses
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Artists, Authors & Storytellers
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Athletes & Champions
Open all summer at A.C. Bilbrew Library · Free & open to the public
Celebrating African American Women Trailblazers in California
From the pioneering spirit of Biddy Mason to the archival brilliance of Miriam Matthews, our exhibit highlights the women who paved the way for future generations. Explore the stories of those who led the charge in civil rights, literature, and community building, ensuring their place in Black women’s history in Los Angeles is never forgotten.
Historic Trailblazers
Queen Califia · Mary Ellen Pleasant · Charlotta Bass · Frances Albrier · Bibby Mason & more
Political Powerhouses
Maxine Waters · Kamala Harris · Barbara Lee · Karen Bass · Holly J. Mitchell & more
Arts, Letters & Ideas
Maya Angelou · Octavia Butler · Hattie McDaniel · Ava DuVernay
Athletes & Champions
Allyson Felix · Venus & Serena Williams · Lisa Leslie · Cheryl Miller & more
Full panel list revealed at opening · June 22, 2026
A whole summer of Black history in Los Angeles.
June 22, 2026 · Grand Opening
Opening Day — Open to All
The exhibit officially opens its doors to the community. Come through, walk the panels, and take in the stories of the Black women and girls who shaped California. Oral history recording on-site.
Ongoing · Summer 2026
Exhibit Open All Summer
The full panel wall exhibit remains open at A.C. Bilbrew Library throughout the summer. Walk through history at your own pace. Additional oral history recording days available.
July 2026
Paint & Chat — Inspired by Terry McMillan
A community activation where art and storytelling collide. Inspired by the work of Terry McMillan — a celebration of Black women's voices, creativity, and resilience. Paint, connect, and honor the women who paved the way.
August 2026
Roots & Brilliance — Planting Activation
Inspired by Anna Malaika Tubbs' The Three Mothers — honoring the women who raised Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and James Baldwin. Plant in pottery as an act of legacy. Nurture what those who came before us planted.
Your Story Belongs Here Too
A whole summer of Black history in Los Angeles.
This exhibit isn't just about the women on the walls — it's about all of us. Submit your story virtually or join us in person for a recorded oral history session.
Virtual Submission
Submit your oral history online anytime via the library page link.
In-Person Recording
Join us at A.C. Bilbrew Library on Opening Day and select dates throughout summer.
The Black Resource Center has been here since 1978.
Tucked inside A.C. Bilbrew Library is one of Los Angeles County's most vital — and least known — cultural spaces. The Black Resource Center was established in 1978 to preserve, document, and celebrate the African American experience in all its depth.
Home to rare newspaper archives, oral histories, NAACP papers, and a curated collection of books and audiobooks by and about Black Americans. Free to access. All you need is a library card.
📰 Historic Newspaper Archives
LA Sentinel, California Eagle, Chicago Defender, and hundreds more — on microform going back generations.
📚 Books, Journals & Research
Curated collection on African American history, culture, and the African Diaspora. Plus eBooks and audiobooks on Libby.
🎙️Oral Histories & Living Legends
The African American Living Legends Series — documenting community leaders from 1980 to 2008.
🎉Year-Round Cultural Programs
Juneteenth, Kwanzaa, Black History Month, and free community events throughout the year.
🆓 Free with a Library Card
Open Mon–Thu 10am–8pm, Fri–Sat 10am–6pm · 150 E. El Segundo Blvd, Los Angeles
Ready to be part of it?
There are a few ways to plug in — pick what speaks to you.