Amiallana Justus
February is about black history and encourages black communities to come together to celebrate a month that values and respects black culture.
There have been many influential black leaders in Central Florida that have impacted the way black people live their life. Enduring years of systematic racism never changed the fights these leaders had in making a change in our world today.
These Black American leaders made the changes years ago so future generations can live to prosper in black culture and traditions.
As different leaders of black people in Central Florida dealt with segregation, racism, and discrimination for the color of their skin, many didn’t let that prevent them achieving their goals and aspirations.
Black Expression in Government
Jerry Demings is Orange County’s Mayor and serves as CEO of the county government and the Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. Demings has been a big advocate for the black community with a blend of leadership, innovation, and community-focused initiatives that have shaped the landscape of Orange County.
With mental health affecting Black Americans, Demings put his focus on addressing mental health, homelessness and public safety. The goal of Demings’ leadership is reducing those that suffer from mental, behavioral, and substance disorder, which includes a significant financial allocation by Orange County which impacts the Black community.
The focus Demings had on the Orange County Citizens Safety Task Force showed his commitment to citizen engagement and public safety. This put a focus on reducing violent crimes and gun violence which indirectly affects the Black Community.
With different types of housing and development plans for the Black community, Demings is focusing on the construction of hundreds of affordable residential units which helped directly address the housing needs of Black Americans.
Looking ahead, Demings aims for Orange County’s $6.7 billion budget to address key areas that the Black Community is struggling with such as affordable housing, public safety, and environmental concerns.
As a Black man, Jerry Demings makes it clear that he wants to prioritize helping the Black community and fight a peaceful fight against systemic racism.
Black Expression in the Community
Angie Gardner, governor of Eatonville and a prominent leader in Central Florida, has also made impacts regarding the Black community and the historic town of Eatonville.
Founded in 1887, Eatonville is one of the first self-governing, all Black districts in the United States. It showed hope of African American independence and self-reliance during a time of racism and segregation across the country.
In education, Gardner has been an advocate for equal opportunities for Black students. She recognized the struggles minorities face in the education system and wanted to improve academic resources and support systems in schools attended primarily by Black students. This has improved education achievement for Black Americans, but for the Black community it reminds them of a sense of pride and the chance to be whoever they want to be.
With Eatonville being the first town in the U.S. governed entirely by African American citizens, it is important to Gardner to preserve and promote its cultural heritage. Gardner has organized cultural events, such as the annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival, which celebrates the history of the town and legacy.
Gardner has played a crucial role in the economic empowerment of the Black community in Central Florida by implementing a Small Business Development Program to help local entrepreneurs grow. She continues to advocate for Black-owned businesses, recognizing the importance of economic independence in achieving racial equality for the Black community.
Angie Gardner’s contributions to Central Florida in relation to the Black community have been powerful, but the job is far from over. The work Gardner has done in education, cultural preservation, economic development, and social justice has uplifted the Black community by reminding them that the color of your skin doesn’t make you less worthy of a person.
Black Expression in Local Philanthropy
In 2022, Derrick Chubbs had a goal to reshape the landscape of hunger relief in Central Florida, where he became President and CEO of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
Chubbs’ work holds significance in Central Florida’s community, but especially the Black community, as a result of his dedication to feeding and engaging with the community.
There are over 40,000 volunteers annually that help with collaborative relations with corporations, individuals, foundations, election officials at local, state, and national levels, as well as strategic partnerships such as Feeding Florida and other nonprofit hunger-relief organizations.
Chubbs’ near decade of work with the American Red Cross saw him ascend to National Vice President for Disaster Workforce Readiness and other significant roles. This helped with his leadership skills, which prepared him for the multifaceted channels at SHFB.
With Derrick Chubbs as CEO of SHFB, this organization became more than a food bank, but also a lifeline for those who needed help. The workforce has over 600 partnering agencies and volunteers; the organization now produces over 300,000 meals daily, helping to defeat hunger in the Central Florida Black community.
These three influential leaders paved the way for the black community. Jerry Demings, Angie Gardner, and Derrick Chubbs all dealt with their own discrimination to get to where they are today.
Black History Month is meant to inspire those who experience the feelings of intolerance because of the color of their skin. For Central Florida’s Black community, Jerry Demings fights for community-initiatives, Angie Gardner preserves Black culture, and Derrick Chubbs fights against hunger.
Comments