Attend a free celebration that’s guaranteed to be inspirational. The 23rd annual City of Tampa Black History Celebration (the theme: “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve: The Importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities”) features Mayor Pam Iorio with Tampa City Council Chair Rev. Dr. Thomas Scott. Dr. Walter L. Smith, president emeritus of Florida A&M University, delivers the keynote address, and WFLA-Ch. 8 morning anchor Rod Carter emcees. Students from local public and private schools present the “Black History Living Museum,” beginning at 10:30 a.m. (last year’s kids pictured with Black History Committee President Frank Crum and Vice President Lenoir Russell). Also performing is The Edward Waters College Concert Choir of Jacksonville. If you can’t attend, the event will be cablecast live on City of Tampa Television (Ch. 15 on FiOS and Ch. 615 on Bright House). 11 a.m., Wed., Feb. 16, at the Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom C, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa. Free. 813-274-7032.
This article appears in Feb 10-16, 2011.