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Apply Now: The Pensacola Beacon Media Scholarship — Deadline June 15, 2026
The Pensacola Beacon Media Scholarship is open to Black students in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. Applications close June 15, 2026 — $2,000 to $2,500 awarded to journalism and media students.
Black-Owned Businesses to Support in Pensacola
From Belmont-DeVilliers to Brownsville to East Hill, Pensacola has a deep, enduring network of Black-owned restaurants, barbershops, boutiques, and cultural institutions. Here is your guide to spending your dollars where they do the most good.
Black Fatherhood in Pensacola: Legacy, Love, and Leadership
Black fathers in Pensacola are coaching Little League teams, running businesses, sitting on school boards, leading congregations, and raising the next generation of Gulf Coast leaders. This is their story.
The History and Meaning of Juneteenth in Pensacola
June 19, 1865 marked the end of slavery in Texas — but Juneteenth's roots in Pensacola run deep, shaped by the city's unique history as a port city, a military town, and a community that has always known how to hold its own story.
Your Guide to Black-Led Summer Events in Pensacola 2026
Juneteenth festivals, outdoor concerts, community cookouts, and cultural gatherings: here is everything on the calendar for Black Pensacola this summer.
Black Painters, Poets, and Performers: The Living Arts Scene in Pensacola
From Gallery Night on Palafox to the African American Heritage Society on Church Street, Pensacola's Black artists are creating, exhibiting, and building community right now.
The Saenger Theatre and Pensacola's Black Performing Arts Legacy
From segregated balconies to sold-out stages, the Saenger Theatre mirrors the long arc of Black artistic expression in Pensacola — a story of talent that refused to be silenced.
Black Entrepreneurs Building Pensacola's Future
From tech startups to professional services and retail, a new generation of Black-owned businesses is reshaping Pensacola's economic landscape beyond the restaurant scene.
The State of Education Equity in Escambia County
Black students in Escambia County face measurable gaps in access, resources, and outcomes. Here's what the data shows, and what community organizations are doing about it.
Juneteenth in Pensacola: A Complete Guide to 2026 Celebrations
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. In Pensacola, the celebration runs deeper — with events hosted by community organizations who have kept this tradition alive for generations.
Black-Owned Restaurants in Pensacola: A Culinary Tour
From FAMU to the Newsroom: Black Journalists Making Pensacola's Stories Heard
The Legacy of Pensacola's Black Churches: Faith, Community, and Civil Rights
5 Pensacola Black-Owned Businesses You Should Know
From culinary innovation to creative services, Black entrepreneurs are building something real on the Gulf Coast. Here are five businesses worth your attention — and your dollars.
Supporting The Beacon: Why Membership Matters
Reader-funded journalism is not just a business model — it is a statement of values. Here is why your support of The Pensacola Beacon matters, and how to become a member.
Juneteenth on the Gulf Coast: A History of Celebration and Resistance
From Reconstruction-era jubilees in Pensacola to the federal holiday recognized in 2021, the story of Juneteenth on the Gulf Coast is one of perseverance, community, and the ongoing work of freedom.
Gulf Coast Scholarships for Black Media Students
The Beacon Scholarship Fund invests in the next generation of Black storytellers. Here's who qualifies, how to apply, and why it matters.
Belmont-DeVilliers: A Neighborhood That Changed Everything
The historic heart of Black Pensacola was more than a neighborhood. It was a self-contained world of jazz clubs, theaters, and thriving businesses that shaped a city.
General Chappie James: Pensacola's Trailblazer in the Skies
The first African American four-star general in U.S. Air Force history was born and raised right here in Pensacola — and his legacy still lights the way.
The Women Who Built Black Pensacola
From beauty salons to boarding houses, Black women entrepreneurs shaped Pensacola's Gulf Coast economy for decades. Their stories deserve to be told.
How The Beacon Scholarship Works
Investing in the next generation of Black media creators. Here is everything you need to know about applying.
Belmont-DeVilliers: Where Black Business Thrived
Before there was a formal name, there was a district — a 30-block stretch where Black Pensacola built economic independence.
Why The Pensacola Beacon Exists
Every community deserves a mirror that reflects its fullness. Here is our mission.
How to Submit Your Story to The Pensacola Beacon
Got a story about Black life on the Gulf Coast? We want to hear it. Here's exactly how to submit to The Pensacola Beacon.
What Is The Pensacola Beacon? Our Mission and Vision
A digital magazine preserving Black Gulf Coast heritage, funding scholarships for the next generation, and building a community that tells its own stories.
2026 Beacon Scholarship Recipients Announced
Three outstanding students from Pensacola will receive full scholarships to study journalism and media. Meet the future of Black storytelling.
The Chitlin' Circuit: When Belmont-DeVilliers Was the Heart of Black Music
Before Motown, before Nashville, there was Belmont-DeVilliers. A look back at the Pensacola neighborhood that hosted the greatest names in Black music.
Jazz on the Gulf: Inside Pensacola's Thriving Live Music Scene
From intimate jazz clubs to outdoor festivals, Pensacola's Black musicians are keeping the city's musical heritage alive and evolving.
Community Spotlight: Chef Marcus Williams and the Taste of Belmont
How one chef is preserving Black culinary traditions while feeding a new generation in the heart of Pensacola.
Meet the Black-Owned Businesses Transforming Downtown Pensacola
From a specialty coffee roaster to an art gallery changing the conversation, these entrepreneurs are writing a new chapter for the city.
Fort Pickens: A Beacon of Freedom on the Gulf Coast
The Civil War-era fort on Santa Rosa Island was more than a military outpost. For freedom seekers, it was a gateway to a new life.