Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated February as Black History Month, a time to commemorate the achievements and contributions of Black people, despite a history of being oppressed and discriminated against.
Although Black Americans from all over the country have left significant marks on the past, Miami especially plays a salient role in Black history. From jazz icons to people who strived during segregation, Black people helped mold the Magic City to what it is today, and there will be events in February to honor that legacy.
BLACK HISTORY NIGHT CELEBRATION
North Shore Park & Youth Center
February 7
The Parks and Recreation Department will hold Black History Night Celebration on Feb. 7, featuring cultural performances from Miami Beach’s after-school participants, entertainment, rides, food, crafts, and more. Admission is free, and refreshments will be available for sale.
HERITAGE FEST
Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts
Feb. 8
Heritage Fest, the Arsht Center’s main Black History Month event, is a family-friendly festival featuring, music, food, and a marketplace. Food and alcohol will be available for purchase. The event is free, but an RSVP is suggested.
“One of the things that stand out to me about the Arsht Center is the importance it places on representing all the voices of African diaspora,” said Suzette Espinosa vice president of communications.
Heritage Fest will include an Afro-Venezuelan drumming workshop, a Micheal Jackson dance workshop, and a live performance by award-winning artist Stout.
“There’s also a vendor marketplace that features Black-owned businesses, so it can be anything from jewelry to hair braiding,” said Espinosa. “It’s just a nice opportunity to support local Black businesses but also enjoying Black culture.”
SOUL VEGAN AND SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
Lummus Park
Feb. 8
The Soul Vegan and Seafood Festival is South Florida’s foremost urban-centric plant-based food, spirit, and wellness celebration. The event features plant-based African-American and Caribbean dishes created by talented chefs from across the nation, activities for children, live entertainment, and more. Attendees can eat their way through a selection of 100% plant-based dishes. Admission is free, and food and drinks are available for purchase. The Soul Vegan and Seafood Festival is hosted by The Hungry Black Man, LLC and the Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department at Lummus Park, between 6th and 7th streets.
“NEVER DROP THE BALL”
Feb. 13
“Never Drop the Ball,” a sports documentary about the impact segregation had on baseball, will be screened Feb. 13 at Soundscape Park in Miami Beach, presented by the City of Miami Beach OnStage! Program and Black Affairs Advisory Board.
The film explores the extraordinary journey of how Black baseball players transformed the game despite being barred from competing in the minor and major leagues.
Mayor Steven Meiner was informed of “Never Drop the Bal” by Glendon Hall, chair of the Miami Beach Black Affairs Advisory Committee. Hall’s duties include advising the mayor and commission on issues related to the Black community and serving as a resource in their decision-making process.
“I remember learning the history of baseball as a kid,” said Meiner, who will speak at the screening. “History is important for so many reasons – one being not to repeat the mistakes that we had in our past, and this is a perfect example. We had a situation where everybody should have been welcomed purely based on their talent.”
The free screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Dorothy Fields and historian Abel Sanchez.
MDA BLACK HISTORY GOSPEL MUSIC BRUNCH AND AWARDS
Feb. 15
Florida Memorial University
The Miami-Dade Alliance of Gospel Music Professionals will host its 8th Annual Black History Gospel Music Brunch and Awards on Sat., Feb. 15, in the Albert E. & Sadie B. Smith Conference Center on the campus of Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens.
This brunch is the opportunity to showcase the richness of gospel music and to inspire and motivate those who may or may not be familiar with the genre.
“We recognize that we serve as a vehicle to empower the community at large in the area of gospel music,” said chair of fundraising and Debra Toomer.
Although public figures will be present at the event, everyone is invited to attend.
Toomer believes gospel music has the power to bring people together.
“Gospel music is based on the good news of Jesus Christ,” she said. “It connects people because it’s music that, when anyone hears it, they feel it.”
THE COOKOUT
Feb. 22
Eden Roc Miami Beach
The Cookout, a celebration of Black food and culture, will be held Sat., Feb 22, around the Eden Roc pool in Miami Beach. The event is hosted by New York-based celebrity chef, JJ Johnson, along with co-host Angela Yee, host of the I Heart Radio show, “Way Up with Angela Yee,” and former co-host of nationally syndicated “The Breakfast Club.”
“I believe it is one of the best events for people to meet new chefs, eat great foods and see what Black culture is all about,” said Johnson.
Johnson, who is also curator of the all-Black event, put it together with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. One highlight of The Cookout is that, depending on what area attendees visit, the festivity will be different, since a variety of subcultures will be presented. Johnson explained that participants may see anything from oxtail to Haitian black rice.
“When you get to Miami, you get a different Black culture,” remarked Johnson who said guests are welcomed to mingle with him. “I think that’s what makes this location so great – you will see the variety of Black cuisines that make up South Florida.”
BOTANICAL GARDEN GROOVE
Feb. 27
Miami Beach Botanical Garden
Black dance music takes center stage deep inside Miami Beach's Botanical Garden with Botanical Garden Groove on Feb. 27. Presented by the City of Miami Beach OnStage! and Public Energy, the evening features a live set by Paperwater, and selections from Duality, Pressure Point, and DJ DLuxe. Expect an eclectic mix of footwork, Baltimore house, jungle, juke, and more with a live-streamed broadcast by Jolt Radio throughout the evening. Guests can also explore creative activities, including customizing their favorite clothing at the Grizzly Print Parlour and high-quality portrait sessions with Giano Currie's After Hours Photoshoot experience.
MELTON MUSTAFA JAZZ FESTIVAL
Feb. 28 to March 2
Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater and other locations
Close out Black History Month at the Melton Mustafa Jazz Festival at the historic Lyric Theater. Now in its 28th year, the festival is a celebration of jazz, history, and culture, culminating in a tribute to Jaco Pastorius. This year's event will feature the Jaco Pastorius Big Band directed by Peter Graves with special guest artist, the Melton Mustafa Orchestra, Jesse Jones Jr., and performances by selected school bands. Activities at the festival include a mixer with a live band performance, a jazz workshop for anyone who wants to learn more about the musical style and genre, and a brunch at the Red Rooster Overtown.
The Black Archives will host the event for the 10th consecutive year at the historic Lyric Theater in Miami's Overtown, a landmark that is more than 100 years old and is a testament to Overtown's vibrant history, which has seen performances from Black music ions, including Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Aretha Franklin.
The festival was founded by the late international jazz artist Melton Mustafa, Sr., and continues under the direction of his son, Melton Mustafa, Jr., who spoke of the vitality of jazz music to the Black experience.
"Music is an international language,” Mustafa told the Biscayne Times. “It is the type of thing that brings all people together, no matter what race or economic status they are. So, we would like to foster a very loving environment where people can come and just celebrate the community and the thing that we call jazz.”