Ways to Celebrate Black History Month in Tampa Bay
Black History Month was created to acknowledge, congratulate and celebrate the many contributions of African Americans in the United States. It is celebrated during the month of February.
There are many opportunities across the Bay to join in on the celebration. Here are eight activities across the Bay to learn about the contributions African Americans have made in the Tampa Bay community.
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Join the Tampa Bay Black Excellence Challenge in honor of Black History Month!
I've teamed up with Karimah Henry of @craftingafunlife and Yelp to help families like yours celebrate Black History Month while supporting black owned businesses. Save their digital BINGO card to your phone and visit as many black owned businesses as you can. Get your whole family involved and turn it into a little friendly competition.
There are a variety of businesses to patronize, including Glowmour Beauty Medispa. Shop small and local at businesses such as a gym, hair studio, restaurant or pharmacy. Play along and tag @tampabaybec on Instagram! You can discover local black owned businesses and explore more Black History Month events by tampablackexcellencechallenge.com.
Here's how it works:
- Download the bingo card or visit Tampa Bay BEC on Instagram or Facebook page.
- Stop by a Black-owned business like Eggs Up Grill Riverview, Glowmour Beauty Medical Spa, Riccardo's Menswear or any other brick and mortar retail and make a purchase. You can also support online businesses like Body Luxxe, Crafting a Fun Life and A Celebrated Moment.
- Complete one row…BINGO! Participants are encouraged to tag @tampabaybec on in their photos on social media and use #tampabaybec.
Tour the Travails & Triumphs exhibit at the Tampa Bay History Center
801 Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602
This permanent exhibit tells the 500-year story of Black History in Tampa Bay. You’ll find the exhibit on the third floor of the museum as you come up from the main staircase.
There are five stations with interactive screens that tell stories through maps. You’ll learn about Estevanico, one of the enslaved Africans brought to Tampa in the early 1500s and one of the earliest names of an African we have on record. He developed a relationship with Native Americans and served as a guide and interpreter for the exposition, according to curator Fred Hearns.
While you’re at the museum, be sure to stop for lunch at the Columbia Café and maybe even take a stroll along the Riverwalk and play at the nearby Cotanchobee Park playground behind Amalie Arena. tampabayhistorycenter.com
Visit the Pinellas County African American Museum
110 Marshall St., Clearwater, FL 33755
The museum is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10am-2pm and by appointment only on Fridays.
Visit the Carter G Woodson African American Museum
2240 Ninth Ave. S., St. Pete, FL 33712
Schedule a tour with your family to learn about iconic African American leaders. Full details can be found at www.woodsonmuseum.org.
Tampa Black History Month Events
UNCF Tampa Bay Black History Month 5K Walk for Education | Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 8 am-1 pm
Head to Perry Harvey Park in Tampa for the annual Black History Month Walk for Education. This is more than a walk/run–you and the family can follow the history-based path to learn more about local black leaders through the history of our community. There will be live entertainment, kids zone and more!
Attend a movie screening during the Black Love Classics Series at Tampa Theatre | Throughout February
In 2022, Tampa Theatre’s Black Love classic movie series was created in collaboration with the City of Tampa’s Community Engagement & Partnerships Department to celebrate the intersection of Valentine’s Day and Black History Month with big-screen stories of romance as told by Black filmmakers and diverse casts. In the years since, Black Love has grown to embrace other types of love stories: those of home, community, family and faith.
- Fast Color: Sunday, February 9 at 3 pm
- Nope: Sunday, February 16 at 3 pm
- Hidden Figures: Sunday, February 23 at 3 pm
37th Annual City of Tampa Black History Celebration: February 17, 2025 at 11 am
Celebrate the people and organizations who protect and illuminate revered family traditions. Kiva Williams is the keynote speaker. This year's theme is Family Unity: Rooted in Wisdom.
Black History Month Tours and Events with Tampa Bay History Center
The Tampa Bay History Center has a few events on schedule. To secure your spot, register in advance at tampabayhistorycenter.org.
- Black History Book Club: “Black Like Me” – February 24, 2025 at 5:30pm
- College Hill Black History Walking Tour – March 22, 2025 at 10:00am
Black History Month Reception | Friday, February 28, 2025 from 5:30pm – 9:30pm
801 Water St., Tampa
Catch live music, peruse museum galleries and listen to a keynote address from Leonard George Jr., a West Tampa native and attorney who was the first Black athlete awarded a football scholarship with the University of Florida. Feb. 28 at the Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa.
Celebrate Black History Month with the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library
This month, they honor and recognize African Americans' diverse and rich history. They will celebrate throughout February through in-person events, staff-curated booklists, and a collection of online resources and exhibits.
St. Pete Black History Month Events
I ❤️ Greens 5K Fitness Extravaganza | Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 7:00am
England Brothers Park – 5010 81st Ave N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781
The I ❤️ Greens 5K Fitness Extravaganza is a unique celebration of health, wellness, and community spirit that combines a scenic 5K and a 1-mile walk/run with a day full of fitness activities for the whole family. From seasoned runners to beginners and families with kids, this event is designed for everyone to get moving, celebrate wellness, and support a vibrant, healthy lifestyle! T
2025 Publix Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival | Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 9 am-5pm
2240 9th Ave. S., St. Pete, FL 33712
Learn the rich history of collard greens in the African American community. Enjoy workshops, shopping and food at this fun family festival that occurs one day only, Saturday, February 15, 2025.
Clearwater/ Largo Black History Month Events
8th Annual Night at the Library: Creating a Shared Vision at the North Greenwood Library | Friday, February 28, 2025 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm
905 N. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33755
The Clearwater Public Library System invites you to attend their 8th Annual Night at the Library. Each year, this event honors, celebrates and promotes African-American history and culture in Clearwater, Florida. This year's theme is “Achieving a Legacy through Learning.”
In partnership with the Clearwater Historical Society, special guest speakers include Kayla Davis, Librarian, Valencia College, Orlando, FL; Bennie Niles, Educator, African American Education, Cultural Sankofa Project, Inc.; Barbara Sorey-Love, Educator/Activist, Clearwater African American Foundation; Wa’dasja Hilton, Student, St. Petersburg College; RHO Kappa History Honor Society Teen Advisory Board and Muhammad Abdur-Rahim, Author/Activist. Refreshments will be provided by First Lady Catering.
*Photog credit: Miyah Jones Photography | Updated for 2025 events.
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