Pursuing racial equality in Florida

Bruce Stephenson, professor and foremost biographer on the work of City Planner John Nolen, will give a presentation on “The Brotherhood of Man, John Nolen’s Vision for Racial Equality in Florida.” The talk will be on Tuesday, July 30th, at 6:30 p.m. at Architecture Sarasota, 265 South Orange Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.

In his book, Stephenson reveals that Nolen, called his southern planning commissions “Missionary Work” because of their importance in establishing areas within each city where African Americans could live. Stephenson was inspired to write this book when confronted by the Southern prejudice depicted in the play, “The Clansman” (the inspiration for the silent film, “Birth of a Nation”). The racist revisionary history of Reconstruction depicted in these productions set the mark that spurred Jim Crow for the next generation.

During this era in Sarasota, Overtown, an early black community within the city operated separately from the larger community. It was established by the early African American community leader Louis Colson who came to the city in 1884. To accommodate African Americans who traveled to Overtown, local developer Owen Burns built the Colson Hotel at 1425 8th Street in 1926. The community, located on Sarasota’s near north side, became known as the Rosemary District in the 1990s.

Proceeds from Mr. Stephenson’s presentation will be used to assist in the preservation of the Colson Hotel.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Architecture Sarasota, 265 South Orange Avenue, Sarasota, United States