Menlo Park Celebrates Black History with Interactive Walkthrough

Annual event highlights key moments in Black history from the 1970s to 2000s

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The City of Menlo Park hosted its annual Black Liberation Celebration at the Belle Haven Community Campus on Saturday, honoring Black History Month with an interactive walkthrough showcasing significant moments in Black history from the 1970s to the early 2000s. The event, organized by Library and Community Services Manager Natalya Jones, featured booths and activities from various organizations to educate the community.

Why it matters

The celebration aimed to bring awareness to the community about Black history and its importance, not just during February's Black History Month, but throughout the year. By engaging attendees, especially children, the event hoped to inspire continued learning and appreciation for Black history and culture.

The details

The main activity of the event was a decade walkthrough, which highlighted 100 years of Black history being celebrated this month. Volunteers like Judge Cantrell and Raquel Harris set up booths to showcase the significance of the Harlem Renaissance, the Great Migration, and key figures and events of the 1950s such as Althean Gibson's Wimbledon wins and the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. Attendees like Keisha Durham and Kendra Sobomehin emphasized the importance of the event in bringing the community together and involving children to learn about Black history.

  • The Black Liberation Celebration took place on Saturday, February 10, 2026.
  • The event highlighted Black history from the 1970s to the early 2000s.

The players

Natalya Jones

The Library and Community Services Manager who organized the Black Liberation Celebration.

Judge Cantrell

A staff member who volunteered at the event to showcase the significance of the Harlem Renaissance and the Great Migration.

Raquel Harris

A volunteer who showcased the influential Black figures and events of the 1950s, including Althean Gibson's Wimbledon wins and the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision.

Keisha Durham

An attendee who emphasized the importance of bringing awareness to the community and supporting Black families through events like the Black Liberation Celebration.

Kendra Sobomehin

An attendee who has visited the event for years and appreciated the programming, performances, and community involvement.

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What they’re saying

“The more you can engage people in that talk [The talk of black history, black struggles], the more awareness you can spread.”

— Judge Cantrell, Volunteer (M-A Chronicle)

“It is a beautiful reminder of why Black is beautiful, Black is successful, Black is power, Black is love. We want to pay homage and pay respect and sort of just look back and reflect on everything we've done.”

— Judge Cantrell, Volunteer (M-A Chronicle)

“I feel like this decade has a lot of firsts. This was a breakout year for a lot between the racial integration and sports.”

— Raquel Harris, Volunteer (M-A Chronicle)

“Black History Month is kind of a month that gets glossed over. My daughter performing here is new for me, but the event is definitely important. I think it's really important to get the children involved.”

— Keisha Durham, Attendee (M-A Chronicle)

“Good food, performances. It's a whole programming situation.”

— Kendra Sobomehin, Attendee (M-A Chronicle)

What’s next

The City of Menlo Park plans to continue hosting the annual Black Liberation Celebration to honor Black history and culture, with the goal of expanding the event's reach and impact within the community.

The takeaway

The Black Liberation Celebration in Menlo Park demonstrates the importance of not only recognizing Black history during the designated month of February, but also celebrating and educating the community about Black history and culture throughout the year. By engaging attendees, especially children, the event aims to inspire continued learning and appreciation for the significant contributions and achievements of the Black community.