Black Art Gala happens at David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 23, 2025. Credit: Photo c/o Black Art Gala

The Black Art Gala’s third iteration this weekend comes as the country sees itself at a crossroads.

The Tampa awards show was founded to preserve the achievements of Central Florida’s Black artists while honoring melanated art and activists via exhibitions and live performances. A portion of proceeds even benefit Green Book of Tampa Bay, a modern version of the guide that used to shepherd Black travelers around the country when Jim Crow ruled the day.

“Attendees will leave inspired by the rich legacy of African American artistry, motivated to advocate for equity, and empowered to champion diversity in the arts,” a press release says.

As the Department of Education threatens to cut funding for academic institutions that do not change policies related to race or diversity, gatherings like this one, and the venues that host them, are more important than ever.

Tickets for the Black Art Gala happening Sunday, Feb. 23 inside Tampa’s Ferguson Hall at David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts are still available for $29.75. Readers are invited to submit their own events to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s things to do calendar.

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This article appears in Feb 13-19, 2025.