Los Angeles, CA

California African American Museum
DESCRIPTION: LA’s museum for renown Black artists and sculptors
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William Grant Still Arts Center
DESCRIPTION: Housed in a small but comfortable bungalow, these dolls will steal your heart and tickle your imagination; don’t miss the Black Doll exhibit every December; doll making classes; the arts center’s namesake is a former symphony composer; the center also features changing & challenging exhibitions from the community
ADMISSION: Free; donations appreciated
DAYS & HOURS: daily Noon-5p
ADDRESS: 2520 West View Street  MAP
PARKING: on street

PHONE: 323-734-1164
WEBSITE: http://www.culturela.org/classes/index.html

Blackstreet USA Puppet Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Performing workshop of puppetmaster Gary Jones and the internationally known Yuppets (Young Urban Professional Puppets); there are different shows for children 5-12, and for adults; call for a performance or why not sponsor a Yuppets performance
ADMISSION: event-based
DAYS & HOURS: by appt or event
ADDRESS: 4619 West Washington Blvd  MAP
PARKING: on street

PHONE: 323-936-6091
WEBSITE: http://www.yuppets.com

Ebony Repertory Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 2007, ERT is the Resident Company of the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, under the leadership of Founder-Producer Wren T. Brown and Artistic Director Israel Hicks; develops and presents professional theatre rooted in the African Diaspora experience; plays like Two Trains Running and Crowns sponsored by Regina Taylor are frequent
BOX OFFICE: 1 hour before plays
ADDRESS: 4718 West Washington Blvd  MAP
PARKING: on street

PHONE: box office 323-964-9766
WEBSITE: http://www.ebonyrep.org

Dorothy Dandridge Sculpture
DESCRIPTION: Dorothy is immortalized as one of 4 famous movie starlets representing four races; all are connected at the top in a life-size silver color sculpture; unfortunately the sculptor makes it difficult to discern who is who -- Dandridge’s likeness faces northeast; Dandridge was the first African American nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of Carmen Jones in the 1954 movie (Hattie McDaniel was the first African American to win best Supporting Actress in the 1939 movie Gone With The Wind)

ADDRESS: Hollywood Blvd at La Brea Blvd  MAP
PARKING: on street and garage nearby

Lula Washington Dance Theatre
DESCRIPTION: In 1980 Lula Washington founded this theatre group specializing in a challenging and creative blend of African, modern and ballet repertory; she has produced nationally respected works such as The Little Light, Gospel Christmas and Circle of Dance; the annual Gospel Kwanzaa performance will have you cheering! The theatre also features a delightful Youth Dance Ensemble helps inner city youths gain performance experience and confidence
ADMISSION: event-based
DAYS & HOURS: by appt or special event
ADDRESS: 3773 South Crenshaw Blvd  MAP
PARKING: on street

PHONE: 323-292-5852
WEBSITE: http://www.lulawashington.com

World Stage
DESCRIPTION: Ignore the name, they only have enough size for very small concerts; but the vibe is a cool hangout for poets, jazz musicians and visual artists
ADMISSION: event-based
DAYS & HOURS: by class or event
ADDRESS: 4344 Degnan Blvd  MAP
PARKING: on street and paid lot nearby

PHONE: 323-293-2451
WEBSITE: http://www.theworldstage.org

Vision Theatre
DESCRIPTION: This landmark tower and 1123 seat theatre is used intermittently for Black theatre, major speaking events, and as the movie A Thin Line Between Love and Hate
DAYS & HOURS: a operates as a part venue for rent or lease
ADDRESS: 43rd Place next to Leimert Blvd  MAP
PARKING: on street

PHONE: reservations 323-291-7321
WEBSITE: none

Tavis Smiley Headquarters
DESCRIPTION: The unflappable Tavis Smiley established headquarters in this architecturally distinctive 6,000 square foot office building; although he has radio broadcast studio on premises, most of his shows are conducted elsewhere
DAYS & HOURS: no appt for visitors
ADDRESS: 4434 Crenshaw Blvd  MAP
PARKING: on street

