( BLACK PR WIRE) ( February 13, 2009) MIAMI, FL – Casting a dramatic new light on the impact African-Americans, Africans, black Caribbeans and black Hispanics have had in shaping the City of Miami, the Historical Museum of Southern Florida (HMSF) will present an 11-month long exhibition, Black Crossroads: The African Diaspora on March 5th, 2009.

“This is a long overdue focus on one of the most historically significant aspects of South Florida history,” said Dr. Marvin Dunn, Florida historian and author of the seminal work Black Miami in the Twentieth Century. “Black hands helped to build the cities of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, this exhibition captures it all,” continued Dr. Dunn.

Drawn to Miami by factors ranging from proximity and economic demand to climate and political exile, African-Americans and Afro-Caribbean groups have been working and settling in Miami since before the city’s incorporation. In the process they have made significant political, economic and cultural contributions to the city. “So significant was the number of blacks residing in Miami by 1896 that 162 of them were used to make up the 362 votes needed for the city’s incorporation” said Robert McCammon, President and CEO of the Historical Museum of Southern Florida.

Black Crossroads, on display from March 5th, 2009 through January 24, 2010, will focus on themes including Neighborhoods, Labor, Civil Rights, Community and Traditions dating from 1896 to the present day. “We call this exhibition Black Crossroads because we want to reflect what Miami has always been: a meeting point for intersections of many members of the African Diaspora since as far back as the 1800s,” said Dr. Joanne Hyppolite, HMSF Chief Curator.

Admission for Black Crossroads is $8 for adults, $5 for children (6-12 years), and free for children under 6. Group discount packages are available. Student admission is $7. HMSF is located at 101 West Flagler Street in Downtown Miami. To purchase tickets and for more information, please contact (305) 375-1492, or visit www.hmsf.org.

Black Crossroads: The African Diaspora in Miami is sponsored in part by Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, Division of Historical Resources, the Florida Humanities Council, the National Endowment of the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.


Historical Museum of Southern Florida
Founded in 1940, the Historical Museum of Southern Florida (HMSF) is one of the largest private, regional history museums in the country. HMSF is recognized for excellence in programming and management by the Florida Department of State and accredited by the American Association of Museum (AAM). HMSF reaches out to a vast and culturally diverse audience through its exhibitions, educational programs, special events and publications.

Editor’s Notes:
Interviews available with Dr. Joanne Hyppolite, Chief Curator, Historical Museum of Southern Florida, please call Victoria Cervantes at 305.375.4141 to schedule.