Black History Month Archives -

January 29, 2021January 20, 2021

CORAL SPRINGS COMMISSION

We remain optimistic that with the mass distribution of the COVID 19 vaccines, the end of this unprecedented pandemic is in sight.City staff continue to work with the Florida Department of Health and Florida Department of Emergency Management to ensure COVID-19 testing remains readily available for residents, which is crucial to preventing the spread of the virus. Perhaps most importantly, providing access to COVID-19 vaccination sites remains one of greatest priorities. Sign up for our text message option to receive real-time information about vaccination sites by texting the keyword CORALSPRINGS (one word) to 888-777.

February is Black History Month, and we are proud to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans in our city. We look forward to highlighting local black leaders in our city nominated by our community. For more details visit www.coralsprings.org/bhm.

This month and every day since February 14, 2018, we continue to remember and honor the 17 students and staff who died at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. We also remember all of those who were injured and forever touched by the violence experienced that day.

Three years does not ease the heartache resulting from such loss we will never forget and continue to provide meaningful ways to commemorate and honor the memories of: Alyssa Alhadeff, Scott Beigel, Martin Duque, Nicholas Dworet, Aaron Feis, Jaime Guttenberg, Christopher Hixon, Luke Hoyer, Cara Loughran, Gina Montalto, Joaquin Oliver, Alaina Petty, Meadow Pollack, Helena Ramsay, Alex Schachter, Carmen Schentrup, and Peter Wang.

For residents and community members who continue to struggle with mental health, especially in the wake of such loss, there are many resources available. Please call 2-1-1 for suicide intervention, those at risk can also text “FL” to 741-741 to immediately speak with a counselor. For additional information – we offer resources on our website at coralsprings.org/mentalhealth.

Since that tragic day, our city remains committed to ensuring the safety of our students and faculty. Our Police Department has demonstrated their commitment to ensuring school safety by implementing new technology connected directly into our Real Time Crime Center (RTCC). Using advanced software, security systems are integrated directly into the RTCC, improving response times and saving critical seconds during emergency situations – when time matters the most.

On February 19, residents will be able to celebrate all the reasons we love to call Coral Springs home at our Virtual State of the City.

For more details about this event, please visit https://www.coralsprings.org/living/events

We encourage you to remain vigilant to prevent the spread of COVID-19, continue to wear a facial covering, remain socially distanced, and follow good personal hygiene.

January 29, 2021January 20, 2021

Parkland Mayor Rich Walker

In February we honor Black History all month long. We also honor President’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Sadly, in our community this will also be a reminder of the horrific tragedy that took place. On Sunday, February 14, we will commemorate the third anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in a ceremony at Pine Trails Park. As we come together to remember those we lost, it is yet another example of Parkland families and the larger community uniting when it matters most.

We have seen many examples of this in recent years in an attempt to effect positive change. And, of course, our community is forever grateful for the strength that our families continue to demonstrate as they work toward safer schools and safer communities—not just here, but nationwide.

Mental wellness continues to be a vital focal point for our residents as we all continue to work through everything we have endured. We have many partners locally who can assist such as Broward Children’s Bereavement Center, and Eagles’ Haven.

Visit cityofparkland.org/MentalWellness for more resources and let’s continue to take care of one another. We cannot afford to overlook the greatest resource we have—one another.

February 15, 2016October 17, 2018

Black History Month – African-Americans Reflect on their Contributions

February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on the accomplishments of the African-American community. Many African-Americans have made substantial contributions to the local community. Tameka King earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and is an assistant principal at Coral Springs High School. She believes it is important to celebrate the many cultures that are represented at her school.

“At Coral Springs High we make it a priority to celebrate all cultures throughout the year, highlighting certain ethnicities during designated times of the year such as Black History Month in February. During February we highlight people of color who have made significant contributions to our world during our daily video announcements,” said King.

The bulletin boards surrounding the Media Center at the high school are decorated to showcase the outstanding contributions. The school holds a Multi-Cultural Show that attracts over 700 visitors annually. In the Multi- Cultural Show students illustrate their cultural ethnicities through dance.

Celebrating Culture

“It is important to allow students to celebrate their cultures not just in the sense of trying to understand what cultures they bring with them, but also the hidden values that make their worlds feel so rich regardless of their situations or circumstances. While trying to understand the culture of people of color, we also take time to understand the historical context of the expression for people of color,” said King.King loves helping students succeed. “All of our children bring with them such a rich culture, regardless of their financial or cultural backgrounds, so we try to showcase that in various ways,” she said.

A graduate of Coral Springs High herself, King earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Florida State University and her Ph.D. at Florida Atlantic University. She believes coming from a strong family that valued education and work helped her succeed.

There are many stories of success in the local African-American community. Years ago, agriculture was the primary industry in Broward County. Pompano, which later became Pompano Beach, was a farming community when it was founded in 1908. Hazel Armbrister, a member of the Pompano Beach Historical Society and the president of the Rock Road Restoration Group Inc., has studied the history of the area and seen it develop.

“Years ago, people came from north Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Alabama, and the Bahamas to work on the farms. The land was fertile and word got out people could get work here. Whole families would come and work on the farms,” said Armbrister.

Eventually a vibrant African-American community developed in eastern Broward County. Businesses, churches, civic organizations, and schools were established. Segregation existed and there were fewer educational opportunities available for African-Americans as many had to spend part of the school year harvesting crops. But eventually this changed. Blanche Ely High School was named after a respected educator in the area.

Some prominent African-American leaders include E. Pat Larkins, who served for many years as Pompano Beach mayor and commissioner. Shortly after he died, a community center was named after him.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is honored in Coral Springs with a new monument, the first of its kind in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. The monument, located in front of the Northwest Regional Library, was produced by an artist known as Dari. She shares her feelings on civil rights through sculpture and painting. The Lac Du Bonnet Pillar, coral colored granite, stands for equality, freedom of speech, unity, and democracy. The base is made of Mesabi Black Granite. The Raven Black monument stands for the Rainbow Coalition and King’s dignity, teaching, and strength.

Dr. Mark Gendal, chair of the Coral Springs Martin Luther King Monument Committee, is pleased. He believes the statue, which was dedicated in January, represents a commitment by the City to tolerance.

“This monument is a dedication by our entire community that we, according to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream, will make every effort to see each other not by the color of our skin, but by the content of our characters.”