Calendar: Celebrate Black History Month in Jacksonville with these events

Tom Szaroleta, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
·5 min read

Northeast Florida is rich in Black history, so it's no surprise to find a full calendar of Black History Month events going on in the Jacksonville area.

This year's events are wide-ranging, from big-name concerts to roundtables and fashion shows, festivals, luncheons and re-enactments. But February wasn't big enough for all of them, so there's a big Black history festival and parade booked for the first weekend in March.

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Black History Month Read-in

Feb. 1 at the Hilliard Branch Library 

Got a favorite passage from a Black author? You’re invited to read it (as long as it’s two minutes or shorter) and listen to Pastor Johnnie Green and others celebrate great Black writers. Info: nassaureads.com

‘A Place for All People’

Feb. 1 at Brentwood Public Library 

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in Washington, D.C., in 2016. A traveling show of posters from the museum will be at the Brentwood library branch through February. Info: jaxpubliclibrary.org

Flight to Freedom Reenactment

Feb. 1-3 at Fort Mose Historic State Park, St. Augustine 

In the days when Florida was under Spanish control, hundreds of slaves escaped from Georgia and the Carolinas and made their way to freedom at Fort Mose, the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States. Reenactors show what life was like in 1738 through demonstrations and guided walks through the park. Info: fortmose.org

Celebrating Black History Month Through Fine Arts concert

Feb. 2 at Terry Concert Hall, Jacksonville University 

Performers from JU’s College of Fine Arts celebrate Black History Month. Info: ju.edu

Black 365: Buy Out the Block

Feb. 3 at A. Philip Randolph Heritage Park 

The Jax Melanin Market celebrates Black History Month with vendors, food trucks and a salute to Motown music. Info: melanincollaborativegroup.org

‘Classically Black’

Feb. 3 at the Waterworks, St. Augustine 

Pianist Richard Alston performs a program of music by Black composers. Info: romanzafestivale.com

Black History Month show

Feb. 3 at Terry Concert Hall, Jacksonville University

JU's fine arts program celebrates Black History month. Info: ju.edu

Jacksonville Image Awards

Feb. 3 at the Wilson Center at FSCJ South Campus 

Fifth annual ceremony honors members of Jacksonville’s Black community who have made a significant positive impact on the city. Info: fscjartistseries.org

Focus on A. Philip Randolph

A. Philip Randolph, a Florida-born labor leader and civil rights pioneer, stands outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
A. Philip Randolph, a Florida-born labor leader and civil rights pioneer, stands outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Feb. 7 at Old St. Andrew’s Church 

Former Sen. Tony Hill, Alan Bliss from the Jacksonville Historical Society, David Jamison from Edward Waters University and EWU student Travares Woodard hold a roundtable discussion on civil rights and labor leader Randolph. Info: jaxhistory.org

Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series

Christone "Kingfish" Ingram is one of the headliners for the Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series.
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram is one of the headliners for the Fort Mose Jazz and Blues Series.

Feb. 8-17 at Fort Mose Historic State Park, St. Augustine 

Music series brings big stars to the little park, site of the first free Black settlement in what is now the United States.

  • Common, 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8. $52-$139.

  • Preservation Hall Jazz Band, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. $22-$79.

  • Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. $52-$139.

  • Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, with Taj Farrant, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16. $42-$99.

  • Keb' Mo', 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. $42-$99.

I Lived Here, As Well: The Story Continues

Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in February, starting Feb. 8, at the Ximinez-Fatio House Museum in St. Augustine 

Costumed actors lead a 60-minute tour of a 225-year-old boarding house to share the experience of living under slavery and immediately afterward. Info: ximinezfatiohouse.org

42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship Luncheon

Feb. 8 at the Herbert University Center, University of North Florida

Cheryl Brown Henderson, who was one of the children at the center of the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education case, is the keynote speaker for the luncheon. Info: unf.edu

Bach to Blacknotes

Feb. 11 at the Waterworks, St. Augustine

Pianist Kyle P. Walker juxtaposes the works of Johann Sebastian Bach with that of modern Black composers Cecile Chaminade, Irene Britton Smith, Margaret Bonds, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Florence B. Price. Info: staugustinemusicfestival.com

Black Artists in the Collection Tour

Feb. 11 and 25 at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

Staff members at the Riverside Avenue museum lead a tour of works by Black artists in the collection. Info: cummermuseum.org

Black Opry Revue

The Black Opry Revue comes to Jacksonville in February.
The Black Opry Revue comes to Jacksonville in February.

Feb. 15 at WJCT Soundstage, $50 

Layna, Lori Rayne, Mia Borders and other musicians from Nashville’s Black Opry bring a little country to Jacksonville. Info: wjct.org

Black Professionals Roundtable

Feb. 15 at Davis College of Business, Jacksonville University

Black professionals share the stories of their success and network. Info: ju.edu

What's Your Hair Type? The CROWN Act

Feb. 16 at the Interfaith and SAID Lounge, University of North Florida

UNF's Intercultural Center leads a discussion about self-expression and individuality through cultural hairstyles in the workplace. Info: unf.edu

Kingsley Heritage Celebration

Feb. 17 at Kingsley Plantation 

Living history demonstrations, ranger-led tours, performers and speakers take visitors back to the antebellum days. During an evening lumaria ceremony, names of those enslaved on the grounds will be read aloud. Info: timucuanparks.org

Black History Month Music and Trivia Night

Feb. 17 at Beaches Veteran Memorial Park, Atlantic Beach

Versatile Vibe will provide the music as teams compete in Black History trivia contests. Info: coab.us

Queen Quet

Feb. 24 at American Beach Community Center, Fernandina Beach

The chieftess of Gullah/Geechee Nation discusses "The Art of Survival from Carolinas to Florida." Info: eventbrite.com

Jacksonville Children's Chorus 'Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing' Concert

Feb. 24 at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church

The Jacksonville Children's Chorus performs a program centered around the "Black National Anthem." Info: jaxchildrenschorus.org

Young, Gifted and Black

Feb. 24 at the Ritz Theatre & Museum, $25

Young Jacksonville performers pay tribute to Young, Gifted and Black performers from the past, including Stevie Wonder, Destiny’s Child, the Jackson 5. Info: ritzjacksonville.com

Black History Movie Night

Feb. 24 at Jordan Park, Atlantic Beach

Bring your own snacks, blankets and lawn chairs for a free showing of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Info: coab.us

Black Student Union Fashion Show

Feb. 28 at Student Union Building, University of North Florida

UNF's Black Student Union teams up with apparel brand DTLR for a fashion show. Info: unf.edu

Black History 365 Parade and Celebration

March 3 at A. Philip Randolph Heritage Park

The Jax Melanin Market celebrates Jacksonville's rich Black History. Info: melanincollaborativegroup.org

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Black History Month 2024: Things to do in Jacksonville, Florida