Pictured: Vickie Oldham, President/CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC)

During this month’s professional development program, the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) will present “Newtown Alive: Storytelling as the Key to Preserving, Sharing, and Celebrating History” on November 18, 2021, from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm at The Bazaar at Apricot and Lime (821 Apricot Avenue, Sarasota). The event will feature Vickie Oldham, President/CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC), who is leading an initiative to open an arts, cultural and history center in Newtown.

In this discussion, Oldham will share Newtown Alive’s evolution from its inception in 2014 to the present and how this groundbreaking project is causing Sarasota to take a second look at Newtown, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Using traditional and multi-platform storytelling tools, Newtown Alive features the early pioneers who built Sarasota's infrastructure, education about Newtown’s historic landmarks, and the neighborhood’s history. In addition to local acclaim, the project has received local and state awards. 

“Storytelling is one of the most powerful forms of communication, cultural heritage and education,” says Melanie Reda, APR, CPRC, president of the CWC-FPRA. “We are grateful for the opportunity to host Vickie Oldham and hear directly from her on how storytelling is being used to bring attention to the rich history of Newtown.”

Oldham is an experienced journalist and media and public relations strategist with more than twenty-five years of proven success in marketing, fundraising and communications. Prior to her role with the SAACC, Oldham was in higher education. 

Tickets for the program are $25/FPRA members and $35/guests and includes lunch, provided by First Watch. To register, visit cwcfpra.com/events. This event is sponsored by Next-Mark.

Pictured: Vickie Oldham, President/CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC)