The St. Augustine Archival Society presents Resilience Family Fest from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 18 at the Solomon Calhoun Community Center, 1300 Duval St, St. Augustine, FL 32084 — as a celebration of St. Augustine’s Black history and culture.
Resilience Family Fest will feature musical performances, food trucks, historical reenactments, pop-up exhibits, and arts and crafts activities.
In addition, UF Samuel Proctor Oral History Program will conduct oral history interviews about Solomon Calhoun and the Solomon Calhoun Community Center. Performances will include Melvin Smith Jazz Ensemble, UF Afro Pop 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.
The performance schedule is subject to change:
● 12:30 PM: UF Afro Pop Music Ensemble
● 2:30 PM: Melvin Smith Jazz Ensemble
● 3:25 PM: St. Augustine High School Jazz Band
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 emerged from “Resilience: Black Heritage in St. Augustine,” a collaborative project between cultural and academic institutions in 2021, as a celebration of the history and culture of Black St. Augustinians.
The project concluded in February 2022 with the inaugural “Resilience Family Fest.” Over 400 people attended the event at the Solomon Calhoun Community Center. Regina Gayle Phillips, Executive Director of the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center, explains that “Having a program where the entire community can celebrate the rich African American heritage of this ancient city is a giant step toward creating a more perfect union.
The Resilience project has helped to promote the contributions to society that reflect historical diversity and inclusion in every aspect of American life. It encourages us all to work together to make sure that everyone has a chance at the American dream and that access to opportunity is the key to a multicultural society where everyone benefits.” 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 Family Fest” partners include, Flagler College Proctor Library, Flagler College Honors Program, Friends of the Main Library St. Augustine, Friends of the Bookmobile, Governor’s House Cultural Center & Museum, Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center, St. Augustine Historical Society, St. Johns County Public Library System, and Samuel Proctor Oral History Program.
“Resilience Family Fest” is supported in part by the St. Johns Cultural Council, Flagler College Humanities Department, St. Johns County Parks and Recreation, Compassionate St. Augustine, and Lincolnville Porch Festival.
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.
