Exhibits & Events

What

Sister Gertrude Morgan (1900-1980), born Gertrude Williams, embarked on a transformative journey from Alabama to New Orleans, where she declared the city the “headquarters of sin” and dedicated her life to spreading the Gospel. Through her vivid paintings, spirited music, and powerful oration, she became a beacon of faith in the vibrant culture of New Orleans. Her art, characterized by its bold use of color and profound biblical narratives, serves as a testament to her unwavering dedication to her ministry.

The exhibition Sister Gertrude Morgan: A Ministry of Divergence offers visitors an immersive experience of Sister Morgan’s multifaceted ministry, showcasing her unique blend of art, music, and poetry. Her works, rich in religious symbolism and personal testament, challenge conventional boundaries between the sacred and the secular, inviting viewers to explore the depths of faith and creativity.

What

Previously a BLACK LIVES MATTER mural, this updated mural expresses the importance of protecting Black History in the United States.

The Artists that contributed to the creation of this mural include Daniel “R5” Barojas, Miss Crit (Laura Spencer), Esh (Eric Hornsby), Cyrus Fire, Raheem Fitzgerald, John Gascot,

James E Hartzell, Vera Herrera, Plum Howlet, Jade Jackson, Reid Jenkins, Jujmo (Cheryl Weber), James Kitchens, Cam Parker, Reda3sb, Vitale Bros, Javon Walters, David Watson

T-shirts & Mural Prints

PURCHASE A T-SHIRT OR MURAL PRINT HERE

T-shirts and Black Lives Matter Mural prints are available for purchase.

Items are available for pick-up Tuesday – Friday, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm

What

Enjoy a calming yoga session led by Mindful Movement in The Woodson’s Legacy Garden every Saturday morning.

Registration is not required for these free yoga classes.

What

The City of St. Petersburg is holding its second annual City of Writers Poetry Festival, with The Woodson African American Museum of Florida is a host for emerging and established writers who reflect the talent, diversity, and creativity of St. Petersburg on April 21, 2024! Join us in engaging in an Asian American Pacific Islander poetry reading with speakers Avni Vyas, Alexa Stoffer, Jamie Lu, and MC Sam Obeid.

About the Speakers:

Jamie Lu is a 17-year-old Filipino-American writer born and raised in Florida. She is an alumnus of the Adroit Summer Mentorship Program for Fiction and a recipient of a Gold Key from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Her art is inspired by her parents’ stories of childhood, Filipino history, the people she encounters, the macabre, the divine, and everything in between.

Alexa Stoffer is a Chinese adoptee navigating her past while planning for the future. She is 22 years old and has been writing poetry for the past 6 years. From being featured in writing magazines to performing with close friends, she has built a community rooted in the feeling of safety and creative expression. She hopes to leave her mark in the ever-changing world of mental health through her words and her collegiate studies.

Avni Vyas is the author of Little God (Burrow Press 2021), and the chapbooks Far from Glorious Feeling (TOA 2021) and co-author of Candy In Our Brains (CutBank 2014). Her poetry and nonfiction can be found in journals such as Grist, Meridian, Arts and Letters, and others. She serves as a poetry editor at The Offending Adam. She teaches writing at New College of Florida.

About the MC:

Sam(ira) Obeid is an internationally renowned spoken word poet, a reputed educator on intersectionality, systemic discrimination and resistance, and a local activist. A masculine performing, Indian lesbian raised Hindu on her mother’s side and Muslim on her father’s side, Sam moved to the U.S. in 2007 earning her second and third master’s in Multimedia Journalism and Women’s & Gender Studies.

To register, email education@woodsonmuseum.org

What

The City of St. Petersburg is holding its second annual City of Writers Poetry Festival, with The Woodson African American Museum of Florida being a host for emerging and established writers who reflect the talent, diversity, and creativity of St. Petersburg.

Join Haiku poets Ani Crane and Tim Huff for an afternoon of conversation around their love and passion for Haiku poetry. Attendees will learn about their journey as poets, how they began writing, and hear Haiku selections.

