Beaches, Benches, and Boycotts: The Civil Rights Movement in Tampa Bay
Thu, Dec 12
|Sarasota
The Boxser Diversity Initiative hosted a compelling discussion titled Beaches, Benches, and Boycotts: The Civil Rights Movement in Tampa Bay.
Time & Location
Dec 12, 2024, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sarasota, Sarasota, FL, USA
About the event
On December 12, 2024, the Boxser Diversity Initiative (BDI) hosted a compelling discussion titled Beaches, Benches, and Boycotts: The Civil Rights Movement in Tampa Bay. The event featured Vickie Oldham, Founder and Executive Director of the Sarasota African American Coalition, leading a conversation with local leaders about Sarasota’s rich African American history, with a special focus on the Civil Rights era.
The discussion highlighted the critical contributions of African Americans to the development of Sarasota over the past century—from clearing challenging lands and building railroads to harvesting crops and supporting local industries—and explored the courageous actions taken during the struggle for civil rights. This program drew from insights in Newtown Alive: Courage, Dignity, Determination by Dr. Rosalyn Howard and Vickie Oldham.
The event was free and open to the public, with limited space available requiring reservations. Funding for the program was provided by the Zella I. and Junius F. Allen Fund and the Frederick Gallo Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.