Wesley Walther

Updated: Nov 18 SARASOTA, Fla. — Nov. 17, 2025 — The Boxser Diversity Initiative (BDI) will launch its 2026 Building Bridges Discussion Series with award-winning journalist   and The New Yorker  executive editor Michael Luo , who will headline the opening event, Strangers in the Land, on Jan. 8, 2026, at the Historic Asolo Theater of the Ringling Museum of Art. Luo, a George Polk Award and Livingston Award recipient , will explore the deeply resonant and often overlooked history of Chinese...

The Boxser Diversity Initiative is thrilled to announce that acclaimed journalist and author Michael Luo  will headline our 2026 Building Bridges Discussion Series . Fresh off his recent appearance on The Daily Show , Luo continues to spark powerful conversations around race, identity, and belonging in America. Luo’s storytelling and leadership reflect the very heart of our mission, fostering understanding and connection across communities. His upcoming talk will explore how personal...

SARASOTA, Fla. – Oct. 14, 2025 – Tom Edwards , a Sarasota County School Board Member and executive director of Project Pride , has joined the Boxser Diversity Initiative (BDI) Advisory Board . He becomes one of 14 national leaders helping guide BDI's work to promote inclusion and connection across the Sarasota-Manatee region . Elected to the Sarasota County School Board in 2020 and re-elected in 2024, Edwards has been recognized for his leadership on behalf of students, educators and...