Fred Hearns, curator of Black history, will interview Ray Arsenault, Ph.D., author of the new book "John Lewis: In Search of the Beloved Community," along with Roselia Kennedy, Ph.D., a USF professor and sister of Bernard LaFayette, Ph.D. This discussion will provide perspectives on the struggle for civil rights for Black people in Tampa and …

Join Glenn Westfall, Ph.D., as he unravels the tale of Don Vicente Martinez Ybor, tracing the Cuban cigar industry's migration to Florida and its impact on the state's industrial rise by 1900. Explore preservation efforts for Ybor City and the Ybor City State Museum in this enlightening lecture. Save your seat for this talk on …

This program examines the intertwined history of Tampa’s Catholic and Jewish communities. A panel of longtime local leaders will share knowledge and personal experiences, offering insights into this unique relationship. Dr. Gary Mormino, Frank E. Duckwall Professor of History Emeritus, will moderate the discussion. This program is co-organized with the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at Saint Leo …

The Tampa Bay History Center and WUSF present a program on the Florida Chitlin’ Circuit, a network of Black-owned venues that thrived during the Jim Crow era. Local and national experts will discuss how these clubs fostered community and launched the careers of iconic musicians such as Ray Charles. NPR journalist and musician Eric Deggans …

Dr. Leslie Poole shares research spanning the colonial period to the 20th century, focusing on explorers and travelers who documented their experiences in Florida. Her work reveals how the state’s landscapes have changed over time, contrasting historical Florida with the Florida of today. Dr. Poole’s narrative provides insights into Florida’s natural history and evolving human …