Black History Month 2022 begins in SWFL

The first day of February marks the beginning of Black History Month, and there are events being planned throughout Southwest Florida all month long.

You can expect different events every day of the month, starting on Tuesday, when Captiva Memorial Library at 11560 Chapin Lane will have a Black history book display.

And in Collier County, Naples is partnering with the NAACP to host two big February events, starting with a scavenger hunt throughout city parks. They’ll have photos spread around the city of many local and national Black heroes; people can take a picture and identify who those historic figures are and prizes will be given out for people who guess the most.

James Muwakkil, the president of the Lee County NAACP, is thankful to celebrate Black History Month for yet another year with the community. But he wants everyone to think about the true meaning behind it and know there’s still work to be done.

“Color should not matter in and of itself, this should not matter,” Muwakkil said. “Black History [Month] is not a time for a parade… you can do that if you want, OK, but it is a time of reflection on what has been done and what still has to be done.”

On Feb. 12, the Collier County branch of the NAACP is celebrating a second Black History Month event celebrating African roots and Southern cuisine. An organizer tells WINK News it’s a cultural experience and a history-filled event, plus a great opportunity to taste specific foods and learn about where they came from.

The theme of Black History Month 2022 is Black health and wellness, staying healthy and meeting people who can help you stay that way.

“We were at the bottom,” Muwakkil said. “And here, now, some 50 years later, African Americans continue to be at the bottom. When it comes to economic civic engagement, education, health. We continue to be… politics, we continue to be at the bottom. We’re not there yet, we have to continue to rise up and fight for those things that are worth fighting for. Justice, freedom and equality.”