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

Listening to Black Voices

Presidential Appointee J. Veronica Biggins on Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace

Biggins, former Director of Presidential Personnel for the Clinton administration, shares her thoughts on how to fight systemic racism.

03/16/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Educator Teidra Everett on Code-Switching, Tokenism and Creating a Diverse Classroom

“Most students at the primary level are visual learners, so what better way to teach them—and some adults—than by making history come to life?”

03/02/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer on Public Service and Race Relations

Archer, a lawyer and author, was appointed legal guardian to civil rights icon Rosa Parks in 2004.

02/16/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Artist Gale Fulton Ross Is a ‘Freedom Fighter at the Easel’

For 50 years, Fulton Ross has been visually telling the stories of the Black community and its icons.

02/02/2021 By Heather Dunhill

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

In Their Words

How Have Covid-19 and Social Protests About Inequality and Injustice Affected the Arts?

Local leaders weigh in.

01/18/2021 By Kay Kipling

Listening to Black Voices

Finance Executive Ted Downing on Redlining, the Wealth Gap and Hope for the Future

Downing, a former NCAA track and field star, also recalls his time at the 1968 Olympic trials and the Black Power salutes.

01/05/2021 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Boston Celtics Co-Owner and Business Leader James Cash on Breaking Barriers

A rare interview with the former basketball star and first Black tenured Harvard Business School faculty member.

12/22/2020 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Mote Biologist Jasmin Graham on the Need for Diversity in Science

Graham is the co-founder of Minorities in Shark Sciences, which aims to open doors for underrepresented minority students.

11/24/2020 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Finance Industry Vet Ed Swan Jr. on the Wealth Gap and the Healing Power of Art

"I want it to be recognized that how we treat and care for each other is more important than how much money we accumulate and attempt to protect."

11/10/2020 By Heather Dunhill

Creative Spirits

John Sims Creates Change Through Art

“I want to get folks inspired to move the culture somehow."

11/07/2020 By Allison Forsyth

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