Exhibits & Events | 2024

What

We’re pleased to present this two-person exhibition featuring the work of artists Krystle Lemonias and Sharon Norwood. Through the work of these two artists, the exhibition explores the value of African American labor and its simultaneous invisibility. The exhibition will be on view at the Woodson African American Museum of Florida January 7, 2025 through March 29, 2025.

What

Tombolo Books and The Woodson African American Musuem of Florida invite you to celebrate a never before published novel from beloved author Zora Neale Hurston, revealing the historical Herod the Great—not the villain the Bible makes him out to be but a religious and philosophical man who lived a life of valor and vision.

Scholar-Editor Dr. Deborah G. Plant and local author Sheree L. Greer celebrate the life and work of one of the most essential voices in the canon of Florida literature, Zora Neale Hurston!

The event will take place at The Woodson African American Museum of Florida located at 2240 9th Ave South, St. Petersburg FL 33712.  Doors open at 6pm for a pre-event reception with light refreshments, and the event begins at 6:30pm. Tombolo Books will be on site with copies of The Life of Herod the Great for purchase.

In the 1950s, as a continuation of Moses, Man of the Mountain, Zora Neale Hurston penned a historical novel about one of the most infamous figures in the Bible, Herod the Great. In Hurston’s retelling, Herod is not the wicked ruler of the New Testament who is charged with the “slaughter of the innocents,” but a forerunner of Christ—a beloved king who enriched Jewish culture and brought prosperity and peace to Judea.

Portraying Herod within this vivid and dynamic world of antiquity, little known to modern readers, Hurston’s unfinished manuscript brings this complex, compelling, and misunderstood leader fully into focus. Hurston shared her findings about Herod’s rise, his reign, and his waning days in letters to friends and associates. Text from three of these letters concludes the manuscript in an intimate way.

Decades later, Dr. Deborah G. Plant has dedicated much of her career to studying the life and work of Hurston. In her role as scholar-editor, Plant’s “Commentary: A Story Finally Told” assesses Hurston’s pioneering work and underscores Hurston’s perspective that the first century BCE has much to teach us and that the lens through which to view this dramatic and stirring era is the life and times of Herod the Great.

Zora Neale Hurston wrote four novels (Jonah’s Gourd Vine; Their Eyes Were Watching God; Moses, Man of the Mountains; and Seraph on the Suwanee) and was still working on her fifth novel, The Life of Herod the Great, when she died; three books of folklore (Mules and Men and the posthumously published Go Gator and Muddy the Water and Every Tongue Got to Confess); a work of anthropological research (Tell My Horse); an autobiography (Dust Tracks on a Road); an international bestselling ethnographic work (Barracoon); and over fifty short stories, essays, and plays. She was born in Notasulga, Alabama, grew up in Eatonville, Florida, and lived her last years in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Deborah G. Plant is an African American and Africana Studies independent scholar, author of Of Greed and Glory: In Pursuit of Freedom for All, and literary critic specializing in the life and works of Zora Neale Hurston. She is editor of the New York Times bestseller Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston and the author of Alice Walker: A Woman for Our Times, a philosophical biography. She is also editor of The Inside Light: New Critical Essays on Zora Neale Hurston, and the author of Zora Neale Hurston: A Biography of the Spirit and Every Tub Must Sit On Its Own Bottom: The Philosophy and Politics of Zora Neale Hurston. She holds MA and Ph. D. degrees in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Plant played an instrumental role in founding the University of South Florida’s Department of Africana Studies, where she chaired the department for five years. She presently resides in Florida.

Sheree L. Greer is a writer, teacher, and arts administrator living in Tampa, Florida. She is the author of two novels, Let the Lover Be (Bold Strokes Books 2014) and A Return to Arms (Bold Strokes Books 2016). Her work has been published online and in print at the Bellevue Literary Review, Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora, Burrow Press Review, LezTalk Anthology, VerySmartBrothas, Autostraddle, The Windy City Times, Bleed Literary Journal, Current: An Anthology for Jackson, Mississippi, Windy City Queer Anthology: Dispatches from the Third Coast, and others. In 2014, she founded Kitchen Table Literary Arts to showcase and support the work of BIPOC women and femme-identified nonbinary writers and poets. Sheree holds an MFA at Columbia College Chicago and is a VONA/VOICES alum, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice grantee, Yaddo fellow, and Ragdale Artist House Rubin Fellow.

