TAMPA, Fla. — Initially starting out as a week-long celebration back in 1926, Black History Month is held every February to commemorate the achievements of the African American community and to recognize their role in U.S. history. The month is also used as a time to honor Black culture. 

There will be several events held all month long to honor Black history. Here’s a list of the celebrations happening in the Tampa Bay area.

Citrus County

• Commemorating Black History in Florida
  Feb. 15, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. | George Washington Carver Community Center 
  Bruce Seaman, author of "To Succeed Where Others Failed," will share the story of the efforts of a contingent of African American soldiers in Marion County during the Civil War.
  
  
• 17^th Annual African American Read-In
  Feb. 23, 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Curtis Peterson Auditorium 
  Celebrate the contributions of African American writers during the event.

Hernando County

• Classics Discussion for Black History Month 
  Feb. 18, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Spring Hill Branch 
  The library will be celebrating Black History Month by discussing James Baldwin's "Sonny’s Blues," Space is limited and registration is required.

Hillsborough County

• 2025 UNCF Black History Month Walk for Education and Community Festival 
  Feb. 8, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Perry Harvey Sr. Park
  This event features a 5K run/walk to raise funds for underprivileged students. Those who attend can also honor the legacy of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their contributions to education and the history of the Black community in Tampa.
  
  
• 37^th Annual City of Tampa Black History Celebration 
  Feb. 17, 11 a.m. | Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom D 
  The event will highlight figures who have made a difference in the community and left a legacy for future generations.
  
  
• Black History They Don’t Want You to Know 
  Feb. 12 – 13, 7 p.m. | Stageworks Theatre 
  Spoken Word and Hip-Hop unite in a theatrical production. Celebrate unsung heroes such as Bumpy Johnson and Huey P. Newton.
  
  
• GEBA and Minnis Black History Month Reception Legacy Makers 
  Feb. 25, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | George Edgecomb Courthouse 
  This program hosted by the George Edgecomb Bar Association (GEBA) and Minnis will include a presentation of each organizations’ legacy markers that made each organization what they are today.
  
  
• Black History Month Reception
  Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. | Tampa Bay History Center 
  The Tampa Bay History Center will host its fourth annual reception featuring keynote speaker  Leonard George Jr., Esq., a trailblazer in sports and media and a native of West Tampa. A cash bar will be provided by the Columbia Cafe, and African attire is optional for the evening. Tickets for the event are $75 and can be purchased exclusively through the Tampa Bay History Center’s website.
  
  
• Masjid An Nasr 7th Annual Black History Program 
  Feb. 28, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Islamic Society of Tampa Bay 
  Enjoy an evening filled with education and community. Guests can learn about the history and contributions of Black Americans.

Manatee County

• The Soul Sensations 
  Feb. 6 – 7, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 8, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. | Manatee Performing Arts Center
  Get ready to groove to timeless classics and feel the rhythm of Motown. Bring your family and friends for an evening filled with music and a lively atmosphere.
  
  
• Family Heritage House Museum 
  Year Round | State College of Florida – SCF Bradenton 
  The museum maintains various displays, starting with African heritage, moving to American experiences in slavery, fights for freedom, histories of community building and education, the Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights, Kwanzaa and a return to Africa. View its website for visiting hours.

Pasco County

• Black Heritage Festival of Pasco 
  Feb. 8, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Wesley Chapel District Park 
  Previously known as the Black History Month Festival, which was held in New Port Richey, the Black Heritage Festival of Pasco will be featuring over 50 vendors with variety of educational exhibits and entertainment.
  
  
• Black History Month Trailblazer Honorees
  Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Moore-Mickens Education and Vocational Center 
  Guests can get inspired by the stories of individuals who have made significant contributions in the community. 

Pinellas County

• February ArtWalk: Retrospective 30 - Celebrating Black Artists 
  Feb. 8, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. |Creative Clay Cultural Arts Center 
  The exhibit features work by Creative Clay artists Marquise Russ, Ashton T. and Christopher J., and presents recent paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. Artists receive 50% commission on all works sold.
  
  
• Dalí Performance: Until the River Never Grieves 
  Feb. 11, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. | The Dalí Museum’s Will Raymund Theater
  “Until the River Never Grieves” is a celebratory “choreopoem,” of the Négritude Movement and the poems of Aimé Césaire. The performance features actors, dancers, musicians and a variety of musical instruments.
  
  
• Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival 
  Feb. 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum of Florida 
  The festival features soul food with an emphasis on collards. Guests can enjoy a farmers market, food trucks, wine and beer vendors, local artisans and live musical performances. You can also enter the collard green cook-off contest for prize money.
  
  
• TASCO Black History Month Celebration 
  Feb. 22, 10 a.m. | Gladden Park Recreation Center 
  Those who attend can enjoy a day of community fellowship, games and food.
  
  
• The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra
  Feb. 24, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. | St. Petersburg College Gibbs Campus Music Center
  Celebrate the 90-year legacy of Count Basie, a trailblazer in music and civil rights, through education, discussion, and swing-filled jazz.

Polk County

• Black History Festival
  Feb. 15, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Jackson Park
  The event will include performances from dancers and spoken word artists throughout the day, with artisan vendors, food trucks, a car show, and kids activities around the park. Visitors can also step inside the Coleman-Bush Building and enjoy a permanent history exhibit created with support from the Lakeland History and Culture Center, including an interactive touchscreen highlighting the history of the Black community in Lakeland and its pioneers, including the namesakes of the building and park. 
  
  
• From the Archives: African American Roots in Florida 
  Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library 
  Guest lecturer Shedriek Battle will share about resources on African American history available through Central Florida library systems.