AARLCC 2025 Africana Arts & Humanities Festival -“Renaissance”
-Free cultural festival celebrates the Harlem Renaissance-
BROWARD COUNTY, FL – Celebrate the art, culture and history of the Harlem Renaissance at the free, second annual 2025 Africana Arts & Humanities Festival, scheduled for March 13-15 at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311.
The Africana Arts & Humanities Festival (formerly known as the South Florida Book Festival), is multi-day event featuring music, author engagement and community conversation. With “Renaissance,” AARLCC celebrates the rich cultural and artistic legacy of the Harlem Renaissance, which saw a rebirth of African American artistic expression that was centered in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood during the 1920s and 1930s.
Africana Arts & Humanities Festival Schedule
Admission and parking to all events below are free but registration is requested.
Thursday, March 13, 7-8:30PM – Jazz Concert featuring Nicole Yarling
Join jazz vocalist/violinist Nicole Yarling and her sextet in an unforgettable evening of music, featuring the compositions of one of the greatest composers of American music, Duke Ellington. Presented in partnership with the Broward Cultural Division.
Friday, March 14, 6-7:30PM – An Evening with Jonathan Escoffery
Bestselling author Jonathon Escoffery discusses his acclaimed debut, If I Survive You, a collection of eight interlinked short stories that follow the struggles of a Jamaican family who build a new life in Miami, Florida.
Friday, March 14, 7:30-9:30PM – Eat. Drink. Read. The Speakeasy Edition
Experience the thrill of a night on the town in 1920s Harlem during this special reception celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance, featuring vocalist LaVie and poetry by The Art Prevails Project. This is a ticketed event presented by the Friends of AARLCC. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased on Eventbrite. You must be 21 years old or older to attend.
Saturday, March 15, 11AM-6PM – 2025 Africana Arts & Humanities Festival – “Renaissance”
A free day of events and activities for all ages celebrating the culture, art and literature of the Harlem Renaissance. It features cultural performances, creative activities, visual arts and the opportunity to interact with writers focused on Black history and culture. Featured guests and presentations include:
- Jeffreen Hayes: Augusta Savage: Renaissance Woman, a biography of American sculptor Augusta Savage, whose work was associated with the Harlem Renaissance. 11AM-12:30PM
- Dr. Karida L. Brown and Charly Palmer: The New Brownies’ Book: A Love Letter to Black Families, which reprises the groundbreaking children’s book created by W.E.B. DuBois in 1920. 11:30AM-12:30PM
- Laura Helton: Scattered and Fugitive Things: How Black Collectors Created Archives and Remade History, which explores the emergence of African American archives and libraries in the early 20th century. 2-3:30PM
- Stories Unveiled: Local Authors Panel, an open discussion where local writers talk about their work and creative journey. 3:30-5:30PM
Learn more at Africanafestival.Broward.org or the Eventbrite Africana Arts & Humanities Festival webpage.
The Africana Arts & Humanities Festival is generously funded by JM Family Foundation and Bank of America, Visit Lauderdale and the Friends of AARLCC. Partners include Broward Cultural Division, Urban League of Broward County and Island SPACE Museum.