Every year, thousands of locals and visitors attend myriad free events hosted in February by the Savannah Black Heritage Festival (SBHF). Seldom, if ever, are they disappointed.
Since 1989, SBHF has sought to educate, inspire and encourage attendees by exposing them to Black culture. From captivating nationally renowned dance troupes and prolific authors to toe-tapping jazz and thought-provoking lectures and brilliant visual artists to intriguing actors and storytellers, each year the Festival engages audiences in an experiential historical journey.
For more than 20 years the face of the festival has been Shirley James, owner and publisher of the weekly Savannah Tribune, who shared the history of the festival with me.
The first Savannah Black Heritage Festival was held on August 20, 1989, under the guidance and leadership of the late W. W. Law and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Law was recognized as a “walking history book.” He wanted to ensure that everyone had an opportunity to learn of the contributions of African Americans. The Savannah Black Heritage Festival was a perfect vehicle to make that happen.