02/28/2026
We’re hanging on Sistrunk Blvd in Fort Lauderdale, come say hi! Thanks to the parade participants, students, and supporters who make this event so special every year. 🎉🎺🎶
The Sistrunk Festival and Parade is held annually in honor of Dr. James Sistrunk, first Black doctor in Broward County and co-founder of Provident Hospital, which was the only hospital in the county to serve its black residents in a time where African Americans were not treated fairly by white doctors, nor allowed in hospitals. Along with fellow Dr. Von D. Mizell, Provident Hospital was opened in 1938, and remained open until 1965, the year after Dr. Sistrunk passed. Where Provident Hospital once stood now stands the newly remodeled L.A. Lee YMCA/ Mizell Community Center. Sistrunk Boulevard is now recognized as the street where the hospital was located.
Today, Dr. Sistrunk is remembered not only as a gifted physician but also as a humanitarian whose vision and dedication paved the way toward fair healthcare in South Florida. His legacy continues to inspire the pursuit of medical excellence and social justice. This celebration serves as a reminder of the struggle, determination, and ingenuity of African Americans in history and to set ablaze the continued path of overcoming adversity and standing with our communities.
