News Articles Archives - The Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition

Herald Tribune: Historic Leonard Reid home renovation to open as Newtown cultural center in January

SARASOTA — After a year of construction and updates, renovations of the former home of Sarasota African American pioneer Leonard Reid are nearing completion and the former home will soon be opening to the public as a new cultural center for residents and visitors in the historic Newtown community.

Set to open in late January 2024, the new Sarasota African American Cultural Center is the culmination of years of work from Newtown historian and Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC) president Vickie Oldham.

After successfully rescuing the 1,400-square-foot 1920s home from what could have been a demolition, Oldham was instrumental in not only relocating the home to its permanent museum site but also the decision-maker behind the unique team of builders who stepped up to the task of preserving the Black history of Sarasota for future generations and residents, Envision-CS. Read full article.

Newtown celebrates history of Newtown with new quilt – Observer

The Newtown community in Sarasota, Florida, has a rich history that spans over a century, and now, local artist and community leader, Barbara Gaskin, has created a quilt that honors that history. The quilt, which measures 12 feet by 12 feet, features 36 panels that depict important moments and figures in Newtown’s history.

Gaskin, who has lived in Newtown since the 1970s, spent over three years researching and creating the quilt. She interviewed residents, pored over historical documents and photographs, and worked with other community members to ensure that the quilt accurately represented the community’s history. The result is a stunning work of art that tells the story of Newtown’s past and present.

Each panel of the quilt represents a different aspect of Newtown’s history, from the first African American settlers who arrived in the area in the late 1800s to the present day. Some panels depict notable figures, such as civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and Newtown community leader Dr. Robert L. Taylor. Others showcase important events, such as the opening of Newtown’s first school for African American children and the desegregation of Sarasota’s public schools in the 1960s.

The quilt has already garnered significant attention and praise from the community. Gaskin hopes that it will serve as a reminder of the rich history and culture of Newtown, and inspire future generations to continue to celebrate and honor that legacy.

In addition to the quilt, Gaskin has also created a book that provides more detailed information about each panel and the history it represents. The book and quilt will be on display at various locations throughout Sarasota, including the Newtown Farmer’s Market and the Sarasota County History Center.

Overall, Gaskin’s quilt is a beautiful and powerful tribute to the history and culture of the Newtown community, and a testament to the importance of preserving and celebrating our shared heritage.

“While Vickie Oldham had heard about Peg Green’s new art quilt, she didn’t experience the emotional impact of the piece until she visited Green’s house to see it for herself.

The quilt was a sign, said Oldham, that her own work in telling the story of Newtown, a large, predominantly Black community in Sarasota, was leading to progress.

“It made me feel like we’re going somewhere. This work is really transformative,” said Oldham, who is president and CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition and leader of the project Newtown Alive. “When I see this work that Peg did, I know that (the story) is transforming more people than just me.”

The quilt, titled “Leadership: Vickie Oldham, Newtown Alive,” was created using a wide range of fabrics, including individually-made squares depicting locations in Newtown.

At the center of the scene, is Oldham herself.

“It touched my heart deeply, that Peg would be inspired and want to spend all those hours taking photographs, cutting out little pieces of fabric and stitching them together, figuring out what goes where. And that fact that she put me in it was overwhelming,” Oldham said.”

Read on Observer

Changing curriculum urges scholar to spark conversation

WUSF 89.7’s Kerry Sheridan interviews Sarasota resident and author James Stewart about Florida’s changing Advanced Placement Black History curriculum.

The Florida Department of Education has revised its curriculum for Black history after facing criticism over its previous version. The new curriculum includes more comprehensive coverage of Black history, including the contributions of Black Americans to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

The previous curriculum, which was implemented in 2019, drew criticism for its limited coverage of Black history and its focus on slavery and segregation. Many educators and community leaders argued that the curriculum did not adequately reflect the contributions of Black Americans to American history and culture.

The new curriculum, which was developed with input from educators and community leaders, aims to address these concerns. It includes a more diverse range of topics, including the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement, and the contributions of Black Americans to the arts, literature, and music.

However, some educators and scholars argue that the new curriculum still falls short in some areas. Dr. Ashley Robertson, an assistant professor of African American history at Florida A&M University, argues that the curriculum does not go far enough in addressing systemic racism and inequality. She encourages educators to speak up and advocate for more comprehensive coverage of Black history in the classroom.

Despite these criticisms, the new curriculum represents an important step forward in acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of Black Americans to American history and culture. It is a reminder of the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration between educators, scholars, and community leaders in shaping our understanding of history and culture.

On August 22, 2023 at 5:47 Pm WUSF Public Media published an interview between Black History Scholar James Stewart and their Kerry Sheridan. James Stewart is a Sarasota resident and senior fellow at the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at the New School in New York. He is the also the author of a popular textbook called Introduction to African-American Studies, and professor emeritus at Penn State University. They discussed the topic of the changing curriculum in Florida for Advanced Placement for Black History classes and how to address the topic to help steer the conversation towards a brighter future through education. Stewart believes that a push towards broad participation in the ongoing public dialog is necessary to change policy and the current standards.

Check out the video interview and its transcription on WUSF Public Media’s website by clicking here.

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Rosalyn Howard Remembered

A committed scholar and amazing Friend. Dr. Rosalyn Howard is remembered by Vickie Oldham.

