The 16th annual Plant City Black Heritage Festival kicks off next week with a banquet, jazz festival, youth summit and gospel concert.
For 16 years, Plant City Black Heritage Celebration, Inc. has provided the community with a weekend-long event full of history, inspirational speakers, soulful jazz and moving gospel festivals.
The annual Black Heritage festival kicks off Feb. 8 with the Black Heritage Banquet and Gala. Rod Carter, an award-winning journalist who anchors News Channel 8’s weekend evening newscasts, will be the master of ceremony this year.
The Trinkle Center will be filled with guests who have given their time and resources to help the organization further its reach throughout the community. As they enjoy dinner Judge Lisa Campbell will give a keynote address on the “Blueprint for all Americans.”
“That’s going to be very elegant,” Sharon Moody, immediate past president and event coordinator, said. “We honor different people or businesses in the community, people that have paved the way and given their generosity to the community. We serve children, the homeless, we give scholarships and give back to the community in a variety of ways and this is our night to give back to those who helped make it happen.”
In the South it’s not uncommon for people to show their appreciation through the kitchen. At the banquet guests are always treated to a meal home-cooked by committee members of Plant City Black Heritage Celebration, Inc. Moody calls it a “heritage meal.” This year will feature chicken, ham, collard greens, green beans, yellow rice, salad cornbread, a variety of desserts and tea.
The proceeds from the banquet help the group offer scholarships to different schools within the community. They also partner with Hillsborough County Schools for the scholarships. This year part of the selection process involved the students choosing someone from the community that inspired them. They then paid homage to their life’s work in either poetry, a painting, music or any creative outlet. A $500 scholarship will be given that night to the recipient. The other scholarships will be given out during the corresponding high school’s awards night.
During the banquet the organization will honor several members of the community for their service to the group. This year the awards will be bestowed upon the following community members: Doretha Adams (Heritage Award), Theophilus Hill (Lifetime Achievement Award), C&S Wholesale Grocers management and employees (Community Service Award), Larry and Cathy Jimenez (Humanitarian Award) and Hope Lutheran Church (Cornerstone Award).
“Our attendance gets bigger each and every year,” Moody said. “We try to honor the ones that have really stepped up and helped pave the way for us over the past year. Without some of these people we wouldn’t have been able to help as many as we have… That’s why I love to do this. It’s not about me, it’s about the community and the children we serve. I’m very passionate about the community and giving back.”
Tickets for the banquet are $40 and there are still a few available. Tickets are available at the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce or by calling any committee member.
The Youth Summit is the next morning, running from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the East Hillsborough Historical Society Museum, 605 N. Collins St. There is a free continental breakfast and lunch for all of the youth participants. A cash prize is given to whichever youth group has the highest attendance.
Moody said anywhere from 150 to 200 children participate every year. They gather to discuss any issues or concerns within the community, which Moody said creates a dialogue between the students and law enforcement and local leaders.
As soon as the summit ends the annual Jazz Festival kicks off at 12 p.m. Charlie Sampson is the master of ceremony and the festival will begin with local students portraying leaders they look up to from the past to the present. Donald Dowdrige will be portraying Frederick Douglas at the event and children from St. Clement’s Church will come and do a traditional dance.
The jazz festival runs until 6 p.m. at the Robert W. Willaford Train Museum, 102 N. Palmer St. Violin mastermind Daniel D. will perform at 1 p.m. and there will be a performance from MIXX group as well as other jazz and R&B groups throughout the evening.
Sunday evening rounds out the weekend of festivities with the annual Black Heritage Gospel Concert at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 W. Ball St. The concert starts at 4 p.m. and will have a variety of groups and solo singers belting out beloved gospel hymns and songs. Causal church wear is fine for the concert.
Throughout the weekend Moody said they have a wave of attendees that flock to each program. Tampa Black Heritage Festival partners with the local group to advertise and help bring Tampa Bay to Plant City.
“The entire weekend is just a bunch of fun,” Moody said. “Enjoy it, it’s going to be a great banquet, jazz festival and gospel night. During the Jazz Fest bring your lawn chair, sit back and enjoy some free entertainment and good food with your family and friends. Just come and enjoy.”
If you go:
FRIDAY, FEB. 8
16th Annual Black Heritage Banquet/Gala
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Trinkle Center, 1206 N. Park Rd.
Tickets: $40 per person at Chamber of Commerce or from a committee member.
SATURDAY, FEB. 9
Youth Summit
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m
Where: East Hillsborough Historical Society Museum, 605 N. Collins St.
Jazz Festival
Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Robert W. Willaford Train Museum, 102 N. Palmer St.
Admission: Free
SUNDAY, FEB. 10
Black Heritage Gospel Concert
Time: 4 p.m.
Where: Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 W. Ball St.
Admission: Free
