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August 7, 2024 | Vickie Oldham

Now Hiring! Sarasota African American Cultural Center Director of Development​

The Director of Development will be responsible for creating and implementing a comprehensive development strategy to support SAACC’s mission and growth. This role involves cultivating and stewarding relationships with donors, securing major gifts, planning fundraising events, developing and overseeing an annual fund program, and managing grant applications. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in fundraising, excellent communication skills, and a deep commitment to the mission of SAACC. SAACC’s goal is to build a development team capable of broadening its donor base to sustain operations. The quiet phase of a capital campaign will be launched in 2026. This key position will lead the fundraising team. Key ResponsibilitiesFundraising Strategy:– Develop and execute a strategic fundraising plan to meet annual revenue goals.– Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.– Develop and implement an annual fund program.– Plan and manage fundraising campaigns and events.Donor Relations:– Build and maintain
August 6, 2024 | Vickie Oldham

Observer: Newtown is the largest Black historic district in Florida.

Thanks to the efforts of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition preservation project, Sarasota has become the second city ever to win the Stewards of Heritage Award as it is recognized as the largest historic African American district in the State. This July Sarasota received the Stewards of Heritage award from the Florida Archaeological Council. Based on the number of contributing resources, The Newtown district is now the largest Black historic district in Florida and joins St. Augustine as the only other city in the state to receive this award in its 50 years of existence. Since 2015 Vickie Oldham, the president and CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, has been documenting the history of Newtown. At the start little information was readily available about the city’s historical Black community, meanwhile it it has seen a massive outgrowth. For instance, it has captured the attention of Steven High, executive director of the John and
December 8, 2023 | SAACC

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.
November 16, 2023 | SAACC

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
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