Explore African American influence and culture throughout Orlando during Black History Month.
There is special events and happenings throughout February for locals and visitors to experience here in Orlando that will celebrate African American culture and history.
Black History Month 2023 Events & Exhibits In Orlando
Black History Month Art Exhibition
Now through Sunday, April 30, 2023
The City of Orlando's Black History Month Art Exhibition celebrates the creativity and cultural heritage of Black visual artists.
Featuring local visual artists in a variety of mediums, the new “Black Resistance” exhibit recognizes how African Americans have fought repression and inspired folks to participate in civil rights and racial equity movements.
Orlando City Hall - Terrace Gallery, 400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando.
The Story Quilters of Hannibal Square
Now through Sunday, April 29, 2023
The Hannibal Square Heritage Center in Winter Park pays tribute to past, present and future contributions of Winter Park’s historic African American community though museum-quality exhibitions, festivals and gallery talks.
In addition to the award-winning, 200-piece Heritage Collection: Photographs and Oral Histories of West Winter Park, the Heritage Center is hosting The Story Quilters of Hannibal Square.
The exhibit features exquisite storytelling quilts and artist reflections on the Black experience, spirituality, justice, femininity, family and nature. It’s free to visit, and you can even take a free group story quilting class with Lauren Austin, founder of The Hannibal Square Story Quilters, in partnership with the Crealdé School of Art.
City of Orlando's Dedication of Luminaries
Friday, February 3, 2023
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and District 5 Commissioner Regina I. Hill invite you to the Dedication of Luminaries.
Join them as they light the first 12 luminary memorials installed to honor the life and legacy of community leaders who made the Parramore neighborhood a better, brighter place.
Dedication of Luminaries, Luminary Green Park, 437 Terry Street, Orlando. 5.45 pm
Orange County Library System's African American Read-In
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Celebrate African American literature in poetry, story and song performed by local luminaries in conjunction with the 33rd Annual National African American Read-In, at Orlando Public Library.
U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, WMFE host Talia Blake, Grammy-nominated songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nkosinathi “Nathi” Gcabashe, Nerd Nite Orlando host Ricardo Williams, WFTV Channel 9 anchor Daralene Jones, XL 106.7 host Johnny Magic and WESH 2 News anchor Summer Knowles will share African American literature in poetry, story and song.
City of Orlando’s Black History Month Proclamation Presentation
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City Commissioners will join the Black History Month (BHM) Planning Committee in the reading of the city’s Proclamation to officially proclaim February as Black History Month in the City of Orlando.
In addition, the BHM Planning Committee and sponsors will be recognized for helping to coordinate, promote, and support a variety of events that celebrates the rich and diverse culture of Black heritage.
Orlando City Hall, Council Chambers, 400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, 2 pm.
City of Orlando’s Black History Month Signature Event
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Join the City of Orlando for their annual Black History Month Signature Event celebrating the remarkable contributions and positive influence of Black Americans in the Central Florida community.
This free event will also include a keynote address from Jasmine Burney-Clark, Founder of Equal Ground Education Fund and Action Fund, the City of Orlando’s Poet Laureate Shawn Welcome, live entertainment by local performers, music by DJ Dalastmo, and delicious food!
Camping World Stadium - West Lounge, 1 Citrus Bowl Place, Orlando, 6pm
Voices of Freedom: An Evening of Spoken Word
Friday, February 10, 2023
In downtown Orlando, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts invites the entire Central Florida community and its visitors to experience the Freedom Series, which celebrates African American artists and showcasing diverse performing arts.
It kicks off with Voices of Freedom: An Evening of Spoken Word, hosted by City of Orlando Poet Laureate Shawn Welcome.
Black History Walking Tour
Friday, February 10, 2023
The second annual Black History Walking Tour will take place in the Parramore neighborhood of downtown Orlando beginning at 2 p.m.
During the hour-long tour, a guide will share all about Orlando's rich Black history while viewing various historic sites, including the inside of the Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture.
Crafternoons: Celebrate Black History Month
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Learn how to create new crafts in celebration of Black History Month in this creative and collaborative crafting event. Recommended for ages 6 through 8.
Winter Garden Library, 805 E. Plant St. Winter Garden, 4pm.
Samone Hicks and Rose Grace's "Songs of Hope and Inspiration"
Friday, February 17, 2023
Celebrate Black History Month with Samone Hicks, soprano, and Rose Grace, pianist, at Timucua Arts Foundation, an intimate 100-seat concert hall nestled in downtown Orlando’s SoDo District.
