Tampa Bay Is Building a 50,000-Square-Foot African American Arts and Cultural Center — And Its First Fundraiser Is This Saturday

TAMPA, FL — A landmark cultural project is getting closer to breaking ground in West Tampa, and the community has a chance to be part of making it happen. The Tampa Bay African American Arts and Cultural Center is holding its inaugural fundraising gala this Saturday, June 27, at the Florida Aquarium — and organizers say the momentum behind the project has never been stronger.

The planned 50,000-square-foot center at 2103 N. Rome Ave. in West Tampa is a public-private partnership with Hillsborough County government, designed to become a permanent home for celebrating the region's African American arts, culture, and heritage. Renderings of the space are already public, giving the community a preview of what's coming.

What the Center Will Include

• Indoor galleries showcasing African American art and cultural history

• A 600-seat indoor amphitheater for performances, screenings, and community events

• Learning studios for youth education and cultural programming

• A landmark architectural presence on the West Tampa skyline

The Fundraising Goal 

The center's board says it is getting close to its $30 million fundraising target, but still has ground to cover before breaking ground. The inaugural gala is the organization's first major public fundraising push — and a chance for the broader Tampa Bay community to get behind something built to last generations.

"It's not just about a building," said Kayon Henderson of the center's leadership. "What we're doing is building legacy. There's going to be youth education coming out of this. We want to make sure we can give everyone that opportunity to come and experience that history."

The Inaugural Gala 

The evening is a formal gala format — a celebration of the project, its vision, and the community that has been driving it forward. Tickets and event details are available through the center's official Facebook page.

📍 Gala: Florida Aquarium — 701 Channelside Dr., Tampa, FL 33602 

📅 Saturday, June 27, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM 

📍 Future Center Location: 2103 N. Rome Ave., West Tampa, FL 

🌐 hcfl.gov/locations/african-american-arts-cultural-center for project details and ticketing