SARASOTA, FL – On Thursday, October 3, Vickie Oldham, journalist and director of the groundbreaking historic preservation project “Newtown Alive,” will lead a fascinating panel discussion and Q&A. African-American trailblazers will recount Sarasota’s rich African-American history and share personal, coming-of-age stories about working alongside groundskeepers on the property of William and Marie Selby, joyriding and running errands with “Uncle Bill,” scaling the wall surrounding the Christy and Anne Payne house, and watching the local Civil Rights Movement unfold as teenagers.
This hour-long journey through history is filled with stories of courage, resilience, and determination by African-American pioneers on the Suncoast who rolled up their sleeves and began leading community transformation.
The program, which takes place 12-1 p.m. at Michael’s On the Bay at Selby Gardens (811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota), is free and open to the public but registration is required; go to selby.org/programs/lecture-series or call 941-366-5731.