Historic announcement launches Tampa’s Black History Museum initiative
TAMPA, Fla. – In a significant stride toward preserving and celebrating Tampa’s Black heritage, the Tampa Bay History Center and Tampa Housing Authority officially announced their collaborative effort to establish Tampa’s Black History Museum. The announcement, made last Monday, June 17, marked the beginning of Juneteenth Week, adding cultural significance to the event.
“This partnership represents months of thoughtful planning born of a desire to work together to share Tampa’s Black history,” stated C.J. Roberts, President and CEO of the Tampa Bay History Center. “We’re proud to collaborate with the Tampa Housing Authority in such a significant and impactful way, offering Encore and the City of Tampa a new cultural destination.”
Jerome D. Ryans, President and CEO of the Tampa Housing Authority, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the initiative’s broader implications: “Our partnership with the Tampa Bay History Center shows our joint commitment to preserving diversity history, which is essential for fostering strong communities. The reason why we must honor and share Tampa’s Black heritage is to celebrate the past and inspire future generations to appreciate and uphold the vibrant cultural diversity that makes Tampa so unique.”
The announcement drew the support of prominent community leaders and elected officials, including Mayor Jane Castor, Florida State Representative Dianne Hart, County Commissioner Gwen Myers, and Tampa City Councilwoman Gwen Henderson. Leaders from the NAACP and Urban League also voiced their enthusiastic support, underscoring the initiative’s importance in elevating Black voices and safeguarding cultural heritage.
During the press conference held at 1213 N. Central Ave. in Tampa–the museum’s future home–attendees were treated to a photo exhibit showcasing pivotal moments in Tampa’s Black history. This exhibit provided a poignant visual narrative of the community’s cultural legacy and enduring impact on Tampa’s identity.
The establishment of Tampa’s Black History Museum represents a milestone in the city’s cultural and historical landscape. It promises to offer visitors an enriching educational experience while honoring the contributions of African Americans to Tampa’s development.
Media headlines
- 10 Tampa Bay: Fully restored church to be home of Tampa’s Black History Museum
- 83 Degrees: Historic church will become Tampa’s Black History Museum
- ABC Action News: City leaders announce Tampa’s first Black History Museum
- Axios: Tampa is getting its first Black History museum
- Bay News 9: New Tampa Black History Museum set to open
- FOX 13 NEWS: City of Tampa to establish its first Black History Museum at historic church
- News Channel 8: Black history museum coming to Tampa
- Tampa Bay Business Journal: Tampa to establish new Black History Museum in the Encore district
- Tampa Bay Times: Black history museum would be built in Tampa historic church
- WMNF News: Tampa leaders announce new Black history museum
- WUSF NPR: A Black history museum will be coming to Tampa
Photo gallery
ABOUT TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER: Located on Tampa’s Water Street, the Tampa Bay History Center includes three floors of permanent and temporary exhibition space focusing on 12,000 years of Florida’s history and culture. A Smithsonian Affiliate museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the History Center includes the Touchton Map Library and Florida Center for Cartographic Education and the Witt Research Center and is home to the Columbia Cafe. One of Tampa’s premier cultural venues, the History Center’s hands-on interactive exhibits and theaters provide an entertaining and educational experience for visitors of all ages. For more information, visit www.tampabayhistorycenter.org.
ABOUT TAMPA HOUSING AUTHORITY: Incorporated in 1937, the Tampa Housing Authority’s mission is to cultivate affordable housing while empowering people and communities. Beyond managing federal Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs, the Authority works with local governments and partners with public and private organizations to carry out entrepreneurial urban development projects that expand accessible housing options in the Tampa area through mixed-income residences paired with commercial developments and augmented by community service programs that improve the quality of life for all Tampanians. Learn more at https://www.thafl.com.
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For more information or to arrange interviews, please get in touch with Billy Somerville at the Tampa Bay History Center.
About the Author
The Tampa Bay History Center welcomed Billy Somerville as its Director of Marketing and Communications in 2021. Billy leads the History Center’s external communication and content strategy across media channels with over a decade of experience in the...