Miami Emerging Arts Leaders: Art Places in Black Spaces

How does architecture help build community? How can a sense of place support civic dialogue and cultural unity? Join us for a conversation on the renovation of cultural centers in historically Black neighborhoods, featuring leaders from three Miami-Dade County landmark cultural institutions: the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center; the Historic Hampton House and the Historic Lyric Theater. The panel will share the rich history of these unique buildings, their process of design and renovation, and the positive outcomes for the cultural community and surrounding neighborhoods as a result of these renovation and historic preservation projects.

The Historic Hampton House, formerly the Hampton House Motel, is the last remaining Green Book motel in Miami. Built in 1953, the Hampton House was a gathering place for Miami’s Black community, and hosted athletes, political activists, musicians, etc. upon their visits to the city. The Historic Hampton House served as a nucleus gathering spot during the civil rights era of 1950’s, 60s, and 70s for influential figures such as Sammy Davis, Jr, Nat King Cole, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X. The extensive list of artists that have performed at The Historic Hampton House include Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.

Since opening its doors in 1975, the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center has served as an outstanding center of arts in Liberty City and has launched the careers of numerous established, high-profile alumni who credit their successes in the arts to their high-quality training and experiences at the Center. Notable alumni include MacArthur Fellows awardee Tarell Alvin McCraney (award-winning playwright and Oscar Award winner for Moonlight), Willerm Delisfort (multi-dimensional pianist and composer), Shareef Clayton (international trumpeter, Duke Ellington Orchestra), and Robert Battle (former Artistic Director of the internationally renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.)

Opened in 1913, the Historic Lyric Theater, managed by The Black Archives History and Research Foundation of South Florida, quickly became a major entertainment center for blacks in Miami. The 400-seat theater was built, owned, and operated by Geder Walker, a Black entrepreneur from Georgia. A symbol of Black economic influence and a social gathering place-free of discrimination- and a source of pride and culture within Overtown, The Historic Lyric Theater has welcomed countless legendary performers including Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Josephine Baker and Billie Holiday.

All are welcome and the session will be followed by a Q&A.

Moderated by:
Ashlee Thomas, Deputy Director, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs
 

Panelists
Jacqui Colyer, Executive Director, Historic Hampton House
Marshall Davis, Sr., Managing Director of the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center
Kamila Pritchett, Executive Director of The Black Archives History and Research Foundation of South Florida

Art Places in Black Spaces

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 2:30 PM EST

Register here

(Free event on Zoom)

Hosted by the Miami Emerging Arts Leaders, a program of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, with support from the Arts and Business Council of Miami and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Miami Emerging Arts Leaders is an initiative of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs to identify and cultivate the next generation of diverse arts leaders in our community. The Miami Emerging Arts Leaders provides networking and resource sharing opportunities to encourage diverse, young/new arts administrators to explore professional development issues and opportunities. All arts professionals are welcome. Find out about upcoming events by subscribing to the email newsletter: www.miamidadearts.org.