The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival (TBBHF) is a ten-day cultural event that features speakers, musicians, artists, poets and craftspeople locally and nationally. The festival begins the week-end before and ends the week-end after the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday to promote diversity and cultural sensitivity. Activities are geared towards children and adults. Each day of this ten-day experience provides all attendees with an opportunity to increase their awareness of African and African-American culture and history.
The festival has two main components: (1) Cultural Enrichment activities and (2) a 2-day Street Festival. The Cultural Enrichment Activities include: (a) A Living History -- this event is comprised of several media's, film, exhibit and person(s) who were directly involved in a historically significant event in the history of the United States (b) social empowerment speakers who have had experience on the world stage dealing with issues important to the African Diaspora and (c) events that highlight diversity in entertainment that include music, spoken word, art and more.
Why was the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival Created?
Dr. Samuel Lamar Wright, Sr.
Dr. Samuel Lamar Wright, Sr. (founder of Tampa Black Heritage Festival, Inc.) and the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau, a major contributor, had a vision,to raise awareness of African and African-American heritage within the Tampa Bay Area Community. The combined focus was to increase exposure to African and African-American culture through positive images and achievements. By promoting this awareness, the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival touches lives and empowers people in a positive way.
The event surrounds the teachings and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who advocated for a diverse community that is culturally sensitive to all who live there. Dr. Wright who is a supporter of Dr. King’s guiding principles thought that positioning this event so close to Dr. King’s birthday could be one way to honor the memory of this man and his legacy.
The first Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival was scheduled to coincide with hosting the Superbowl in 2001. In that year, the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival was only a dream. Thanks to the corporate community, small businesses, educational institutions, the private and public sector, the festival is now moving into its 8th year of reality…right here in Tampa Bay!
MISSION STATEMENT
The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, Inc. exists to offer the Tampa Bay Area community a unique blend of African and African American art, culture and history; serving as a conduit for promoting and perpetuating the art, culture and history of Africans and African Americans for the benefit of all in the Tampa Bay Area in a context that is both educational and entertaining.It exists to support the rich and diverse Tampa Bay Area community by ensuring all events are inclusive of its entire people.
How can I be the first to know?
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