Uncategorized

The annual Movie in the Park screening ‘Jingle Jangle’ is Friday, Dec. 9 The Lee County Black History Society is hosting two popular events for the holiday season, including its 10th annual Holiday in the Park and annual Movie in the Park. Holiday in the Park will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 at Roberto Clemente Park in Fort Myers. With the theme “Celebrating African American Inventors at Christmas,” the free community event includes food and music, the Soul Santa Parade, community tree lighting, tours of the Williams Academy Museum with the African American inventor’s exhibit, [...]

Date: May 10, 2022 Three showings of a documentary about Florida Black history are planned May 13, 14 and 20 FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 10, 2022) – In celebration of Emancipation Day in Florida May 20, the Lee County Black History Society offers free screenings of “Invisible History: Middle Florida’s Hidden Roots.” The movie will be shown at Roberto Clemente Park, 1936 Henderson Ave., Fort Myers. On Friday, May 13 at 7 p.m., the movie will be shown in the park. One Saturday, May 14 at 3 p.m., the movie will be shown in the community room at the park. Space [...]

Date: June 3, 2022 The Family Day in the Park recognizes one of the oldest African American recognized celebrations that mark the end of slavery in the United States The Dunbar Festival Committee and the Lee County Black History Society are partnering to host its 10th Annual Juneteenth Community Celebration at Roberto Clemente Park in Fort Myers from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 18.  This years’ Juneteenth Celebration will be filled with a variety of fun and entertainment for the entire family, including stage performances, music, arts and crafts, food and refreshments. Event attendees will also have an [...]

Perspectives host Tom Flanigan meets with Althemese Barnes, Clifton Lewis, Dr. Sandra Thompson, Sergeant Major Jarvis Rosier, Dianne Williams-Cox, and Bob Holladay to discuss the move to make Florida's Emancipation Day a state holiday.

Emancipation was proclaimed in Tallahassee on May 20, 1865, 11 days after the end of the Civil War, and two years after the Proclamation first issued by President Abraham Lincoln freed those enslaved in Southern states. For this reason, Emancipation Day is traditionally celebrated on.

What Emancipation Day May 20th Means to Me, by Errianna Quallo This contest was sponsored by the Florida Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. “What does Emancipation Day, May 20th mean to me?”. Explain the historical significance of Emancipation Day, May 20th, 1865, and describe what this day means to you. Opportunity “We the People,” the first three words of the United States Constitution, is a potent phrase that conveys a sense of unity and power amongst Americans. Through guaranteed rights to life, liberty, and property, citizens in America have endless opportunities. Citizens are regularly pushing the bounds of what [...]

Charles Barnes Speaks NBC2 News | How Fort Myers neighborhoods are divided by race.

This Sunday marks the Easter Holiday and here in Southwest Florida residents are gearing up for a long-held tradition in Fort Myers that today attracts tens of thousands of people:  The Dunbar Easter Parade.  This week’s encore essay from News-Press storyteller Amy Bennett Williams pays homage to the legendary local woman who founded the parade74 years ago. Evelyn Sams Canady was an educator as well as an important civic and religious leader in the region.  She also helped found Dunbar High School and the Dr. Ella Piper Center. Her bio paints a picture of a passionate educator whose lessons extended well beyond the [...]

The Williams Academy Black History Museum unveiled a new exhibit honoring the oldest predominantly black churches in Fort Myers, all more than a century old. Lee County Black History Society told WINK News about how the museum tells its own story Friday.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Friday is the start of Black History Month, and we want to share with you the history of some African American heritage in Southwest Florida. The Lee County Black History Society building is the perfect way to kick off the celebration. It’s located at 1936 Henderson Avenue in Fort Myers, and the building was actually the first government-funded black school in Fort Myers. Inside, there are walls of historical moments and displays. There is also a replica of the authentic classroom and wall of teachers and principals who served there.