Q: How Did the Looking for Angola Project come about? A: I was hired to revise and complete the script for a documentary about the history of Sarasota. The draft written before I joined the project had problems. While reading it, I also noticed that there were no references to black settlements in the area before the Civil War. I reworded the script to include the Angola Settlement.
I knew about Angola's existence because 15 years ago I was contracted to produce another documentary about the history of Sarasota's black community. Sarasota County Historian Ann Shank (a godsend) pointed me to Dr. Canter Brown’s newly released book, Florida's Peace River Frontier. Canter gave a lecture in Sarasota during that time. I met and interviewed him for a show I hosted that aired on the ABC affiliate.
Fast forward to 2003. I was undergoing a career transition in my life. It was challenging. At times I was uncertain about my next move - should I leave the area, should I stay, stay and do what? I was in the midst of redefining who I was after 20 years in very visible positions in Sarasota as a TV journalist, community advocate and host of a popular television show.
I completed the scriptwriting assignment of the Sarasota history documentary around the same time as this challenging transition. During the process, I was pushed to revisit Canter's research about the tenacity, determination, courage, enterprise and survival skills of the Angola inhabitants. Some themes resonated loud and clear. These people were making it on their own and surviving. That message of self-determination spoke directly to me in a powerful way over and over again; morning, noon and night. It encouraged me and reminded me that I could do the same.
The story of Angola kept nudging me and playing over in my mind. I was moved to seek funding to tell the story for what became my next project, - a documentary solely based on the Angola Settlement. I spoke to Dr. Jan Matthews (at the time Director of the Florida Division of Historic Resources) at the premier of the Sarasota History documentary, about grants. Shortly afterwards, I organized a conference call to see if there was interest in the story. Invited to participate in the call was Matthews, historian Dr. Canter Brown, Jr., anthropologist Dr. Rosalyn Howard, TV 19's station manager, and archaeologists Marion Almy and Ann Shank. During the conversation, I learned that no archaeology had ever been conducted to find artifacts of Angola. I was even more intrigued about the project after the call.
Soon after, I visited a website and found out about a state historic preservation grant. The application was due in 10 days. I had no experience at grant writing but felt sure making the deadline was do-able. I asked each scholar to answer the grant questions that fit their discipline. For advice and pointers, I met with a successful grant writer, Linda Mansperger (Executive Director of Historic Spanish Point). Cynthia Newell founder of Neighborhood Leadership Initiative Incorporatedallowed her non-profit to serve as LFA’s fiscal agent. I gathered letters of support from the community, the district’s legislative delegation and gathered the match needed for in-kind donations. After many hair splitting moments and lots of running around to gather letters, documents and photos, the grant was submitted on time. Bill Burger, Canter Brown and I defended the proposal in Tallahassee. It was enthusiastically approved by the grant panel.
Q: What was it about this piece of the past that held your fascination? A: What held my fascination was the fact that the people of Angola had so little, yet they held on to the determination to live in freedom. They fought for freedom and many died for freedom. I thought, "Surely, I have more resources than they had." The message to me was, "I can make it too with that same steely determination."
Q: So you have pulled together a stellar team and won so much funding, working entirely on faith? A: I'm living by faith and working around the clock to make sure the Angola settlers are honored for their sacrifice and contributions related to Florida’s development. Committing great amounts of time, effort and my own money to this project is risky (I wouldn’t recommend this work to the faint of heart). It is indeed a faith walk that requires a visionary willing to think big and dream big. I have a broad vision for this project and I believe every venture undertaken can and will be fulfilled.
Q: I sense that there was something in this story that haunted you and spurred you to action. Is this correct? A: The message of the story kept playing over and over in my mind...The Angola inhabitants were making it on their own, doing the best they could with the innate skills and resources they had. The idea of telling the story was burning in my heart. I had no time to sit and wait on something to happen. If anything was to happen, I had to make it happen. I had the time and the drive because the story touched me in a very profound, personal way.
Q: What do you hope comes out of this research? A: I want the message I learned from the people of Angola to resonate for others who are at a crossroads as I was.
