Our Theme
This year’s Black Heritage Festival theme is The Festival Lives So Our Legacy Thrives. In 2023, the board of directors joined together to emphasize the importance of celebrating Black Culture. During our 34th year, we plan to bring the most diverse and complete collection of experiences to educate and contribute to African American Culture.

Schedule:

February 1, 2023

Official Greetings for the 34th Annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival - Van R. Johnson, II, Mayor, City of Savannah & Kimberly Ballard - Washington, President, Savannah State University. View at www.savannahblackheritagefestival.org 

Opening Libation Ceremony “Lest We Forget: A Call to Remembrance,” conducted by Master Storyteller Lillian Grant - Baptiste

81st National Freedom Day Observance commemorating President Abraham Lincoln’s signing a resolution for the 13th Constitutional Amendment to outlaw Slavery. The observance was initiated by Richard R. Wright, a former slave and 1st President of Savannah State University. Presented by Savannah State University’s Honors Program and The Wright Choice Initiative Mentoring Program.

February 4, 2023

“Between Two Worlds: Connecting the Realms of the Seen and Unseen” launches at the Savannah African Art Museum (201 E 37th St,). Museum hours are 11am to 5pm. Presented by the Savannah African Art Museum. Contact: 912 - 721 - 7745

February 8, 2023

6 pm. The W.W. Law Lecture Series I - “Black Hollywood: They’ve Gotta Have Us” at Telfair Museums. Screening and lecture looking at the inside story of turning points of Black life within the film industry on both sides of the film lens. Presented in part by the Telfair Museums.

February 9, 2023

6 pm. Art Exhibition and Artist Talk at Savannah State University in the Social Science Building Gallery. Exhibit will be open the entire month of February with the gallery hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday - Friday. Presented in part by Savannah State University Department of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Wellness

“Black Hollywood: They’ve Gotta Have Us.” (Closed School Presentation) Vice President of Education and Understanding at ARRAY productions, Tammy Garnes, will screen the film, Black Hollywood: They’ve Gotta Have Us and present a corresponding interactive curriculum with students.

February 11, 2023

11 am - 12:30 pm “Tracing Your Roots - Tips & Resources,” at the Bull Street Library - Kaye Kole Genealogy & Local History Room (2002 Bull Street). Presented by the Savannah African Art Museum

February 13, 2023

6 pm - 8:30 pm. The W.W. Law Lecture Series II: “The Coming.” Dr. Daniel Black shares from his award - winning novel, The Coming, focusing on the history of the Gullah Geechee people from the Low Country of Charleston and South Georgia. Presented in part by a partnership with the following Georgia Southern Units: The Center for Africana Studies, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and Library Services.

February 14, 2023

6 pm: Annual Future of Jazz Concert featuring local and regional young jazz vocalists and instrumentalists under the direction Teddy Adams at the Jewish Educational Alliance (5111 Abercorn Street). Presented in part by the Jewish Educational Alliance.

February 15, 2023

6pm: “Financial Freedom For All”-a documentary followed by a panel discussion on the role of minority owned banks in building wealth and reducing wealth disparities.  Panelists: Robert E. James, I, President & CEO, Carver State Bank; Robert E. James, II, President & CEO, Carver Financial Corporation & Chairman, National Bankers Association. Located at the Jewish Educational Alliance.

February 16, 2023

11:30 am: "How to Prevent Fraud for Seniors" at Carver Heights Community Center (905 Collat Avenue). Presented by The Savannah (GA) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated in partnership with AARP Georgia.

February 17, 2023

5pm - 7pm: The Savannah Georgia Chapter of the Links, Inc. 22nd Annual New Beginning Art Exhibit The Reception and Awards Gala at the ASA H. Gordon Library, Second Floor Rotunda (3219 College Street). Exhibit will open on February 17, 2023, and run through March 3, 2023 M-F.  

