BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS
From West Palm Beach to Homestead, South Florida’s Black community has been a vital part of the region’s growth and evolution. Black History Month is a celebration of those efforts with events, parades and panels informing and entertaining residents.
Black History Month was first observed during February at Ohio’s Kent State University in 1970 and was later observed on a national level by President Gerald Ford in 1976. Throughout the month, events are held celebrating the culture and achievements of Black Americans and their ancestors.
Here are several Black History Month events happening throughout South Florida:
MIAMI:
Mosaic Marketplace
Date: Feb. 3, noon - 7 p.m.
Location: Little Haiti Cultural Complex, 212 NE 59th Terr., Miami
The Little Haiti Cultural Complex will help kick off Black History Month in Miami-Dade County with the first ever Mosaic Marketplace. The event has free admission and will place visitors in an exciting marketplace featuring 40 booths of retailers and food vendors while live DJs keep the energy high.
Trayvon Martin Foundation 12th Annual Peace Walk & Peace Talk
Date: Saturday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Location: Walt Frazier Park at Carol City, 18500 NW 32nd Ave., Miami Gardens
This annual event pays tribute to racially profiled and slain Black teenager Trayvon Martin with a community event led by his mother Sybrina Fulton. Motivational speakers and food-vendor giveaways will be part of this all-ages event.
City of Miami Beach Black History Night Celebration
Date: Feb. 9, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Location: 501 72nd St., Miami Beach
This City of Miami Beach-hosted community event features performances from Miami Big Sound Orchestra, Parks and Recreation afterschool participants, unlimited carnival rides for $5 and food vendors.
8th Annual Soul Vegan Festival
Date: Feb. 10, 1 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Location: Lummus Park, Ocean Drive, Miami
Beach (Between 6th and 7th streets)
This festival celebrates the food of the African and Caribbean diaspora as some of Florida’s finest plant-based African American and Caribbean chefs cook scrumptious vegan food for purchase. Live music and family friendly activities will keep people entertained.
Unveiling Truths: Stamped from the Beginning Film Screening & Dialogue
Date: Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: Brockway Memorial Library, 10021 Northeast Second Ave., Miami Shores
South Florida People of Color is hosting this screening of “Stamped From The Beginning,” a documentary examining the inequities that have hindered the progress of Black people in America. Afterward, there will be a discussion of the film’s themes.
Black History Celebration in the Park
Date: Feb. 10, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
Location: Losner Park, 104 North Krome Ave., Homestead
This Black History Month community event hosted by The City of Homestead will feature food vendors, familyfriendly activities, live entertainment and more that will reflect the vibrancy of Black history.
Black History Month Film Screening with Dr. Marvin Dunn
Date: Feb. 21, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Location: Center for Black Innovation, 937 NW 3rd Ave., Miami
Overtown’s Center for Black Innovation is hosting this screening of Dr. Marvin Dunn’s film “The Black Miami” featuring food and drinks followed by a discussion with Dunn about his study of Black Miami’s history.
The Greatest Weekend at Historic Hampton House
Date: Feb. 23-25
Location: Historic Hampton House, 4240 NW 27th Ave., Miami
This weekend of events at the Historic Hampton House will honor Muhammad Ali’s legacy on the 60th anniversary of his Miami Beach victory over Sonny Liston on Feb. 25, 1964, for the heavyweight title. The weekend will feature live discussions, Music in the Courtyard events and a food court with food trucks and vendors.
BROWARD COUNTY:
Black History Meets Reggae Launch
Date: Thursday, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Location: 2300 Civic Center Place City Hall Front Lawn, Miramar
Join Miramar Vice Mayor Alexandra P. Davis at this Black History Month event featuring refreshments and ticket giveaways as she announces events celebrating Black history such as Miramar’s Reggae Icon Awards, Selecta Showdown and AfroCaribbean Festival.
Urban League Open House | A Black History Month Event
Date: Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: Urban League of Broward County, 560 Northwest 27th Ave., Fort Lauderdale
The Urban League of Broward County is hosting this free Black History Month event for the first time to help inform local residents on the way its work can help local community members thrive.
Sistrunk Historical Festival & Parade
Date: Feb. 24, 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Location: Sistrunk Blvd & NW 9th Avenue to NW 13th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
This parade in Fort Lauderdale’s oldest Black community features drill teams, steppers and floats and is followed by a street festival with food vendors and live musicians.
WEST PALM BEACH
Black History Month Celebration Kickoff Event presented by Rohi’s Readery
Date: Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: The Square, 700 South Rosemary Ave., Suite 200, West Palm Beach
Visit The Square in
West Palm Beach for a full day of events that reflects African-American contributions to culture and entrepreneurship. Events include a celebrity book reading, workshops and Black-owned business vendors.
Professor Fine Presents: “The Sum of Us“
Date: Feb. 16, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis St., West Palm Beach
During this event at West Palm Beach’s Mandel
Public Library, Palm Beach State College Professor Africa Fine will discuss “The Sum Of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper” by Heather McGhee. The discussion will center on the New
York Times-bestselling book’s exploration of inequality and how Americans can progress past the negative effects of racism.