
How can a 92-year old museum best showcase a community’s history that is still uncollected?
Celebrate San Diego: Black History & Heritage is a new project of the San Diego History Center. More than an exhibition with a limited life span, this initiative is multi-layered and has life in the physical, the digital, as well as the SDHC permanent collection to be shared and studied for generations to come. Check back here on our website and through our social media channels – starting February 2021 – to experience (and contribute) to this shared journey.
Here is what we know:
Celebrate represents ongoing collaboration and partnerships that occur in real life and through digital portals.
Celebrate is an unfolding exhibition that’s not complete without on-going community crowd-sourced insights, information and items.
Like the community itself, Celebrate is dynamic and ever-evolving.
View Our Timeline
Take a look at what we have collected so far!

How else can you contribute to this effort today? Nominate a local Hero.
Nominate a Black hero that has been a pioneer, visionary, champion, leader or inspirational to you in the San Diego region.
Donations for this upcoming exhibit can be made here

How can you contribute to this effort today?
You can tell us! A 24-foot wide historical timeline will be a key feature of the exhibition. Submit an event, milestone, or memory that should be included in the history of Black San Diego and Black San Diegans.
Submit your additions to our timeline of San Diego Black History
LOCAL HEROES
Bishop McKinney
Throughout Bishop McKinney’s life he has been committed to going above and beyond to help and to serve those in need, in his community and across the globe.
John Henry Turpin
John Henry Turpin, survived two naval shipboard explosions yet rescued stunned, hurt, and dying shipmates, one after another, from the waters of San Diego Bay.
Sylura Barron
A local legend of politics and lifelong advocate for representation, connection, and participation, Barron faced seemingly insurmountable barriers of racism and sexism.
Lynne Ray Smith
So many people spend their time doing activities that only benefit them and their loved ones, Lynne Ray spends his time working to the betterment of society and the community.
San Diego Timeline
