Listening to Black Voices

Charlayne Hunter-Gault on Her New Book and 50 Years of Reporting on Black Life

"We must learn to talk to people who don’t agree with us, which is a challenge these days. Communication is the essence of our existence. In so many ways, this is how we will open doors.”

11/07/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Civil Rights

Recent Voter Fraud Arrests Threaten to Keep People Away From the Polls

Critics say the arrest of 20 former felons for voting could have a chilling effect on Florida voter turnout this year.

11/01/2022 By Isaac Eger

In the Key of Gifting

A Sarasota Grand Piano Finds a New Home in a Historic Mississippi Church

Anonymous donors gifted their mint-condition piano to the church, which hosted civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Jackie Robinson.

10/17/2022 By Kim Doleatto

On the ballot

Local Officials Want to Make It Harder for Citizens to Change the County Charter

To draw attention to the issue, County Commission candidate Mike Cosentino wore a red, white and blue cowboy hat, a muscle-padded suit and a red cape to a public hearing on the topic.

07/13/2022 By Isaac Eger

Listening to Black Voices

Dr. Janet Taylor on Generational Trauma and How Racism Affects Mental Health

Taylor, a psychiatrist, is the proprietor of Cognitive Health & Wellness in Sarasota and sees patients at Centerstone of Florida in Bradenton.

06/13/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Historical Holiday

What Is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth celebrates the day that enslaved people in Texas learned they were free—two years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

06/13/2022 By Chloe Nelson

Listening to Black Voices

Entrepreneur Lillian Lambert on Being the First Black Woman to Graduate from Harvard Business School

"In my class of about 800 students, 18 were women and six were Black: five men and me."

05/10/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Former J&J Executive Marilyn Thompson on Diversity, Inclusion and Corporate Culture

Marilyn Thompson also weighs in on the Will Smith/Chris Rock altercation and its broader implications for the Black Community.

04/12/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Attorney E. Keith DuBose on Why Sarasota Needs More Black Lawyers

DuBose works with Booker High School's Law Academy and the Sarasota Bar Association to attract Black lawyers to the area.

02/08/2022 By Heather Dunhill

If at First You Don't Succeed

The Sarasota County Commission Wants a Do-Over on Single-Member Districts

On Tuesday, March 8, voters will again decide whether Sarasota County Commissioners should be elected by the residents of their district or by the county as a whole.

02/08/2022 By Elizabeth Djinis

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 Black Voices

Dr. Lisa Merritt on Epigenetics, Access and Equity in Health Care

"Be purposeful, tell the truth, and elucidate what the issues are—and, at the same time, come ready with solutions and strategies."

01/11/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Information Engineer Derik Perry on Artificial Intelligence, Algothrimic Bias and Social Media

"We have to be aware that social media has the potential to do harm and that, purely by the use of it, people are exposed to an algorithmic bias."

12/14/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Talent Agent and Attorney Nurisha Harvey on Activism, Implicit Bias, and Equity vs. Equality

Harvey, who grew up with major civil rights activists, talks about where we are today in the struggle for equality.

11/10/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Marketing Exec Frank E. Griffith Jr. on Living Through Race Riots and Diversity in the Pharmaceutical Industry

"Discern where you need to improve and be open to educating yourself about other cultures."

10/12/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Retired U.S. Special Agent Henry Hunter on His Career at the State Department

Hunter also reflects on the impact of strong women on his life—including his sister, award-winning journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault.

09/14/2021 By Heather Dunhill

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 was the highest-ranking officer at NYPD headquarters, just blocks from Ground Zero.

08/10/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Rev. Liz Walker on Civil Rights, Faith and Breaking Racial and Gender Barriers

Walker talks about growing up with a front seat to the civil rights movement and her work as a news anchor and pastor.

07/13/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Dr. Nancy Boxill on Creating Change and How Racism Affects Black Families Through Generations

“I’m not so sure we’re spending much time on structural changes, and that’s where the hard work is, in my view."

06/08/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Conductor and Minister Jamal Sarikoki on Music and Keeping Faith in the Face of Racism

Sarikoki, who moved to Sarasota in 2018, is a minister at Venice Presbyterian Church and associate conductor for Key Chorale.

04/13/2021 By Heather Dunhill