This February, we’re celebrating Black History Month!
Black History Month is dedicated to honoring and celebrating the accomplishments, influence and history of the Black community.
The celebration originated in the early 1900s when the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) dedicated the second week of February to honoring Black history. In the 1960s, the week-long celebration gained more recognition during the Civil Rights Movement, ultimately becoming a month-long celebration.
Within Broward County, we have a vast and diverse Black community. According to the 2020 Census, 30.6% (590,000) of Broward County residents identified as Black or African American.
To pay tribute to Black History Month, we’ve compiled a list of several FREE events taking place throughout February.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH EXHIBIT — “REFLECTIONS OF SOCIETY”
Date & Time: February 1st — February 28th
Location: History Fort Lauderdale Museum, 219 SW 2nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Are you into art? Check out “Reflections of Society,” an art exhibit that celebrates Black History Month, at the History Fort Lauderdale Museum. This exhibit, free and open to the public for the entire month of February, features photography, studio art and sculpture from the Dillard Center for the Arts’ Advanced Placement students and instructors.
Click here for more information about the History Fort Lauderdale Museum.
BLACK HISTORY DISCUSSION WITH DR. PATRIANN SMITH
Date & Time: Monday, February 20th | 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Location: Online
Join Broward County Library System for a conversation with Dr. Patriann Smith, associate professor at the University of South Florida. This discussion will focus on how Afro-Caribbean kids and adults who struggled with literacy in the United States have dealt with issues of race, language and immigration.
Click here to register for this free event.
EMERGENCE ART EXHIBITION
Date & Time: Thursday, February 23rd | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Urban League of Broward County, Community Empowerment Center 560 NW 27th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
The Urban League of Broward County, one of our community partners, invites you to attend the Emergence Art Exhibit — a community event celebrating Black history, art and culture. This event features work from local artists, unique performance art from Urban League students and the unveiling of a collaborative community mural.
To register for this FREE event, click here.
THE MAKING OF A SOUTH FLORIDA BLACK HUMANITIES INSTITUTION
Date & Time: Saturday, February 25 | 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: African American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Join our friends at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center for a discussion with William Garca-Medina, a scholar and writer whose background focuses on the Black diaspora, history and cultural research. Dr. García-Medina will discuss the impact that the African American Research Library and Cultural Center has made on public humanities in our community.
Click here to register.
AFRICAN DANCE AND STORYTELLING
Date & Time: Saturday, February 25th | 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: Miramar Branch Library and Education Center, 2050 Civic Center Place, Miramar, FL 33025
Are you ready to dance? Join the Miramar Branch Library for an interactive dance experience teaching African dance skills, storytelling and music from various African instruments. This event is free and open to people of all ages.
Click here to dance!
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN SOUTH FLORIDA
Date & Time: Monday, February 27th | 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm
Location: Century Plaza/Leon Slatin Branch, 1856A W Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Calling all history buffs! The Fort Lauderdale Historical Society invites you to attend an in-person presentation and discussion about the rich history of African American people in South Florida.
Click here for more details.
