Black History Month has been celebrated during February in the United States since 1976, five decades after Carter G. Woodson and his Association for the Study of Negro Life and History first recognized Negro History Week, according to blackhistorymonth.gov. Since then, efforts to highlight the accomplishments of Black Americans have grown across the country.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture recently launched its digital initiative, the Searchable Museum, which includes a multimedia presentation of historical narratives, collections and educational resources. Explore the museum’s array of content at searchablemuseum.com.
Here in South Florida, cities, arts venues, libraries, museums and cultural centers are planning events to educate and entertain throughout the month.
Mandel Public Library Black History Month – Adult programming includes poster exhibit, pop culture club, hair wrapping, lecture series. Children can attend story time, book club and African drumming, among other activities throughout February at the library, 411 Clematis St, West Palm Beach. bit.ly/3wsIhqu.
28 Days of Anti-Racism Campaign – The Lake Worth Interfaith Network is honoring Black History Month through programming and ideas that celebrate the culture of Black Americans. They encourage supporters to visit Black history sites in Lake Worth Beach (meet at 10 a.m. Feb. 11 at Lake Worth Beach Post Office, Lake Avenue and J Street), donate to the Lake Worth MLK Scholarship Fund or attend a worship service at a historic Black church — online or in person (11 a.m. Feb. 12 at Grant Chapel AME Church, 1616 Douglas St.). Visit facebook.com/LWINDiversity/ for a full schedule of events.
Black History Month Leadership Forum – The village of Wellington’s inaugural event from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Wellington Community Center, 12150 Forest Hill Blvd., will feature over 10 Black leaders from Palm Beach County, representing the fields of medicine, education and business, among others. Attendees can ask questions to build relationships. Free.
Black History Meets Reggae Month – A kick-off event for a monthlong celebration of Black History Month featuring information about the Reggae Icon Awards, Selecta Showdown and Afro-Carib Festival. 10-11:30 a.m. Feb. 1 at Miramar City Hall Plaza, 2300 Civic Center Place, Miramar. Ticket giveaways, refreshments and music. Free.
Lunch with Art – Poetry Edition – Bring your lunch and your creative side for a Black History Month-themed session. 12:15-1:15 p.m. Feb. 2 at Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd. Free. Register at bit.ly/3De7ZCY.
On Purpose: A One Woman Play By Ebony Payne – The Jacksonville spoken artist will use poems, monologue, song, rhyme and colorful vernacular to tell a coming-of-age story from the perspectives of seven women. 7 p.m. Feb. 3 at Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd. Tickets are $10 at bit.ly/3kKn6O4.
Remembering Our Roots – Traditionally features a live music and dance festival. 3-5 p.m. Feb. 4 at Riverland Park, 950 SW 27th Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Free.
Virtual Story Time at the Blanche Ely House Museum – Hear “The Other Side” by Jacqueline Woodson about Black and white girls who manage to become friends during segregation. 11 a.m. Feb. 4. Register at bit.ly/3XTUMqX to receive a Zoom link.
The Spirit of Harriet Tubman – A One Woman Show by Leslie McCurdy will feature music by Bishop Moore & the Straghnettes of the Straghn & Sons Tri-County Funeral Home. 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at Arts Garage, 94 NE Second Ave., Delray Beach.
The History of African American Teachers in the Civil Rights Movement – Dr. Candace Cunningham, assistant professor of history at Florida Atlantic University, will present her current research for her manuscript on African American teachers who were in the long Civil Rights Movement. 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at Downtown Library, 400 NW Second Ave., Boca Raton. Free.
Second Annual Black Luxe Picnic Festival (formerly Blackniq) – Three days of Black History Month celebrations. Kick-off is Feb. 17 with the Black Leadership Summit “Unleashing Your Inner Potential” at the Boynton Beach Arts and Cultural Center, 125 E. Ocean Ave. Keynote speaker is Yvette Miley, senior vice president, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of NBCUniversal News Group. Proceeds from the Black Leadership Summit will provide scholarships through the B.O.L.D Foundation for students in Palm Beach County. The South Florida Blackluxe Picnic presented by 1-800-Call Lee is from 2-9 p.m. at the Sunset Cove Amphitheater, 20405 Amphitheater Circle, Boca Raton, with music, food and luxury picnic festival, bands, DJs, choreographed dance ensembles and a performance by singer-songwriter Keke Wyatt. Attendees may bring personal picnic tables, picnic blankets and picnic-style foods. Part of proceeds from the event benefit the Love, Hope, and Healing Foundation. $50 general admission, $100 VIP. “Frenzy”, a day of kayaking, snorkeling and other beach activities, rounds out the weekend from noon-5 p.m. Feb. 19 at Peanut Island in Riviera Beach. Tickets at blackluxepicnic.com. 561-800-7636.