February 18, 2023

8:00 am: Rosa Parks Breakfast Presented by the Evangelical Ministers Union Open to the public. Seating is limited. Located at St. Philip Monumental AME Church (1112 Jefferson Street).

10 am - 5 pm: GRAND FESTIVAL DAY at the Savannah Civic Center (301 W. Oglethorpe Ave). An array of family-oriented activities, a vendor marketplace, and a concert featuring Nickelbag of Funk. Free ice skating and lessons for children 17 and under available from 3:15pm-5:00pm.

- 10 am - 1 pm - Annual Health Fair. Screenings, exercise demonstrations and more. 1st Floor Lobby. Sponsored by St. Joseph’s/Candler Health Systems
- 11 am - 12 pm - 9th Annual “Help Your Body Get Its Move On.” Light aerobics with Nikki Kerr Conley
- 12 pm - 2 pm - Local Authors Corner. Self-published local authors showcase
- 12 pm - 1 pm - Honda Battle of the Bands Watch Party
- 1 pm - Grand Festival Day Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony launches local performances with host, Magic Marc. Opening Libation Ceremony “Lest We Forget: A Call to Remembrance,” conducted by Master Storyteller Lillian Grant-Baptiste.
- 1:30 pm - Youth Talent Showcase. Featuring Local Youth Talent
- 3:30 pm - 5 pm - Live concert

February 19, 2023

1 pm - 4 pm: “Afternoon at the Museum” Free admission to the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum (460 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd) in celebration of the 100th birthday of W.W. Law. Open to the public.

February 21, 2023

“STEAM-Y Math Workshops” (Closed School Presentation) Students will create holograms to make messages and images come to life utilizing mobile and student response technology to connect math and science.

11 am: The W.W. Law Lecture Series III: Celebrating the Legacy of Westley Wallace Law, with Vaughnette Goode-Walker and an afterword by Dr. Otis Johnson. Located at Savannah State University’s (3219 College Street) Asa H. Gordon Library Art Gallery, 2nd floor.

February 23, 2023

6 pm: SSU FAHW & FAAA Exhibition Opening Reception at Savannah State University in the Kennedy Fine Arts Building Gallery. The exhibit will be open from February 6th to March 31st with the gallery hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday. Presented by Savannah State University Department of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Wellness in partnership with Telfair Museums’ Friends of African American Arts. Contact: 912-358-3335

February 24, 2023

7 pm: “Dancing While Black” dance concert featuring the Savannah State University Dance Program at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center (201 Montgomery Street).  Presented by the Savannah Cultural Arts Center and Savannah State University’s Department of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Wellness.

February 25, 2023

12 pm - 3 pm: The Savannah Cultural Arts Center Presents: The Savannah Black Art Expo highlighting various local black artists and art organizations. The expo will feature art on display and for sale with performances by local talent.  Free and Open to the public.  Located at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center (201 Montgomery Street).

February 26, 2023

4 pm: Gospel Explosion Concert featuring G. Allen Battle and Family Worship performance at Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship (425 W Montgomery Cross Rd). Opening performances by Savannah State University’s Wesleyan Gospel Choir members and American Idol contestant Gazzie White and MC E. Larry McDuffie. Presented in part by Kingdom Life Christian Fellowship and Sponsored by LifeLink of Georgia.

February 27, 2023

Bright Star Touring Theatre Performances of “Black History’s Ground Breaking Geniuses.” (Closed School Showings) This event is closed to the public.

6:30 pm: Step Afrika! performance at Georgia Southern University’s Fine Arts Building (11935 Abercorn Street).  Learn more about Step Afrika! at www.stepafrika.org. Presented in part by Georgia Southern University.

February 28, 2023

6 pm: "I Shall Not be Moved: The Power of Our History" Master Storyteller, Lillian Grant-Baptiste will portray how storytelling, music, and folklore have been used as tools of resistance, reform, and reconciliation throughout African American history. Location: Beach Institute (502 E. Harris Street).

Date:

February 1-28, 2023

Location:

Various Venues,
Savannah, GA

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