Celebrate the 11th Annual Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival.  January 13-22, 2011!

Cultural, educational, entertaining, and historical.  Ten days of nationally-known entertainers, speakers and exhibits.

 

The Festival is embarking on its 11th anniversary and has an assortment of new experiences that are intertwined with the originality and heart of Tampa!

Celebrating the Heart and Soul of Tampa Bay . . . In Paradise Found!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

January 13 – Heritage Movie Night
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Tampa Theatre – 711 Franklin Street, Tampa, FL
Held at the Legendary Tampa Theatre, this Signature Event features a Heritage movie and panel discussion that highlights historical moments in time and applying them to how our world is shaped today. Centered around the youth, Heritage Movie Night is family-friendly event that everyone can participate in and learn from. This year’s Heritage Movie Night encourages children – and adults – to turn dreams into reality through triumphant artistic expression.

 January 15 – Award-Winning R&B Artist Jeffrey Osborne
R&B music legend will be live at the 2011 Heritage Street Festival!

 

January 16 – Electric Violinist Ken Ford
Ken develops his performances into dynamic and electrifying experiences and leaves fans in awe of the funky, unique sounds of the electric violin!  

 

 

January 20 – USF University Lecture Series
Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King III
Martin Luther King III motivates audiences around the world with his message of hope and responsibility.  

 

 

FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES
Cultural Enrichment: Living History, Film, Artistic Exhibitions, Influential Individuals, and Poetry.
Two-Day Street Festival: Nationally Known Artists, Dynamic Performances, and Music.
Personal Enrichment: Luncheons, Leaders, and Inspirational Speakers.

MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, Inc. is to offer the community of Tampa Bay a unique blend of African and African American art, culture and history, therefore serving as a conduit for promoting and perpetuating the art, culture and history of African Americans and African people for the benefit of residents and tourists to the Tampa Bay area. It exists to support the culturally rich and diverse Tampa Bay community by ensuring events are inclusive of its people.

HISTORY
The Festival’s founder, Dr. Samuel Lamar Wright, Sr. and the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau, a major contributor, had a vision to raise awareness of the African and African-American heritage within the Tampa Bay Area and surrounding community. The result of their combined efforts was increased exposure to African and African-American culture through positive images and achievements. The Festival 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.  Thanks to the community, small businesses, educational institutions, and the private and public sector, the Festival is approaching its eleventh season.

For a calendar of events, sponsor and vendor information, volunteer opportunities, or general information, contact:

Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, Inc.
P.O. Box 16622
Tampa, Florida 33687-6633
Email: info@tampablackheritage.org

CREDITS:  Press release information and images, including logo, courtesy of www.tampablackheritage.org.