Continuum: Honoring Black Santa Monica

Honoring the History of Belmar and Black Santa Monica

A vintage black and white photo from the 1950s of four Black people (two couples) sitting on the beach in Santa Monica, California with umbrellas in the background, wearing swimsuits and enjoying a sunny day.

A circular date icon with a yellow border, light green background, displaying 'Sunday 11 October' in black and yellow text.

Clock with a light green face displaying 12 PM and 5 PM, bordered by a yellow ring.

A public cultural activation featuring live music, DJs, conversations with journalist and podcaster Sam Sanders, art installation, art-making, vendors, and more.

2026

Flyer for the event 'Continuum' honoring the history of Belmar and Black Santa Monica, scheduled for Sunday, October 11, from 12 PM to 5 PM at Historic Belmar Park, Santa Monica. The flyer features black and white vintage photographs of Black individuals, with logos of the City of Santa Monica, KCRW, Quinn Research Center, and other sponsors. The flyer emphasizes that the event is free and open to all ages, highlighting public cultural activation.

About the Event

SUNDAY OCT. 11

12PM - 5PM

Historic Belmar Park

1840 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

This free, all-ages cultural activation will highlight Belmar's history and the Black experience in Santa Monica, celebrating the contributions of Black residents and visitors while acknowledging the historic loss of land, homes, and businesses in the area. The event will include conversations with award-winning journalist, radio host, and podcaster Sam Sanders, DJs, live music performances, a vendor village curated by Black Market Flea, art installation, and more.

This community benefit was made possible by Ocean Way Festival, in partnership with the city of Santa Monica.

Stay tuned to santamonica.gov for information on free concerts, beach cleanups, programs for local students, local business partnerships, and more made possible by Ocean Way Festival.

A man with a bald head and a mustache, wearing a white shirt with colorful patterns, laughing while sitting on a yellow bench with large green tropical leaves and a blue sky with white clouds painted background.

Colorful rainbow with five bands in orange, green, pink, purple, and lavender outlined in black.

Conversations with Sam Sanders, an award-winning journalist and podcast host.

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Portrait of a woman with braided hair, wearing earrings and a beaded necklace, against a pink background with a gradient effect.

Art exhibition from April Banks, an artist and creative strategist working across visual art, social engagement and exhibition design.

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Historic Belmar Park

Red metal outdoor fitness structure with various bars and panels, situated on a dirt ground, near a chain-link fence with a soccer field and palm trees in the background, under a clear blue sky.

Opened in February 2021, Historic Belmar Park in Santa Monica is more than just a green space; it's a poignant memorial to a vibrant African American community that thrived in the Belmar neighborhood from the late 19th century until the 1950s. The park serves as a reminder of the importance of community, offering a space for healing and education. It features a multi-purpose sports field, a 0.4-mile walking path, interpretive historical panels by historian Alison Rose Jefferson, and a monumental red sculpture titled "A Resurrection in Four Stanzas" by artist April Banks.

Learn more about Belmar History + Art

A woman with long braided hair, wearing headphones, an orange jacket over a black shirt, smiling, standing behind a desk at a radio station with a microphone.

DJ Sets by KCRW’s Tyler “Boogie” Boudreaux, radio host, producer, organizer and activist.

03

A Black man with tattoos and light-colored hair, wearing patterned pants and leopard print shoes, reclines in the grass next to a tree with a fence and trees in the background.

Live performance from 2026 NPR Tiny Desk Concert Winner Cure For Paranoia

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Black Community Legacy

“It was such a vibrant area, a thriving African American community where everybody knew everybody.”

—Leana Brunson-McClain, a community historian and long-time resident who grew up during the 1950s and 1960s in Santa Monica's historic Black community

Santa Monica, California circa 1930

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