Tampa Housing Authority and Tampa Bay History Center Collaborate to Open Tampa’s First Black History Museum

The Tampa Housing Authority and the Tampa Bay History Center are joining forces to bring Tampa its first Black History Museum, set to open on June 19, 2026. This museum will showcase the rich history of the Black community in Tampa, with artifacts collected by Fred Hearns, curator for Black history at the Tampa Bay History Center.

One of the artifacts that will be displayed in the museum is a letterman jacket from Leroy Long, a former high school athlete who went on to play at Florida A&M University. Long is excited about the opportunity to share his history and the history of other Black individuals in Tampa with the community.

The museum is still collecting pieces from the community to include in the exhibits. If you have something of interest, you can reach out to the Tampa Bay History Center to contribute to this important project.

In other news, the ABC Action News I-Team has been working to help Floridians stuck in an “adjudication hold” for unemployment benefits. After sharing their stories with the I-Team, nearly 300 people have reported receiving the relief they desperately needed. This is a positive development for those who have been waiting months for their benefits.