February is Black History Month, and South Florida is honoring the occasion with a variety of activities that salute the accomplishments of Black Americans.

Whether you choose to enjoy a parade or festival, watch music and dance performances, or explore art exhibits, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) asks all to consider this year’s theme: “African Americans and Labor.”

The ASALH, which founded Black History Month, is acknowledging the integral role that work plays in Black history and culture — from the agricultural labor of enslaved Africans and compensated labor in factories to the military and social justice activists.

So, why was February chosen for the monthlong observation?

“Because it encompasses the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass — both men being great American symbols of freedom,” according to ASALH.org.

Below are some ways to commemorate Black History Month in Broward and Palm Beach counties. We will keep updating this roundup.

A staff photo at Provident Hospital in 1946 is on display in “Roots of Resilience: The Journey of Black Broward,” a new permanent exhibit at History Fort Lauderdale. (History Fort Lauderdale/Courtesy)

BROWARD COUNTY

Countywide 

The Broward County Library system has a full schedule of events planned throughout the month, including story times, lectures, film screenings, book discussions and performances that recognize and explore the achievements of Black Americans and their contributions to the United States. One exhibit, “Reveal the Beauty: The Literature and Art of the Harlem Renaissance,” will be on display from Monday, Feb. 3, through Saturday, June 28, at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd. An opening reception is set for 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1. Free admission. Visit broward.org/library.

Deerfield Beach 

The annual Black Heritage Banquet, presented by the city of Deerfield Beach Parks and Recreation Department and the African American Heritage Board, will honor the cultural history of Black Americans locally and nationally with food, performances and speakers from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 22 at DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton, 100 Fairway Drive. Awards will be handed out to those demonstrating commitment in their professional endeavors, humanitarianism and public service. Cost is $40. Visit deerfield-beach.com.

Fort Lauderdale

• “Burnout and Black Artists: Emotional Sustainability in the Arts” is on display through March 28 at ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd. Sponsored by FPL, the exhibit looks at how Black artists face the expectation of revisiting personal and collective trauma to achieve success. Free. Visit artserve.org.
• Remembering Our Roots will include music and dance performances from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, at Riverland Park, 950 SW 27th Ave. Free. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov.
• Kijiji Moja (meaning “one village” in Swahili) is an immersive event celebrating diverse cultures and fostering unity from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Lincoln Park, 600 NW 19th Ave. Enjoy tribal storytelling and live entertainment, make arts and crafts, and shop from vendors. Free. Visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov.
• “Roots of Resilience: The Journey of Black Broward,” a new permanent exhibit that explores the history and impact of Broward County’s Black community, will open at Wednesday, Feb. 19, at History Fort Lauderdale, 231 SW Second Ave. Admission to the opening will be free from noon to 4 p.m. After the event, the exhibit is included in regular museum admission. Visit historyfortlauderdale.org.
• Join the ninth annual Sistrunk 5K Run/Walk at 7 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Rev. Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park, 2520 NW Sixth St., traveling down historic Sistrunk Boulevard in the Dorsey Riverbend neighborhood close to downtown Fort Lauderdale. Registration begins at 6 a.m. Cost is $20 to $40. Visit sistrunk5krun.com.
• The Sistrunk Parade steps off at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, from Lincoln Park, 600 NW 19th Ave., and travels east down Sistrunk Boulevard to Northwest Ninth Avenue, featuring marching bands, step teams, classic cars and floats. The Street Festival takes place from noon to 8 p.m. along Sistrunk Boulevard from northwest Ninth to 15th avenues, with bands, interactive games, a kids’ zone, merchandise and food vendors. Free. Visit sistrunkfestival.org.
• “Unbroken Voices: Songs For Justice and Redemption,” presented by the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, features Joel Thompson’s composition “The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed,” ballads and songs of hope at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW Ninth Ave., Suite 7. Tickets are $37 to $52. Visit gmcsf.org.

Hollywood

A Black History Month Celebration will be presented by the city’s African American Advisory Council from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Washington Park Community Center, 5199 Pembroke Road, featuring artists and speakers. Free. Visit hollywoodfl.org.

Lauderdale Lakes

The 17th annual Black Excellence Parade & Festival is set for Saturday, Feb. 1, with the parade starting at 8:30 a.m. at Central Charter School, 4515 N. State Road 7, and ending at Vincent Torres Park, 4331 NW 36th St., where the festival begins at 10:30 a.m. Expect vendors, artists, entrepreneurs and food. Free admission. Visit blackexcellencefest.net.