Share a bottle of wine as the duo perform Songs of Hope and Inspiration, featuring art song cycles from Black composers including Nkeiru Okoye, Undine Smith Moore, Florence Price, Adolphus Hailstork and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
Orlando's 8th Annual MLK Concert
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Produced and directed by Grammy Award-winner Dr. Jeffrey Redding, the Orlando's 8th Annual MLK Concert produced and directed by Grammy Award Winner, Dr. Jeffrey Redding. Hosted at Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando, this event offers an incredible opportunity to hear live music inside one of the world’s most acoustically perfect spaces in exchange for non-perishable food donations.
The Orange County Regional History Center Celebrating Black Arts and Culture
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Orange County Regional History Center honors Black History Month with a celebration of Black history, arts and culture in Central Florida.
This free event will offer fun learning opportunities for the whole family, including hands-on activities, living-history presentations, and exciting guests!
Performances include readings by members of the youth empowerment group Page 15 and by award-winning Central Florida historian and poet Valada Flewellyn.
Children’s activities include making airplanes, inspired by pioneering pilot Bessie Coleman, a ring-toss inspired by ranching legend Lawrence Silas, and more.
Lakeland's Black History Festival
Saturday, February 18, 2023
Join the City of Lakeland as we celebrate Black History Month at the Black History Festival in Jackson Park with various artisan vendors, kids' activities, food trucks, and entertainment.
Look forward to outstanding dance performances by Crystals World of Dance, bounce houses for the little ones, and an opportunity to interact with neighborhood associations.
This year, be sure to venture inside the Coleman-Bush Building to check out a neighborhood history walk featuring information on some of the pioneers of Lakeland's black community provided by the Lakeland History and Culture Center.
The 4th Annual 1619 Fest Orlando
Saturday, February 18, and Sunday, February 19, 2023
Orlando's Fourth Annual 1619 Fest kicks off with Saturday's Rebel Run 5K at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, with a path through the historic African American community of Hannibal Square.
There will also be two days' filled with festivities and live music.
Sanford Jazz Ensemble: Salute to Black History Month
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Get up and dance to classic jazz, Motown and DooWop at this year's Black History Month Concert by the Sanford Jazz Ensemble.
Held at the historic Ritz Theater in Sanford, this toe-tapping event celebrates acclaimed African American musicians like Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Thelonious Monk, with medleys by Marvin Gaye, The Temptations and The Four Tops.
What’s Up Downtown Parramore Historic Bus Trolley Tour
Thursday, February 23, 2023
Join the City of Orlando in celebrating Black History Month in February and the positive contributions, culture, and heritage of our African American residents. On Thursday, February 23, take a step back in history as we board a trolley for a historic tour!
The conductor for the event will be none other than the tour creator herself - Jennifer Campbell, Art Director and Graphic Designer of Dancing Fish Design.
Tour must be booked in advance. 9.15 am or 11.30 am.
Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture, 511 West South Street, Orlando.
Black History Month Fair Housing Fair
Saturday, February 25, 2023
The City of Orlando’s Office of Human Relations presents a 2023 HUD sponsored Fair Housing Fair with the theme: “Fair Housing is Black History.”
This free event offers members of the Orlando community opportunities to learn more about the City of Orlando’s Chapter 57 Ordinance and discrimination protections under the Fair Housing Act.
Members can visit the “Fair Booths” of local community organizations, attend pre-registered Fair Housing training sessions, courtesy of Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc., and Florida Legal Services; play games, win prizes, and enjoy food, music, and a kid zone.
Primrose Center, 595 North Primrose Drive, Orlando, 12 pm.
Kevin Harris' Joy-Filled Noise: A Musical Celebration of Black History
Sunday, February 26, 2023
Music director Kevin Harris leads a vocal and instrumental ensemble of some of the region’s top talent in a survey of Black American music, from the South African hymn "Siyahamba" to African American spirituals, jazz, blues and gospel songs old and new.
Celebrate Black history at Timucua Arts Foundation with music director Kevin Harris, who will lead a vocal and instrumental ensemble of some of the region’s top talent in a survey of Black American Music, from the South African hymn Siyahamba, to African American Spirituals, Jazz, Blues, and Gospel songs old and new.
Expect original arrangements, stirring performances and stellar harmonies at Joy-Filled Noise: A Musical Celebration of Black History.
