Zora Neale Hurston, a notable figure in musicology, was recognized at the Lake Wales Public Library. Community members and city staff attended the event, where Dr. Panayotis from Florida State College gave a presentation. The talk highlighted Zora’s life and her work in cultural anthropology.
The audience learned about Zora’s education in cultural anthropology and her groundbreaking work in the 1930s. Besides being a novelist and playwright, Zora was also a singer. She played an active role in the Harlem Renaissance, a crucial time in Black history.
The Florida Talks program, a collaboration between Florida Humanities and the Lake Wales Library Association, facilitated the presentation. The program’s goal is to highlight the work of important figures in various fields.
Florida Humanities funded the event, with partial sponsorship from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The event was part of the Black History Month 2024 celebrations, recognizing the achievements of Black individuals in society.