LaWanda Thompson, left, helps Adage Lana Giles, 10, light the center black candle of a kinara during a Kwanzaa celebration at the Winter Park Community Center on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. The ceremony, sponsored by The Equity Council Corp and the City of Winter Park’s Parks and Recreation Department, marked the start of the seven-day-long holiday celebration of African-American culture, .
1619Fest Orlando highlights the history of Hannibal Square and Central Florida with a 5K race, a community festival and a panel discussion on Black health and wellbeing.
The outdoor shopping event was created to provide a venue for entrepreneurs of color impacted by lack of access to start-up funds and brick-and-mortar space.
Gov. Ron DeSantis and other GOP supporters argue that critical race theory distorts America's history so students "hate their country." Opponents argue the governor favors "hiding facts" from students and is wrongly trying to prevent schools from addressing racism.
Winter Park set aside $200,000 of federal funds for nonprofits to help ease the financial strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But about 500 organizations within the city qualify for grants of up to $25,000 and commissioners are struggling how to decide who gets some form of aid.