Mohave Today

CHANDLER, Ariz. – The City of Chandler, Chandler Men of Action, and South Chandler Self-Help Foundation are joining forces to celebrate Black History Month in February. A range of events will take place throughout the month to honor the contributions and history of the Black community.

The festivities kick off with the annual regional Unity Walk on Saturday, January 27th. Residents from Chandler, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe will come together for a one-mile walk starting and ending at Tempe Beach Park. Prior to the walk, a festival will be held at 4:30 p.m., featuring music, food, and fun.

On Friday, February 9th, the South Chandler Self-Help Foundation will present "Kings and Queens Unbreakable." This event will showcase comedians, steppers, music, spoken word, and more. The VIP reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the main event at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase online.

The Chandler Men of Action will host the 12th annual African-American Banquet on Friday, February 23rd. The event, held at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, will honor distinguished men for their contributions within the City of Chandler. Tickets can be purchased through the Chandler Men of Action website.

The Chandler Center for the Arts will present "NORTH: The Musical" on Friday, February 23rd, and Saturday, February 24th. This uplifting story, set against the backdrop of the Underground Railroad, features a powerful original score with jazz and Black roots music. Tickets can be purchased through the Chandler Center for the Arts website.

The Chandler Public Library will also be hosting several free educational events throughout the month. These include "Stories @ the Market" on Saturday, February 3rd, "Celebrate Black History Month" on Monday, February 5th, "Family Fun Night: Black History Month" on Monday, February 12th, "Teen Scene's Movie Thursday: Hairspray" on Thursday, February 16th, "Teen Movie Matinee: Hidden Figures" on Tuesday, February 20th, and "Self Portraits inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat" on Monday, February 26th.

Residents are encouraged to explore Chandler's historic Black families and other community events by visiting the Black History Month page on the city's website.

In light of these events, Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are proud to celebrate the contributions and history of the Black community during Black History Month. These events provide an opportunity for our community to come together and honor the rich cultural heritage of the Black community."

For more information, please contact Stephanie Romero, Public Information Officer for the City of Chandler, at 480-782-2231.

Chandler is open for business and welcomes residents and visitors to experience the city's vibrant parks, pools, museums, art galleries, hotels, resorts, golf courses, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. With its strong sense of community and innovative spirit, Chandler is truly a great city to live, play, and work in.

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