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

Politics

Proposal to Restore Voting Rights to Felons Wins Spot on Ballot

The Clearwater organization that led the effort collected more than 1.1 million petitions.

01/23/2018 By Staff

Legislature

Proposed Bill Bans LGBT Discrimination in Florida

State Rep. Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo) is watching to see if her bill banning LGBT discrimination gets out of committee, onto the agenda and becomes law.

01/11/2016 By Susan Burns

Article

Dr. Bernard Watson Played Pivotal Role in Battle Over Priceless Art Collection

The extraordinary life of Sarasota resident Bernard Watson, whose role in a battle over a priceless art collection still reverberates today.

07/31/2015 By Rich Rescigno

Article

Five Questions with Author Kitty Kelley

Bestselling author Kitty Kelley returns to the Women's Resource Center to discuss her new book about the March on Washington.

01/28/2014 By Megan McDonald