Throughout February, the United States celebrates Black History Month. Created to educate about the accomplishments and trials that African Americans have been through, the month is an opportunity to head out to locations that highlight the Black story or that are Black-owned.
From art museums to historic homes, soul food to baked goods, there is something everyone can learn from and enjoy in the Sunshine State. Here are the best restaurants owned by African Americans and museums to explore in Florida during Black History Month.
Museums
Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park - Mims
What Is It? Educators by trade and civil rights activists by necessity, Harry and Harriette Moore lived in Mims, located 40 miles east of Orlando. Organizer of the first NAACP chapter in Brevard County, Harry also was a major force in helping to register tens of thousands of Black voters in Florida. On Christmas night in 1951, also the Moore’s 25th wedding anniversary, a bomb went off underneath the Moore’s bedroom. Harry was killed immediately, while Harriette passed away days later. Today, a replica of their home sits in the same spot as the original house where the bombing occurred.
Why Do It? The cultural center has exhibits and events to educate on the Civil Rights Movement in Florida, along with human rights issues taking place today.
Good To Know: Guided tours of the complex are available Monday through Friday with pre-arranged reservations. Self-guided tours are allowed in the house and in select exhibits.
Spady Cultural Heritage Museum - Delray Beach
What Is It? The only African American history museum in Palm Beach County, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum is housed in the home of Black educator and leader Solomon D. Spady.
Why Do It? Telling the story of the African American and Bahamian settlers who helped form the area, the museum offers exhibits along with community projects, presentations, and a youth program.
Good To Know: Spady Museum also offers walking and trolley city tours to explore historic Black sites in Delray Beach.
Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture - Orlando
What Is It? Originally a hotel for African Americans during segregation, Wells’Built Museum is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Celebrities including Thurgood Marshall, Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald once stayed in its rooms.
Why Do It? Visitors can see furniture original to the hotel from the 1930s along with learning how Dr. William Monroe Wells helped the Parramore district through his medical and cultural contributions.
Good To Know: The museum is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum - St. Petersburg
What Is It? Housed in the original offices of the housing projects of St. Petersburg, the Woodson Museum showcases Black artworks along with hosting events.
Why Do It? The museum showcases Black artwork along with hosting programs and exhibits, including the annual Collard Greens Festival, held every February.
Good To Know: Outside the museum is a Black Lives Matter street mural. Created by 16 different artists, the mural is a welcome mat to the historic Jordan Park community.
African American Research Library and Cultural Center - Fort Lauderdale
What Is It? Part of the Broward County Library system, the African American Research Library and Cultural Center is 60,000 square feet of books, lecture halls, research materials, and exhibits created by or dedicated to African American heritage.
Why Do It? The library is open to the public and, in addition to events, is also available to sit and read one of the books in its public collection. There is also a gift shop on site.
Good To Know: Esther Rolle, best known for playing Florida Evans on the television shows Maude and Good Times, was born and raised in South Florida. Parts of her personal collection, including one of her Emmy awards, reside at the library and are on display to the public.
Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center - St. Augustine
What Is It? Located in the building that was the first Black high school in Saint Johns County, the mission of the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center is to preserve and promote the African American experience in St. Augustine over the past 450 years.
Why Do It? Exhibits include views into local life in the Lincolnville Historic District, civil rights activists in the St. Augustine area, and how colonialism and the military impacted the people who became the enslaved people of the region.
Good To Know: The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. There is also a virtual tour available.
A.L. Lewis Museum at American Beach - Fernandina Beach
What Is It? Home to the first resort beach in Florida for African Americans, American Beach was created by the state’s first Black millionaire, Abraham Lincoln Lewis. The museum pays tribute to Lewis and the visitors who American Beach during segregation.
Why Do It? The museum offers a narrated audio tour accessible through a phone app, along with artifacts and photos that explain the history of American Beach.
Good To Know: A.L. Lewis Museum is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Restaurants
Tom Jenkins BBQ - Fort Lauderdale
About The Business: Started by two friends who met at Florida A & M University, Tom Jenkins BBQ has been in business since 1990. Serving traditional barbeque favorites like chopped beef brisket, racks of ribs and collard greens, it has been rated a top restaurant in Fort Lauderdale multiple times.
Why We Love It: Bottles of their sauces are available for purchase for customers to take home.
Jax Bread Co - Jacksonville
About The Business: A graduate of The International Culinary Center, 8380 Baymeadows Rd #5, Jacksonville, FL 32256, United States owner and chef Nana Hammond uses locally sourced, fresh ingredients to create unique breakfast and lunch choices.
Why We Love It: From African sweet bread to pain au chocolat, the baked goods are made from scratch.
5 Sisters Blues Cafe - Pensacola
About The Business: Housed in a former record shop and radio station, 5 Sisters Blues Cafe was founded by Cecil Johnson to honor family recipes used by his mother and sisters. Today co-owner Jean Pierre N’Dione, a West African transplant, continues serving traditional Southern dishes such as fried green tomatoes, baked yams, red beans over rice and bread pudding.
Why We Love It: The Sunday Jazz Brunch offers a great meal with a side of great music.
Seana’s Caribbean Soul Food - Orlando
About The Business: Inspired to serve customers fresh Caribbean soul food, owner Joshua Johnson created Seana’s Caribbean | Soul Food. Joshua’s brother Corey is the head chef who creates menu choices such as smothered turkey legs, oxtail, fried pickles and whole red snapper.
Why We Love It: Don’t miss out on Pie’s Famous Rum Punch for a traditional taste of the Caribbean.
7th + Grove - Tampa
About The Business: Located in historic Ybor City, 7th + Grove was founded to offer visitors an elevated Southern menu. With brunch, lunch, and dinner servings, there are plenty of opportunities to experience one of the most talked about restaurants in Tampa.
Why We Love It: The onsite adult-only lounge hosts weekly live music and dance events.
Earley’s Kitchen - Tallahassee
About The Business: Part of the Tallahassee landscape for over 30 years, Earley’s Kitchen is owned by James and Anita Morell. Serving Southern-inspired meals and specialty coffees, there are three locations throughout the city, including in the State Capitol Building.
Why We Love It: Lunch specials offer unique choices that change daily, including oxtail, fried liver and fried pork chops.
*Earley’s Kitchen is currently closed for renovations.
