Discover Orlando’s Vibrant African‑American Heritage, Celebrated All Year

Explore the vibrant African‑American heritage that shapes Orlando—from Historic Eatonville to thriving cultural venues, especially during Black History Month.

Orlando is renowned for its theme parks, dining, arts, and outdoor adventures. Yet, the city also boasts a rich African‑American heritage that enriches the local culture year‑round. We invite you to discover this legacy beyond Black History Month.

While exploring Orlando’s African‑American history, you’ll benefit from rigorous health and safety protocols at cultural venues, hotels, restaurants, and transportation providers. These measures help protect you as you dive into all the worlds of wonder that Orlando offers—including the invaluable impact that African Americans continue to have on our community.

Please note: Depending on the timing of your visit, some experiences may be temporarily modified or closed. Learn more about healthy travel and what’s open in Orlando, and check with your favorite attractions for their current status.

Black History Month Events in Orlando for 2021

Explore Orlando’s 2021 Black History Month events—educational forums and artistic celebrations. Check our calendar for updates and additional activities during your stay.

Orange County Regional History Center and Heritage Square Park in Orlando

Orlando City’s Black History Month Programming

Orlando City traditionally celebrates Black History Month with diverse in‑person events and exhibitions that highlight African American contributions to Central Florida. In 2021, to prioritize safety, many workshops and panels were held virtually via the Orange County Regional History Center. Highlights include:

• Virtual Lunch & Learn: Collecting and Preserving the Black Lives Matter Movement (Feb. 5, 2021) – An interactive discussion featuring curators from the Goldsboro Museum in Sanford, exploring how institutions are preserving the BLM narrative. Get complete details
• Black Mental Health Matters – A virtual event featuring live performances, a powerhouse panel, and small‑group discussions to spark vital conversations about mental health within Black families. Get complete details
• Celebrating Black Culture Series: Storytelling and Poetry Webinar (Feb. 11, 2021) – Dr. Obi Nwakanma, poet and UCF professor, joins fellow poet Valada Flewellyn and blues musician Ruth King to celebrate the power of words and storytelling in African tradition and the African‑American experience. Get complete details
• Celebrating African‑American Culture in Art, Music and Dance Webinar (Feb. 25, 2021) – Hosted by leading members of Orlando’s arts community, this virtual workshop highlights the critical role African‑American families have played in shaping our nation and celebrates their diversity as a core part of American society. Get complete details

Frontyard Festival™: Through Unity, We Shall Overcome (Feb. 25, 2021)

Presented by Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, the free Frontyard Festival™ concert (Feb. 25) featured the acclaimed Aeolians Chorus of Oakwood University, directed by Grammy‑winning educator Dr. Jeffrey Redding. Part of the Dr. Phillips Center’s Frontyard Festival series, it delivered socially‑distant live entertainment downtown. Get complete details

Orlando City Library Services African‑American Virtual Read‑In (Feb. 28, 2021)

Orlando City Library Services African‑American Virtual Read‑In (Feb. 28, 2021)

On Feb. 28, the Orlando City Library hosted a free African‑American Virtual Read‑In, featuring local writers and performers in celebration of the 31st Annual National African‑American Read‑In. Get complete details

Uprooting Prejudice: Faces of Change (Through March 31, 2021)

From Feb. 28 to March 31, the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center in Maitland showcased John Noltner’s “Uprooting Prejudice: Faces of Change,” a powerful photographic exhibit confronting identity‑based hate.

The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure

EPCOT’s “The Soul of Jazz: An American Adventure” exhibit honors jazz’s African‑American roots and multicultural evolution. It will run through the end of February.

Save on discount tickets: Walt Disney World Resort

African‑American Culture & History in Orlando

Orlando’s heritage spans prehistoric times, reflecting a tapestry of cultures. Central to this narrative—and to the national Civil Rights movement—is the African‑American community, whose enduring influence permeates the city.

Historic Eatonville & Zora Neale Hurston

Located 25 minutes north of Orlando’s main tourist areas, Eatonville is the nation’s oldest continuously operating all‑Black municipality. Incorporated in 1887 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998, the town remains a living testament to African‑American self‑governance.

In the early 1900s, Eatonville welcomed the Hurston family; the town’s vibrant culture later inspired Zora Neale Hurston’s celebrated novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God.

ZORA!® Festival in Historic Eatonville

Eatonville honors Hurston through the annual ZORA!® Festival of the Arts & Humanities and the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts, collectively known as The Hurston.

The ZORA! Festival is a vibrant, multicultural celebration held each January–February. Regardless of the time you visit, The Hurston offers free admission, guided tours (by appointment), and comprehensive resources on historic landmarks like St. Lawrence AME Church and the Mosley House. Donations are welcome. For tours, call (407) 960‑1361.

African‑American History Throughout Orlando

Downtown Orlando hosts the Wells’Built Museum of African‑American History & Culture, housed within the 1921 Wells’Built Hotel built by Dr. William M. Wells. A National Register site, it once served African‑American travelers barred from segregated hotels, including notable musicians, and was listed in the historic Green Book that inspired the 2018 Oscar‑winning film Green Book.

Today, the Wells’Built showcases artifacts from Orlando’s African‑American community, Civil Rights history, and African art. While operating under limited hours due to COVID‑19, it remains open for visitors seeking historic selfies. MCO also hosts a 20‑year anniversary exhibition featuring museum photographs and artwork.

Nearby, Tinker Field—adjacent to Camping World Stadium—was the venue for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic 1964 Civil Rights speech and was listed on the National Register in 2004.

Just west lies Winter Park’s Hannibal Square, featuring the Hannibal Square Heritage Center where visitors can trace the area’s roots as an African‑American community linked to the South Florida Railroad.

Black‑Owned Restaurants & Other Businesses

Orlando hosts a thriving network of Black‑owned restaurants and businesses year‑round, especially in downtown and Eatonville. Recently, Yelp highlighted Chicken Fire (east of downtown) and StreetWise Urban Food (near MCO) as top Black‑owned eateries.

Explore the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida’s directory for more Black‑owned dining, or read the Orlando Date Night Guide’s blog on local culinary gems.

Another must‑visit Black‑owned attraction is Bronze Kingdom African Art Gallery on International Drive, home to the world’s largest collection of rare African bronze statues and over 2,000 beaded and wood sculptures.

African‑American history, arts, and culture are integral to Orlando’s vibrant tapestry. Use our free planning tools and resources to craft a memorable, family‑friendly visit.

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