Margaret Nelson
ReDefiners World Languages Black Heritage Expo
Saturday, February 27, 2021 from Noon - 5:00 PM @ Westshore Plaza
Have you ever stopped to consider how many cultures there are in the United States? The U.S. Census Bureau recognizes five racial groups: White, Black/African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Each of these groups is composed of dozens, if not hundreds, of distinct cultures. As a result, America is culturally diverse, and all of these cultures make up the fabric of our country. As our world becomes more interconnected, it’s likely that we will meet someone who has different experiences than we do. We will likely meet people of other races, ethnicities, and cultures. They might be from different countries. They might speak different languages. They might celebrate different holidays.

It’s a powerful experience to learn about other cultures. It makes it easier to meet new people, make new friends, and see the beauty that the world has to offer. Most of all, it gives us the opportunity to see that we’re not so different from each other. Regardless of our differences, we have so much in common.
Celebrating our cultures and our interconnectedness is an important part of encouraging global citizenship. When we become global citizens, we can be more sensitive to other cultures and know how to approach unfamiliar ones. This enables us to create a deeper understanding of one another’s perspectives, which will ultimately create a more peaceful world.
Celebrating other cultures has even more benefits. When we celebrate and honor each other’s differences and experiences, we’re telling them, “I see you, I honor what you’ve been through, and I value your experiences.” This results in other people being validated and valued. They’re able to walk away with more confidence in themselves, and they feel secure in their identities.

One way to become a better global citizen is to attend our Black Heritage Expo. The event is designed to promote global citizenship by encouraging cross-cultural dialogues and intercultural experiences, as well as encouraging participants to make connections between communities. It is a celebration of Black Heritage and culture through fashion, music, spoken word, and African dance and drumming. There will be informative workshops, interesting exhibits, and exhilarating performances. We will also have tables set up as a promotion opportunity for local entrepreneurs to promote their businesses. Local organizations and service providers will be able to promote their missions and share resources that positively impact our community.
Best of all, it will be a chance to experience a safe, positive celebration of Black culture.

The Black Heritage Expo will be held on Saturday, February 27th, 2021 from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM at the Westshore Plaza (250 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, FL 33609). For more information, please email us at info@redefinerswl.org.