Happy Black History Month Tampa’s Downtown! This month, it is important to acknowledge, celebrate, and learn about the achievements and contributions made by Black people throughout history!

There are a variety of ways to celebrate Black History Month in Tampa’s Downtown:

• Head to Downtown’s Black English Book Store
• Book a Black history walking tour around Tampa’s Downtown with What it Was Walking Tours
• Stop at the Black-owned food truck Baton Rouge for authentic cajun cuisine
• Attend the Tampa Bay History Center’s Black History Month Reception
• Head to Downtown’s Tampa Theatre and check out their Black Love Classics Series
• Stop by the Tampa Bay History Center and check out exhibits that showcase Tampa Bay’s Black trailblazers
• Take one of the Tampa Bay History Center’s historic walking tours

Can you believe that NEXT WEEK marks the arrival of our 2025 Urban Excellence Awards?

Lights, camera, action! This year’s theme is “Old Hollywood” so be sure to channel your inner Marilyn Monroe or James Dean and join us for a dazzling evening!

Purchase your tickets today and join us on Thursday, February 27 at Hotel Flor as we celebrate the businesses, organizations, and individuals that have profoundly impacted Tampa’s Downtown.

To view all of this year’s finalists, head here!

We would also like to thank those who have sponsored this event thus far:

Platinum Sponsor: Port Tampa Bay

Gold Sponsors:

-ENCORE! Tampa

-Glazer Children’s Museumof

-Sacred Heart Catholic Church

-Tampa General Hospital

-USF Health

-The University of Tampa

Silver Sponsors:

-6 Shop Co.

-Carlton Fields

-Planet Smoothie

Purchase Tickets

There’s still time to become a Sponsor – Contact Lindsey Parks

Tampa’s Downtown River O’ Green, presented by Grow Financial, returns in less than ONE MONTH! Head to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on Saturday, March 15 from 11:00am – 6:00pm for the biggest Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in Tampa’s Downtown.

Join us as we channel the luck of the Irish with:

• The annual coloring of the Hillsborough River with an appearance from Mayor Jane Castor
• Live performances featuring music, poetry, and traditional Irish step dancing
• Several food and beverage vendors with Irish themed bites and drinks
• A Leprechaun Hideout providing relief from the sun while you enjoy beer and spirits from national and local brands
• Prizes and giveaways

This event wouldn’t be a smashing success year-after-year without our gracious sponsors! Huge thank you to this year’s sponsors:

-Presenting Sponsor: Grow Financial

-Barrymore Hotel

-Busch Gardens

-City of Tampa

-Freedom Boat Club

-iHeart Radio

-KUDUCOM

-TECO Energy

View the day’s full lineup here

Great news Tampa’s Downtown! Our monthly neighborhood program, Central Park Eats: A Food Truck Rally returns TOMORROW!

Join us in the courtyard in front of Tampa’s Black History Museum from 5:00pm – 8:00pm to enjoy delicious bites from:

• This Little Pig (burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, creole fries)
• Mom’s Tacos (tacos & quesadillas)

The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts returns to Tampa’s Downtown on March 1 from 9:00am – 6:00pm and March 2 from 10:00am – 5:00pm!

For almost 50 years, artists and art lovers attend to watch as established and rising artists compete for almost $100,000 in prize money. You won’t want to miss a chance to view beautiful work across a plethora of artistic styles (painting, photography, ceramics, etc.), enjoy live entertainment, and more!

NOTE: Festival times may vary for VIP ticket holders.

Learn More

The Tampa Downtown Partnership is a huge advocate for car-free transit in Tampa’s Downtown! Consider celebrating Florida Bike Month (March 1 – March 31), by participating in Downtown’s Bike to Work Rally!

Join Mayor Jane Castor and fellow community members on a guided bike commute that will end at Lykes Gaslight Park.

There will be several starting locations to choose from and each commute will be led by experienced cyclists who are eager to guide YOU as you commute to work sustainably!

We would like to extend a huge thank you to our community partners:

• Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of Florida
• City of Tampa
• Florida Department of Transportation/Vision Zero
• Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART)

View starting locations

At the Partnership, it is our mission to serve those who live, work, and play in Tampa’s Downtown!

In order to continue to serve our community in the best way possible, we want to hear from residents and workers in Tampa’s Downtown. Please make your voice heard TODAY by completing our 2024/2025 Downtown Resident & Worker Surveys! Complete the survey(s) to win PRIZES!

2024/2025 Downtown Resident Survey

2024/2025 Downtown Worker Survey

Are you a foodie who wants to learn more about Tampa’s Downtown? We have great news for you!

Tampa Bay Food Tours offer guided food tours that allow participants to enjoy the vibrance of Downtown’s atmosphere while learning about its history, discussing food, and visiting great local restaurants to enjoy food/spirits!

NOTE: These events are ticketed, so make sure you purchase your tickets in advance!

Learn More

On Sunday, March 2, head to Downtown’s Tampa Theatre to watch the 97th Oscars® at the theatre’s annual Hollywood Awards Night, presented by Amalie Oil Company! Be sure to join the Red Carpet Reception for refreshments after a limousine ride that will take you to the theatre.

Volunteers are needed to act as paparazzi and fans at Tampa Theatre’s Red Carpet Reception for their 2025 Hollywood Awards night!

The reception will begin at 5:30pm on Sunday, March 2! To volunteer, reach out to dawn@tampatheatre.org to see if there is a shift that works for you!

Get tickets today!

Do you have an idea that has the potential to further beautify Tampa’s Downtown? If so, consider applying for one of our two active grants:

• Neighborhood Enhancement Grant: Tampa’s Downtown Neighborhood Enhancement Grant is a dynamic initiative aimed at fostering vibrant and inclusive neighborhoods. The program offers annual grants of up to $5,000 to each of the seven neighborhoods in Tampa’s Downtown.

• Storefont & Sidewalk Cafe Grant: The Storefront and Sidewalk Cafe Grant serves to create a more attractive pedestrian atmosphere and commercially vibrant environment through street-level storefront improvements and inviting sidewalk cafe settings. The program offers non-matching grants of up to $7,500 and matching grants over $7,500 up to $10,000 administered on a reimbursement basis, allowing for up to $5,000 of grant funds to be reimbursed every two years.

Apply Today!

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Monday Morning Memo –Monday Morning Memo is a weekly update of “insider downtown information” regarding developments, transportation, special opportunities and other useful information to help you make the most of downtown. Subscribe to receive this weekly newsletter.