Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee Encourages Floridians to Celebrate Black History Month in February

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. –

Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee encourages Floridians to celebrate Black History Month, which is observed during the month of February to commemorate the contributions that African Americans have made to American History.

 

“Black History Month is an excellent opportunity to learn about and celebrate the contributions that African Americans have made to Florida’s history and culture” said Secretary Lee. “By understanding the impact African Americans have had on our state, we can deepen our understanding of our nation’s history as well.”

 

 

In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson began officially commemorating African American history during an annual week of remembrance. Woodson promoted the observance of African American History Week during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Woodson was one of the first academically trained African American historians in the United States. Through his efforts to celebrate and study the nation's African American heritage, February is now officially designated as Black History Month.

During the month of February, the Florida Department of State will host multiple events and opportunities that will allow participation in activities and programs that celebrate Black History Month. These events will culminate with our signature Black History Month Artist Celebration on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at the Historic Brokaw-McDougall House. For more information visit the Black History Month celebration website at: https://dos.myflorida.com/initiatives/BlackHistoryMonth2022. 

Signature Event

February 23, 2022

Florida Division of Arts and Culture, Black History Month Artist Celebration

Join the Florida Division of Arts and Culture at the historic Brokaw-McDougall House for an exciting evening celebrating Black artists and their impact on Florida’s history and culture. The event will feature musical artists Avis Berry Jazz Trio and Singer/Poet Dalhia Perryman as well as painter Richard Edwards, 2^nd generation Highwaymen and Historian. The FAMU Concert Choir will also perform, and food and arts vendors will be on site to round out this creative, immersive experience!

Listing of Events:

Division of Arts and Culture, 22^nd Floor Gallery, The Capitol: Artwork by Kelvin Hair

Kelvin Hair was born in Vero Beach, Florida. Hair is a retired Lieutenant and 23-year veteran of the Saint Lucie Co. Fire Dept.  Kelvin’s dad (the original Florida Highwaymen Alfred Hair) first introduced him to art when he was a toddler. Although Kelvin’s father passed away before Kelvin was old enough to be fundamentally proficient in the craft, Kelvin had a rooted desire for art that manifested itself as early as middle school where Kelvin would draw constantly and even used the walls of his bedroom as a canvas to create original works of art fueled by bold imagination.  His vision, expressiveness, imagination, and artist integrity are clear in his work. This exhibit will be on display through Black History Month. 

Division of Arts and Culture, Gallery for Innovation and the Arts, R.A. Gray Building: Artwork by Chris and Neil Barnhart

A closer look at Christopher Barnhart‘s razor etched artwork reveals a glimpse of the Florida based artist’s sharp creative skills.   His artwork is meticulously detailed and carefully etched to precision using multiple razor blades instead of brushes.  Chris was inspired to create artwork by his father, Neil Barnhart, an untrained but prolific artist from Monticello, Florida.  Their artwork appears side by side in this inspiring exhibition that celebrates the importance of family, culture, and black history.  This exhibit will be on display through Black History Month. 

The Grove Museum, Guided Tours

During the month of February, The Grove Museum offers guided tours on slavery and civil rights in American History. The grounds are open Wednesday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The House is open Wednesday – Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

February 12, 2022

Museum of Florida History, 2nd Saturday, Paint with Me: Florida Highwaymen Artists
Celebrate the creativity, dedication, and skill of the Florida artists collectively known as the Highwaymen through a tour of their iconic paintings! Visitors will learn about the Highwaymen, a group of African American artists who traveled across Florida and painted what inspired them most: Florida landscapes. After learning about the Highwaymen, visitors will be able to create their own painting.

February 18, 2022

Museum of Florida History, Spirits of the Passage: The Story of the Transatlantic Slave Trade exhibit

The exhibit, produced by and on loan from the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, explores the origins of the slave trade and its lasting impact on American history. 

The exhibit features more than 125 artifacts recovered primarily from the Henrietta Marie, an English slaving vessel that sunk off the Florida Keys in 1700. Starting in West Africa, the exhibit traces the slave trade from its origins in antiquity to its expansion and evolution during the colonization of the Americas by European nations.