What

We close this uplifting exhibition to a closing reception this Sunday, December 22 from 4pm to 6pm. We’ll be joined by the artist, so come say farewell to the work and meet the Mary Proctor.

What

We invite your family to join us Saturday, December 21 for a joyful morning in PJs with popcorn and pictures with Santa.  This event is now sold out and registration is closed. Thank you to everyone who signed up and we look forward to seeing you!

What

The Woodson African American Museum of Florida is excited to announce the opening of a new exhibition, Mary Proctor: Paint the Way to Stay, showcasing the works of visionary artist Mary Proctor. The exhibition will be open to the public starting Tuesday, September 17 and will feature an inspiring collection of painted panels and doors that capture Proctor’s unique artistic practice and inspiring voice.

Mary Proctor, whose work is featured in prestigious museum collections including the Smithsonian Institution Anacostia Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, High Museum of Art, Polk Museum of Art, and Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, brings a distinct perspective to the world of contemporary folk art. Known for her vibrant and earnest paintings on uplifting themes of spirituality and resilience, Proctor’s art is deeply rooted in personal history, cultural memory, as well as an unyielding sense of purpose.

Mary Proctor is a self-taught artist whose career began with a mission to honor the memory of her deceased family members. Her work often incorporates found objects, vivid colors, and religious iconography, inviting viewers to explore messages of faith, love, and perseverance. As a celebrated artist in the field of contemporary folk art, Proctor continues to inspire audiences with her creative vision.

The exhibition will run through December 20, 2024, and will feature a series of engaging public programs, including artist talks, and workshops. Join us on Saturday, September 21 for Free Museum Day as we speak with Mary Proctor and she leads a workshop.

What

The City of St. Petersburg is holding its second annual City of Writers Poetry Festival, with The Woodson African American Museum of Florida is a host for emerging and established writers who reflect the talent, diversity, and creativity of St. Petersburg on April 21, 2024! Join us in engaging in an Asian American Pacific Islander poetry reading with speakers Avni Vyas, Alexa Stoffer, Jamie Lu, and MC Sam Obeid.

About the Speakers:

Jamie Lu is a 17-year-old Filipino-American writer born and raised in Florida. She is an alumnus of the Adroit Summer Mentorship Program for Fiction and a recipient of a Gold Key from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Her art is inspired by her parents’ stories of childhood, Filipino history, the people she encounters, the macabre, the divine, and everything in between.

Alexa Stoffer is a Chinese adoptee navigating her past while planning for the future. She is 22 years old and has been writing poetry for the past 6 years. From being featured in writing magazines to performing with close friends, she has built a community rooted in the feeling of safety and creative expression. She hopes to leave her mark in the ever-changing world of mental health through her words and her collegiate studies.

Avni Vyas is the author of Little God (Burrow Press 2021), and the chapbooks Far from Glorious Feeling (TOA 2021) and co-author of Candy In Our Brains (CutBank 2014). Her poetry and nonfiction can be found in journals such as Grist, Meridian, Arts and Letters, and others. She serves as a poetry editor at The Offending Adam. She teaches writing at New College of Florida.

About the MC:

Sam(ira) Obeid is an internationally renowned spoken word poet, a reputed educator on intersectionality, systemic discrimination and resistance, and a local activist. A masculine performing, Indian lesbian raised Hindu on her mother’s side and Muslim on her father’s side, Sam moved to the U.S. in 2007 earning her second and third master’s in Multimedia Journalism and Women’s & Gender Studies.

To register, email education@woodsonmuseum.org

What

The City of St. Petersburg is holding its second annual City of Writers Poetry Festival, with The Woodson African American Museum of Florida being a host for emerging and established writers who reflect the talent, diversity, and creativity of St. Petersburg.

