Listening to Black Voices

Investment Banker Ronald T. Gault on Civil Unrest and the Importance of Using Your Voice

Gault's long career includes government service and civil rights work; he also served as head of JP Morgan's office in Johannesburg, South Africa, after the fall of apartheid.

08/04/2020 By Heather Dunhill

Breaking News

Sarasota's Museum of African American History and Culture Announces Location

The museum will be housed in the historic Leonard Reid home, currently located at Seventh Street and Cohen Way in the Rosemary District.

07/24/2020 By Megan McDonald

Listening to Black Voices

U.S. Ambassador James A. Joseph on His Lifelong Fight for Equality

Joseph, the former ambassador to South Africa, was an adviser to four American presidents and worked closely with the late Nelson Mandela.

07/21/2020 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Sarasota’s Kate Harris on Her Front-Row Seat During Brown v. Board of Education

Harris’ parents shaped history and welcomed major Black figures of the civil rights movement into their home.

07/07/2020 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

News

How Safe Are Bean Bag 'Bullets'?

A Sarasota man was hospitalized after being shot by this “less lethal” option during a protest march in Tampa.

06/17/2020 By Isaac Eger

Civil Rights

Activists Launch Petition to Rename Journalism School After Sarasota Resident

Charlayne Hunter-Gault, an award-winning journalist and civil rights leader, was the first black student to integrate the University of Georgia.

06/15/2020 By David Hackett and Megan McDonald

Photos

Photos: People Take to the Streets to Protest the Killing of George Floyd

Chants of "Black lives matter," "No justice, no peace," and "I can't breathe" echoed through downtown Sarasota on Wednesday.

06/04/2020 Photography by Joe Lipstein With Cooper Levey-Baker

Limelight

Photos From Sarasota Magazine's 2019 Unity Awards

The annual awards luncheon at Michael's on East honored nine members of the community who advance equality, diversity and inclusion.

02/20/2019 Photography by Lori Sax

Politics

Sarasota Added to U.S. Civil Rights Trail

The Sarasota area was added to the trail because of the Lido Beach "wade-ins"—protests created to push Sarasota to desegregate local beaches.

01/22/2019 By Staff

Civil rights

NAACP's Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Takes Place Feb. 2

The event begins at 9 a.m. at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Bradenton.

01/09/2019 By Staff

Civil rights

Floridians Affected By Amendment 4 Begin Registering to Vote

'Today is a new day,' says Demetrius Jifunza, the founder of the Sarasota chapter of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, the group that led the effort to pass Amendment 4.

01/08/2019 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Politics

Elections Supervisor to Accept New Registrations From Those Affected By Amendment 4

Amendment 4, which goes into effect Tuesday, restores voting rights for most individuals with prior felony convictions who have completed their sentences.

01/07/2019 By Staff

Education

Well-Known University President to Headline Gulf Coast Community Foundation Luncheon

Freeman Hrabowski III, the president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a leader in promoting diversity in science and math, is speaking in Sarasota on Friday, March 8.

12/27/2018 By Staff

Politics

Florida ACLU Names New Executive Director

Micah Kubic will begin the job in January, when he will replace Howard Simon, who is stepping down after more than 20 years.

11/13/2018 By Staff

Civil Rights

Sincerely, the Black Kids Examines Racism on College Campuses

Miles Iton, a New College of Florida graduate, says he faced racially motivated backlash from fellow students that shocked him.

08/29/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Politics

Panel to Discuss November Ballot Initiatives

Participants will discuss the possible extension of the Legacy Trail, whether to allow most felons who have served their time to vote and more.

08/20/2018 By Staff

Data

Study Says Allowing Felons to Vote Would Boost Florida's Economy

Allowing felons who have served their sentences to vote in Florida elections would generate $365 million in economic impact, according to a new study.

05/17/2018 By Staff

History

Sarasota Church Celebrates 100 Years

Truvine Missionary Baptist Church, located at 1947 31st St., Sarasota, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding this month.

05/15/2018 By Staff

Second Chances

Should Former Felons Have the Right to Vote?

More than 6 million Americans are barred from voting because of a felony conviction—including more than 1.6 million in Florida.

02/28/2018 By Cooper Levey-Baker