Safety Harbor Celebrates Black History Month

The city of Safety Harbor is planning a number of special events in honor of Black History month, beginning this weekend with a celebration at the new Museum and Cultural Center.

Tonight the center will host a Black History Celebration from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event will feature performances and tributes by local students and key-note speaker Rev. James V. Williams of Mt. Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church.

"This is the first time the city has hosted an event like this, so we're very excited," volunteer coordinator Donna Godwin-Mack said. "We've had events in the past, but they were always sponsored by someone else."

According to Godwin-Mack, kids will perform tributes to Martin Luther King, Jr. and other important events in black history. Light refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be provided by the Safety Harbor African American Alliance.

In addition to tonight's event, on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 10:30 a.m. the museum will host a free coffee talk about the Tuskegee Airmen featuring a wife of one of the airmen, Mrs. Mildred Wilson.

Mrs. Wilson, who lives in Tarpon Springs, will share stories and photographs of her husband and the Airmen.

"Mrs. Wilson does speaking engagements all year long all over the area," Godwin-Mack said. "We're really looking forward to having her speak here in Safety Harbor."

Also, the City Gallery at Safety Harbor City Hall will be featuring African American art for the entire month. City Hall is located at 750 Main St.