Fort Lauderdale Historical Society celebrates Black History Month
By Fran Folic
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — The Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, proud steward of our community’s past by making our heritage accessible and engaging to residents and visitors, will honor the contributions and creativity of our diverse community during Black History Month. The nonprofit organization will present a month-long visual art show by students from Dillard Center for the Arts and an important Community Conversation with Metropolitan Diversity Theater Company artist and historian Anthony Thompson on the centennial anniversary of New Mount Olive Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, on February 17 at 1 p.m.
“The Fort Lauderdale Historical Society is honored to highlight and support the significant multidisciplinary contributions of our African American community all year-round but especially during Black History Month,” said Patricia Zeiler, executive director of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society. “This year is a special milestone as we help our neighbors at New Mount Olive Baptist Church celebrate its centennial and remember those individuals who strived to ensure opportunity and equality for all.”
On Sunday, Feb. 4, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society will showcase a preview of visual arts media from the talented advanced placement art students at Dillard Center for the Arts. The month-long exhibit with works for sale, “Black Lives Matter,” co-curated by Celestin Joseph, advanced placement studio arts instructor at Dillard Center for the Arts, will highlight the cultural diversity of African Americans who contributed to and are still impacting the vibrant fabric of Fort Lauderdale. The preview is free with general admission Museum tickets that can be purchased online, in advance, at www.eventbrite.com/e/black-history-month-student-art-exhibit-tickets-42137340921
As the New Mount Olive Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society is proud to present a Community Conversation with Metropolitan Diversity Theater Company artist and historian Tony Thompson on Saturday, Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. The program, entitled “New Mount Olive Church Members: A-gents of Change” will recognize members of the congregation who are, were and remain valiant agents of change with-in in the Fort Lauderdale community. The Community Conversation with Tony Thompson is free with general admission Museum tickets that can be purchased online, in advance, at www.eventbrite.com/e/new-mount-olive-baptist-church-members-agents-of-change-tickets-42097220921
For more info call (954) 463-4431 or visit us online at www.fortlauderdalehistoricalsociety.org and follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/ftlhistory on Instagram @ftlhistory and on Twitter @FLLhistory.