About the Speakers:

Tim Huff
Originally from upstate New York, Tim has made St. Petersburg his home for 38 years. He started writing haikus in 2020 inspired by the nature in his backyard. He has published one book with a second book coming out this year. Tim has given numerous talks and workshops around Tampa Bay.
www.haikutim.com

Ani Crane
Being an octogenarian, Ani has had years of experience as a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher of English, author, psychic, Lyricist, playwright, poet, lover of fun and singer of songs. Her passion for creating is life long, and a legacy she wishes to leave to the next generation. Crane is a  Lifelong aficionado of the movies, especially foreign films and art films. Ani is living and loving in Gulfport, Florida with her beloved kitty, Rumi.

What

Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty by Dorothy Roberts exposes America’s systemic abuse of Black women’s bodies. From slave masters’ economic stake in bonded women’s fertility to government programs that coerced thousands of poor Black women into being sterilized as late as the 1970s, these abuses pointed to the degradation of Black motherhood—and the exclusion of Black women’s reproductive needs in mainstream feminist and civil rights agendas.

May’s discussion will focus on chapters three and four.

To register, click here.

What

Vincent Adejumo in conversation with Silk Jazmyne Hindus

Dr. Vincent Adejumo’s work encompasses a practical approach to unearthing and searching for sustainable solutions to the adversities African Americans face in their daily lives.

About Dr. Vincent Adejumo:

Dr. Vincent Edward Oluwole Adejumo is from Tampa Fl and is a 2008 graduate of the Florida State University, earning a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration, triple majoring in Business Management, Management Information Systems, and Human Resource Management.

In the Summer of 2015, Dr. Adejumo graduated from the University of Florida’s Political Science PhD program majoring in policy and administration. He is currently a full-time lecturer in the African American Studies program at UF teaching Intro to African American Studies, The Wire, Mentoring At-Risk Youth, Black Wall Street, and Black Masculinity. Due to his continued involvement and reputation for teaching at the University of Florida, Dr. Adejumo was selected as the Professor of the Year by the UF Black Student Union for the 2015-2016 school year. He was also selected as the Professor and Advisor of the Year by the UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for the 2017-2018 school year.

About Silk Jazmyne: 

Silk Jazmyne is a student of life who loves the artistically strange and narrative in all its forms. She’s a book reviewer and essayist. She’s also a Speculative fiction writer and teaching artist for Kitchen Table Literary Arts, Grubstreet Writers and The Porch. Her work has appeared both online and in print at Black Girl Nerds, Straylight Magazine, The Gateway Review, Serendipity Literary Magazine, Midnight & Indigo, African Writer Magazine, Ekphrastic Exhibition in Tandem: Back | Forth .  She was born in New York and grew up all over as a Navy brat. She holds a MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Tampa and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Florida International University.

What

Step into an extraordinary realm of elegance and jubilation at our ALL WHITE PARTY, where the enchanting spirit of celebration intertwines with the vibrant essence of joy. Join us as we illuminate the night with a radiant sea of white, symbolizing the profound journey of African Americans’ independence within this great nation.

Prepare to be captivated as the evening unfolds amidst a backdrop of soulful sophistication and unity. Picture tables adorned with pristine white linens, setting the stage for an atmosphere of unparalleled elegance. Here, our esteemed guests will grace the occasion in their finest all-white attire, adding to the enchantment with their presence.

While we provide the canvas, it’s your personal touch that will elevate the experience. Envision personalized table decorations, curated to reflect your unique style and flair. You and your guests take delight in creating your own culinary journey of delectable cuisine, carefully crafted to tantalize the senses.

Amidst laughter, song, and dance, immerse yourself in the camaraderie of the evening. Whether engaging in lively conversation or sharing moments of joy on the dance floor, let the spirit of togetherness envelop you. And should you desire a libation to enhance the celebration, a cash bar will be available.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of purpose and jubilation, as we come together to commemorate and celebrate Juneteenth 2024 in style.

Tables of 10 can be purchased below.