The playing field has never been leveled as it relates to African Americans in the workplace, housing, the economy in this country. Perhaps it never will be. The Angola story taught me not to depend on the benevolence of the government and leaders to help. Our own self-determination (such as was displayed by the people of Angola) must suffice. That's the message that I hope school students grasp, as well as people of color every where. But if you think about it, the message is universal. It'll work for anybody.
I want the message to be accessible and understandable. That's why LFA is a multi-disciplinary project ... it'll cross all disciplines. A documentary short is now ready for air. Phase I archaeological testing was conducted. This is only a beginning. I'd like books of fiction and non-fiction to be published based on the story, more archival research completed, theatrical performances staged, a feature length film produced, an educational component organized and placed in schools, a cultural exchange program (between teachers, students here and the Bahamas) put together and information about Angola incorporated into the social studies curriculum for Florida students and others nationwide.
I’d like to tell the Angola story through multi-media presentations, academic publications and the creative arts.
Q: How will those goals be met, and what is on the immediate horizon for the Looking for Angola Project? A: I am currently talking with archaeologists about where they would like to conduct further investigations. There are three places that we've discussed. First, archaeological research should be done in the area of Red Bays, where the descendant population first landed on Andros Island. When Rosalyn Howard and I were in Nassau and Red Bays this summer, we met with officials from the National Museum of the Bahamas to discuss a partnership and to learn what it would take to conduct archaeology there. The meetings were successful. As a result, we will work with our Bahamian counterparts on an oral history project initially, as funding becomes available. The officials are willing and excited about working together on LFA. We have a wonderful letter of support from them stating such.
Uzi Baram would like to start a project at De Soto National Park to investigate the presence of the British fillibusters, the Cuban fishermen who maintained fishing ranchos along this coast, and possibly of Angola, too. He's not absolutely certain of the Angola connection there, but it is certainly worth looking into. Another location would be on what was once called Negro Point.
My goal has always been to involve schoolchildren in this process. That's what I'm working on right now. I'd like to engage teachers in Sarasota and Manatee Counties in the Looking for Angola Project. I've met with school administrators and teachers to elicit their help in developing a social studies project for two or three pilot classrooms. We would share the Angola story with students; conduct hands on activities, and also engage students and teachers on this side of the ocean with students and teachers in Andros Island. The students could write or email each other and discuss their shared history. The ultimate goal is to get the Angola story included in the social studies curriculum statewide.
Canter Brown, Jr.'s remarkable historical research is continuing, of course, and we're working to develop and schedule a panel discussion in the near future, where LFA scholars will discuss the development of Angola, its subsequent destruction, its significance in American history, the results of the Phase 1 archaeological survey, and any other items the public would like to discuss about Angola.
We're also looking into the possibility of staging a theater adaptation of the Angola story. I've met with director Nate Jacobs, who is the Founding Director of the West Coast Theater Troupe here about developing a play that tells the Angola story, to attract a wider audience.
I plan to continue production on a series of documentaries. I would especially like to produce a piece about the descendant population in Red Bays, Andros Island, the Bahamas. A feature length documentary that includes A-list actors is also on my ‘to do’ list.
When artifacts of Angola are found, LFA will apply for designation in the National Register. Then a commemorative program to remember and honor Angola residents and survivors will be planned.
I expect several books will be published about the project. I’ll write one about this entire experience focusing on my personal journey of self actualization and empowerment.
So that's just a start. There are other components of the project, but that's enough to say grace over for now [laughs].
LFA is my most exciting project yet. It has all the elements that keep life long learners (like me) engaged. I'd like to commit all of my time toward fulfilling the vision for LFA. Unfortunately, my bills wouldn't get paid if I gave it my total attention. I'll keep "pounding the rock" until the story gets the exposure it deserves. The Angola story was almost forgotten. Canter Brown must be thanked for his research. I’d also like to appreciate all of the LFA scholars, my supporters and friends who’ve contributed toward the development of LfA.
