Made in Florida: Artists, Celebrities, Activists, Educators, and Other Icons in the Sunshine State

For more than a decade, journalist Art Levy has traveled the state, interviewing prominent Floridians for a Florida Trend magazine feature called Icon. The resulting interviews have been compiled in a University Press of Florida book titled “Made in Florida: Artists, Celebrities, Activists, Educators, and Other Icons in the Sunshine State.”

“Black Lives Matter”: The Current Struggle for Civil Rights and Racial Justice in Florida

The term “Black Lives Matter” started as a hashtag in the wake of Trayvon Martin’s 2012 shooting in Sanford, Florida. Since then, it has become a national movement that has garnered praise and controversy. This panel will explore the historical precedent for “Black Lives Matter” and the work of modern civil rights movements in Florida and beyond.

“I Am a Man”: The Struggle for Civil Rights in Florida

Florida experienced the highest number of lynchings per capita out of any state in the country. This violence is often less understood in context with the global perception of Florida as a state with pristine beaches and perfect weather. “I Am A Man” explores the Sunshine State as a key battleground for the Civil Rights Movement. From the murder of Harry and Harriet Moore, to the Groveland Four, to the activism and protests in St. Augustine, Tallahassee, and Miami, African Americans in Florida fought—and occasionally died—to achieve justice and equality.

Reconstruction and the Jim Crow Era

Following the end of the Civil War, Florida joined the other former Confederate states in rebuilding the nation. Similar to other states, the era of Reconstruction saw the promise of African American advancement in education, politics, and business. Despite these advancements, Jim Crow segregation also rose, eventually subverting the progress of African Americans and leading to increased violence throughout Florida. This presentation will explore the progress and peril African Americans

The Spanish Colonial and Slavery Eras in Florida

The Spanish colony of Florida was established in 1513 with the arrival of Juan Ponce de Leon. Subsequent interactions and conflicts between European settlers, indigenous groups, and peoples of African descent established the foundation of Florida’s history and culture. Florida’s status as a “backwater” colony made it an attractive destination for enslaved Africans, enabling them to establish settlements like Fort Mose and other colonies to celebrate freedom.

Florida Decides: A Conversation with Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee

Florida is the nation’s largest swing state where elections are often decided by razor thin margins. Already, local elections officials have begun sending vote-by-mail ballots to voters who have requested those, and with early voting sites opening mid-October, Florida voters are preparing to have their voices heard as the 2020 Presidential Election gets underway. Florida Secretary of State and Chief Elections Officer Laurel M. Lee joins the program to discuss

Sacred Waters: Exploring the Protection of Florida’s Fluid Landscapes

This presentation explores efforts to restore Florida’s waterways. We will investigate the motivations of environmentalists who love and advocate for these water bodies. By focusing on issues related to springs and the Everglades, we will dive into the conversations that arise when Floridians view water as essential to their quality of life. This event is funded by the Florida Humanities Florida Talks: At Home! program.

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