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.”

10/27/2020 By Staff

Listening to Black Voices

Dr. LaVerne M. Green on Public Health and the Parallels Between the HIV and Covid-19 Pandemics

"You are part of the prevention and have the power to be the change.”

10/13/2020 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Economist, Black History Scholar and Professor James Stewart on Reparations and Economic Equality

"Disparities must be addressed in order to put people of color on the same footing as white citizens," Stewart says.

09/29/2020 By Heather Dunhill

The Fighter

Natasha Clemons Fights for Police Reform

Clemons is one of the voices of the local Black Lives Matter chapter and the CEO of the Rodney Mitchell Foundation, as well as a full-time hospital nurse.

09/17/2020 By Giulia Heyward

Listening to Black Voices

Pioneering Physician Randall C. Morgan Jr. on His Lifetime of Fighting for Health Care Equity

Plus, how the Covid-19 pandemic is adversely affecting the Black community.

09/15/2020 By Heather Dunhill

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.

09/03/2020 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Harpist Ann Hobson Pilot on Overcoming Racism in Classical Music

Pilot was the first Black female principal player in a major symphony orchestra.

09/01/2020 By Heather Dunhill

Education

Sarasota Philanthropist Donates $1 Million for UF Law Scholarship for HBCU Graduates

Hugh Culverhouse Jr. was moved to make the gift after the passing of civil rights icon John Lewis; scholarship recipients will be recognized as John Lewis Scholars.

08/27/2020 By Staff

Listening to Black Voices

Retired Crime Analyst Wanda F. Gilbert on Police Reform and Growing Up in Segregated South Florida

“There needs to be more addressing instead of arresting.”

08/17/2020 By Heather Dunhill

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

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