Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc.

Situated in Historic Overtown, Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida is a cornerstone of Miami’s vibrant Black history and culture. Founded in 1977 by Dr. Dorothy Jenkins, an archivist and historian, the mission of the Black Archives is to preserve the documentary and photographic history of Black South Florida and Miami, as well as to enrich the present and protect the future through the revitalization of Historic Overtown.

The extensive archives include manuscript, typescript, print, machine readable, electronic media, photographs, microform, artwork and film. For a hands-on introduction, visitors can enroll in the History in Our Hands: Archiving Workshop 101, which teaches archival practices and effective methods for preserving historical materials.

For the professional or amateur researcher or historian, the archives are also open to the public by appointment, and group tours are available. There’s also an extensive inventory of searchable digital archives available online.

The History of Overtown

One of the most historic communities in Greater Miami & Miami Beach, Overtown predates the City of Miami’s 1896 incorporation. It was established northwest of Downtown Miami by railroad tycoon Henry Flagler to house the Black laborers who worked on his projects.

Overtown was originally known as “Colored Town” because of its African diaspora, which included people from the American South, the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and beyond.

During Overtown’s heyday in the 1920s and 30s, it became known as “Little Broadway,” thanks to the impressive roster of live entertainment at the Lyric Theatre, Knight Beat and other clubs. Famous acts included Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Josephine Baker, among others.

In the 1960s, the construction of two major highways through the center of Overtown led to the demolition of more than 20,000 homes. The geographical fracturing of the community resulted in a residential population that dwindled from 50,000 to less than 10,000.

Historic Overtown’s rebirth is thanks in large part to the work of the Black Archives, which is not only dedicated to preserving and collecting archives, but also to the future of Overtown’s Historic Lyric Theater, the Overtown Historic Folklife Village, the Black Heritage Trail and the Black Archives Youth Advocacy Program.

Historic Lyric Theater

The Historic Lyric Theater was built in 1913 and was once the bedrock of Overtown’s bustling Little Broadway district. Over the decades, it was used as a movie theater, performance hall, and community auditorium before it was shuttered in the 1960s.

The Black Archives acquired the Lyric in 1988 and ushered it through several renovation phases before finally reopening in February 2014 during Black History Month.

Today, the newly expanded theater and cultural complex is home to the Black Archives, the historic theater, meeting spaces, exhibition space and a studio theater. It hosts a dynamic calendar of music, dance, comedy and other performing arts events that celebrate Black culture.

Overtown Historic Folklife Village

Under the stewardship of the Black Archives, the Overtown Historic Folklife Village is an entertainment district and tourist destination along NW 3rd Avenue. Here, you’ll find Purvis Young murals, crosswalks painted in colorful designs, Gibson Park, the Frederick Douglas Elementary School and the Culmer/Overtown Public Library.

Nearby, you’ll also find historic churches, including St. John Baptist Church and the Historic Mount Zion Baptist Church where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once spoke.

For a bite to eat, take your pick from old-school joints like Jackson Soul Food and modern standouts like Red Rooster by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson.

The village also plays host to the annual Overtown Music & Arts Festival and other exciting events throughout the year.

The Black Heritage Trail

Another initiative of the Black Archives, the Black Heritage Trail connects sites of historical, cultural and architectural significance to Black Miami. The trail spans Overtown to Lemon City and Little Haiti; Liberty City to Opa Locka and Miami Gardens; Hialeah to Brownsville and Virginia Key Beach; and Richmond Heights to Goulds and Florida City.

Sites of interest on the trail include the Historic Lyric Theater and the Historic Hampton House in Overtown, the Railroad Shop in Allapattah and the historically Black areas of Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. The vision for the trail is to bring the history and culture of Black Miami to the fore across Greater Miami & Miami Beach.

Black Archives Youth Advocacy Program

Through the Black Archives Youth Advocacy Program, the Black Archives is dedicated to the next generation of artists and community leaders. The program works with children of all ages to develop their full creative potential through the visual and performing arts. This includes everything from theater and museum work to historic research and community involvement.

By: Shayne Benowitz | February 19, 2026