Welcome to our Black History Month celebration. This is a time to honor the incredible contributions, resilience, and achievements of Black individuals throughout history and in our local community. From the groundbreaking accomplishments of leaders like Mary McLeod Bethune and A. Philip Randolph to the vibrant cultural heritage of historic Eatonville, Black excellence is woven into the fabric of Florida's story. Join us as we reflect, learn, and celebrate the legacy of those who have shaped our past and inspired our future. Together, we can recognize the strength of diversity and the power of unity.

Learn More About Historical Achievements and Contributions

• BlackPast.org: Offers a comprehensive list of African American firsts across various fields
• History.com: Provides articles and timelines on significant events and figures in Black History

Learn More About Black Excellence in Florida

• Mary McLeod Bethune: Born in 1875, Mary McLeod Bethune was an educator, stateswoman, and philanthropist who founded the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in 1904. This institution later became Bethune-Cookman University, a historically Black university in Daytona Beach. Bethune was also a civil rights activist and served as an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• Historic Eatonville: Established in 1887, Eatonville is one of the oldest Black-incorporated municipalities in the United States. Located near Orlando, it became a center for African American culture and is famously known as the hometown of celebrated author Zora Neale Hurston. Eatonville hosts the annual Zora! Festival, celebrating Hurston's legacy and African American arts and culture.
• The Florida Black Excellence Festival: Held annually, this festival celebrates Black culture, entrepreneurship, and community. The event features a marketplace for Black-owned businesses, educational workshops, and cultural performances. The 2025 festival is scheduled for June 25-28 in Jacksonville.
• A. Philip Randolph: Born in Crescent City, Florida, in 1889, Asa Philip Randolph was a prominent labor leader and civil rights activist. He founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first predominantly African-American labor union, and was a key organizer of the 1963 March on Washington.
• Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore: Civil rights pioneers from Mims, Florida, the Moores were early leaders in the fight for civil rights in the state. They founded the first branch of the NAACP in Brevard County and worked tirelessly to register Black voters. Tragically, they were assassinated in 1951 when a bomb exploded in their home. Their legacy is honored at the Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex in Mims.