Santa Barbara Black Culture House

Four years since its inception, Santa Barbara’s Black Culture House returns for in-person programs in February 2023. 

The Black Culture House, a pop-up space with a wide range of cultural events celebrating Black art, culture, and history, will be hosted at Soul Bites Restaurant, 423 State Street on February 4, 5, 11, 18, 19, 25, and 26. All events, which include live music, film screenings and panel discussions, are open to all members of the community and are FREE. Doors open at noon.

“After so many disruptions due to the pandemic, it feels good to settle into scheduling Culture House in the original spirit we intended when we started it in 2020,” says Darrell M. McNeill, who, with his wife and partner, Sally A. Foxen-McNeill, is co-founder, co-executive producer, and co-curator of Black Culture House, “Black culture can be programmed anytime, but Black History Month is a natural fit. Plus, we’re back in the heart of downtown.”

This year’s edition of the Santa Barbara Black Culture House will be hosted at Soul Bites Restaurants, an elevated soul food restaurant at the former site of Music Alley/Velvet Jones at 423 State Street. The restaurant is owned and run by Stirling and Rose Nix-Bradley of Los Angeles. “We are a community-based entertainment venue that embraces all forms of artistry,” says Rose Nix-Bradley, “and provides a safe space for not only Black and Brown communities, but ALL communities. When you’re here, you’re home.”

Santa Barbara Black Culture House 2023 will present the following programs:

• Saturday, February 4, 1pm – Film screening: “Maynard,” filmmaker/UCSB lecturer Wendy Eley-Jackson’s award-winning documentary based on Atlanta mayor, Maynard Jackson. Ms. Eley-Jackson will discuss the film and lead a Q&A.
• Sunday, February 5, 1PM – Community discussion: Coffee With A Black Guy, with James Joyce III: Journalist and community leader James Joyce III leads discussions unpacking sensitive matters centered around race in America.
• Sunday, February 11, 1pm – Panel discussion: “Choice of Colors: Multiethnicity In A Divided America.” A talk about navigating identity with blended backgrounds in an environment which forces people to choose sides. Featuring Leah King, multimedia artist, activist; Akil Hill and Roxanne Maiko Byrne, PHD, educators at SBCC; and Stirling Nix-Bradley, co-owner, proprietor and chef of Soul Bites Restaurant. Sally A. Foxen-McNeill and Darrell McNeill will moderate.
• Saturday, February 18, 1pm –Panel discussion: “Black Women Rock.” A pre-taped video conference of five dynamic Black women who’ve carved out careers in the rock music genre. Featuring Maureen Mahon, author/professor at NYU and artists Sophia Ramos, Shelley Nicole, Leah Kingand LaFrae Sci.
• Saturday, February 19, 1pm – Live blues/rock with Jellyroll. Popular Santa Barbara blues rock band led by vocalist/harpist Morganfield Burnett.
• Saturday, February 25, 1pm – Live jazz/funk with L.A. trio The Funky Neighbors. Contemporary instrumental group featuring L.A. musicians bassist Stevie Martin, keyboardist Damon Wilson, and drummer Terrence Huggins.
• Sunday, February 26, 1pm – Live music with L.A. Supergroup, The Cookies, back by popular demand. Featuring legends: vocalist Maxayn Lewis, bassist Bobby Watson, and guitarist Allen Hinds.

The 2023 edition of Santa Barbara Black Culture House will be hosted at Soul Bites Restaurants, at 423 State Street, between Haley and Gutierrez Streets. Doors open at noon, events begin at 1pm. All events are all ages and FREE to the general public. The Santa Barbara Black Culture House is sponsored by the Black Rock Coalition and made possible by a grant from the City of Santa Barbara and The Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture.

 For more information, email Darrell McNeill and Sally Foxen-McNeill at SBBlackCultureHouse@gmail.com and follow “Santa Barbara Black Culture House” on Facebook, Instagram, and Eventbrite.