By Dr. Washington Hill

In recognition of Black History Month, special lunch menus were available each Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Windows Cafe at SMH Sarasota & at the Garden Cafe at SMH-Venice! The menus were yummy with all forms of delicious soul food.

Windows Cafe a t SMH-Sarasota also had a display of items from the collection of The African America Cultural Resource Center (AACRC) at the Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Public Library, and members of the Gulf Coast Medical Society GCMS) were present.

The event was sponsored by the Gulf Coast Medical Society and Awareness Subcommittee of the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System Diversity Committee. The SMHCS Diversity Committee goals are to ensure that all patients receive care provided in a manner respectful of their cultural belief and religion and identify needed preventive initiatives in order to provide needed services to support population health, and affect outcomes with the community by connecting all patients with community partners that will influence social determinants of health, and finally to increase diversity within the system across all medical, professional and support staff. Special thanks to the Sarasota Memorial Hospital Food & Nutrition Services for the delicious menu and AACRC at https:// bettyjjohnsonfriends.org/our-histo- ry2 for their presence in educating all present about African American art, culture, food, the Freedom School and more.

The AACRC reading room and research facility contain books, art, artifacts, and media. AACRC volunteers are available by appointment or during select hours to assist with questions and research. Please email culturalresourcecenter@gmail.com to arrange an appointment.

For sure Black History Month celebrations should not end in February. Let’s make sure the Black History Month awareness of recognizing, honoring, supporting and speaking out for African American diversity, life, health, education, art, history, music, leaders, and other accomplishments continues beyond today.