CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A community celebration of Black History Month will take place on Saturday, Feb. 15, in Clearlake.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the City Plaza Mall, located at 14090 Olympic Drive.

This year's event will have guest speakers ranging from community leaders to local pastors, and will include a potluck. For the children there will be a free bouncy house.

Black History Month, commemorated since 1976, offers a chance to discuss the country's past as well as its future.

In February 1976, President Gerald Ford urged Americans to mark the month in recognition of the long struggle of black Americans for equality and in recognition of their accomplishments.

“We can seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history,” President Ford said.

The Clearlake event is presented by Hair by Mz C in conjunction with the ColeTrain Transformation Foundation.