- March 30, 2025
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James Brown looks at historical photos before the unveiling of the 15 historical markers.
Former Sarasota Mayor Fredd Atkins looks at historical photos before the unveiling of the 15 historical markers.
Vickie Oldham greets community members at the unveiling of Newtown' s historical markers.
Historical photos were on display.
James Stuart, Robert taylor, Sherry Suggs and Mark Jackson
Myles Hill
Mary Butler and Pastor John Wesley Walker Jr.
Sarasota County School Board Member Jane Goodwin, Robert Taylor and Carolyn Mason
Randi Jackson sings the National Anthem.
Kathy Byrdpobee reacts to Pastor John Wesley Walker' s prayer at the beginning of the ceremony.
Carol Poteat-Buchanan sings "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
Kyla Woodward reads the lyrics "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
Vickie Oldham
Mike Moran addresses community members.
Vickie Oldham thanks community members and elected officials before the unveiling of the Newtown history markers.
Rosalyn Howard and Chris Wenzel stand to be recognized for their work on the Newtown Alive project.
Syesha Mercado performs "Rise Up."
Mayor Willie Shaw reacts to the last chorus of "Rise Up."
Bruce Francis sings the last chorus of "Rise Up."
Viola and Terry Humphrey
Edward James Taylor III and Edward James Taylor II.
Muhammad Ngner looks up at one of the markers revealed Feb. 18 at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex.
Mary Christian reads one of the 15 historic markers revealed during the ceremony.
Vickie Oldham reveals one of the historic markers that will placed throughout Newtown.
Vickie Oldham said she was grateful to find tissues tucked inside the podium at the Robert L. Taylor Community Complex Feb. 18 during the unveiling of 15 historic markers that will be placed throughout Newtown as part of the Newtown Alive project.
Oldham, the project's lead consultant, said she had a lot of people to thank for the progress of Newtown Alive, a project which has documented this history of Sarasota's historically African American neighborhoods.
She thanked former Sarasota Mayor Fredd Atkins for beginning discussions about documenting the history of Sarasota's African American community in 1985 a city commissioner. She thanked her team of researchers, the community for participating in the project and the city of Sarasota for funding its primary phases.
All in all, the event was characterized by gratitude. Speakers applauded the work of community members that came before them — activists, entrepreneurs and educators — who paved the way for a better future.
The contributions of those community members were honored as current members of the Newtown community pulled off thin pieces of cloth that covered reproductions of the plagues.
But even as Newtown celebrated its history, many community members looked to the future.
"(Our history) can't just stay here," former president of the Manasota branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History Mark Jackson said. "It has to go to the young people ... This is a living history."
