UPCOMING EVENTS
Congratulations Dr. Tameka Hobbs, who was recently featured in an article in the Caplin News, A publication of Florida International University’s Lee Caplin School of Journalism and Media. Enjoy the article using the link below.
Ernie Barnes Collection
Thank you to Richard Plaskett for donating 2 Ernie Barnes (Late Night DJ and The Church Lady) prints to the Gift Shop at AARLCC. The contribution was in honor of his deceased sister Patricia Regina Reddic. If you would like to purchase these pieces and enhance your Ernie Barnes Collection, stop by the gift shop. Thank you Richard for thinking of the Friends of AARLCC. We value and appreciate your contribution.
Upcoming Events
New Canon Chamber presents “Remember the Times“, a celebration of television’s best sitcoms from the 70’s-2000’s. This year features our very own Darius V. Daughtry as the guest host!
Brevo Theater presents The Color Purple, June 20-28 at
Pompano Beach Cultural Center!.
Celebrate freedom and culture live with music, food, and fun at The Juneteenth Experience | AARLCC!
The Juneteenth Experience |
AARLCC
Saturday, June 20, 2026
7:30 PM
Join us in person for The Juneteenth Experience hosted by AARLCC! Celebrate freedom, culture, and community with an unforgettable event full of music, food, and inspiring stories. Don’t miss out on this vibrant gathering where history meets fun. Come with friends and family to honor this special day together!
Free Virtual Event!
You’re invited to attend a virtual FREE event for one of AKILA WORKSONGS’s newest clients, LISA E. DAVIS. As you may know, this new Simon & Schuster author just released Our Minds Were Always Free: A History of How Black Brilliance Was Exploited—and the Fight to Retake Control .
Using Marc Lamont Hill’s mighty platform on YouTube, AKILA WORKSONGS will produce an interactive livestream that features Davis and a moderator (TBD)… discussing the timely themes in the book and more.
Because June is focused on Black music, Juneteenth (amongst other national observances), we’re motivated by the power of “now.” Now remains a perfect time to focus on Black brilliance, Black creativity, and uplift. Davis’s easily digestible (and sometimes humorous) book is both inspirational and frustrating; both educational and activating.
It’s a MUST READ for Black musicians, producers, writers, inventors, entrepreneurs, visionaries, culture workers, and others.
Preliminary Outline for the Livestream:
The Marc Lamont Hill Network and AKILA WORKSONGS
present…
Black Brilliance In Motion
Monday, June 29, 2026
7pm to 9pm ET
Streaming Live on the Marc Lamont Hill Network (YouTube and Twitter)
A Free Community Virtual Gathering
featuring Lisa E. Davis
Author of the Groundbreaking Book, “Our Minds Were Always Free”
Moderator: TBA
Special Guest Appearances by (TBD)
Othello of Overtown is a new musical inspired by the life and legacy of acclaimed Miami artist Purvis Young. The project is currently in development and will be presented through two free public full-play readings this summer:
NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale
Thursday, July 2, 2026
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
Saturday, July 11, 2026
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The readings will feature actors, a live jazz ensemble, and rare archival footage exploring Purvis Young’s early years and artistic development. The project is being produced by Clare Vickery of Grace Arts FL, written by Sefanja Richard Galon, and directed by Carey Brianna Hart, with participation planned from M Ensemble Theatre Company as the production moves toward a full staging in 2027.
What’s Happening at AARLCC?
Selma is Now: The Photography of Spider Martin Exhibit
Wednesday, June 10: All day
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Gallery C
Age group: Everyone
event type: Exhibit
The exhibition is presented in partnership with Broward Cultural Division and will be on display at AARLCC through June 27, 2026.
