Florissant plans free Black History Month program Feb. 15 with local performers and reception

Wendy Gordon, a Florissant resident and member of the Florissant Art Commission, will host the City of Florissant’s Black History Month celebration on Sunday, Feb. 15, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the Florissant Performing Arts Center. The program, which the city is sponsoring, is free to the public and will include music, poetry, dance and a reception after the show.

Gordon said the program’s theme — "walking to freedom from struggle and strength" — will focus on the civil-rights era, using songs and stories from that period to draw parallels with contemporary protest movements. "To me, it means a lot because first and foremost, I am a history buff," she said, explaining she will center a portion of the event on the 1955–1963 period that culminated with the March on Washington.

The program will open with a community gospel choir described as diverse and interfaith, followed by poetry presented by top teams from the St. Louis chapter. Gordon said many of the performers are Florissant residents and that the MC, Taylor Harris (a Channel 2 personality and Florissant resident), will act as a narrator using both oral remarks and a PowerPoint presentation. "It's totally free, because of the City of Florissant," Gordon said.

Local youth performers are included: Gordon named Point of Surrender Dance Studio (located on Parker Road) among participating dance groups. The event will also feature special guests including Gloria Vance, Miss Senior Missouri 2025; Anita Jackson of the Florissant Art Commission (identified in the program as a jazz vocalist); and Kim Foborn.

Ivan Carter has been named the guest speaker; Gordon said he was recommended and attends her church. A reception with music from the arts band, cake, punch and donated "old time" donuts from Old Town Donut will follow the performance in the gymnasium immediately after the program.

The event is presented by the City of Florissant in coordination with the Florissant Art Commission. The program is free and open to the public; it begins at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 15 at the Florissant Performing Arts Center with a reception to follow.

Questions about accessibility, capacity limits or ticketing were not addressed in the podcast; organizers asked listeners to consult City of Florissant channels for further details.