Join Haiku poets Ani Crane and Tim Huff for an afternoon of conversation around their love and passion for Haiku poetry. Attendees will learn about their journey as poets, how they began writing, and hear Haiku selections.

About the Speakers:

Tim Huff
Originally from upstate New York, Tim has made St. Petersburg his home for 38 years. He started writing haikus in 2020 inspired by the nature in his backyard. He has published one book with a second book coming out this year. Tim has given numerous talks and workshops around Tampa Bay.
www.haikutim.com

Ani Crane
Being an octogenarian, Ani has had years of experience as a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher of English, author, psychic, Lyricist, playwright, poet, lover of fun and singer of songs. Her passion for creating is life long, and a legacy she wishes to leave to the next generation. Crane is a  Lifelong aficionado of the movies, especially foreign films and art films. Ani is living and loving in Gulfport, Florida with her beloved kitty, Rumi.

What

Underground History is a documentary film project designed to explore connections between St. Petersburg’s diverse cultural history and emerging community efforts to acknowledge the past in charting the future. The film considers the links between the history and remaining archaeological sites of the region’s Indigenous Ancestors, the displaced contemporary African American communities and erased Black cemeteries, and the historic waterways that once created a connectivity for these places and people.

Following the film screening will be a conversation highlighting the importance of historic preservation featuring:

Ms. Gwendolyn Reese
President of African American Heritage Association of St. Petersburg

Robert (Bob) Austin, Ph.D.
Alliance for Weedon Island Archaeological Research and Education, (AWIARE)

Thomas Hallock
Ph.D. Professor, English, Literature & Cultural Studies, University of South Florida

Wanda Stuart
Storyteller and Resident

Polita Glynn
Merfolk Media Alliance Director and Underground History Filmmaker

Devin Rice
Underground History Filmmaker

To register, email education@woodsonmuseum.org.

What

Dr. Martha Bireda in conversation with Patrick Arthur Jackson and Silk Jazmyne Hindus

W.E.B. DuBois used the “veil” as a metaphor for the color line of racial inequalities and injustice in the United States. The “veil” symbolizes the culturally conditioned narrative that prevents the larger society from seeing the virtues, values, strengths, agency, and contributions of African Americans. Through her stories, Dr. Martha R. Bireda presents a narrative that demonstrates the intellect, courage, determination, strength, ingenuity, grace, and dignity of the African American.

About Martha R. Bireda, Ph.D.:

Martha R. Bireda, Ph.D., is a writer, lecturer, and living history performer. With over 30 years of experience as a lecturer, consultant, and trainer for issues related to race, class, and gender, she has worked with educators, law enforcement, business, and civic leaders. Currently, Dr. Bireda is a writer, lecturer, and living history performer.

Dr. Bireda firmly believes that sharing “untold and untaught” accurate history can heal racial and cultural differences. She facilitates six-week workshops, “Healing Conversations on Race,” focusing on participants experiencing and expressing “human completeness,” empathy, compassion, and the release of mythical concepts about one’s own and the racial identity of “the other.”

Dr. Bireda is the Director of the Blanchard House Museum of African American History and Culture of Charlotte County, located in Punta Gorda, Florida. She is also the author of over 12 non-fiction books, including her two latest works: “A Time for Change: How White Supremacy Ideology Harms All Americans” and “The Promise of Whiteness: Its Past and Its Future.” Additionally, she has written two books for youth readers: “Obi: African Seminole Freedom Fighter” and “The Trabue Woods Book of Values.” Dr. Bireda is also the author of historical fiction books for adults: “The Womb Rebellion,” which tells the story of enslaved women who refused to engage in the process of slave-breeding, and “My Brother’s Keeper,” which tells the story of the numbers racket and its positive influence on the African American community during the Jim Crow Era.

