by Jeroslyn JoVonn
January 28, 2026
The 2026 ZORA!® Pageant commemorates the literary icon and celebrates the contributions of the diaspora as a part of America’s 250th anniversary.
The 2026 ZORA!® Pageant returns to Central Florida Jan. 30 and Feb. 1, honoring the legacy of literary icon Zora Neale Hurston and celebrating the diaspora’s contributions to American historical past through the year-long “America 250” anniversary.
Hosted in historic Eatonville, Florida, the pageant supplies a vibrant celebration of African-American tradition and heritage. Artists, students, educators, college students, and guests from throughout the U.S. and past participate in occasions mixing music, artwork, historical past, and schooling.
Pageant highlights embody the three-day Outside Pageant of the Arts, the “Cotton Membership, Reimagined—Nineteen Thirties Harlem Nightlife” occasion, and a conventional worship service. Different featured packages are the Placemaking Convention, the themed “Getting into the Zoraverse: Folks, Locations, Areas,” and the Africa-America Girls Financial Discussion board, “Main for Financial Influence.”
The HATitude Cultural Aptitude Occasion is ready for October.
Attendees can expertise reside performances, artwork exhibitions, and interactive actions, together with the Tribute to the Legends, which honors people who’ve formed African-American tradition through performances and academic segments spotlighting contributions in literature, music, and social activism.
The annual pageant commemorates the literary icon who died in Florida on Jan. 28, 1960, at age 69.
It celebrates her profound affect on the Harlem Renaissance and her works portraying African-American life. The pageant options music, interactive artwork, and reside performances, providing attendees an opportunity to discover Hurston’s lasting affect on American tradition.
Pageant exhibitions will spotlight African-American artwork, literature, and historical past in ways in which provide an in-depth have a look at the cultural heritage that helped form the nation. Educational conferences and panel discussions convey students, artists, and group leaders collectively to discover challenges and achievements all through the diaspora.
This yr’s pageant, a significant begin to the USA’ 250th anniversary, makes use of artwork to focus on the nation’s historical past and the important contributions of African-Individuals, giving guests a deeper understanding of the tradition’s roots and fashionable affect.
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