February 22, 2022

Museum of Florida History, History at High Noon: The History of Prospect Bluff
Prospect Bluff is the site of two historic fortifications. One is the well-documented American Fort Gadsden. The other an earlier but more historically significant British fort which came to be known as Negro Fort. Built in 1814, during the War of 1812, the withdrawing British left the fort in control a group of soldiers largely made up of free Blacks and fugitive slaves. The fort was destroyed in 1816 by American forces. Recent research and archaeological excavations at the site continue to advance the understanding of the significance of the community that developed at the fort.

February 23, 2022

Florida Division of Arts and Culture, Black History Month Artist Celebration

Join the Florida Division of Arts and Culture at the historic Brokaw-McDougall House for an exciting evening celebrating Black artists and their impact on Florida’s history and culture. The event will feature musical artists Avis Berry Jazz Trio and Singer/Poet Dahliah Perryman as well as painter Richard Edwards, 2^nd generation Highwaymen and Historian. The FAMU Concert Choir will also perform, and food and arts vendors will be on site to round out this creative, immersive experience!

February 28, 2022

Division of Library and Information Services, Toni Morrison’s Beloved and the Lived Experiences of Black Floridians in the 1800s

The Division of Library and Information Services and in partnership with the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library, will host “Toni Morrison’s Beloved and the Lived Experiences of Black Floridians in the 1800s” on Monday, February 28, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the R. A. Gray Building in Tallahassee, in observance of Black History Month. This public event will feature a presentation and a display of original historical documents from the State Archives of Florida and the State Library of Florida.

For more information visit the Black History Month celebration website at: https://dos.myflorida.com/initiatives/BlackHistoryMonth2022. 

To learn more about Black History Month, explore these additional resources available from the Florida Department of State.

• Resources for Students and Educators, Florida Memory
• The History of Black Health and Wellness, Division of Library and Information Services
• The Civil Rights Movement in Florida, Florida Memory
• Black Heritage Trail Guide, Division of Historical Resources

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About the Division of Arts and Culture
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture is Florida’s legislatively designated state arts agency. The Division promotes the arts and culture as essential to quality of life for all Floridians. To achieve its mission, the Division funds and supports cultural programs that provide artistic excellence, diversity, education, access and economic vitality for Florida’s communities. For more information, visit dos.myflorida.com/cultural.

About The Division of Historical Resources

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division Director’s office oversees a grants-in-aid program to help preserve and maintain Florida’s historic buildings and archaeological sites; coordinates outreach programs such as the State Historic Markers program, the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail and Florida Main Street. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The Division director serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. The Division is comprised of the Bureaus of Historical Museums, Archaeological Research and Historic Preservation. For more information, visit flheritage.com.

 About the Division of Library and Information Services

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services is the designated information resource provider for the Florida Legislature and all state agencies. The Division coordinates and helps fund activities of public libraries; provides a framework for statewide library initiatives; provides archival and records management services; and preserves, collects and makes available the published and unpublished documentary history of the state. Working in partnership with citizens, state employees, librarians, archivists and records managers, the Division seeks to ensure access to materials and information that benefit all of the people of Florida. For more information, visit info.florida.gov.

About The Grove Museum

The Grove Museum features the c. 1840 Call-Collins House, set on ten wooded acres in the heart of Tallahassee, Florida. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, The Grove is one of the few historic sites of its kind in the nation to earn LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. From slavery to civil rights, and from private home to public museum, the story told at The Grove Museum speaks to critical moments that define the American experience. Visit TheGroveMuseum.com for hours of operation and information about educational programs. You can also follow The Grove Museum on Twitter (@TheGroveMuseum) and like the museum on Facebook (Facebook.com/TheGroveMuseum).

About the Museum of Florida History

Opened in 1977, the Museum of Florida History collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets evidence of past and present cultures in Florida, and promotes knowledge and appreciation of this heritage. The Museum of Florida History is located in the R. A. Gray Building at 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida. As the State's History Museum, it focuses on artifacts and eras unique to Florida's development and on roles that Floridians have played in national and global events. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday and holidays, noon to 4:30 p.m.  Free parking is available in the garage next to the R. A. Gray Building.