LOS ANGELES, CA -- On February 15, Our Authors Study Club, Inc. welcomed over 100 distinguished guests to celebrate acclaimed artist Mark Steven Greenfield at the historic Pico House, where he was presented with the first OASC Trailblazer Award and a special framed proclamation from Mayor Karen Bass by Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Hamilton.

individuals gathered to enjoy the iconic setting of the first modern three-story hotel in Los Angeles and pay tribute to one of the city's most distinguished talents.

The highlight of the evening was the insightful and often comedic conversation led by Charmaine Jefferson, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the California Institute for the Arts and owner of Kélan Resources.

What gave the presentation even more depth is the fact that Greenfield and Jefferson have been friends since childhood. The audience was treated to a visual and verbal tour through each of his artistic phases.

A mixture of soul and contemporary cuisine were serve to the delight of the attendees by a young team headed by Chefene's Culinary Creations.

This event is significant as it highlights the commitment of Our Authors Study Club to recognize and amplify the contributions of Black artists like Mark Steven Greenfield. By honoring individuals who have made a profound impact blazing a trail for African Americans and the African diaspora.

This event also recognizes the African American role in the founding of Los Angeles, nothing that 26 of the founders were African or of African descent. Additionally, Pio Pico, the builder of the Pico House was the last governor of California under Mexican rule and was half Black.

OASC continues to fulfill its mission of making the world more aware, connected, and invested in Black history and culture.

According to Lura Daniels-Ball, President of Our Authors Study Club, "We are thrilled to celebrate Mark Steven Greenfield and his remarkable achievements in the art world. His work embodies the spirit of creativity, resilience, and even resistance that we aim to showcase and celebrate through our initiatives."

In the future, Our Authors Study Club plans to continue honoring trailblazers in the Black community, hosting events that promote cultural understanding and appreciation, and expanding its reach to engage with a wider audience.

Sponsors for this event includes the Los Angeles Urban League, The Los Angeles Sentinel, Councilman Curren Price (District 9), El Pueblo Park Association (EPPA, which supports El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument), Mayor Karen Bass, and Danny Bakewell, Jr. (2024 OASC African American Heritage Month Honorary Chair).

For more information about Our Authors Study Club and upcoming events, please visit https://oascla.org.

About Our Authors Study Club

Our Authors Study Club was founded by Vassie D. Wright, who was also a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. In 1945, she and a group of postal workers formed OASC to study the true history of African People. She is responsible for LA's first city wide Negro History Week celebration, which evolved to the current citywide Black History Month celebration in Los Angeles in partnership with every mayor since Mayor Bowron in 1950.

OASC aims to make the world more aware of, more connected to, and more invested in the African American and African diaspora experience. To ignite conversations that inspire new books, films, artistic expressions, music, podcasts, and social interactions across diverse populations. They advocate against the dilution of Black heritage and legacy, which has been underrepresented in mainstream history, literature, and media. Their goal is to support libraries, museums, schools, and media in promoting Black lives and to recognize, amplify, and honor the contributions of Black Americans.

For more information, visit https://oascla.org. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OurAuthorsStudyClub.