SAAC President and CEO Vickie Oldham memorialized Dr. Rosalyn Howard recently in the Herald Tribune . She was an accomplished anthropologist and associate professor at the University of Central Florida. Rosalyn’s work helped add historical context to the actions of early pioneers and civil rights leaders. She passed on March 4th, 2023. Rosalyn Howard is remembered fondly as a mentor, partner, and most of all a friend.

Here is a snippet from the story:

“I hear Dr. Rosalyn Howard’s voice in all of the ‘Looking for Angola’ resources that our research team created from the time we began our search in 2005 for artifacts related to the 1800s Black Seminole settlement.

Her fingerprints are on the materials that document Newtown’s 100-year-plus history; indeed, Newtown Alive’s research report, website, book, oral history interviews, podcast series and historic markers all have her stamp of approval.

Roz was my research partner, my mentor and my friend, and she taught me how to honor diverse people, cultures and history.“

To read the full story by Vickie Oldham in the Sarasota Herald Tribune click here.

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New SAAC Updates for Reid House and more!

Here are some SAAC updates about our current programs, events, and efforts to convert a historic house into an African American arts, culture, and history center in Sarasota.

Our momentum to complete the repairs and renovations to the Leonard Reid House is growing. This effort is possible because of the commitment of multiple Sarasota philanthropists. Because of their kind donations and their belief that Black history is American history –– not only in February, but yearlong. We send them and all of our supporters our heart felt gratitude. The lights are on now and contractors have been landscaping and mulching the exterior of the building. Soon other renovations such as a new restroom will be coming soon as well. We also thank our partners, particularly the Amaryllis Park Neighborhood Association and their president Mary Butler. Together, we’ll work magic in Newtown.

The Reid Family’s impact and influence remains. SAACC is anxious to continue this legacy of community service with the Leonard Reid House opening soon as the site of our African American arts, culture and history center.

Come learn more about other SAAC updates that we’ve been up to and discover how you can help promote African American arts, culture, and history in the community of Sarasota and the Tampa Bay area.

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Sarasota African American Arts and Cultural Center designer receives unique donation

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Juan Self is the designer and architect for the Sarasota African American Cultural Center (SAACC), a center and museum planned for the heart of Sarasota’s historically Black neighborhood of Newtown. Self became involved with the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, the nonprofit organization behind the center, in 2019. Since then, he’s assisted with designing the museum that aims to highlight and amplify both the achievements and history of Sarasota’s Black pioneers. Set to open in early 2023, the museum also serves as a gathering place for community members to share stories, learn the history of Sarasota’s Civil Rights activists and leaders and connect past with present through arts and culture.

Click here to read the full article Submitted by Samantha Choler and published by Sarasota Herald Tribune

Baseball Hall of Famer Buck O’Neil’s legacy honored with Key to the City of Sarasota

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

The enduring legacy of John “Buck” O’Neil was honored with the Key to the City of Sarasota on July 24 to celebrate his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

The key, commemorating O’Neil’s powerful history in the community, will be donated to the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition to be displayed at the future Sarasota African American Arts and Cultural Center located in Newtown.

“Buck O’Neil has made countless contributions to the City of Sarasota and has had a profound impact on the African American community,” Sarasota Vice Mayor Kyle Battie said. “He serves as a shining example of strength, and has broken down barriers for children and adults alike. It’s a humbling privilege to celebrate his well-deserved induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and bestow him the Key to the City.”

Click here to read the full article Submitted by Julia Groom and published by Sarasota Herald Tribune

YourObserver.com: Historic Leonard Reid House on the move to Newtown

After it arrives from the Rosemary District to its new site in Newtown, the home of the “right-hand man” to Sarasota’s first mayor will become home to a new Sarasota African American cultural center.

A piece of Sarasota history will be loaded onto a flatbed and moved more than 2 miles in the early morning hours on Friday when the historic Leonard Reid House will be relocated to city-owned property in North Sarasota. There it will become home to a new Sarasota African American cultural center.

The house will be moved from its location at 1435 Seventh St. in the Rosemary District to 2529 N. Orange Ave. in Newtown.

Click here to read the full article by Andrew Warfield and published by YourObserver.com.

WTSP Tampa Bay 10: Leonard Reid’s descendant speaks as house moves to become a museum

Reid’s house would be moved to a new location on Orange Avenue at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Way in Newtown early Friday morning.

The City of Sarasota joined by elected officials and community leaders gathered for a sendoff celebration for the Historic Leonard Reid House Thursday.

The house is moving to a new location on Orange Avenue at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Newtown early Friday morning. It was donated to the city by the owners and will become the first home of the Sarasota African American Cultural Center (SAACC) and History Museum.

The gathering included a symbolic ritual for prosperity and protection and a reflection on preserving the history and heritage of the city’s black community. Reid was one of the early pioneers who helped establish Overtown, Sarasota’s African American community, in an area now known as the Rosemary District.

Click here to read the full article written by Adaure Achumba and published by WTSB Tampa Bay 10.

WTSP Tampa Bay 10: Historic Leonard Reid house set to move to Newtown on Friday

Reid helped set up Sarasota’s first black community in Overtown. The house would be the first home for the Sarasota African American Art Center and History Museum.

This Friday, the historic Leonard Reid House, home to one of Sarasota’s early black pioneers will be moving to a new location to become a museum.

Reid helped set up Sarasota’s first African American community in Overtown.

The City of Sarasota community has anticipated the move for a few years. The historic house will be moved from its current location on 7th Street in the Rosemary District to a city-owned lot at the corner of North Orange Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Way in Newtown.