Tampa Bay Celebrates Black History Month with Music, Culture, and Community Events

Tampa Bay will host more than 10 events throughout February to celebrate Black History Month across St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Clearwater. This month-long series includes concerts, festivals, museum exhibits, and gatherings that kicked off Feb. 1 and will run through Feb. 28.

The St. Petersburg Museum of History is displaying its Civil Rights in the Sunshine City Exhibit throughout the month. This photographic history shows rare images that document the city's fight for justice and equality.

St. Pete First United Methodist and Afro Opera hosted A Message from the Roots on Feb. 1 at 4 p.m. African American composers and African American inspired works were featured in the concert, with Afro Opera founder and soprano Maiya Stevenson performing.

The 38th Annual City of Tampa Black History Celebration will take place Friday, Feb. 6, at 11 a.m. at the Tampa Convention Center. Mayor Jane Castor will deliver remarks. Tampa Fire Chief and U.S. Navy Veteran Barbara Tripp will give the keynote address. This free event is themed around the country's 250th anniversary and support of the armed forces.

History With A Twist will host A Harlem Renaissance Tea Party on Feb. 7 from noon to 2 p.m. The 1920s Harlem-inspired tea party will include exhibits about the Harlem Renaissance and pay homage to key figures including Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Augusta Savage, and Jacob Lawrence.

Saturday Shoppes will host its Fresh Start Pre-Super Bowl Market on Feb. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. in Clearwater. Black-owned businesses will gather at the free event, including chefs, artists, makers, and musicians.

The Woodson African American Museum of Florida will host a trivia night on Feb. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Enoch D. Davis Center. Prizes await winning teams. The event is free.

The Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival will take place Feb. 14 in St. Pete. Thousands gather each year for the free event to celebrate Black history, health equity, and community empowerment.

The Center for Manifestation will host its Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 21 from 5 to 9 p.m. Church and community choirs will gather for an evening of unity.

Tampa's Black History Museum will host its 5th Annual Black History Month Reception on Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. The program includes performances by the Dundu Dole Urban African Ballet, spoken word, and music. Guest speaker Jai Hinson will address the audience.

The USF School of Music will host Harlem of the South: Tampa's Cultural Renaissance on Feb. 28 from 7 to 10 p.m. The show celebrates The Scrub, the historic Central Avenue district once known as the Harlem of the South.