Manasota ASALH Inc.

05/29/2026

Education chair Mike Weddle will repeat his talk on Anténor Firmin for those who could not attend the talk this past winter. It will be June 8 at 1 PM at the Sarasota Art Museum, Ringling-OLLI (Osher Life-long Learning). Call 941-309-5111 for a seat.
'Anténor Firmin is one of the most fascinating and intellectual figures of the 19th Century, although not well known because he was a Haitian Black man. Diplomat, politician, natural scientist, and classical linguist, he was a member of the Paris Anthropological Society founded by Paul Broca. Being a diplomat, he understood Broca’s split with Darwin as an attempt to put a wedge between religion and science. He wrote ‘The Equality of the Human Race’, a response to A***n ‘master race’ mythology. It is considered a foundational book in anthropology, though not translated into English until the 21stCentury because of his race. When fellow diplomat Frederick Douglass tried to negotiate an American move into Haiti as an act of friendship, it was Firmin who showed Douglass it was a colonial land grab, convincing the famous American to resign his post. That is why the Guantanamo base is now in Cuba'.

05/21/2026

🎓2026 Manasota ASALH Scholarship Award Ceremony 🎓

What an incredible morning celebrating our scholars! This year, Manasota ASALH proudly awarded 18 students with scholarships—investing over $65,000 into their futures.

With this year’s awards, our branch has now contributed approximately $800,000 in scholarships to more than 350 students since the program began. A legacy of impact, excellence, and community commitment.

We were honored to welcome Reggie Bellamy, Executive Director of the Palmetto Youth Center, as our keynote speaker. His message of leadership, resilience, and service inspired us all.

Thank you to our donors, members, families, and community partners for helping us continue this life‑changing work. Our scholars are the future—and together, we are lifting them higher.

05/15/2026

Join a fast-growing community and be part of something exciting. Applications close on May 29, 2026.

04/16/2026

Mission Accomplished!🚀

Thanks to your generosity during the 2026 Giving Challenge, Manasota ASALH raised $20,000 with the Patterson Foundation match! Your belief in this work fuels everything we do. Thank you for standing with us and helping us preserve Black history and empowering the next generation of leaders. ❤️

04/16/2026

There is still time to give! Donate now to make a difference!

Preserve History & Empower the Next Generation!

April 15–16, your gift to Manasota ASALH during the Giving Challenge will go 2x as far with a 1:1 match—supporting Freedom School, scholarships, and programs that uplift our community.

The 2026 Giving Challenge is presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation.

Mark your calendar & who keeps our stories ALIVE. 💛

04/15/2026

Thank you to our Board President LaTanya Edwards for the first donation!! Let's keep it going! Join us!

I’m ready to support Manasota ASALH Inc on April 15, 2026 during Giving Challenge . Learn more about Manasota ASALH Inc and all the other organizations participating in Giving Challenge .

04/15/2026

Education doesn’t stop in the classroom. It reaches families, communities, and generations. ❤️

In this video, Education Committee Member Ms. Frances Taylor shares how ASALH’s Freedom School not only educates students, but uplifts entire families—carrying forward the legacy of teaching true African American history as an essential part of the American story.

⏰ The Giving Challenge starts TODAY at noon
For just 24 hours, every gift between $25–$100 is doubled, making your impact go twice as far.

Be part of preserving history and empowering the next generation.

Give when the clock starts—don’t miss it.

04/14/2026

For 7+ years, Ms. Frances Taylor has seen firsthand how Manasota ASALH transforms lives, especially through education and scholarships that uplift the next generation. 🎓✨

From Freedom School to legacy scholarships, this is what it means to invest in our future.

Join us in preserving history and empowering the next generation tomorrow during the Giving Challenge (April 15–16). 💛

04/13/2026

Preserving history. Empowering the next generation. ✨

From overcoming adversity to the mound at a Tampa Bay Rays game ⚾—this is what your support makes possible.

During the Giving Challenge (April 15–16), every donation is MATCHED 100% by The Patterson Foundation. Double your impact.

Be the one who helps write the next chapter.

04/13/2026

🎉 We're honored to receive this $500 Giving Challenge prize from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County!

These funds directly support culturally grounded education at our Freedom School and open doors for future leaders through our Scholarship Program. We are deeply grateful for this investment in our community's history and the next generation.

Thank you for your continued support!

The Giving Challenge is hosted by the Community Foundation, with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation.