SAACC Milestone Reached
The Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, Inc., (SAACC) has reached an important milestone. With specific tasks now completed after a year and a half of work with the City of Sarasota’s staff, it’s time to show results. “A long list of ‘to do’ items are now done. We searched for a suitable location for an African American art center and history museum. After vetting over 20 sites, one location rose to the top,” said President and CEO of SAACC VIckie Oldham. At a final presentation to Sarasota City Commissioners Tuesday, July 6, 6 p.m., initial architectural renderings will be unveiled.
“I will present our findings with an architectural team, then make an ask.”
Of the 20 sites explored, the city-owned land at Orange Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. is most suitable, Oldhamadded.
In collaboration with local architectural firm, Sweet Sparkman, Juan Self, the award-winning architect of the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel will serve as design consultant for SAACC’s initial concept. The aspiration of the center is to illuminate the accomplishments, hopes and dreams of Newtown leaders and activists, past, present, and future.
“The preservation of African American cultural assets is my passion–to tell our own story is empowering,”
Self stated. The approach to the concept was informed by community input. Educators, students, Booker classmates, members of neighborhood associations, and leaders of arts, cultural, and civic organizations completed a questionnaire online and in person about the facility and space usage. “Our community engagement team spoke to groups and circulated the survey at events. We attended parent and teacher sessions at Booker Middle School, the Amaryllis Neighborhood Association meeting, the Collard Greens Festival, the GBM Teen Summit, for instance,” Oldham. The historic Leonard Reid House will be moved there this fall to serve as a temporary base for SAACC operations. The transition plan too longer, but was approved by the Historic Preservation Board.
The house will be located in the neighborhood of Booker High School and Ringling College of Art and Design is nearby,” said SAACC Board chair Dr. Washington Hill.
“The facility will be accessible for all to visit and experience African American art, history and culture.”
The Reid House, only 1400 square feet will host exhibitions, classes, performances, demonstrations and Newtown/Overtown tours. With approval of the location by City Commissioners for a larger facility, a fundraising campaign can begin in October.
A team of engineers, urban planners, and an arborist are organizing the move from 7th Street and Cohen Way to Orange Avenue.
The Reid House is a single family Frame Vernacular residence that was completed in 1926. The house is historically significant because its owner, Leonard Reid, a highly respected early Sarasota African-American pioneer played an important role in the establishment and settlement of Sarasota’s earliest African-American community, Overtown. Mr. Reid is the founder of Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church.
