By: Sasha Koresh
The Ritz Theatre and Museum stands as a centerpiece of African American history and culture
in Jacksonville, preserving the legacy of the LaVilla neighborhood.
Located west of downtown, LaVilla was known in the early 20th century as the “Harlem of the
South,” a hub for Black business, music and entertainment during segregation.
The original Ritz Theatre opened in 1929 as a movie house and performance venue, drawing
crowds to the vibrant district. Though the area declined in the decades that followed, the site
was revitalized in 1999 with the opening of a new theater and museum complex.
“The purpose the theater serves in the the community today is to be able to showcase and put
on the exhibits for individuals to see what happened in the past, the present, and the future,”
said Shaun Powell, an employee at Ritz.
Today, the Ritz Theatre and Museum serves both as a performing arts venue and an
educational space. The 400-seat theater hosts concerts, plays and community events, while the
museum features exhibits on African American life in Northeast Florida and the broader
diaspora.
“We also give independent artists an opportunity to showcase their work here as well,”—said Powell.
The museum includes artifacts, photographs and interactive displays that highlight key figures
and moments in local history. Among those remembered is James Weldon Johnson, a
Jacksonville native known for his contributions to literature and the civil rights movement
photo courtesy of Shaun Powell