About Patrick Arthur Jackson:

Patrick Arthur Jackson, a Richmond, VA native now residing in St. Petersburg, FL, is a dynamic creative, producer, director, actor, and teaching artist deeply committed to connection through storytelling. A Morehouse College Drama graduate, he honed his skills at the British American Drama Academy and the Florida Studio Theatre Acting Apprentice Program.

With a Certificate in Leadership from the Nonprofit Leadership Center and prior Fellowship in Advancing Racial Equity on Nonprofit Boards, Patrick serves as the Manager of Education, Outreach, and Program Design at The Woodson African American Museum of Florida. Additionally, he is the Florida Fellow for South Arts and the National Leaders of Color Fellowship Program. A versatile artist, he has showcased his talents across Southeast arts organizations, including directing acts of faith at American Stage and earning recognition as a 2023 Emerging Artist with Creative Pinellas.

Off-stage, Patrick hosts The Black Hand Side Podcast, celebrating black culture, connection, and conversation. In addition to serving on the ministerial staff at Today’s Church Tampa Bay, he further engages with the community through The Black Arts Leader Alliance, The Black Excellence Collective, Actor’s Equity Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Grateful for the gift of storytelling, Patrick, the proud son of Cynthia B. Jackson-Ward and Patrick D. Jackson, envisions its power inspiring change, connection, and collaboration globally.

Click here to register.

What

If you have not had the opportunity to walk through The Woodson’s current exhibition yet, join us during April’s ArtWalk to view ‘Sister Gertrude Morgan: A Ministry of Divergence’!

The exhibition ‘Sister Gertrude Morgan: A Ministry of Divergence’ offers visitors an immersive experience of Sister Morgan’s multifaceted ministry, showcasing her unique blend of art, music, and poetry. Her works, rich in religious symbolism and personal testament, challenge conventional boundaries between the sacred and the secular, inviting viewers to explore the depths of faith and creativity.

What

Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty by Dorothy Roberts exposes America’s systemic abuse of Black women’s bodies. From slave masters’ economic stake in bonded women’s fertility to government programs that coerced thousands of poor Black women into being sterilized as late as the 1970s, these abuses pointed to the degradation of Black motherhood—and the exclusion of Black women’s reproductive needs in mainstream feminist and civil rights agendas.

April’s discussion will start by focusing on chapters one and two (up to page 104) of this book.

To register, click here.

What

The Al Downing Jazz Education Scholarship Competition, initiated by Al Downing in the 1980s and established annually since 2004, showcases the top jazz high-school seniors from Pinellas County. After a rigorous application process facilitated by the Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association, up to five outstanding finalists are selected to compete in this esteemed competition.

Each finalist will perform two jazz standards accompanied by our esteemed house rhythm section, La Lucha, during the 90-minute competition. Following the performances, La Lucha will entertain the audience while a panel of three experienced judges evaluates each contestant.

This year, we’re excited to feature finalists Emani Baines from Gibbs High School and Wesley McDaniel from Tarpon Springs High School. In a special addition, the 2020 finalists, who missed the chance to perform live due to the pandemic, will grace the stage, showcasing their talents to a live audience and panel of judges. The winners of this year’s competition will be awarded financial scholarships to support their jazz education at any university of their choice.

Click Here to register.

What

First Ladies of African American History

2024 Winnie Foster Lifetime Achievement Award

Winnie Foster was a local hero in our community who championed countless causes including social justice and reform until her passing in 2023. Her commitment to racial equality inspired The Woodson to commemorate her legacy by creating an award in her honor.

Congratulatory Remarks

What

Finding Your Voice: Engage and learn with Dr. Tameka Bradley Hobbs

Award-winning writer, researcher, consultant, and director of oral history projects, Tameka Bradley Hobbs will share ways to build community by encouraging attendees to determine how they will contribute to creating the society they want to see. 

