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Sarasota Magazine

Listening to Diverse Voices

Sarasota Magazine is committed to telling the stories of our growing, diverse community.

Listening to Black Voices

Civil Rights Attorney Victor McTeer on the Power of Serving Underrepresented Communities

McTeer won his first case, which went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, at age 27. He also worked on a major lawsuit against a tobacco company that inspired John Grisham's The Runaway Jury.

05/13/2024 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Diverse Voices

City Commissioner and Lawyer Erik Arroyo on His Journey to Success

The first Hispanic, immigrant mayor of the City of Sarasota talks about fitting in, and fulfilling his ambition against all odds.

08/24/2023 By Kim Doleatto

listening to diverse voices

Open Arms Consultants' Souad Dreyfus on the Power and Intimacy of Surrogacy and Egg Donation

Originally from Morocco, Dreyfus has been helping people have babies for 20 years.

06/27/2023 By Kim Doleatto

Listening to Diverse Voices

Rosa Grillo on Sharing Her Family's History With the Smithsonian

"The most important thing for me is that the world understands that the American Latino community is as varied as the larger American community."

05/04/2023 By Bethany Ritz

Listening to Diverse Voices

Comedian Steve White on Relocating to Sarasota and How Humor Has Changed Since His Career Began

"The first thing when I get home from traveling is to spin around in my living room and yell at the top of my lungs to express gratitude."

03/28/2023 By Kim Doleatto

listening to diverse voices

New College Alumna Sofia Ali-Khan on Racism and Reconciliation

Ali-Khan will speak at New College next week about the U.S. legacy of exploitation and racism across her experiences living in different U.S. cities and Canada.

11/03/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Listening to Diverse Voices

Adria Jensen on Growing Up Cuban, Why We Need More Hispanic Lawyers and the Importance of Mentors

Jensen is a partner in the Sarasota firm Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick and has been nominated to become a judge.

10/20/2022 By Bethany Ritz

Listening to Diverse Voices

Renee Lenneman on Foster Parenting, Adoptions and Helping the Next Generation

Lenneman has fostered more than two dozen children since she moved to Sarasota.

08/16/2022 By Allison Forsyth

Listening to Diverse Voices

Architect Javi Suárez on His Puerto Rican Heritage, His Art and Making a Home in Sarasota

Suárez's new art exhibition, Sarasota Icons, celebrates those who left their mark on Sarasota, from more obscure names to ubiquitous ones.

08/01/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Listening to Diverse Voices

Restaurant Owner Poonam Maini on Finding Her Way to a New Life in Sarasota

The owner of Tandoor Fine Indian Cuisine worked to overcome an abusive marriage and build a thriving business, and now gives back to the needy in her native India.

06/06/2022 By Kay Kipling

Popular Content

    Civil Rights Attorney Victor McTeer on the Power of Serving Underrepresented Communities

    Comedian Steve White on Relocating to Sarasota and How Humor Has Changed Since His Career Began

    Restaurant Owner Poonam Maini on Finding Her Way to a New Life in Sarasota

Q & A

A Local Ukrainian Shares Her Thoughts on The Russian Invasion

"I think Putin was planning to do this over many years but didn't expect us to stand up to this," says Halyna Kovalyshin, who lives in North Port.

03/08/2022 By Kim Doleatto

First Person

'Listening to Black Voices' Shares Stories of Black Life in Sarasota-Manatee

The series reveals the obstacles and triumphs of navigating a nation that continues to struggle with racism and inequality.

01/14/2022

Listening to Diverse Voices

Stacy Hanan on Being Jewish in Sarasota

The longtime resident is deeply involved in our Jewish community, which is undergoing both demographic changes and unsettling examples of anti-Semitism.

12/28/2021 By Kay Kipling

Listening to Diverse Voices

Sal Serbin on What It's Like to Be Native American in Sarasota

As a member of the Assiniboine Tribe, Sal Serbin works as an advocate for Indigenous people, bringing awareness to hardships they face.

11/23/2021 By Allison Forsyth

Listening to Diverse Voices

An Undocumented Immigrant on What It's Like to Live in the Shadows

From picking oranges to hanging $6,000 chandeliers, an undocumented resident shares what it's like to live and work here.

10/26/2021 By Kim Doleatto

Diverse Voices

Mason Gallo on Being Trans, Sexual Orientation and Equality

Gallo talks about his personal journey and the need for openness and inclusivity.

09/07/2021 By Susan Burns

Listening to Black Voices

Former New York Police Commissioner James H. Lawrence Jr. on 9/11, Vietnam and Peaceful Protests

On September 11, 2001, Lawrence—now a Sarasota resident—was the highest-ranking officer at NYPD headquarters, just blocks from Ground Zero.

08/10/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Diverse Voices

Tihda Vongkoth on Anti-Asian Hate, the Music World and the Risk of Speaking Out

'It is possible to be your authentic self, pursue the music that you really believe in and be anti-racist.'

05/25/2021 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Listening to Black Voices

Activist Barbara Nell Langston on the History of Newtown and the Importance of Voting

“I live the village life, which is Newtown,” she says. “I live the stories of this community, and I love it here.”

02/02/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Civil Rights Leader Dr. Willie Clemons on Activism and Forgiveness

We are committed to sharing the stories of Sarasota’s vibrant Black community.

06/23/2020 By Heather Dunhill

Latest Issue

May 2026

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