BY DR. REBEKAH MCCLOUD, GUEST WRITER TO THE TIMES
WINTER PARK – The Dorothy Turner Johnson Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) will host a moderated conversation with Barbara Chandler. A long-time Central Florida resident, Chandler spent 10 years as the manager and cultural arts educator at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center in Winter Park, Florida. She educated visitors on the contributions of African Americans throughout Central Florida, was responsible for daily operations, and oversaw countless objet d’art in each featured exhibition. Workplace certified in diversity, equity, and inclusion, she received a Congressman Maxwell Frost Luminary Award and Orlando Magic Diversity Award.
Chandler advocates for the preservation of local and national African American history. To support this effort, she is the Founder and host of Our Seat Our Table: Leadership Lounge, a weekly radio show, and podcast in partnership with Rollins College that can be heard Friday mornings from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on WPRK 91.5 or on Spotify.
Chandler, committed to developing equitable initiatives to represent the history and success of Black culture and communities, co-curated an art exhibit (Community Collage: Artists from the Hannibal Square Heritage Center Folk & Urban Art Festival) with Patrick Noze, an Orlando-based, Haitian Artist. She curated the opening of: “Quilts, Photographs, & Folk Art: Intergenerational Stories” in partnership with The City Orlando Black History Month Events & City Arts Gallery-Downtown Arts District. She also hosted a Puzzled Peace art exhibit at the Hannibal Square Heritage Center.
The event is scheduled for December 15, 2024, from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Winter Park Library. It will be moderated by Dr. Rebekah McCloud, ASALH/DTJ vice president. Chandler, a well-respected leader in the Winter Park community, will discuss her over 20 years of experience in the non-profit arena and her current venture, Barbara Chandler Productions. Join us for an engaging conversation.