Bio:

Dr. Tameka Bradley Hobbs is a researcher, writer, consultant, and director for several public and oral history projects. Her book, Democracy Abroad, Lynching at Home: Racial Violence in Florida, was published by the University Press of Florida and has been awarded bronze medal for the 2015 Florida Book Award for Florida Nonfiction, and the 2016 Harry T. and Harriette V. Mo ore Award from the Florida Historical Society. She has appeared in several award-winning documentaries including Liberty Burning, You Belong to Me: Sex, Race, and Murder in the South, Crossing Overtown, and George Stephanopoulos’s Grand Knighthawk: Infiltrating the KKK. She is currently the Library Regional Manager of Broward Public Library’s African American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale.

To register, email education@woodsonmuseum.org.

What

Join us for March’s ArtWalk and explore our new exhibition, Sister Gertrude Morgan: A Ministry of Divergence!

Sister Gertrude Morgan (1900-1980), born Gertrude Williams, embarked on a transformative journey from Alabama to New Orleans, where she declared the city the “headquarters of sin” and dedicated her life to spreading the Gospel. Through her vivid paintings, spirited music, and powerful oration, she became a beacon of faith in the vibrant culture of New Orleans. Her art, characterized by its bold use of color and profound biblical narratives, serves as a testament to her unwavering dedication to her ministry.

What

Select a new book for discussion and get acquainted with the group if you have not attended a meeting before. Refreshments will be provided.

To register, email woodsonmuseum@gmail.com

What

Thursday, February 29, will be the final day to view Resilience & Revolution: An Immersion of Black Americana.

Co-Curators, The Montague Collection, and Dr. Cody Clark will be present for a discussion starting at 6:30 PM.

What

The Woodson African American Museum of Florida and the Al Downing Jazz Association present Scotty Wright’s Quintet in the Legacy Garden!

Scotty Wright returns to the museum for his fourth annual February concert, in celebration of Black History Month. For this year’s program, Scotty explores the rhythmic side of jazz, featuring several of his own compositions. Ably assisted by some of Tampa Bay’s best, Scotty and his partners bring out the soulful, the sassy, the sensitive and the sensual sounds that are sure to get the garden groovin’ – on a Sunday afternoon.

What

Following the film screening, a brief discussion will take place to explore thoughts and feelings that emerged during the documentary.

What

The Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival Inc. emphasizes education in food consumption, agricultural science, and improved lifestyle choices including fitness, and finance. We adhere to a “health is wealth initiative,” focusing on improving health, financial, and other racial disparities in the Black, Brown, and African American populations.

The Woodson African American Museum of Florida will be open during the festival from 10 AM – 3 PM.

What

Join us for this fireside chat that explores co-curator Dr. Clark’s process when creating this exhibition and his journey collecting Black Americana.

The fireside chat will be from 5:30-6:30 PM, with the gallery being open to guests from 5-8 PM.

What

The Woodson African American Museum of Florida is proud to collaborate with the St. Petersburg Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., The Rays, and Saturday Shoppes to present Super Bold Saturday on February 10 from 1-5 PM at Tropicana Field, Lot 4. In today’s climate, emphasizing voter education has become more crucial than ever. We extend a warm invitation for you to be part of this impactful initiative dedicated to BOLD voter outreach and empowerment.

What

Join us in supporting our Woodson Warriors Scholarships Program during this fundraiser with guest speaker Bryan Stevenson.

Bryan Stevenson is the founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, a human rights organization in Montgomery, Alabama. Under his leadership, EJI has won major legal challenges eliminating excessive and unfair sentencing, exonerating innocent death row prisoners, confronting abuse of the incarcerated and the mentally ill, and aiding children prosecuted as adults.

The Woodson Warriors Scholarships Program’s mission is to assist local African-American students with their next level of education after graduating high school.

Sponsorship and Table Options

If you are planning on attending, you can pre-register to speed up the check-in progress by clicking here.

Title Sponsorship – SOLD OUT

Title Sponsor of the Woodson Warriors Scholarships Fundraiser will be printed on promotional materials, press releases, and social media outlets and acknowledged as a sponsor of two (2) scholarships during the annual 2024 Woodson Warriors  Scholarships Awards Ceremony. Your organization’s logo will be added to The Woodson African American Museum of  Florida’s website as a contributor. The sponsorship provides for two (2) tables of eight at the event, and up to three (3) guests invitations to a VIP Reception. 

