Civil Rights Institute Inland Southern California

Fabric of Us: Textile Arts and Queer Identity
2026-02-01 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Bank of America Diversity Center, 3933 Mission Inn Ave., Suite 102, Riverside, 92501
CRIISC is excited to partner with artist Yulissa Mendoza and The Cheech Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum for Fabric of Us: Textile Art and Queer Identity Workshop. Join us for an afternoon of creativity and conversation as we sit down with Yulissa to explore their artistic journey, inspirations, and the themes that shape their work,~ followed by a hands-on textile art workshop. Come get inspired, connect, and create alongside a local I.E. artist. We can’t wait to see you!

Brick by Brick: Black Innovators Who Built the I.E.
2026-02-21 15:00 - 17:00 | Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Bank of America Diversity Center, 3933 Mission Inn Ave., Suite 102, Riverside, 92501
In recognition of Black History Month, CRIISC, in collaboration with Empower You Edutainment, is highlighting Black trailblazers of the Inland Southern California region. Brick by Brick: Black Innovators Who Built the I.E. is a theatrical spoken word performance that brings to life the stories of Black historical figures from the Inland Empire.

Books & Belonging: A Reading Circle for Black Children's Book Week
2026-02-22 13:00 - 16:00 | Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Bank of America Diversity Center, 3933 Mission Inn Ave., Suite 102, Riverside, 92501
Black Children’s Book Week is a shared community celebration designed to uplift Black stories, Black creators, and Black youth. This collaborative program brings together local leaders, educators, artists, and partner organizations to highlight books by Black authors and illustrators across the Inland Empire and beyond.
As part of this special collaboration, Melanin in Every Page will feature two new books, read and signed in ASL by the authors themselves, providing an accessible and inclusive experience for all participants. Throughout the event, children will engage in interactive read-alouds, guided conversations, and hands-on creative activities inspired by the featured books. Families are invited to participate, connect, and celebrate the brilliance of Black children’s literacy.

Calling all IE teachers and educators
2026-02-28 09:30 - 12:00 | Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Bank of America Diversity Center, 3933 Mission Inn Ave., Suite 102, Riverside, 92501
Visit us on Saturday, February 28 from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM to learn about local history lesson plans and resources for K-12 Ethnic Studies and History-Social Studies Classrooms created by the IE Stories Team. Join us for this FREE educational event, meet with the teachers who created these lessons, and explore local archival materials that you can incorporate into your lessons.

1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture
2026-03-27 18:30 - 22:00
Small changes can create big impacts. Our next program examines how a single word helped shape decades of belief. Join us Friday, March 27 from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM for a screening of 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture followed by a panel discussion. This film, first released in 2022, explores how a specific mistranslation of the Bible in the 1940s inadvertently fueled the anti-LGBTQ+ movement in Christianity. Be a part of the bigger discussion by signing up here.

History of Section 14: Memory, Justice, and Community
2026-03-28 13:30 - 16:00
Stories of resilience deserve to be heard! Join us for a powerful conversation with survivors and descendants of the Palm Springs Section 14 demolition, destruction, and displacement. Moderated by Monet Warren and joined by panelists Betty Taylor Mayfield, Deiter Crawford, and Dr. Robert D. Jiles, who will share stories of lived experiences, attempts of erasure, and the resilience of Black and Latinx communities whose narratives continue to shape our region.

United Farmworkers Day
2026-03-31 11:00 - 14:00 | Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, 3933 Mission Inn Ave., Suite 103, Riverside, CA, 92501, United States
Special open hours! In recognition of Farmworker Day, CRIISC will be open on Tuesday, March 31, from 11 AM – 2 PM!
Stop by to view our FREE exhibition Out in the l.E., which honors the LGBTQ+ community’s impact in Riverside and San Bernardino counties! Take a FREE tour, have some fun with our interactive scavenger hunt, and create artwork inspired by farmworkers in our kids’ craft corner.
NOW is your chance to come and learn some I.E. history.
See you soon!

Layers of Me: Painting Our Truths
2026-04-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Bank of America Diversity Center, 3933 Mission Inn Ave., Suite 102, Riverside, 92501
Come create, explore, and express yourself at this FREE, family-friendly art workshop on Saturday, April 18 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM! Hosted in collaboration with the Riverside Community Arts Association and local artist Perry Picasshoe, this welcoming program invites participants of all ages and skill levels to reimagine self-portraiture beyond tradition. Explore how portraiture can reflect identity, visibility, and self-perception through color, abstraction, symbolism, and mood, painting not just how you look, but how you feel and exist in the world. No experience needed, just bring your curiosity and creativity! Be a part of the fun by signing up here!

Out in the I.E. Poetry Night
2026-04-26 16:00 - 19:30 | Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, Bank of America Diversity Center, 3933 Mission Inn Ave., Suite 102, Riverside, 92501
In recognition of National Poetry Month, CRIISC is excited to present Out in the I.E. Poetry Night in collaboration with the IE LGBTQ+ Center, a free, community-centered evening of powerful expression, storytelling, and connection. Join us on Sunday, April 26 from 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM for a dynamic gathering of voices where poets and community members are invited to share, listen, and celebrate lived experiences through spoken word. Come be part of a night that uplifts creativity, identity, and authenticity, creating room for both seasoned performers and first-time readers to take the stage or simply soak in the energy. Join us by signing up here!

Know Your Rights: Pride in Protection
2026-05-24 11:00 - 14:00
Knowledge is power, know your rights, protect your future! Join us on Sunday, May 24 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, doors open at 10:30 AM for our FREE Know Your Rights: Pride in Protection, in conversation with the Inland Counties Legal Services and the Human Rights Coalition. Stop by early to take a peak at our exhibition, Out in the I.E. before diving into an important program focused on empowering LGBTQ+ community members with the knowledge and tools to navigate their rights in today’s shifting social and legal landscape. Be a part of the conversation by signing up HERE!

Songs of Freedom: Music of Resistance & Joy
2026-06-19 11:00 - 16:00
Rejoice in the music that guided the way! In honor of Juneteenth join CRIISC on Friday, June 19th from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM for special open hours, featuring a FREE kids’ craft corner hosted by The Black Arts Museum and a FREE scavenger hunt for all ages. Stay with us as we continue the celebration from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM with a FREE performance by Empower You Edutainment, highlighting the powerful role of music in Black history.

Out in Print!
2026-06-28 12:00 - 16:00 | Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California, 3933 Mission Inn Ave., Suite 103, Riverside, CA, 92501, United States
Zines preserve history! Join us Sunday, June 28, from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM as CRIISC presents a FREE zine workshop in collaboration with Frankie Guttierrez. Using copies of exhibition materials, participants will reimagine and reassemble the moments that resonated the most. By cutting, pasting, and remixing them into a zine of their own making! Stop by and take away some memories!
