February 5, 2026

MOJA Festival Highlights Black History in Charleston

Charleston, SC, February 5, 2026

The MOJA Arts Festival in Charleston, SC, celebrates Black History Month with two significant events at the Dock Street Theatre. These performances spotlight Black artistry and the cultural legacy of the community, reflecting the importance of local initiative in arts and cultural preservation. From musical interpretations of Zora Neale Hurston’s work to a tribute to Aretha Franklin, the festival showcases the richness of Black culture and encourages community participation in artistic expression.

Charleston, SC

Celebrating Black History: MOJA Festival Spotlights Charleston’s Cultural Richness

The MOJA Arts Festival is set to honor Black History Month with two impactful events, showcasing the enduring power of Black artistry and cultural legacy within the Charleston community. These special performances at the historic Dock Street Theatre exemplify how local initiative and civic engagement can foster a vibrant cultural landscape, enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike.

As Charleston continues to thrive, the 41st anniversary season of the MOJA Arts Festival stands as a testament to sustained community dedication. Such locally driven initiatives highlight the profound benefits of personal initiative and the collective efforts of citizens to celebrate shared heritage and promote artistic expression. By focusing on these homegrown endeavors, the festival underscores the strength found in community choice and the positive impact of local leadership in cultural preservation and growth.

MOJA’s Enduring Commitment to the Arts

The MOJA Arts Festival, an annual celebration of Black arts and culture, including African American and Caribbean legacies, is a cornerstone of the Charleston County community. Produced and directed by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the all-volunteer MOJA Planning Committee, the festival’s consistent operation for over four decades demonstrates a remarkable level of community involvement and organizational resilience. This longevity is a clear indicator of how private partnerships and robust civic participation can effectively sustain significant cultural events, contributing substantially to the city’s identity and offering valuable Charleston SC events for all.

Two Powerful Evenings at Dock Street Theatre

As part of its 41st anniversary season, the MOJA Arts Festival will honor Black History Month with two powerful February events at the historic Dock Street Theatre. These events are designed to spotlight Black artistry, cultural legacy, and future vision. The choice of the Dock Street Theatre, a cherished local institution, for these performances underscores the importance of utilizing and preserving Charleston’s historical venues for contemporary cultural enrichment. The Friends of MOJA are presenting these two art events, which celebrate local talent and the impact of Black artists on theatre, entertainment, and the arts.

“Voices of Carolina: The Power of Our Stories”

One of the featured events is “Voices of Carolina: The Power of Our Stories,” scheduled for 7 p.m. on February 11 at the Dock Street Theatre. This event, presented by The ZD Experience in partnership with the MOJA Arts Festival, will offer musical and spoken word interpretations of Zora Neale Hurston’s renowned novel, “Their Eyes Were Watching God”. This performance is a special part of MOJA’s continuing National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Big Read programming. Such initiatives emphasize the power of individual narratives and collective storytelling to enrich the cultural fabric of a community.

“Amazing Grace: The Aretha Franklin Experience”

The second significant event is “Amazing Grace: The Aretha Franklin Experience,” taking place on February 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Dock Street Theatre. This concert pays tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, and her unforgettable return to her gospel roots, specifically celebrating her iconic live album “Amazing Grace”. Vocal powerhouse Javetta Campbell, backed by a dynamic ensemble of musicians and a choir including the Lowcountry Voices, will bring to life this soul-stirring performance. Hosted by Reverend Randolph Miller, this evening celebrates faith, music, and timeless artistry, highlighting the profound individual achievement and lasting cultural impact of artists like Aretha Franklin. Her 1972 album “Amazing Grace” earned a Grammy in 1973 for Best Soul Gospel Performance and remains the best-selling gospel album of all time.

Cultivating Community Through Local Arts

These celebrations during Black History Month underscore how local organizations, through their concerted efforts and personal initiative, serve as catalysts for civic innovation and community development. The MOJA Arts Festival’s ability to consistently deliver high-quality programming through an all-volunteer committee and various partnerships highlights a model of limited bureaucracy yielding significant cultural dividends for the South Carolina SC gatherings calendar. By supporting and engaging with these Charleston SC events, residents actively participate in the ongoing narrative of their city’s cultural richness and shared history.

The MOJA Arts Festival’s Black History Month events offer compelling opportunities to engage with powerful artistry and celebrate the enduring legacy of Black culture in Charleston. By attending these performances, residents not only support local arts but also contribute to the vibrant civic life that defines our community. We encourage everyone to explore these unique offerings at the Dock Street Theatre and continue to champion the spirit of local initiative that makes Charleston a truly special place.

Key Features of MOJA Arts Festival’s Black History Month Events

Feature	Details
Festival Theme	Black History Month Celebration
Number of Main Events	Two powerful February events
Venue	Historic Dock Street Theatre, Charleston, SC
Festival Season	41st Anniversary Season of MOJA Arts Festival
Event 1	“Voices of Carolina: The Power of Our Stories” (Musical and Spoken Word Interpretations of “Their Eyes Were Watching God”)
Event 1 Date/Time	February 11, 7:00 p.m.
Event 2	“Amazing Grace: The Aretha Franklin Experience” (Tribute to Aretha Franklin’s gospel roots)
Event 2 Date/Time	February 10, 7:00 p.m.
Organizers	MOJA Arts Festival (produced and directed by City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in partnership with an all-volunteer MOJA Planning Committee), Friends of MOJA, The ZD Experience
Cultural Impact	Spotlighting Black artistry, cultural legacy, and future vision; celebrating African American and Caribbean legacies; promoting individual achievement and cultural preservation.