It’s Black History Month, and Plant City is ready to celebrate it in the biggest way it knows how.
The 12th annual Black Heritage Education and Cultural Festival, presented by Black Heritage Celebration Inc., looks to be next weekend’s hot ticket. With events scheduled from Feb. 13 to 15 and another celebration Feb. 21, area residents should be prepared for food, fun and education.
The Heritage Banquet will kick things off Friday, Feb. 13, with dinner cooked by members of Black Heritage Celebration and several guest speakers and award presentations. The highlight of this dinner could very well be the speech by former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Michael Clayton, who is widely regarded as a great speaker.
Five awards will also be presented to members of the community: the Humanitarian Award (Plant City Police Dept.), the Lifetime Achievement Award (Dr. Larry Sykes, Ed.D), the Heritage Award (E.D. Reaves), the Community Service Award (Essie Dixon-Lewis) and the Cornerstone Award (Mt. Moriah Ministries).
On Saturday, Feb. 14, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center will host the festival’s first-ever Youth Summit. According to organizer Sharon Moody, the summit is something partly inspired by national news events that unfolded in 2014, such as the case in Ferguson, Missouri. It is open to children aged 10 or older.
“One of the topics is how to coalesce effectively with police officers,” Moody said. “They (kids) need to learn how to engage, and not throw off all of these negative vibes. If they’re being educated, I think they’ll be more respectful.”
The other two topics are, “Utilizing education and social networking to change the dynamics in a global economy,” and “Youth building bridges for strong relationships within the community.”
Members of the Plant City Police Department, as well as Marshall Middle School teacher and Gentleman’s Quest founder Stanley Glover, will be teaching at the Youth Summit. Mayor Rick Lott is the event’s major sponsor.
At 1 p.m., the parade will start go down Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, led by Grand Marshal Mary Joyce Clayton.
Sunday afternoon, at Mt. Olive Church, Lawrence Ingram will lead the Mass Youth and Adult Choir gospel concert.
On Feb. 21, the Winn Dixie supermarket at 205 W. Alexander St. will host a fun day, with free food, entertainment and appearances by both the Plant City Police Department and Plant City Fire Rescue.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
Theme: “The African American Leadership, Legacy and Challenges for Present and Future.”
Schedule:
Heritage Banquet — begins at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, at Hillsborough Community College Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Rd. Tickets cost $30 per person and must be purchased in advance. They can be bought at the Greater Plant City Chamber, 106 N. Evers St., or at Pocket Change Beauty Supply, 1408 E. Baker St.
Youth Summit — takes place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Dr. MLK Rec Center, 1601 E. Dr. MLK Blvd. Church and youth school groups with children aged 10 or older are welcome. The group with the highest attendance will receive a cash prize.
Parade — begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, traveling from intersection of Lake Street and Dr. MLK Blvd. to the MLK Rec Center. Afterwards, the rec center will feature entertainment, vendors and a Battle of the Bands competition.
Gospel concert — begins at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 W. Ball St.. Features the Mass Youth and Adult Choir, led by Lawrence Ingram. To join the choir, contact Capathia Sampson at (813) 728-4675 by Sunday, Feb. 8.
Black History Month Celebration at Winn Dixie — Saturday, Feb. 21, at Winn Dixie, 205 W. Alexander St. Free food, jumpers, entertainment and appearances by Plant City Police Department and Plant City Fire Rescue members.
For more information, contact Sharon Moody at (813) 453-7134 or visit the festival website, celebration2.homestead.com.