Lauderhill 

The 23rd annual MLK Old School Music Celebration is bringing the sounds of R&B, funk and reggae to the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 NW 11th Place, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. Organized by the city and the MLK Task Force Committee, the event will have performances by Jeffrey Osborne, Lenny Williams, Surface, and the Old Skool Gang. VIP reception is at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $70 to $200. Visit lauderhill-fl.gov.

Miramar

Supreme Power: An Art Engagement Dialogue Reception and Talkback, hosted by Mayor Wayne Messam, will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place, with legal professionals, partnering organizations and the curator of the “Supreme Power art exhibit.” Free. Register at eventbrite.com. The photographic exhibit, which looks at Supreme Court cases that have impacted people of color in America, is on display through Monday, March 3, at the Ansin Family Art Gallery, 2400 Civic Center Place. Free admission. Visit miramarculturalcenter.org.

Oakland Park

Soul Fest will acknowledge the contributions and achievements of the Black and Caribbean communities from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at Jaco Pastorius Park, 4000 N. Dixie Highway. There will be a children’s activity area, music and food trucks. Free. Visit oaklandparkfl.gov.

Pompano Beach

• The city will celebrate the contributions of Black Americans to history, music, art, food, community and other topics throughout the month, with events including Timeless Divas (Feb. 7), Ladies of Simone (Feb. 22) and Jazz Reflections (Feb. 27) at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd. Soulful Sundays (Feb. 16) will be at the Ali Cultural Arts Center, 353 Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd. Visit pompanobeachfl.gov for a full schedule.
• The 29th annual Tiger Trail Festival includes five events: a Gala Dinner & Awards (Feb. 1), Youth Leadership Forum (Feb. 6), William F. Boynton 5K Walk/Run (Feb. 8), Live Street Fest with Trina (Feb. 15), and a Banned Books Forum (Feb. 22). Visit tigertrailfestival.com for all the details.

PALM BEACH COUNTY

Countywide 

The Palm Beach County Library System will commemorate Black History Month with activities at various branches. You’ll find book discussions, story times, movie screenings, trivia sessions, crafts, and musical and dance performances. Visit pbclibrary.org for a full schedule of events.

Boynton Beach

Say It Loud will showcase Black culture and artistry through performances, interactive exhibits, panel discussions and immersive experiences from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, at the Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center, 125 E. Ocean Ave. Cost is $15 through Saturday, Feb. 1; $25 for general admission and $40 for VIP. Visit boynton-beach.org.

Delray Beach

• “Segregated Shorelines: The Civil Rights Movement in Delray Beach” lecture will feature Delray Beach Historical Society archivist Kayleigh Howald at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Vintage Gymnasium, 51 N. Swinton Ave. Cost is $15, or free for DBHS members and students. Visit delraybeachhistory.org.
• “Axes, Herbs and Satchels” will be performed by The Anthropologists at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at Arts Garage, 94 NE Second Ave. The play was crafted from research materials, first-hand accounts, medical textbooks, ethnological research and primary sources documenting grand midwives and the history of midwifery. Tickets are $50 (fees included). Visit artsgarage.org.

West Palm Beach

• “Portraits of the Highwaymen” will be on display at the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, on the third floor in the Historic Courtroom, 300 N. Dixie Highway, from Wednesday, Feb. 5, through Friday, Feb. 28. The Highwaymen included 26 Black artists who sold their landscapes door to door or from car trunks along Florida’s coastal roads starting in the mid-1950s. Free admission. Visit pbchistory.org.
• Live Painting by Highwayman Robert L. Lewis will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum, 300 N. Dixie Highway. Free. Register at pbchistory.org.
  
• Let the Good Times Roll: A Celebration of Cajun and Creole Food is coming to the Mandel Public Library’s third- floor Clematis Room, 411 Clematis St., from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, with information about the cultures and a cooking demonstration with samplings of gumbo. Free. Visit wpb.org.
• The Palm Beach County African Diaspora Historical & Cultural Society will present the discussion titled “African and African American History in Florida” from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 22, at Mandel Public Library’s third- floor Clematis Room, 411 Clematis St. Free. Visit wpb.org.
• Doretha Hair Truesdell, widow of Highwaymen artist Alfred Hair, will talk about the Highwaymen and their impact on folk art at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum, 300 N. Dixie Highway. Free. Register at pbchistory.org.