African American Experiences

From supporting Black-owned businesses to learning about history makers and noteworthy figures, celebrate Black history events and experiences for all in Dallas. This February and throughout the year, the city hosts historical and educational events and experiences for all to connect with and celebrate the culture through dance, music, art, discussion and more. We invite you to celebrate Black History in Dallas.

Dallas' roots are deeply intertwined with African American history and culture as one of the largest Black settlements in the country, beginning in the antebellum period through the end of the Civil War. African American impact across Dallas society is as diverse as the citizens and rich economy that supports a Black population of 1.2 million+ residents.

In the Big D, you can feel the entrepreneurial spirit through the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, the first Black organization of its kind in the nation. You can visit historic neighborhoods like Hamilton Park, the South Boulevard/ Park Row Historic District, and the Historic Tenth Street District and feel a deep sense of connection to the history and community.

Enjoy an original show from local and national writers, actors and artists at Bishop Arts Theater Center or dance the night away with local, national, and international recording artists at the Riverfront Jazz Festival at the Black Academy of Arts & Letters. Stop by the African American Museum or the South Dallas Cultural Center and learn about the communities that set the framework for all the new development across the city. Explore the Dallas Arts District and experience a world-class concert from the world-renowned Dallas Black Dance Theater. Stop by Paul Quinn College, Dallas’s only HBCU, and channel that “we over me” spirit.

Whether it’s giving Deep Ellum its drawn-out name and rhythm and blues culture, lining the streets of South Dallas on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard for one of the largest MLK parades in the nation, or having some of the best eats in the rolling hills of Oak Cliff, you can feel the heritage and bold expression of Dallas’s Black communities and their impact influencing not only the City of Dallas, but making a tremendous impact on the rest of the country and around the world. Come experience a unique place where business, arts, and culture meet community!

Words by Harrison L. Blair, President & CEO, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce

African American Annual Events

Celebrate the diversity of Dallas all year long. Cultural festivals and events and incredible dance and musical performances are just a few of the experiences the Dallas community has to offer.

An African American Cultural Experience in Dallas

Dallas' African American roots run deep. The city's rich cultural history can be experienced all over town from the neighborhoods to the food to the cultural museums and attractions.

A Self-Guided Tour of Historical Landmarks

Visit Dallas Civil Rights Tour

Black-Owned Restaurants in Dallas

Seven favorites we can't stop talking about.

African American Experience Video Series

Black-Owned Businesses to Visit in Dallas

A full-day itinerary highlighting local black-owned businesses.

Dallas Attractions Focused On Black Culture

Museums, performing companies and landmarks are included in this - but there are plenty more! Use our list as your guide as you explore and experience diversity in Dallas.

African American Museum
The African American Museum in Fair Park is the only institution of its kind in the Southwest offering an impressive collection of African and African American art, featuring one of the largest folk art collections in the nation.

The Bishop Arts Theatre Center
The Bishop Arts Theatre Center provides cultural and artistic opportunities to marginalized individuals and use theatre as a platform for social change.

Remembering Black Dallas
Remembering Black Dallas preserves and promotes African American life, history and culture in Dallas. They also host local bus tours and historical presentations.

The Black Academy of Arts and Letters, Inc.
Founded in the 1970s, The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL) promotes, cultivates and preserves the African and African American performing arts. The academy is comprised of two theatres and has been the launching pad for local artists like Grammy winner Erykah Badu and Golden Globe winner Regina Taylor. The organization also hosts the annual Riverfront Jazz Festival.

Dallas Black Dance Theatre
Dallas Black Dance Theatre is an internationally recognized professional dance company that presents performances from the African American experience. Since the company was founded in 1976, its dancers have performed in 16 countries, including at two Olympics, the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Lincoln Center in New York City, and before the Queen of England. DBDT was the first Texas performing arts group to perform in South Africa for Nelson Mandela in 1998.

South Dallas Cultural Center
Experience the African American culture that embodies Dallas at the South Dallas Cultural Center. The center is well known for its summer programming that includes both adult and kid classes such as Brazilian dance and hip hop poetry. The center also includes a 120-seat box theatre used for movie nights, concerts and dance festivals and the Arthello Beck gallery, a visual arts space that features a different artist each month.

As the pandemic continues to impact small businesses, restaurants and bars, the need for community support is crucial.