Join us for our annual African American Heritage Festival!

We are kicking off our event with a documentary film screening on Thursday, February 22nd, with a pair of high school classmates in 1965. Learn more and purchase your tickets here!

Friday, February 23rd, we will be jamming with Charlotte Caribbean Carnival. Come for the cultural presentation and stay for the food, costumes & music! Learn more and purchase your tickets here!

Get free admission to the Charlotte Museum of History to celebrate Charlotte's Black history and culture on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm. Our 2024 event will emphasize the history and  culture of Charlotte's Black community with a special focus on education and community to celebrate the arrival of Siloam School to the museum's campus. 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! Last year's event saw more than 1100 people, and we know this year will be even better!

Parking on Saturday is available at Garinger High School only, 1100 Eastway Drive. Parking and shuttle service to the museum are free.

Schedule of Events:

11:00: First shuttle from Garinger High School departs

11:30-12:15: HBCU Panel

12:00-4:00: Historic Alexander Homesite open

12:00-12:30: SHAE Movement Performance - Honoring the Enslaved on the historic Alexander Homesite

12:30-1:15: Slave Dwelling Project presentation on urban slavery and its impacts over 250 years of United States' history

1:30-2:00: Jumping Dreams Double Dutch Performance

2:30 - 3:15: JCSU Student Research Symposium

2:30-3:15: Charlotte Post Panel Discussion

3:30-4:15: Drums4Life Performance

5:00: Final shuttle to Garinger High School departs from museum 

Throughout the Day

Live Path of Portraits painting

Bounce House (Parking Lot)

The Urban Reader African American Bookstore Bookmobile (Parking Lot)

Olde Mecklenburg Genealogical Society office open (Upstairs)

Art Pop-up (Upstairs) - Africa Art Speaks, Royal Boss Beauty, SISTORIES, Something Special, Sun's Jewelry, Village Studio & Gallery, Sassy Chef's Kitchen, Nessy's Naturals & Crafts, BT African Arts and Crafts, Cocoa Cutie, Solita Royal Studio, and Noir Candle Collection

Community Tables (Downstairs, Hive @ 35) - CharlotteEast, AARP, U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission, Mission in Service CLT, Maximus, Amity Medical Group, Dress Afrika, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and April Hill Artistry

History Organizations (Downstairs, Liberty Gallery) - J. Murrey Atkins Library, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library, Levine Museum of the New South, McCrorey Hights Neighborhood Association, Historic Rosedale, Slave Dwelling Project, Charlotte Caribbean Carnival, Historic Landmarks Commission, and the Charlotte Post

HBCU College Fair (Upstairs, Captured in Cartoons Gallery) - Barber-Scotia College, Elizabeth City State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Allen University, South Carolina State University, Clinton College, and North Carolina Central University

Food Trucks (Parking Lot) - Hip Hop Smoothie, Ms. Didi's Caribbean Kitchen, and Blasian Asian Way

Keep an eye on our website as we continue to add schedule updates leading up to the festival!