Signature Sponsorship – SOLD OUT

Signature Sponsor of the Woodson Warriors Scholarships Fundraiser will be printed on promotional materials, press releases, and social media outlets and acknowledged as a sponsor of one (1) scholarship during the annual 2024 Woodson Warriors  Scholarships Awards Ceremony. Your organization’s logo will be added to The Woodson African American Museum of  Florida’s website as a contributor. The sponsorship provides for one (1) table of eight at the event, and up to two (2) guests invitations to a VIP Reception. 

Patron Sponsorship – SOLD OUT

Patron Sponsor of the Woodson Warriors Scholarships Fundraiser will be acknowledged on The Woodson African American  Museum of Florida’s website as a contributor. 

Table Sponsorship – SOLD OUT

Table Sponsor will have sponsor signage on their table.

Table of 8 – SOLD OUT

Individual Ticket – SOLD OUT

What

To the world, Louis Armstrong is iconic — a symbol of musical genius, unparalleled success, and unassailable character. To Sharon, he was simply Dad. Armstrong’s wholesome, non-threatening image preserved his singular career as a black performer with unfettered access to a white man’s world. Yet he was more than a caricature. In private, he held tightly to the things he loved. Perhaps closest to his heart was a child he hid from the world: a daughter sworn to a life of secrecy until now.

Along with screening the film provided by Green Book of Tampa Bay, the event will also feature a conversation with Sharon, who will also participate in a panel discussion including The Woodson’s Education and Outreach Manager, Patrick Arthur Jackson, focusing on the film’s themes of finding your voice, family secrets, and relationships with fathers.

Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the film begins at 7PM. This event is in partnership with the Woodson African American Museum of Florida.

This event is sponsored by the Pinellas County Urban League and its affinity groups; PCUL Guild, Young Professionals & NULITES.

Click Here to purchase tickets.

What

The Woodson African American Museum of Florida is proud to showcase some of our area’s most talented Black classical performers. This annual event celebrates the extraordinary artistic talent of African Americans that is rarely seen or celebrated.

VIP: $75 – premier seats and a champagne & wine reception with the artists.
Tier B: $45.
Tier C: $20.

To purchase tickets, click here.

What

What

Join The Woodson African American Museum of Florida and community leaders for an evening of prayer and reflections honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

What

The Woodson African American Museum of Florida is thrilled to announce its upcoming exhibition, Resilience & Revolution: An Immersion of Black Americana. This thought-provoking and immersive experience, co-curated by The Montague Collection and Dr. Cody Clark, will captivate visitors by delving into the rich tapestry of African-American history and culture. The exhibition is set to be a beacon of hope, knowledge, and understanding, challenging stereotypes and celebrating the resilience and contributions of African Americans.

About The Montague Collection:

The Montague Collection stands as a distinguished bespoke exhibition company dedicated to illuminating the richness and complexity of African-American history through the compelling medium of visual arts. With unwavering commitment and profound reverence, we curate exhibitions that pay homage to African Americans’ vibrant legacy and profound contributions, fostering cultural understanding, and inspiring a more inclusive world.

About Dr. Cody Clark:

Dr. Cody L. “Spec” Clark, has had a long-standing career of over 35 years with the renowned arts magnet program at Gibbs High School as the program counselor of fine and performing arts.  Educated in Georgia, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in psychology at LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. He completed both his Master’s degree (1986) and his specialist degree (1996) in counseling education at the University of South Florida in Tampa. In 2003, he finished his Doctoral degree in Children, Youth and Family counseling services at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  He specialized in African American youth in the visual and performing arts.

Photos: Courtesy of The Montague Collection

What

Join us in exploring our newest exhibition, Resilience & Revolution: An Immersion of Black Americana

Experience the relentless pursuit of justice and equality by African Americans during this period through ephemera, memorabilia, and a talk by co-curator Dr. Cody Clark.