Florida Museum of Black History Campaign
Positioning Opa-locka as an opportune and strategic location for a world-class State Black history museum.
Why is Opa-locka the best site for the Florida Museum of Black History?
By the Numbers
Shortlisted Down to Three
In May 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed CS/CS/HB 1441 into law, establishing a nine-member task force composed of appointed representatives and community leaders charged with evaluating potential locations for a future statewide Black history museum. The legislation also directed the Task Force to provide recommendations on the museum’s planning, construction, operations, and administrative functions. Using defined criteria and weighted evaluation percentages, the Division of Historic Resources (DHR) issued requests for informal proposals to organizations across the state—including nonprofits, chambers of commerce, and visitors bureaus—and received 13 submissions by February 19, 2024.
After the March 15 deadline, and under the Task Force’s guidance, DHR invited all 13 submitters to provide formal proposals aligned with the established criteria. Eight proposals were ultimately submitted, with Opa-locka—represented by applicant Ten North Group—standing out as the only South Florida contender.
Through public input, presentations, and surveys, Task Force members began scoring the eight proposals and narrowed the pool to four sites. A final ranking of three locations followed, with Opa-locka/Miami-Dade placing third with a score of 84.89, behind Eatonville/Orange County (95.33) and St. Augustine/St. Johns County (96.78).
A Matter of Feasibility
From April through May 2024, and with the support of students from Florida A&M University, the Task Force gathered additional insights and feedback on the three proposed sites using the established weighted criteria. By evaluating each location’s strengths and challenges—including infrastructure, access to higher education, population considerations, and more—the Task Force concluded that a comprehensive feasibility study would be necessary to fully strengthen the case for any one of the three options.
On May 21, mindful of the approaching deadline to submit a final report to the Governor and House Speaker, the Task Force voted to retain the April shortlist rankings and recommended that the Department of State conduct feasibility studies for all three locations.
The complete findings of the final report, submitted on June 28, 2024, can be found here.
Site Ready for Transformation: Opa-locka / Miami-Dade
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The proposed Opa-locka location for the future Florida Museum of Black History is the current Opa-locka Regional Service Center, a State-built and managed public facility situated in the heart of historic Opa-locka at 200 Opa-locka Boulevard. Constructed in 1999, the 4.5-acre site features two expansive single-story buildings totaling approximately 46,700 square feet, along with a spacious central courtyard.
Redeveloping this site into a vibrant mixed-use destination, including mixed-income housing, retail, commercial space, a parking garage, and additional public amenities—would significantly catalyze growth in the downtown core. This area is already designated as a transit-oriented development (TOD), offering ideal density potential and immediate access to public transportation, including the nearby Tri-Rail station just steps away.
On July 25, 2024, Ten North Group, with support from Sanctuary of the Arts, convened a town hall at the historic St. Mary’s Church in Coral Gables to present the evolution of the Opa-locka /Miami-Dade campaign and encourage attendees to voice their support to the Governor's Office. The event featured State Senator Shevrin Jones, State Representative Ashley Gantt, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Commissioner and Chairman Oliver Gilbert III, Opa-locka Mayor John H. Taylor, Jr., and Ten North Group President & CEO Dr. Willie Logan, with virtual remarks from U.S. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson.
Organizations and Individuals in Support of the Opa-locka / Miami-Dade Site
RESOLUTIONS
Miami-Dade County Commission
City of Opa-locka Commission
Miami-Dade Public School System School Board
Greater Opa-locka Arts & Cultural Foundation
GOVERNMENT & OFFICIALS
Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation
State Representative Daniel Perez, District 116,
Incoming Speaker of House
State Senator Shevrin D. "Shev" Jones, District 34
State Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez, 40th District
State Representative Ashley Gantt, District 109
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava
Miami-Dade Chairman Oliver Gilbert III, District 1
Broward County Mayor Nan Rich
TOURISM AND BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
Broward County Black Chamber of Commerce
Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce
South Florida Workforce Investment Board (CareerSource)
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
Cornell University
University of Miami
Florida Memorial University
Miami Dade College
CULTURAL & HISTORICAL INSTITUTIONS
African Heritage Cultural Arts Center
Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs
Museum of Black Civilizations of Dakar, Senegal
South Florida Cultural Consortium (Representing Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin & Monroe Counties)
Dade Heritage Trust
Perez Art Museum Miami
HistoryMiami
Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Center
Miami Design Preservation League
Miami-Dade County Office of Historic Preservation
SCHOLARS AND HISTORIANS
Dr. Enid Pinkney
Seth Bramson
Andras Szanto
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
God's Grace Church of Worship
Mt Olivette Missionary Baptist Church
Going Overtown
Overtown Children and Youth Coalition
Touching Miami with Love
Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
South Florida Champions of Black History
Help us win this campaign - express your support.
Your voice and opinion matters.
Write and call Governor Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez and tell them why you believe Opa-locka in Miami-Dade County should be the chosen location for the Florida Museum of Black History.
Governor Ron DeSantis
Email | Phone: (850) 717-9282
Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez
Email | Phone: (305) 463-1230
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