SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
ORLANDO – Association of African American Life and History, (ASALH) is an organization founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1915. The Central Florida Dorothy Turner Johnson Branch, (DTJ), presented The Orlando Times newspaper with its prestigious Carter G. Woodson Award at its 2nd Annual Black History Month Kick-Off Breakfast at the Shiloh Baptist Church, Pastor Derrick A. Williams. Editor-in-Chief of The Orlando Times, Kevin T. Collins, accepted the award from ASALH President Manual Jones, on behalf of The Orlando Times newspaper. The award recognizes the paper’s dedicated coverage of the news and its shared commitment to ASALH’s mission to collect, preserve and disseminate the History of African Americans.
ASALH reminded the audience of the importance of supporting the efforts of The Orlando Times by purchasing subscriptions. “Our newspapers play a vital role in keeping our story alive,” says President Jones.
The Award, named for the Central Florida Branches namesake, Dorothy T. Johnson, was presented by ASALH President Jones to The Winter Park Library. Dr. Ruth Edwards, Director of Education at the library, accepted the award. The Winter Park Library hosts ASALH DTJ Branch “In Conversation” program monthly, hosted by Dr. Rebekah McCloud. Annually the library exhibits the DTJ Branch’s Black History Month exhibit. The award recognizes the library’s commitment to ASALH’s mission.
The DTJ Branch President’s Award was presented by President Jones to (The Orlando Times valued media partner) EYESEEIMAGES. The award recognized EYESEEIMAGES for its commitment to ASALH DTJ Branch since its inception in 2017. The award was accepted by EYSEEIMAGES, Toya Flewellyn, president and Thomas Flewellyn.
EYESEEIMAGES, provides media coverage for ASALH DTJ Branch monthly at the Winter Park Library where topic experts are “In Conversation.” The “In Conversation” February expert was Dr. Connie Lester, Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida, Director of the Regional Initiative for Collecting the History, Experiences, and Stories (RICHES) of Central Florida Project and the Bending Toward Justice Digital Exhibit Project. Dr. Lester is a nineteenth century historian focusing largely on the American South, economics, and agriculture. Her contribution to the development of RICHES™ and RICHES Mosaic Interface™ coincides and supports her academic research area and her public and digital history interests. She discussed “Preserving Black History in the RICHES Digital Archive, sitting in for host Dr. Rebekah McCloud, was ASALH DTJ Branch Historian, Valada Flewellyn.
For information and dates for the monthly ASALH “In Conversation” with Dr. Rebekah McCloud., check the Winter Park Library website: Winterparklibrary.org
