Local couple prepares for 7th annual Black History Month Celebration
Phillip and Lilian Pipersburg’s labor of love is celebrating its seventh annual Black History Month event.
The longtime Santa Barbara couple had a dream of creating an event that would unite the community in worship and wanted to honor those who have made differences for the African American community.
“It’s a two fold importance to our family. Number one is to help our children understand the beauty in them, in their own natural selves. The other thing is to help the community be aware of who we actually are. Oftentimes, African Americans are seen in a negative light,” said Lilian Pipersburg.
The urge to create annual Black History Month celebration events was kick started when Phillip got sick.
“We want to carry that tradition on and that history so that young people can embrace it and don’t forget their history and don’t forget what their ancestors did,” said Phillip Pipersburg.
This year’s theme is “Addressing the Crisis in Black Education.” 8 people who have made differences and strides in education will be honored at event on Sunday.
The Visions of Hope’s Black History Month Celebration is free and open to the public. The event starts at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Marjorie Luke Theater inside Santa Barbara Junior High School.
