Sarasota Neighborhood
Black Voices
Sarasota Magazine, in a commitment to telling the stories of Sarasota's growing, diverse community, developed a series entitled "Listening to the Diverse Voices." A large part of the collection features stories of Black voices produced by Heather Dunhill, featuring individuals from the Sarasota community from all walks of life. The series dates back to June 2020, with new stories still being produced.
Listen to Black Voices full collection
Oct 11: Malushua Griffith on Growing Up in St. Croix, Entrepreneurship and Black Maternal Health
Sept 13: Jetson Grimes on Sarasota’s Black History and the Importance of Community Activism
Aug 09: Melanie Thomas on Succeeding in the Entertainment Industry and Empowering Young People
Jul 11: Media Executive George Miles on Career Pivots, Doo-wop and the Need for Black People in the Newsroom
Jun 13: Dr. Janet Taylor on Generational Trauma and How Racism Affects Mental Health
May 10: Entrepreneur Lillian Lambert on Being the First Black Woman to Graduate from Harvard Business School
Apr 12: Former J&J Executive Marilyn Thompson on Diversity, Inclusion and Corporate Culture
Mar 16: Neirda Thompson-Pemberton on Diversity in Engineering and Inspiring Kids Through S.T.E.A.M.
Feb 08: Attorney E. Keith DuBose on Why Sarasota Needs More Black Lawyers
Jan 14: ‘Listening to Black Voices’ Shares Stories of Black Life in Sarasota-Manatee
Jan 11: Dr. Lisa Merritt on Epigenetics, Access and Equity in Health Care
Dec 14: Information Engineer Derik Perry on Artificial Intelligence, Algothrimic Bias and Social Media
Nov 10: Talent Agent and Attorney Nurisha Harvey on Activism, Implicit Bias, and Equity vs. Equality
Sept 14: Retired U.S. Special Agent Henry Hunter on His Career at the State Department
Aug 10: Former New York Police Commissioner James H. Lawrence Jr. on 9/11, Vietnam and Peaceful Protests
Jul 13: Rev. Liz Walker on Civil Rights, Faith and Breaking Racial and Gender Barriers
Jun 08: Dr. Nancy Boxill on Creating Change and How Racism Affects Black Families Through Generations
May 11: Étienne Porter on Music, Black Lives Matter and His Humanitarian Efforts in Mozambique
Apr 13: Conductor and Minister Jamal Sarikoki on Music and Keeping Faith in the Face of Racism
Mar 16: Presidential Appointee J. Veronica Biggins on Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
Mar 02: Educator Teidra Everett on Code-Switching, Tokenism and Creating a Diverse Classroom
Feb 16: Former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer on Public Service and Race Relations
Feb 02: Artist Gale Fulton Ross Is a ‘Freedom Fighter at the Easel’
Feb 02: Activist Barbara Nell Langston on the History of Newtown and the Importance of Voting
Jan 05: Finance Executive Ted Downing on Redlining, the Wealth Gap and Hope for the Future
Dec 22: Boston Celtics Co-Owner and Business Leader James Cash on Breaking Barriers
Nov 24: Mote Biologist Jasmin Graham on the Need for Diversity in Science
Nov 10: Finance Industry Vet Ed Swan Jr. on the Wealth Gap and the Healing Power of Art
Oct 13: Dr. LaVerne M. Green on Public Health and the Parallels Between the HIV and Covid-19 Pandemics
Sept 29: Economist, Black History Scholar and Professor James Stewart on Reparations and Economic Equality
Sept 15: Pioneering Physician Randall C. Morgan Jr. on His Lifetime of Fighting for Health Care Equity
Sept 03: U.S. Ambassador James A. Joseph on His Lifelong Fight for Equality
Sept 01: Harpist Ann Hobson Pilot on Overcoming Racism in Classical Music
Aug 17: Retired Crime Analyst Wanda F. Gilbert on Police Reform and Growing Up in Segregated South Florida
Aug 04: Investment Banker Ronald T. Gault on Civil Unrest and the Importance of Using Your Voice
Jul 07: Kate Harris on Her Front-Row Seat During Brown v. Board of Education
Jun 23: Civil Rights Leader Dr. Willie Clemons on Activism and Forgiveness
Jun 02: Sarasota’s Black Community Reacts to the Death of George Floyd
By Susan Burns, Megan McDonald, Heather Dunhill, Kay Kipling, Jessika Ward, and Cooper
Levey-Baker