Tampa Bay’s most beloved festival isn’t just about food—it’s a full-blown movement. Since its inception in 2018, the Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival (TBCGF) has turned this humble leafy green into a symbol of health, heritage, and hope. Spearheaded by co-founders Boyzell Hosey and Samantha Harris, the nonprofit behind it all has grown into a powerhouse for social change. The next iteration is set for February 15, 2025, around 2240 9th Ave S and throughout The Deuces. Full event details are available online.
Ahead of the official festival on February 15, TBCGF will host an intimate event on February 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. called Collards After Dark at Studio@620 (620 1st Ave S). In partnership with WUSF, Tombolo Books, and Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival Inc., along with Urban Drinkery, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Ja’Vin’s Culinary, this dynamic fundraiser is dedicated to addressing health and equity disparities in the community. Tickets are available online.
Collards After Dark arrives in downtown St. Pete
This exclusive event features award-winning journalist Eric Deggans, who will share insights on media and its role in shaping our society, followed by a book signing for his critically acclaimed work, “Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation”. Pre-order your copy and have it personally signed at the event.
Attendees will also indulge in an array of mouthwatering dishes prepared by the winners of the TBCGF Inc. & American Culinary Federation Tampa Bay High School Recipe Contest, while sipping on expertly crafted beverages courtesy of Tito’s Handmade Vodka and curated selections from Urban Drinkery.
Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival is a force for good
With programs bridging gaps in health disparities, food insecurity, and economic inequity, the TBCGF isn’t just a festival but a force for good. While collard greens remain the centerpiece, this 501(c)(3) charitable organization offers much more than soul food.
February’s festival is the marquee event, drawing over 13,000 people to a joyous celebration of health and heritage. The event includes live music, cooking demos, wellness workshops, and plenty of collard greens, serving as a platform for empowerment and proving that health equity can be deeply rooted in culture.
Creating a space where people can celebrate their heritage
“Our goal is to show that health and wellness don’t have to be intimidating or expensive,” says Boyzell Hosey, who has been instrumental in shaping the festival’s community-focused vision. “We’re creating spaces where people can learn, connect, and celebrate their heritage while prioritizing their well-being.”
The festival also highlights its signature program, the I ❤️ Greens 5K & Fitness Extravaganza, which combines heart-pumping fun with a mission to combat health disparities in underserved communities. The accompanying 5K Ready Program, an eight-week training series for beginners, gets even the most reluctant runners on their feet.
Promoting sustainability in the community
One standout program is the Intergenerational Agriculture Initiative, where tradition meets innovation. Elders share age-old farming wisdom with younger participants, passing down recipes for sustainability alongside heirloom seeds. By collaborating with schools and community gardens, TBCGF teaches participants to grow, harvest, and cook their nutritious meals, turning “farm-to-table” from a trend into a way of life.
It’s about preserving cultural roots while giving people the tools to lead healthier lives. It’s powerful to see generations come together over something as simple—and as vital—as food.
TBCGF’s latest initiative, Ask a Practitioner, invites community members to sit with healthcare and wellness professionals for personalized advice. These interactive sessions tackle everything from chronic illness prevention to everyday health hacks, filling the knowledge gaps that too often widen health disparities.
Launching a youth entrepreneurship accelerator
Adding another layer to its mission, TBCGF has launched the Youth Entrepreneurship Row Accelerator. This custom-built program teaches entrepreneurial skills to young people, giving them hands-on experience vending at the festival. Participants learn that the roots of economic empowerment can grow just as deep as collard greens.
“We want to allow young people to see what’s possible,” Hosey shares. “It’s about more than earning money—building confidence, skills, and a vision for their future.”
The countdown to the 2025 festival is on
The countdown is already on for the 2025 Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival on February 15. Whether you’re running in the I ❤️ Greens 5K, exploring the Youth Entrepreneurship Row, or dancing your way through the festival grounds, one thing is clear: this isn’t just an event—it’s a movement.
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