City of Gainesville celebrates Black History Month throughout February
Press release from City of Gainesville
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The City of Gainesville observes Black History Month with a showcase of artwork, performances, and remembrances this month at several City venues.
After-school programs offered through the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department will incorporate a variety of enrichment, education, and arts & crafts programming throughout the month based around black inventors and inventions.
The following events are presented in partnership with the State of Florida Division of Arts and Culture, Bailey Learning and Arts Collective (BLAAC), Music GNV, and Night Before Media:
Friday, Feb. 3
itsQObaby, Fakksonly, Nate Turner, Sky Lucas, and The Lyrical KingKong
7-9 p.m. at Bo Diddley Plaza, 111 E. University Ave.
These performances are part of the Live & Local Concert Series.
A Celebration of Black Love, Art, and Poetry with music by DJ Double A
7-10 p.m. at the Historic Thomas Center, 302 NE 6th St.
Friday, Feb. 10
Performances by the Richard E. Parker Eastside Alumni Band and R&B band 24/7
6:30-9 p.m. at Bo Diddley Plaza
Sunday, Feb. 12
Smooth Flava Dance Party
3-6 p.m. at Bo Diddley Plaza
Sun., Feb. 19
Yvonne Ferguson exhibition and live painting: African American Women in Art & Literature
5:30-7:30 p.m. at the A. Quinn Jones Museum & Cultural Center, 1013 NW 7th Ave.
In addition, Evergreen Cemetery will honor the lives, achievements, and contributions of the Black residents buried there by sharing their stories on its Facebook page this month. Onsite honorary signage will indicate the gravesites for neighbors wishing to take a self-guided tour of the City’s only municipal cemetery, established in 1856.
The city expands the recognition to adjacent Pine Grove Cemetery in collaboration with its owner, Johnson Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Pine Grove Cemetery has long served as the black counterpart to Evergreen Cemetery, formerly an all-white cemetery. Special thanks to the members of the Delta Sigma Zeta Chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. for assisting with placing these honorary signs.
Events are free and open to the public. For additional information, visit the City of Gainesville website.
So. Why do we not have a “White History” Month?
This issue is very racist, it does not UNITE Americans, it pushes people apart.
would it be more equitable if we didn’t refer to race at all and just had “history month”. They should make sure the US constitution is taught in elementary school before gender identity stuff.
You have 11 White History Months. Get over yourself!
Not in Gainesville. We’re not allowed white anything in G’ville.
Why a whole month?
I think if the public is interested, they should participate in the offerings at the beginning of the month.
Why can’t every church or NGO entity have their memorial/celebration the first week of February? Actually, why February? Why isn’t this epic event celebrated on MLK’s birthday?
Won’t be celebrating…. I don’t celebrate Mexican month and damn sure won’t be celebrating black month.
What the radical idiots have done is use this month and every month to re-make American history into victimhood awareness. What all intelligent Americans need to do, regardless of skin color, is tell the truth about American history and especially about all of the heroes who have African heritage. For example have you ever heard of James Armistead, Bass Reeves, or Robert Smalls? These were all incredible men who were heroes. All this month on the WallBuilders YouTube channel they are telling these stories in their One-Room Schoolhouse Series. See bit (dot) ly / 3HxETjh