Fort Lauderdale, FL

African American Research Library & Cultural Center
DESCRIPTION: One of four African American research libraries in the country, this outstanding facility morphed from the Von Mizell Cultural Center & Library on Sistrunk Blvd; the new 60,000 square foot facility features the Hewitt Collection of books, periodicals and electronic materials related to African American and Caribbean history and culture, a 300-seat auditorium and a museum for regional and national traveling exhibits; another highlight is the Florida Civil Rights Sit-ins exhibit of 1960-1961; in tune with community needs, the onsite computer training lab is first rate; includes a small gift shop

ADMISSION: Free, but a small charge for some special events

DAYS & HOURS: Mon 12a-8p; Tue-Thu 10a-8p, Sat 9a-5p

ADDRESS: NW 6th Street at 27th Ave  MAP

PHONE: 954-765-4269

WEBSITE: http://www.broward.org/Library/LocationsHours/Branches/Pages/AA

Old Dillard Museum
DESCRIPTION: Built in 1924, this two story beige building was the first Black high school in Broward County and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; classes stopped in 1989, today its an informative regional historical museum with exhibits that cover the arrival of people of African decent to the region up to the Civil Rights Movement; one exhibit chronicles African Americans’ struggle for equal educational opportunities in South Florida

ADMISSION: small fee

DAYS & HOURS: Tue, Thu-Sat 12a-4p, Wed 12a-8p

ADDRESS: 1001 NW 4th Street  MAP

PHONE: 954-765-6952

WEBSITE: http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/olddillardmuseum

 
Miami, FL

Lyric Theater
DESCRIPTION: Fully renovated, this two story masonry Vaudeville and movie theater was Miami’s primary venue during the Chitlin' Circuit era; built by prominent black entrepreneur Gedar Walker in 1915, it represented the apex of African American entertainment and social life; note the prominent Miami Times mural on the site of the theatre; recently expanded a great place for poetry slams

ADMISSION: varies by event

ADDRESS: 819 NW 2nd Ave  MAP

PHONE: 305-358-1146

WEBSITE: http://www.theblackarchives.org/lyric.htm

Mal-Jonal Productions
DESCRIPTION: Performs musical docudramas of positive role models such as Ella Fitzgerald; warmly appreciated performances are held at the Joseph E Caleb Auditorium; call for events calendar

ADDRESS: 16713 SW 107th Place  MAP

PHONE: 305-253-4061

WEBSITE: http://www.alicejohnson.com

Florida Memorial University
DESCRIPTION: Created by American Baptist Home Missionary Society in the late 1800s for African Americans; the college moved here from St. Augustine, Florida in 1968; this college is where James Weldon Johnson composed the Negro anthem “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 8a-5p

ADDRESS: 15800 NW 42nd Ave  MAP

PHONE: 305-374-4040

WEBSITE: http://www.fmuniv.edu

Martin Luther King, Jr. Statue & Park
DESCRIPTION: Though it appears a bit clunky, the memorial statue is surrounded by inviting palm trees in a popular park bearing Dr King’s name

ADDRESS: NW 62nd Street at 32nd Ave  MAP

African Heritage Cultural Arts Center
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1975, this cultural venue teaches dance music, drama and photography to local children; a special treat is that many night classes are taught by resident artists

ADMISSION: donations appreciated

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-6p

ADDRESS: 6161 NW 22nd Ave  MAP

PHONE: 305-638-6771 or 6838

WEBSITE: Link

Inner City Children’s Touring Dance Company
DESCRIPTION: Founded 1973 by Florene Litthcut, she teaches creative movement to children 18 months to 6 years of age, ballet, tap, and Katherine Dunham techniques, Lindy Hop, West African dance and percussion; Artz ‘N’ The Hood program; the company is hosted in the Carrie Meeks Cultural Center which is a 21,000 square feet facility that features 8,700 square feet of cultural space, a black box theater with stadium style seating for 200; two dance spaces with "sprung" floors, a game room, fitness area, multi-purpose room for 300 people, 3 classrooms, surround sound in all the rooms

DAYS & HOURS: Office Mon-Fri 6p-9p, Sat 10a-3p

ADDRESS: 1350 NW 50th Street  MAP

PHONE: 305-637-8200

WEBSITE: none

Black Archives, History & Research Foundation of South Florida
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1977 by Dorothy J Fields; history research center for African American life in Dade County, the foundation also played a leadership role in the restoration of the Lyric Theatre and is planning to develop the Historic Overtown Folklife Village; located inside Joseph Caleb Auditorium, which is named after a Black union leader who was murdered for speaking out about injustices; the frequent venue for performing arts was designed by a Black architect

ADMISSION: donations appreciated

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-5p

ADDRESS: 5400 NW 22nd Ave, Bldg C, Suite 101  MAP

PHONE: 305-636-2390

WEBSITE: http://www.theblackarchives.org

Opa-Locka, FL

Edwin Holland School of Dance
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1984, the school offers Jazz, Tap & Ballet classes to students 3 & up; Hip-Hop classes in the future; annual performance at Barry University in Miami Shores and many other cultural events including National Night Out, Dade County Youth Fair, and Black History celebrations

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 7:30a-6p

ADDRESS: 13631 NW 7th Ave  MAP

PHONE: 305-685-0037

WEBSITE: http://www.ehsod.com

Prince Hall Shriners Temple #149
DESCRIPTION: The sacred brotherhood has an attractive streetscape

DAYS & HOURS: membership only

ADDRESS: 500 Fisherman Street  MAP

PHONE: 305-688-5220

WEBSITE: none

Delray Beach, FL

 

Spady Cultural Heritage Museum
DESCRIPTION: dedicated to communicating the rich history and cultural diversity of Delray Beach and South Palm Beach County; located in the former home of Solomon D. Spady who was the most prominent African American educator and community leader in Delray Beach from 1922 to 1957; the historic two-storied Mission-Revival styled home completed in 1926 anchors the Spady Cultural Heritage Complex; the museum sponsors the Spady Living Heritage Festival celebrated annually

ADMISSION: $5 adults, $3 seniors, Students w/ID Free

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 11a-4p; Sat 10a-2p

ADDRESS: 170 NW 5th Ave  MAP

PHONE: 561-279-8883

WEBSITE: http://www.spadymuseum.com