PHONE: private
WEBSITE: http://www.tavistalks.com

African American Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: Organization Us preserves and promotes a dignified African American culture without being stuffy; Dr Maulana Karenga, the founder of Us and father of the 7 principles of Kwanzaa, often leads Wednesday, Friday & Sunday forums on historic and current issues concerning Africentric art, philosophy and literature; Saturday school programs children; lots of special events throughout the year
ADMISSION: event-based
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri by class or event
ADDRESS: 2560 West 54th Street  MAP
PARKING: on street

PHONE: 323-299-6124
WEBSITE: http://www.us_organization.org

Watts Towers & Art Center
DESCRIPTION: A folk art landmark built by Simon Rodia, a European immigrant, from discarded objects and flotsam between 1921 and 1954; when finished, he deeded this property to a neighbor and moved from LA; the Black community has come to embrace these towers and art center; the center features a thriving eclectic mix of art exhibits, performing arts and classes that include ceramics, animation, printmaking, drumming, photography, assemblage, comic books, and graphic design
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 1727 East 107th Street  MAP
PARKING: on street

PHONE: 213-847-4646
WEBSITE: http://www.trywatts.com

Watts Museum of Art, History and Culture
DESCRIPTION: Photo exhibits of historic Watts; walk back in time to the 1930s Watts, Black Panthers LA and Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. exhibits; a stunning statue of Black Goddess is the signature courtyard element; Bones & Blues, a blues and dominoes venue, hosted the last Friday night of each month; the International Marketplace features collection of gift shops in a small complex; staffed by the Watts Labor Community Action Committee
ADMISSION: free
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-5p
ADDRESS: 10950 South Central Ave  MAP
PARKING: on street

PHONE: 323-563-5639
WEBSITE: http://www.wlcac.org/facilites.htm

Culver City, CA

Mayme Clayton Library & Museum
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1976 by Mayme Agnew Clayton, PhD (1923 - 2006) and formely called the "Western States Black Research Center", the MLCM is already the largest black historical artifact collection on the west coast with over 25,000 books (many are rare), historic Black films and 8000 hisotrical records, some of which date to 1902 -- even features Duke Ellington and Bessie Smith’s earliest vinyl recordings; the library and museum is transforming a civil courts facility into (1st phase) 24,000 square foot facility that makes the Mayme A Clayton Collection and other contributions from the Civil Rights Movement, Movie, and Music industries available to the public for vital edicational, artistic and entertaining programming; the result of this transformation will be the 5th certified African American Research Center in America and include the Courtroom Theater and the vintage movie poster gallery 

ADMISSION: TBD
DAYS & HOURS: coming Fall 2010
ADDRESS: 4130 Overland Ave  MAP
PARKING: free on premises

PHONE: 323-737-3292
WEBSITE: http://www.claytonmuseum.org

Inglewood, CA

KJLH Radio Station
DESCRIPTION: The city's oldest Black-oriented radio station is owned by that musical genius, Stevie Wonder; 102.3 FM on your dial and number 1 in Old & New School R&B plus Sunday Gospel and community news; Stevie drops by once in awhile; the original KJLH site was on Crenshaw Blvd

ADMISSION: appt only
DAYS & HOURS: visit by appt only
ADDRESS: 161 North La Brea Ave  MAP
PARKING: on street and lots nearby

PHONE: 310-330-2266
WEBSITE: http://www.kjlhradio.com

Pasadena, CA

Jackie Robinson Center
DESCRIPTION: 18,000 square foot community center in the heart of Pasadena's Northwest district; it features a small collection of Jack Roosevelt Robinson memorabilia; the center also coordinates the annual Black History Parade and Festival and Craft Bonanza Showcase

ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 8a-9p, Fri 8a-5p
ADDRESS: 1020 North Fair Oaks Ave  MAP
PARKING: on street and lot in back

PHONE: 818-791-7983
WEBSITE: link 

Jackie & Mack Robinson Monument
DESCRIPTION: Huge busts of the famous Robinson brothers who were Pasadena residents; Mack was a world class sprinter who finished second to Jesse Owens in the 1936 Olympics; Mack later broke Jesse's sprint record
ADDRESS: 100 North Garfield Ave  MAP
PARKING: on street

Alkebu-Lan Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: A great resource for kids to learn ballet, African dance, drama, African drum classes; the premises also hosts a choir

ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-4p
ADDRESS: 1435 North Raymond Ave  MAP
PARKING: on street

PHONE: 626-794-9570
WEBSITE: http://www.alkebu-lan.org