Black history runs deep in Palm Beach County – from the Black Seminoles and families living in the County for generations to recently arrived people from the Caribbean. These various elements converge to create a storied and dynamic community with a history that is as vibrant as its contemporary profile.
The diverse community enjoys culturally rich activities such as Roots Festival in Delray Beach, various Caribbean festivals, plus community resources such as Jenkins House and the Spady Museum, which all help raise awareness and quality of life throughout the year.
There is no shortage of activities helping to commemorate Black History Month in Palm Beach County. Below is a sampling of events. These activities will help enlighten, teach, and remember not only Palm Beach County’s rich black history, but also that of the entire country.
Various Black History Month events in Palm Beach County:
Boca Raton Historical Society
Town Hall
71 North Federal Highway
561-395-6766
James Snyder discusses his book, “Black Gold and Silver Sands.”
February 24, Noon. Also, visit the Historical Society’s online exhibition about Pearl City,
www.bocahistory.org
Boca Raton Museum of Art
501 Plaza Real, Mizner Park
561-392-2500
African Traditions: Rites of Passage Join Katy Darr from the Museum Education Department for a gallery talk in the Museum’s second floor West African Tribal Art and Artifacts collection. Mrs. Darr will discuss important stages in the life cycle as celebrated by some of Africa’s ethnic groups. Birth, adolescence and puberty, the ideals of adulthood, old age, death and transformation to the ancestor world complete the unending circle. February 1, 1:30 p.m. Free with paid Museum admission
Against the Odds: The Artists of the Harlem Renaissance, 60 minutes.
This film explores the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 30s.Rich archival footage, including newsreels and photographs from the period, documents the societal attitudes of the time, the influential force of the exhibitions, the vibrancy of Harlem in the roaring twenties, and many of the personalities who shaped the movement. February 4, 2:00 p.m. Free with Paid Museum admission.
Currie Park
North Flagler Drive and 23rd Street
West Palm Beach
I Have a Dream Health and Safety Fair featuring live gospel entertainment, the Tamarind Youth Choir, and more. February 25, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Free. 561-832-4682.
Heritage Day Luncheon Celebration February 21, 11:30 a.m. 561-833-1461
Delray Beach Public Library
100 West Atlantic Ave.
561-266-9490
Africa Fine speaks about her book, “Looking for Lily.” February 8, 6:30 p.m.
The American Family Series presents the West Atlantic Redevelopment Council speaking about Delray Beach’s Patrick Family and their LaFrance Hotel. Live jazz follows the lecture.
February 19, 2:00 p.m.
African American Book Group discusses “Getting Mother’s Body” by Suzan-Lori Parks. February 25, 1:00 p.m.
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton
561-297-3920
Lecture: “Loving Nappy as Resistance: Bell hooks, Neo-Soul, and the Politics of Black Hair,” by Sika Dagbovie. Department of English, Social Sciences Building, Room 105 February 6, 4:00 p.m.
Lecture: “The Necessity of Understanding the Past in order to Understand African Americans’ Present,” by Pero Dagbovie, Department of History, Michigan State University Live Oak Pavilion A University Center February 10, 4:00 p.m.
Lecture and performance: “‘Lynchtown, USA’: An Indictment Against Vigilantism,” by Clarence Brooks, Department of Theatre, Florida Atlantic University University Theatre February 15, 4:00 p.m.
Lecture: “Fact or Fiction?: Media Representations of Race in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,” by Nghana Lewis, Department of English and African Diaspora Studies Program, Tulane University Senate Chamber, University Center Room 174 February 20, 4:00 p.m.
Gaines Park
1501 Australian Ave.
Riviera Beach
561-833-1461
Black History Month Talent Show February 25, 3:00 p.m.
Jenkins House/Artists Showcase of the Palm Beaches
815 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd.
West Palm Beach
561-832-1323
Artists Showcase is a resource for ethnic art and history. While striving to meet the needs of under served and emerging artists, they also showcase well-known artists from across the United States and through out the Diaspora. The organization also features an online exhibition (
www.artistshowcase.org).
