Boxser Diversity Initiative

05/04/2026

🎬 BDI Board Member and filmmaker Judge Williams was honored to attend the premiere of Fish Fry & Fellowship at the Sarasota Film Festival.

Judge Williams also served as a producer on the film, and both he and the BDI were credited in the production, with BDI also acknowledged as a supporter.

He joined a thoughtful panel discussion on a film that goes beyond a church fish fry in Palmetto to explore how everyday traditions carry history, and create space for understanding.

At its heart, the documentary reflects life in a community still shaped by the legacy of segregation, and how shared spaces like the fish fry at St. Andrews AME Church can soften barriers and foster real connection.

We’re proud to support storytelling that shows reconciliation happens in real moments, between real people. 🍽️✨

Learn more at FishFryDoc.com.

📸 Rebecca Bolletti

05/02/2026

We're so proud of our 2025-26 Bending the Arc Scholars!!! 🎉

These students give us so much hope for Florida and beyond.

Thank you for being the leaders America needs. 🇺🇸

📸 Garcia Public Relations

04/23/2026

What an unforgettable afternoon at the Celebration 🎉

More than 150 community members joined us at Florida Studio Theatre to honor our incredible Scholars. Each student received a $500 Award and a Certificate signed by Dr. James Stewart of Penn State and Dr. Timothy Patrick McCarthy of Harvard University.

Thank you to the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation for making this opportunity possible, and to CEO John Annis for his inspiring remarks. The future is bright.

📸 Garcia Public Relations

04/19/2026

, Celebrate our Scholars TODAY 🎉

Join us for Bending the Arc: Student Celebration 🎉

After months of learning and a powerful journey through Alabama’s Civil Rights landmarks, our student leaders are ready to share their stories, reflections, and growth. Come celebrate their work and be inspired by the next generation of change-makers.

🗓 Sunday, April 19 | 3 – 5 PM
📍 Florida Studio Theatre (Sarasota)
🎟 Free (Reservations required)

Be part of a meaningful afternoon that honors history, community, and the future.

04/17/2026

💙💙

Bending the Arc, a program created by the Boxser Diversity Initiative in Sarasota, offers high school students in Sarasota and Manatee counties an immersive education in civil rights history.

Here's what two of the students learned this year.

Read more: https://www.wusf.org/education/2026-04-17/bending-the-arc-sarasota-manatee-students-travel-alabama-study-civil-rights-history

04/17/2026

History isn’t just in the past, it’s the foundation for our future!

WUSF Public Media's Cathy Carter recently spoke with Scholars from our Bending the Arc program about their immersive journey through Alabama’s Civil Rights landmarks. From meeting movement leaders in their homes to visiting the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, these students are ready to pick up the mantle.

🎟️ Celebrate our Scholars this Sunday at Florida Studio Theatre! Sign up on our website.

Bending the Arc, a program created by the Boxser Diversity Initiative in Sarasota, offers high school students in Sarasota and Manatee counties an immersive education in civil rights history.

04/16/2026

👏👏

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County raised $16,760,000 during its 24-hour giving challenge, the organization announced as the event concluded.🔽
http://www.mysuncoast.com/2026/04/16/suncoast-24-hour-giving-challenge-raises-167-million-nonprofits/

04/16/2026

WE DID IT! 🎊 $24,000 RAISED!
We are absolutely blown away! Thanks to your incredible generosity during the 2026 Giving Challenge, the Boxser Diversity Initiative raised a grand total of $24,000. $12,000 from donors, matched to $24,000.

Because of your support, we are entering this next chapter with incredible momentum to build bridges and break barriers in our community. Thank you to everyone who donated, shared our posts, and cheered us on. We could not have done this without you!

04/16/2026

We are ALMOST there! 🏁

The Boxser Diversity Initiative is closing in on our $15,000 goal for the , and we need your help to cross the finish line.

Every unique gift of $25–$100 is being matched. That means if you donate $50, we get $100 closer to our goal! Help us reach the mark so we can continue building bridges and breaking barrriers in our community.

Visit GivingChallenge.org and search "BDI" or "Boxser" to give today.
Or visit the link in our comment below:

04/16/2026

As we are entering the final hours of the 2026 Giving Challenge, we wanted to take a moment to thank all of the generous donors who gave to help support our programs.

We will also be listening to this official Giving Challenge playlist all morning.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/233XKS6B0EqNrvTrCm1EiM?si=qOi9R3JPQYmB_1F3qHIqrA

If you would like to donate, please do so at the link below: https://www.givingchallenge.org/organizations/boxser