Tampa Bay History Center to host fourth annual Black History Month Reception

TAMPA, Fla. (Jan. 1, 2025) —The Tampa Bay History Center will host its fourth annual Black History Month Reception on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at 801 Water St., Tampa. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a reception in the Lykes Atrium on the second floor, followed by a program at 6:30 p.m. in TECO Hall.

This year’s keynote speaker is Leonard George Jr., Esq., a trailblazer in sports and media and a native of West Tampa. In 1968, George became the first African American to sign a football scholarship with the University of Florida, breaking barriers for future Black athletes. A 1969 graduate of Tampa’s Jesuit High School, he led the Tigers to their first Florida high school football state championship. After playing for the Florida Gators, George pursued a career in television journalism at WTOG in Tampa and later practiced law in Atlanta and Tallahassee, including work with the Florida attorney general’s office. His life and achievements are featured in the documentary “Leonard George and the Tigers.”

Dr. Rozelia Kennedy will present the Dr. Bernard Lafayette History Award, recognizing an individual dedicated to preserving Black history. Guests will enjoy live music by saxophonist David Nichols during the reception, along with access to the museum galleries. A cash bar will be provided by the Columbia Cafe, and African attire is optional for the evening.

Tickets for the event are $75 and can be purchased exclusively through the Tampa Bay History Center’s website.

Media Contact:
Billy Somerville
Director of Marketing and Communications
Tampa Bay History Center
[email protected]
813-675-8985

About the 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.

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