The 2023 Black Heritage Festival is from March 9 through March 12 and the exciting 4-day event is open to all, for all to enjoy. The purpose is to highlight, educate and share the rich African American culture, heritage, tradition, art, food, beauty, and talents. It's a celebration of extraordinary people combined with live music performances by Leah Nicole, Michael Kittling, Russ G, Denaron, and many others.

Don't miss the exciting culinary competition with the Soul Food Cook-Off! Catch the adorable Baby Expo, and bring the entire family to experience the fun with various activities and games. There will also be a Kids Zone, plenty of giveaways, and more. There is something for everyone to enjoy!

The 2023 Black Heritage Festival will also address the importance of caring for our minds, bodies, soul, and money management. There will be Health & Wellness breakout sessions, Empowerment, Political, and Business Seminars, Finacial Workshops, and a powerful Gospel Extravaganza.

DAY 1 - THURSDAY, MARCH 9

The Senior Citizen Super Bingo. FREE to seniors 50 and up. There will be 10 games to include a blackout with AMAZING prizes!!! Lunch will also be provided. If you plan on attending sign-up/register now and call Ellaweena Woods at (337) 526-0465.

DAY 2 - FRIDAY, MARCH 10

The Black Heritage Festival and Southern Touch Entertainment present the:  MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL Celebration and Gala. Join the celebration at Golden Doors Event Center ( 2013 Oak Park Blvd) from 10 pm-midnight. Enjoy live music performances, a live DJ, and dinner. Purchase tickets now if you plan to attend.

Tickets are $50 per person and private tables are available for a party of 8 at $400 per table. Get your tickets and tables, HERE!

DAY 3 - SATURDAY, MARCH 11

The Festival Day gets underway from 10 am to 6 pm inside and outside of the Lake Charles Civic Center. Admission is free. There are more than 70 food and merchandise vendors coming out this year locally, from across the state, and out of state. Plenty of shopping with be available for festival goers to pick up unique or one-of-a-kind gifts that include art, crafts, jewelry, hair and beauty, boutique fashions, and much more.

Bring your beautiful babies to the Baby Expo presented by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated in conjunction with the Black Heritage Festival. Beginning at 9 am on the second floor in the Mezzanine Area of the Lake Charles Civic Center.  Sign your baby up ($5 entry fee) and enter them to participate in the Cutest Baby Contest, Diaper Derby, Healthy Baby Contest, and Toddler Race! All proceeds go to the March of Dimes.

DAY 4 - SATURDAY, MARCH 12

Wrapping up the 4-day festival is the Gospel Extravaganza, at the Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church, 119 N. Bank St.! This is a free event and all are welcome to attend for a night of praise, worship, and fellowship through the ministry of song and dance. Enjoy performances by soloists, choirs, and praise dancers ministries thanking God for all he has done.

SATURDAY MARCH 25 

The grand finale is the amazing gospel stage play, "Testimony!" Written and directed by Donald Thomas Jr. and presented by Southern Touch Entertainment in conjunction with the Black Heritage Festival. It's a soul-stirring look at ourselves in the fictitious town of Drama Louisiana. See this riveting play live at United Christion Fellowship Ministries (2900  E. Opelousas St.) Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 7 pm. Get your tickets now at testimonyplay.com!

Black Heritage Festival

LOOK: Here are the biggest HBCUs in America

More than 100 historically Black colleges and universities are designated by the U.S. Department of Education, meeting the definition of a school "established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans."

StudySoup compiled the 20 largest historically Black colleges and universities in the nation, based on 2021 data from the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics. Each HBCU on this list is a four-year institution, and the schools are ranked by the total student enrollment.

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