Resilience Family Fest

The St. Augustine Archival Society presents “Resilience Family Fest” at the Solomon Calhoun Community Center (1300 Duval St, St. Augustine, FL 32084) on Saturday, February 19, 2022, 12-4 PM EST, as a celebration of St. Augustine’s Black history and culture.

“Resilience Family Fest,” held for the first time, will feature dance and musical performances, food trucks, historical reenactments, pop-up exhibits, arts and crafts activities, and much more.

Performances will include Melvin Smith Jazz Ensemble, Nan Nkama Pan-African Drum and Dance Ensemble, St. Augustine High School Jazz Band, and storytellers James Bullock and Charmin Russell of the Ximenez-Fatio House Museum “I Lived Here, As Well” program. All are welcome to the free community event; young and old, individuals and families, residents and visitors. Masks and social distancing are recommended; free masks will be available while supplies last.

The event is a part of “Resilience: Black Heritage in St. Augustine,” a collaborative project between cultural and academic institutions that began in 2021 as a celebration of the history and culture of Black St. Augustinians.

Kimberlyn Elliott, Associate Director of the Lincolnville Museum, explains that “when we look at the events of the Emancipation Reading and Juneteenth, they are celebrations of liberation and of the promise of potential. The potential to participate fully in American society. The potential to be treated as a human being.” In recognizing these dreams alongside the ideals of liberty and inclusion, we can more fully explore the many aspects of the Black community’s story in St. Augustine.

The “Resilience” project partners include Accord Civil Rights Museum & Freedom Trail, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Flagler College Proctor Library, Flagler College Honors Program, Florida Museum of Natural History, Fort Mose Historical Society, Friends of the Main Library St. Augustine, Governor’s House Cultural Center & Museum, Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center, St. Augustine Historical Society, St. Johns County Public Library System, Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve, University of North Florida Digital Humanities Institute, and Ximenez-Fatio House Museum. “Resilience Family Fest” is supported in part by a State of the Arts Grant made possible by the St. Johns Cultural Council.

Information about specific events and initiatives can be found at http://resilienceblackheritageinstaugustine.wordpress.com or on the Resilience: Black Heritage in St. Augustine Facebook page. Any questions can be directed to blackheritagestaugustine@gmail.com.