The content of the Black History Pageant changes every year, but for more than 25 years, one thing has remained constant: Dozens of young people join together to sing, act, dance and celebrate their heritage.
The theme for this 26th annual production is "Suffer the Little Children: A Celebration of African-American Youth," focusing on ways young African-Americans view their families, their communities and each other. As always, the show will begin with all the participants wearing white shirts, joining in song as the group above did in 2001.
The pageant is a program of Bethel Community Baptist Church and will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday in the Mahaffey Theater at Bayfront Center, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. Admission is free.
Other Black History Month activities to enjoy:
The Science Center in St. Petersburg has an exhibit honoring African-American scientists and inventors through February.
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum in Inverness has an exhibit about Spanish Florida's Fort Mose, the first community for free black people in what would become the United States, through March 2.
The Zephyrhills Depot Museum will have a commemorative program dedicated to Charles "Bo" Harrison, an African-American deputy who was shot and killed in Lacoochee in June, at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The Moses Players Present . . . is at Stage West Community Playhouse, 8390 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. It's free.
