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Black History Month Festival relaunches its month-long series of events for February 2020. The community-based program now has a new structure, a new advisory council, and its first ever essay contest.

The two-state, nine county program covers events in Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden, Jefferson, Madison, and Franklin in Florida, and Thomas, Grady, and Decatur in Georgia.

Black History Month Festival is a unique, month-long, community-based series of events that provide enriching cross-cultural experiences for adults and youngsters. The purpose of this program is to make it fun and easy to learn about and understand the contributions and achievements of African Americans to this country. Black History Month Festival helps identify, plan, and coordinate an entire month of educational, social, and civic events that serve as wonderful learning experiences for individuals of all ethnic backgrounds. Activities will take place every day in numerous communities throughout the area. And best of all, many of these events are FREE.

The advisory council has planned ten Featured Events starting with a Kickoff Reception on Saturday, February 1, 2020. Other Featured Events include several African American Read Ins, a Heritage Celebration and Parade, and a Theater Performance, Reception & Auction. The month ends with a Festival Finale Time Capsule Ceremony on Saturday, February 29, 2020.

A new feature of the Black History Month Festival is the first annual “I Am BLACK HISTORY™” Essay Contest. The essay contest has been named after local educator and community activist, Eva B. Mannings, who was an elementary school teacher for more than 37 years, and who was the first, Black reporter at the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper. The essay contest is open to all 5th, 6th, and 7th grade public or charter school students in the Big Bend area, and offers cash prizes to first, second, and third place winners. The deadline for entry is Monday, January 13, 2020. To enter into the essay contest and to view submission guidelines, visit the website, BHMFtally.com.

Individuals, organizations, and companies in the nine county area are invited to plan their own Black History events, and have them listed in the program’s souvenir journal. Sponsor-ships, advertising, and vendor space are available. The program is also accepting volunteers to help with its Featured Events. Additional information may be found on the program’s website, BHMFtally.com. Also, follow and like the Black History Month Festival page on Facebook at bhmfestival or at bhmftally on Instagram and Twitter for regular updates.