“We Out Here”: Black History Month Celebration & Farmers Market Rally for Aid

This Saturday, Feb. 28 (12–5 PM), The Juicy Little Society will host “We Out Here: Black History Month Celebration” — a free farmers market and community fair at Friendship Pasadena Church (80 W. Dayton St.). Sponsored by Hollywood Food Coalition, Baby2Baby, Proudly, Huggies, Babyganics, and The Honest Co., the event offers fresh produce and groceries, baby essentials, gift-card raffles, and a Kiddie Zone (jumpers and crafts). Above all, it’s a chance for Altadena/Pasadena’s Black community to come together in solidarity. This event goes beyond music and food: it’s a listening session and rally for sustained aid, awareness, and justice for families still recovering from last year’s devastating Eaton Fire.

Ongoing Challenges for Altadena Fire Survivors.  More than a year after the January 2025 wildfire, thousands of Altadena families remain in crisis. Nearly 7 in 10 residents are still displaced, many living in cars or crowded rentals while hoping to rebuild. Survivors recount “begging for shelter” and extra cash to stabilize before any legal settlement. Basic needs are still dire. One Altadena neighbor explained that free produce distributions were lifesaving because “there’s not many stores nearby… and prices are too high”. Another survivor noted, “every little penny and dime we can save is helpful” when shopping for food. Across the community, food insecurity and housing instability persist. Displacement aid is running out (some risk losing coverage soon) and philanthropic funds, though unprecedented, fall far short of what’s needed. As the Pasadena Community Foundation notes, nearly $1 billion in donations still covers only “a fraction of the tens of billions needed for true recovery”. The fallout is a grinding burden on household budgets and backs families into crises.

Sustaining Relief: Weekly “We Out Here Altadena” Markets.  Thanks to grassroots efforts like Juicy Little Society, struggling families get fresh food and essentials weekly. Every Wednesday, the “We Out Here Altadena” mutual-aid marketplace offers free farmer’s-market produce, groceries, hot meals, and baby gear in Fair Oaks Burger’s parking lot. Hollywood Food Coalition reports having hosted 16 mobile pantry distributions in Altadena in recent months, serving 5,000+ families (many facing hunger for the first time while coping with trauma and loss). These pop-up markets preserve dignity by letting neighbors “shop” for what they need, supplementing scant options and high grocery prices nearby.

  A Community Market in Action.  Every week, volunteers set up produce tables and smiling helpers hand out fruits, vegetables and staples. The Feb. 28 event builds on this momentum: neighbors helping neighbors on a grand scale. Attendees can “shop” for food and diapers freely, thanks to donated goods. Local partners like Baby2Baby and baby-care sponsors provide diapers, wipes and formula. Community organizations have donated items and set up resource tables. There will also be gift-card raffles (offering relief on utilities and food costs) and a Kiddie Zone so kids of all ages can play. By combining Black History Month celebration with essential aid, the event underscores that culture and care go hand-in-hand in building community resilience.

Event Features:

• Free Fresh Produce & Groceries: Ample fruits, veggies and pantry staples distributed like a farmers market.

• Baby Gear & Essentials: Supplies from partners like Baby2Baby, Huggies and The Honest Co. to support families with infants.

• Gift-Card Raffles & Prizes: Drawings for grocery and fuel gift cards to ease stretched budgets.

• Kiddie Zone: Inflatable jumpers and arts activities, so little ones can laugh and play while parents shop.

• Community Listening Session: A panel discussion, titled “Why Weekly Food Access MUST Continue,” where families and organizers share experiences and call for ongoing food support.

Honoring Black History Makers.  The celebration will recognize four pillars of the Altadena/Pasadena Black community, highlighting inspiring local legacies:

• B.P. Edwards (filmmaker): An Altadena-born director and cinematographer, B.P. Edwards has worked with major brands and recently directed the Eaton Fire documentary When the Sky Turned Orange.

• Octavia E. Butler (author): The acclaimed science fiction and Afrofuturist novelist grew up near Altadena in Pasadena. Butler is “widely cited as the first major Black woman author of science fiction”, and her work (like Parable of the Sower) eerily predicted Los Angeles’ climate and social crises.

• Brandon Lamar (advocate): A longtime Pasadena community organizer and current president of the local NAACP, Brandon Lamar has championed social justice and equity for marginalized residents.

• Woods-Valentine Mortuary: One of the oldest Black-owned family businesses in the San Gabriel Valley, this historic Pasadena funeral home (now co-owned by the third generation of the family) has served and uplifted the Black community since 1928.

Each honoree reflects a piece of the community’s rich heritage and strength. Their recognition reminds us that Black history is living history — built by local creators, leaders and families who continue to invest in Altadena’s future.

Local Partnerships for Recovery.  MADE IN DENA — a Pasadena/Altadena apparel brand promoting community pride — will be an official vendor, continuing its on-the-ground support of fire recovery. Founder Jason Hardin reports that since Day One the MADE IN DENA team has volunteered with neighborhood aid groups and helped local businesses rebuild. At the Feb. 28 event, they’ll offer branded gear and share resources about mutual-aid efforts. They join neighbors and nonprofits in sending a clear message: Dena stands together.

In sum, this Black History Month event is more than a celebration — it’s a rallying cry for sustained help and justice. Survivors have reminded us that their needs “require public recovery dollars at historic levels,” and that this anniversary “is not just a milestone — it’s a mandate”. By showing up Saturday, attendees answer that call. We encourage everyone to come out (it’s free!), spread the word, and support our neighbors in need. Let’s turn community pride into community power — ensuring weekly food access and relief stays alive long after the festivities end.

Event Info: Saturday, Feb. 28, 12–5 PM, Friendship Pasadena Church, 80 W. Dayton St., Pasadena 91105. Free parking available. Open to all. For more information, visit The Juicy Little Society’s website or social media and follow #WeOutHere #AltadenaStrong.

Sources: Local coverage and relief reports document Altadena’s ongoing wildfire recovery struggles, while organizing groups describe community food distribution efforts. Biographical details on honorees come from their profiles. All event details were provided by organizers.