Celebrating African American Architects: A Discussion – Discuss and celebrate Black artist/engineers with photos, video clips and history. 10:30 a.m. Feb. 16 at Downtown Library, 400 NW Second Ave., Boca Raton. Free. Register at bit.ly/3XECEl4.
Kijiji Moja – The event, which means “one village” in Swahili, has included entertainment, drumming circles, ethnic crafts, and tribal storytelling in past years. 2-4 p.m. Feb. 18 at Lincoln Park, 600 NW 19th Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Free.
Authors Speak Series 2023 – The Impact of Race on American Society – Dr. Jasmine Cobb, professor of African & African American Studies and of Art, Art History and Visual Studies at Duke University, will discuss her book, “New Growth: The Arts & Texture of Black Hair” at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 at at Arts Garage, 94 NE Second Ave., Delray Beach. Free. Register at artsgarage.org/event/authors-speak-dr-jasmine-cobb/.
Pioneer’s Family Reunion Friday Night Fish Fry – Kick off Pioneer’s Ball Weekend with a Friday night fish fry 6 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Annie Adderly Gillis Park, 601 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Pompano Beach. Bring lawn chairs and game tables. Free.
Pompano Pioneer’s Ball – The dinner event will celebrate local pioneers, past and present, and include a one-hour cocktail reception, a main course and dessert. The honoree program features a band and a dance performance. Cocktail hour at 6 p.m. and show at 7 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd. Tickets are $15 for seniors and $20 general admission at bit.ly/3kL21TF.
Sistrunk 5K Run – Lace up those running shoes for a 7 a.m. start on Feb. 25 at Delevoe Park, 2520 NW Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale, to support the Chris Smith All-Star Classic and its efforts to end childhood obesity, and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Scleroderma Foundation. Run or walk the historic route, which travels down Sistrunk Boulevard in the Dorsey Riverbend Neighborhood close to downtown Fort Lauderdale and Fat Village. Free. sistrunkfestival.org.
Roots Cultural Festival Black History Parade & Celebration – The parade steps off at noon Feb. 4 at the at the Pompey Park Recreation Center, 1101 NW Second St, Delray Beach, and moves south on Northwest 10th Ave to Atlantic Avenue, then east to Southwest Fifth Avenue ending at the Elizabeth “Libby” Jackson Wesley Plaza, 2 SW Fifth Ave. The celebration takes place after the parade at the plaza until 8 p.m. and will feature live music performed by J-Sharp and Mad Dads Choir. Free. 561-862-3072.
Black Excellence Parade & Festival – For the 15th year, the city of Lauderdale Lakes will start the parade at 9 a.m. Feb. 18 at at Boyd H. Anderson High School, 3050 NW 41st St., and end at Vincent Torres Park, 4331 NW 36th St. for the festival featuring a Black Business Market. Florida Memorial University’s The Roar Marching Band will be featured along with parade grand marshal State Sen. Rosalind Osgood. Free. blackexcellencefest.net.
Fort Lauderdale Sistrunk Parade & Festival – Parade steps off at 9 a.m. Feb. 25 at Lincoln Park, 600 NW 19th Ave., and heads east on Sistrunk Boulevard to Northwest Ninth Avenue with ROTC, steppers, drill teams twirling and decorated floats ridden by business owners and politicians. Following the parade, the festival will feature bands, kids’ zone, family activities, food vendors and merchandise on Sistrunk Boulevard from Northwest Ninth to Northwest 13th avenues. Free. sistrunkfestival.org.
Bell’Arte Concert Series-Divas of Soul With Alfreda Gerald – A musical celebration of classic songs of Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston, among others. 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd. Tickets are $45 (includes a post-show champagne and dessert reception with an artist meet-and-greet). bit.ly/3H3mLO1.
21st Annual MLK Old School Music Celebration – SWV, Maxi Priest, Blackstreet with special guest The Old Skool Gang will take the stage from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 3 at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place, Lauderhill. Tickets are $65-$130 at showpass.com/mlk23.