Alcee Hastings: A Legacy of Service in Florida and Beyond
Wednesday, June 10: All day
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Gallery D
Age group: Tweens Teens New Adults Kids Families
event type: Exhibit
New Alcee Hastings Collection
Wikicurious: Black Broward on Wikipedia – by Wikimedia NYC
Saturday, June 13: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Auditorium
Age group: Everyone
event type: Arts & Cultural
Wikicurious: Black Broward on Wikipedia is a beginner-friendly edit-a-thon on Black & Afro-Caribbean Broward history.
Register
Genealogy 101 Meetup Series – Freedmen’s Records Bureau
Saturday, June 13: 1:00pm – 3:00pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Computer Lab
Age group: Teens New Adults Adults
event type: Clubs & Groups, Class
Covering the beginning basics, participants will learn basic tenets of family history research – constructing family pedigree charts (tree), genealogy terms, organization tools and digital resources.
Register
Canvas Painting – Beneath the Brush Dinosaur Painting Lab
Saturday, June 13: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Youth Service Story Room
Age group: Tweens Teens
event type: Summer Learning Program, Arts & Cultural
Join the Canvas Dinosaurs Painting Lab to paint dinosaur-themed canvases as a family while exploring “Underneath a Story” through fossils, discovery, and creativity.
Register
Creative Expressions Presented by The Color Bubble – A Youth Art Series Celebrating Art, Culture & Creativity
Monday, June 15: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Gallery B
Age group: Tweens Teens Kids
event type: Workshop, Summer Learning Program, Arts & Cultural
Join us for summer art! In this six-week series, participants will explore art, culture & creativity in hands-on workshops.
Register
Youth Quilt Making Club: Hidden Threads – Quilts, Codes, and Family Stories
Tuesday, June 16: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Gallery B
Age group: Kids Families
event type: Summer Learning Program, Arts & Cultural
Join the Youth Quilt Making Club: Hidden Threads and explore history, art, and family stories through quilting.
Register
ASPIRE College Readiness Mentorship Program – ASPIRE- Getting it Done (GID) Workshops
Wednesday, June 17: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
AARLCC ASPIRE Academy VIRTUAL Interest Meeting – A FREE COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM – Zoom Virtual Meeting – Zoom Virtual Meeting
Age group: Teens Adults
event type: Workshop, Online/Virtual, Discussion/Lecture, Class
ASPIRE Academy helps students build the confidence, knowledge, and support system they need to navigate the college-going process with purpose.
Venue detailsASPIRE- Getting it Done (GID) Workshops
Register
Roaring into Summer – Unearth a Story This Summer with MODS
Wednesday, June 17: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Gallery B
Age group: Tweens Preschool
event type: Workshop, Summer Learning Program
Sponsored by the Broward Public Library Foundation.
Register
ASPIRE College Readiness Mentorship Program – How to Apply for Scholarships
Wednesday, June 17: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
AARLCC ASPIRE Academy VIRTUAL Interest Meeting – A FREE COLLEGE PREP PROGRAM – Zoom Virtual Meeting – Zoom Virtual Meeting
Age group: Teens Adults
event type: Workshop, Online/Virtual, Discussion/Lecture, Class
ASPIRE Academy helps students build the confidence, knowledge, and support system they need to navigate the college-going process with purpose.
Venue detailsHow to Apply for Scholarships
Register
Unearth a Story: Seeing Florida Heritage through Archaeology
Thursday, June 18: 11:00am – 12:00pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Ellyn F. Walters Conference Room
Age group: Teens New Adults Adults
event type: Summer Learning Program, Speaker, Discussion/Lecture
The history of Florida is fascinating, and archaeological research provides a tactile, visual, and place-based approach to appreciating what has been achieved.
Register
The Juneteenth Experience | AARLCC – By Hued Songs
Saturday, June 20: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
African American Research Library and Cultural Center – Auditorium,Café,Dianne Bienes Seminar Room # 1,Gallery B,Lobby,Michael Bienes Seminar Room #2
Age group: Everyone
event type: Arts & Cultural
Celebrate freedom and culture live with music, food, and fun at The Juneteenth Experience | AARLCC!
Register