The Kravis Center
701 Okeechobee Boulevard
West Palm Beach
561-832-7469
Let’s Sing Gospel Music! Instructor: Rosita Mathews February 4, 1:00 p.m. $25
Gospel Gala Featuring Hezekiah Walker & the Love Fellowship Tabernacle Choir also featuring: The Suncoast High Concert Chorale and The Dream Team Dancers, Emcee - Felicia Rodriquez WPBF News 25 Meteorologist. February 9, 8:00 p.m. $5 - $28
Jazzfest featuring Florida A & M University Jazz Ensemble, Lindsey Sarjeant, Director; Florida State University Jazz Ensemble, Leon Anderson, Director. February 25, 6:30 p.m. $10
Roy Eaton, Piano. February 27, 7:30 p.m. $30
Bob Lappin & The Palm Beach Pops presents To Louis Armstrong with Love Featuring Lillias White and Longineu Parsons. February 28 and March 1, 8:00 p.m. $25 - $85
Also of note in March, The African American Heritage Bookstore teams up with the Kravis Center to present an African-American film festival showing Stormy Weather, March 16; Within Our Gates, March 23; and Sankofa, March 30. For more information about the film series, please visit:
www.kravis.org
Old School Square
51 N. Swinton Ave.
Delray Beach
561-243-7922
2006 Return of the Florida Highwaymen Oils and watercolors by this renowned group of Florida artists who began painting as young teens in the 1950’s and ‘60’s and have more recently been recognized as important contributors to American art. Through March 12.
Palm Beach Community College, Boca Raton Campus
3000 Saint Lucie Ave.
561-868-3350
Extravaganza with African drumming and dance, fashion show of African attire, poetry, jumping the broom ceremony. Administration Building Patio February 16, Noon.
Jonathan Sprinkles - motivational speaker, CA 101, Feb. 8, 12:30 p.m.
Mzuri performing the Fannie Lou Hamer Story, the legend and her inspirational songs, on a rugged road to freedom. CA 101 February 1, 11:00 a.m.
Rudy Currence, singer/songwriter, Cafeteria, Feb. 14, Noon.
Sankofa Black Inventions Exhibit, Cafeteria, February 22, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Palm Beach Community College, Lake Worth Campus
4200 Congress Ave.
561-868-3350
African-American Sankofa Museum Exhibit of African-American History Then and Now., Library Second Floor, February 22, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Black Student Union Coffee House, Duncan Theater, February 16, 7:00 p.m.
Palm Beach Community College, Palm Beach Gardens Campus
3160 PGA Blvd.
561-868-3350
Rosita Matthews Black Gospel Workshop, Meldon Lecture Hall, February 2, 2006 11:00 a.m.
Historical Black College/University Day Display of HBCU’s with representatives from the Florida HBCU’s February 14, 2006
Sankofa Black Inventions Exhibit, Burt Reynolds Student Lounge, February 21, 2006
For additional Black History Month events at any Palm Beach Community College campus, check the diversity website
www.pbcc.edu/diversity
Palm Beach International Airport
1000 Turnage Blvd.
West Palm Beach
561-833-1461
Heritage Day Social
Sam Snead’s Tavern
February 23, 6:30 p.m.
South Florida Science Museum
4801 Dreher Trail North
West Palm Beach
561-832-1988
Follow the Drinking Gourd The Aldrin Planetarium presents this incredible journey of the underground railroad travelers who used the “Drinking Gourd” (Big Dipper) to travel north to freedom. February 4, 11, 18, 25. Two dollars in addition to museum admission.
Spady Cultural Heritage Museum
170 N.W. 5th Ave.
Delray Beach
561-279-8883
Black History: The LaFrance Hotel Exhibit “Your Home away from Home”
VIP Opening Reception February 3, 2006 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. with guest speakers Edith Palmer and Clarence Patrick. The exhibit opens to the public on February 4th, tours start at 10a.m. Admission is $5 Adults, $3 Seniors, Students/Members Free. At press time, more Black History Month events were being planned at the Spady. Please call for details.
Black History Month is intended to celebrate the contributions of African Americans to our country’s development. First celebrated annually in 1926, the event is held in February because it is the birth month of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Founded by Carter G. Woodson, the “father of African-American History,” Woodson was the first African American to earn a PHD in history from Harvard University. The annual celebration became a month-long affair in 1976.
For additional information, please contact:
Larry Boytano
Public Relations Coordinator
Palm Beach County Cultural Council
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 300
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Tel. (561) 471-1601
Fax (561) 687-9484
lboytano@pbccc.org
www.palmbeachculture.com