Drum Sermons: Folktales, Legends, and Myths from the Far Corners of Africa – Performed by the Orisirisi African Folklore Group, hear stories from the African continent and take part in drumming, storytelling, dance and song. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Downtown Library, 400 NW Second Ave., Boca Raton. Free.
Lunch with Art Live Music Edition – Featuring singer LaVie followed by a group discussion. 12:15-1:15 pm. Feb. 16 at Ali Cultural Arts Center, 353 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Pompano Beach. Bring a lunch. Light refreshments available. Free. Register at bit.ly/3DgNmWK.
Passageways to Liberation: The Black Experience Through Music, Dance, and Visual Arts – Lecturers are Brian Knowles & Bianca Nightengale-Lee who will discuss the historical experience of African Americans through the lens of music, dance and visual art. 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Tickets are available at the Kravis Center Box Office, kravis.org and 561-832-7469.
Live and Local Concert Series – A themed concert featuring local gospel singer Delbert Mohorn and friends. 7-9 p.m. Feb. 17 at Ali Cultural Arts Center, 353 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Pompano Beach. Free. Register at bit.ly/3XJr0Wo.
Jazz Reflections Concert Featuring Nicole Yarling – Presented by the Gold Coast Jazz Society, Jazz Reflections: The African-American Women of Jazz, will Black History Month with jazz vocalist and violinist Nicole Yarling. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd. Free. Reserve a spot at bit.ly/3kxacmw.
“Bone Hill: The Concert” – Martha Redbone tells the story of the lives of her family in songs from traditional Cherokee chants and lullabies, to bluegrass, rhythm and blues, country, gospel, jazz and rock ‘n roll. 8 p.m. Feb. 25 and 1:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Tickets are available at the Kravis Center Box Office, kravis.org and 561-832-7469.
“TReal Toonz” – Jason Fleurant, known as JaFLEU, will show his 45-minute, award-winning animated film collection at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Movies of Lake Worth, 7380 Lake Worth Road. The Palm Beach Lakes Community High School graduate focuses on sharing black stories from a Haitian-American perspective. Tickets are $7 for students, $10 adults at bit.ly/3HvaTpn (includes screening and artist Q&A).
[ RELATED: Haitian American animator pushes inclusion beyond cartoons ]
17th Annual African-American Film Festival – Janet Jackson makes her film debut in John Singleton’s “Poetic Justice” (1993) alongside the late rapper Tupac Shakur. Moderated by Terri Francis with panelists Eduardo Culmer, Jr., Breion Moses and Dwayne Taylor. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Tickets are available at the Kravis Center Box Office, kravis.org and 561-832-7469.
Montage (virtual film series) – A Date with History by Gasper Gonzales – Available from the Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department, see the film that tells the story of the arrest of a Black woman and a white man at a Miami motel in 1955, providing a glimpse into the era’s complex social history. 7 p.m. Feb. 23. Register at bit.ly/3XEhFPk to receive the Zoom link.
“Reflections of Society” – Fine art exhibit featuring works for show and sale from Dillard Center for the Arts’ Advanced Placement students and instructors. Presented by History Fort Lauderdale Feb. 5-28 at New River Inn Museum of History building on History Fort Lauderdale’s campus, 231 SW Second Ave. A meet-and-greet with the artists is 2-3 p.m. Feb. 5. History Fort Lauderdale is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for students (through age 22 with a valid student ID). Admission is free for members, military and children age 6 and under. Tickets at bit.ly/3XVpMXt.
Lunch with Art Visual Arts Edition – Every Wednesday in February will focus on the contributions of African American and Black artists in celebration of Black History Month. 12:15-1:15 p.m. Feb. 1, 8, 15 and 22 at Bailey Contemporary Arts, 41 NE First St., Pompano Beach. Free for first-come, first-served attendees or $5 to guarantee a spot at bit.ly/3Deevd0.
Whitfield Lovell: Passages – The first stop on the national tour of Lovell’s work that focuses on lost African American history. Features multi-sensory installations and encompasses the entire first-floor galleries. Feb. 15-May 21 at the the Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursdays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is free for members, $16 adults, $12 age 65 and up; $10 groups; and free for students under 18 and children under 15. bocamuseum.org.
To add a Black History Month event, email kabarnett@sunsentinel.com.
Credit: Source link