The "Looking For Angola" project began to take root shortly after Vickie Oldham completed the documentary script about the history of Sarasota County called Reflections.

Historians, archaeologists and anthropologists from Florida who participated in the initial conference call organized by Oldham must be thanked: Associate Director of Cultural Resources with the National Park Service Dr. Jan Matthews, FAMU'S Dr. Canter Brown, UCF'S Dr. Rosalyn Howard, Sarasota archaeologist Marion Almy, historian Ann Shank, and Access TV 19 Station Manager Joe Gaither.

"Looking For Angola" scholars Drs. Canter Brown, Uzi Baram, Rosalyn Howard, Louis Robison, Terry Weik and Dan Hughes add priceless expertise to the project. They are LFA's backbone. Archaeologist Bill Burger's passion for his work was evident through months of shovel testing.

Cynthia Newell, founder of Neighborhood Leadership Initiative, Inc. was always there offering encouragement, prayers and assistance as the fiscal agent that jumpstarted the grant writing process.

Thanks always for the steady, unwavering support of Sharon Oldham, Sonya Waterhouse, Daryl Waters, Tashia Bradley, Lem Andrews, Florence and Charles Tate, Len Gumley, Flori Roberts, D. Shennel Reed, Melanie Thomas and Shav'on Reed, Art Shmandalay, Dorothy Watson, Bob Fitzgerald, president of the Manasota Branch of ASALH (the Association for the Study of African American Life and History) and members; also the Sarasota County History Center Director Dave Baber and staff Dan Hughes, Lorrie MulDowney, Mark Smith, Jeff LaHurd, Ann Shank and the center's volunteers; TV 19's Station Manager Joe Gaither and staff; TV 20's Station Manager Leanne McIntyre and staff.

The "Looking For Angola" documentary would never have been completed without the post production expertise of Gary Propst, owner of 3-Dimensional Productions, Inc.

The Florida Department of State, Division of Historic Resources approved the initial funding for archaeology to begin. A small amount of the grant was earmarked to produce a documentary short. Mary Rowley and Robert Taylor went beyond the call of duty to offer guidance throughout the grant process.

Susan Lockwood at the Florida Humanities Council and members of the FHC Board of Directors saw the need for public programs about the Angola Settlement. The money allowed the Tampa Bay community to meet the scholars and ask questions at 11 public forums in Sarasota and Manatee County.

The Sarasota County Arts Council, through the John Ringling Fund for Artists and Historic Preservation and the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, provided professional development grants.

We also wish to thank the USF Africana Heritage Project and Ideas4 for their time, expertise and funding in producing and maintaining this website.

We cherish our contributors and sponsors! If you would like to contribute to the Looking for Angola project, please use our Contact Us form or drop us a line at info@lookingforangola.com!