Celebrate Black History Month at the Award-Winning African American Heritage Festival

Get free admission to the Charlotte Museum of History to celebrate Charlotte's Black history and culture on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Our 2025 event is titled "Black Country" and will emphasize the Black experience in rural Mecklenburg County over time. Through performances, guest speakers, panels, and community-focused events for the whole family, we hope you can experience the richness of African American heritage and culture in the Charlotte region - and have fun while doing it! This year, we are honored to welcome John Boyd, President of the National Black Farmers Association, as our keynote speaker. Last year's event saw more than 1,100 people, and we know this year will be even better!

Tables: Historic Rosedale, AAA Therapeutic Solutions, Amity Medical, Maximus, Historic Landmarks Commission, National Black Farmers Association, J Murrey Atkins Library, West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition, Olde Mecklenburg Genealogical Society, James K. Polk State Historic Site, Land Loss Prevention Project, Wellcare, Save Cedar Grove, Pottstown Heritage Group, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library

Farmer's and Craft Market Vendors: Mind Body and Scents, Shared Sweets, Nessy’s Naturals, Urban Reader Bookmobile, Abuoden Donkor Enterprises, Loveus Brand, Sun's Jewelry, Mother’s Finest Urban Farm, Gamafro Originals, Uncommonly Male, A-Wow the Plant Gal, Solita Royal Studio, Deronda Metz, ILE OLUFUNKE, Something Special

Food Trucks: Sandra Lee's Country Kitchen, Another Food Truck?, FUNOHCAKES

Parking: Free parking is available at the Charlotte Museum of History, as well as at an off-site lot just an 8-10 minute walk away on Shamrock Drive. Look for signs directing you to the off-site parking area.

Awards: 2023 QC Nerve Best in the Nest "Critics Pick - Best Cultural Celebration"

Schedule of Events:

11:00: 

Honoring the Enslaved - A ceremony held to honor the enslaved on the 1774 Homesite, featuring a poem, the reading of their names, and the ringing of the American Freedom Bell in remembrance of their lives and legacy.

11:15:

Creative Writing Workshop - Join Jah Smalls for an inspiring creative writing workshop that explores storytelling, self-expression, and the power of words.

11:30

Live Cooking Demonstration* with The Chronicles of Adam Begins

12:00:  

Guided Tour of the 1774 Rock House ($5)

12:15:

Poetry Performance - Enjoy a poetry performance featuring excerpts from the "BLACK CHARLOTTE" Project.

12:30: 

Keynote Address by John Boyd, National Black Farmers Association President

12:45:

"BLACK CHARLOTTE" Project Listening Session - Listen to the full "BLACK CHARLOTTE" Project EP and participate in a Q&A session.

1:00:

Guided Tour of the 1774 Rock House ($5)

1:30: 

Trouble So Hard Performance - Learn More About Them!

AAA Therapeutic Solutions Workshop - Participate in a workshop on container gardens featuring seeds and vegetables important to African American culture. 

2:00:

Guided Tour of the 1774 Rock House ($5)

2:30:

Panel Discussion - Rosenwald: The Forgotten Schools In Mecklenburg County.

3:00:

Guided Tour of the 1774 Rock House ($5)

4:00:

Live Cooking Demonstration Ends

4:15:

Pottstown USA Screening - Get an exclusive first look at Pottstown USA during a 20-minute screening of the unfinished documentary, followed by a dynamic panel with the filmmakers and featured subjects including Tom Hanchett, Frederick Murphy, and Chè Abdullah.

*Historic foods are not for public consumption but for educational demonstrations.*