2026 EXHIBIT

The Power of Her Presence.

A second showing of the exhibit celebrating the extraordinary achievements of Black women across Florida — women who were born in, lived in, or shaped the communities of this state. Fifty-six honorees, spanning medicine, education, the arts, public service and activism.

DatesOctober 2026

VenueThe Ritz Theater and Museum

Address829 N. Davis Street, Jacksonville, Florida

AdmissionFree

Illustrated portrait of a Black woman crowned with flowers and butterflies, beside the exhibit title The Power of Her Presence: Honoring the Legacy of Black Women in Florida

Dedicated to

Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole

The honorees

56 women, on the record.

Chandra Adams, MD, MBA
Kattie Adams (posthumous honoree)
Thomasenia Lott Adams, PhD
Roslyn Clark Artis, JD, EdD
Hon. Aramis Ayala
Mona Humphries Bailey (posthumous honoree)
Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes, Esq.
Mary McLeod Bethune, LHD, LLD (posthumous honoree)
Joi Olivia Chaney, JD
Johnnetta B. Cole, PhD
Hon. Alexcia Cox
Beverly Crawford
Barbara Darby, EdD
Sheila Kay Davis
Kay Williams Dawson, DMin
Tananarive Due
Dorothy Jenkins Fields, PhD
Edda Fields-Black, PhD
Michelle Finn-Burrell
Nikki Frenney
Sybrina Fulton
Brianna Grant
GloZell Green
Freddie Groomes-McLendon, PhD
Fredara Hadley, PhD
Edna Hargrett-Thrower (posthumous honoree)
Shakira Henderson, PhD
Bea Hines
Mamie Webb Hixon
Vivian L. Hobbs, PhD
Zora Neale Hurston (posthumous honoree)
Brenda Jackson
Hon. LaShawnda K. Jackson
Yolanda Cash Jackson, Esq.
Senator Arthenia Joyner
Alma Littles, MD
Valencia Matthews, PhD
Portia Maultsby, PhD
Leanetta McNealy, PhD
Barbara McNeely-Bouie, DWS
Vickie Oldham, MFA
Hon. Rhonda Peoples-Waters
Akilah Jamila Pope, MD
Tekoa Pouerie
Justice Peggy Quince
Hon. Meshon Rawls
Trudie Kibbe Reed, EdD
Hon. Alicia Peyton Robinson
Senator Dr. Barbara Sharief
Senator Geraldine Thompson (posthumous honoree)
Paulette C. Walker, PhD (posthumous honoree)
Norma Solomon White, DHL
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson
Hon. Monique Worrell
Marie K. Young
Kideste Yusef, PhD

* Posthumous honoree

Sponsorship

Stand with this work.

Commitments and logo files are due by September 15, 2026 so that everything is ready for the opening.

Presenting Sponsor

^$10,000

Exclusive — one available

Recognized as “Presented by the African American Women’s History Month Project, Inc. & YOU [Sponsor Name]” on all exhibit materials
Premier logo placement on the front cover of the souvenir program, the AAWHMP website, all signage and promotional materials, and the event step & repeat banner
Featured in all press releases and media interviews
Opportunity to give remarks at the exhibit opening
Weekly social media spotlight from October 2026 to March 2027
VIP invitation to the opening reception for sponsors (up to 15 guests) and honorees
Special event keepsake

Give at this level →Visionary Sponsor

^$7,500

Named as a Visionary Sponsor on all materials and promotions
Logo prominently placed on all exhibit signage and the AAWHMP website
Weekly social media spotlight from October 2026 to March 2027
VIP invitation to the opening reception for sponsors (up to 7 guests) and honorees
Verbal recognition at the VIP reception
Mentioned in select media
Special event keepsake

Give at this level →Heritage Sponsor

^$5,000

Logo featured on the front cover of the program and on exhibit signage
Recognition in all press materials
Verbal recognition at the VIP event
Weekly social media spotlight from October 2026 to March 2027
VIP invitation to the opening reception for sponsors (up to 5 guests) and honorees
Logo with hyperlink on the website
Special event keepsake

Give at this level →Trailblazer Sponsor

^$2,500

Logo included on the AAWHMP website and in the souvenir program
Verbal recognition at the opening event
VIP invitation to the opening reception for sponsors (up to 2 guests) and honorees
Social media feature from October 2026 to March 2027
Special event keepsake

Give at this level →Torchbearer Sponsor

^$1,000

Logo included on the AAWHMP website and in the souvenir program
VIP invitation to the opening reception for sponsors (one person) and honorees
Special event keepsake
Group social media mention

Give at this level →Advocate Sponsor

^$500

Name listed on the AAWHMP website and in the souvenir program
Special invitation to the opening reception
Group social media shout-out

Give at this level →Friends of the Exhibit

^$250

Name listed on the AAWHMP website and in the souvenir program
Special invitation to the opening reception

Give at this level →

See all sponsorship levels →