AfriKin and the Village of Wellington - A Century of Black History Exhibit

AfriKin Wellington: A Century of Black History—Art as Commemoration, Continuity, and Future-Making

In partnership with the Village of Wellington, AfriKin Foumdation proudly presents a Black History Month exhibition aligned with the national 2026 theme, A Century of Black History Commemorations, as established by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). This landmark theme honors 100 years since the first organized national observances of Black history, initiated by visionary historian Carter G. Woodson, whose work transformed how Black life, culture, and contributions are studied, celebrated, and understood across the United States and the global African diaspora.

AfriKin situates African Contemporary Art as a living continuation of this century-long tradition of commemoration—not as static remembrance, but as an evolving, creative, and future-facing practice. Where earlier generations marked history through anniversaries, rituals, and scholarship, today’s artists commemorate Black history by interpreting identity, memory, resilience, and transformation through visual and experiential forms.

Held at the Wellington Community Center Grande Ballroom from February 25 through March 1, the exhibition bridges Black History Month into Women’s History Month, emphasizing the role of artists—particularly women and diasporic voices—as cultural historians, healers, and architects of collective memory.

This inspiring event takes place at the Wellington Community Center Grande Ballroom.

For a century, Black history commemorations have served as acts of resistance, self-definition, and affirmation—responding to exclusion, erasure, and distortion. AfriKin advances this legacy by demonstrating how contemporary African and diasporic artists carry forward the same mission articulated by Arthur A. Schomburg: to remake the past in order to make the future.

The exhibition features multidisciplinary works—painting, sculpture, photography, performance, and interactive digital media—that explore:

• Interconnectedness and diaspora, reflecting the global reach of Black history and culture
• Displacement and migration, echoing historical struggles for freedom, belonging, and self-determination
• Regeneration and healing, positioning art as a restorative force in personal and communal life
• Cultural continuity, honoring ancestral knowledge while imagining new futures

In this way, AfriKin reframes Black History Month not solely as a retrospective exercise, but as an active cultural practice—one that continues to shape how Black people see themselves and how the world understands Black humanity.

Consistent with ASALH’s vision that Black history should live not only in classrooms but in public spaces, AfriKin transforms the Grande Ballroom into a site of communal learning, dialogue, and celebration. The exhibition convenes artists, collectors, curators, scholars, and community members in a shared environment that mirrors the evolution of Black History Month itself—from grassroots observance to global cultural institution.

Complemented by AfriKin Tapas, curated African-inspired cuisine, and an opening-night VIP reception, the experience affirms that culture, joy, and intellectual engagement are inseparable elements of Black history.

As debates around historical truth, representation, and cultural memory intensify, A Century of Black History calls attention to why commemoration remains essential. AfriKin responds by asserting that African Contemporary Art is not peripheral to Black history—it is one of its most powerful modern expressions.

This exhibition honors a century of Black history commemorations by asking the next necessary question:
How will Black history be remembered, interpreted, and carried forward in the next hundred years?

AfriKin answers: through art that remembers, resists, heals, and imagines.

Event Details:

• Date: February 25 - March 1, 2025
• Time: Visit the website for the full event schedule.
• Location: 12150 Forest Hill Blvd, Wellington, FL
• Admission: Free

RSVP Today! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to experience Black culture through the lens of contemporary art. RSVP now and secure your spot at this inspiring event.

For more details and to RSVP, visit Afrikin.org

Follow us on social media at @AfrikinNation for event updates and sneak peeks!

About AfriKin Foundation

AfriKin Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to using the arts and cultural experiences of African origin to build bridges between personal creativity and the collective good of humanity.

Opening creative pathways for learning, understanding, and economic development, AfriKin nurtures artists, educates communities, and promotes sustainable cultural industries that inspire global connection.

Support the Arts with AfriKin
Your donation to AfriKin Foundation directly supports artists, educators, and cultural programs that shape a more connected, compassionate world.

• Tax-Deductible Giving: AfriKin Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit; all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

• Empowering Communities: Every event and exhibition funds educational initiatives, artist grants, and community wellness outreach — because art saves lives.

• Cultural Preservation: We promote African and Diaspora creativity through mentorship, exhibitions, and international exchange, ensuring artists thrive across generations.

When you attend an AfriKin event, you’re not just experiencing culture — you’re investing in humanity.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Wellington Community Center, 12150 Forest Hill Boulevard, Wellington, United States

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