In 2012, attorney Charlie Ann Syprett and her colleague, Judge Charles Williams, in partnership with the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, presented We Are Sarasota—a multimedia theatrical and musical presentation chronicling the key moments and figures of the civil rights movement from the 1950s to the present. They were also knee-deep in trying to launch what would become the Law Academy at Booker High School (while serving on the Sarasota County Bar Association Diversity Committee as well) and the show seemed like a meaningful way to raise money for the venture. “Everyone said we were nuts and it wouldn’t happen,” recalls Syprett, “and we presented it to a sold-out crowd.” Today, the Booker High Law Academy chugs on full steam ahead, and Syprett and WBTT prepare to revive We Are Sarasota for one night only, this coming Monday, April 30, at the Sarasota Opera House.

Incorporating storytelling, video, musical performance and re-enactment, the show begins in the 1950s with original footage of Marian Anderson singing “My Country Tis of Thee” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. after being barred from performing in Washington DC’s Constitution Hall by the Daughters of the American Revolution because she was black. Accompanied by singers from WBTT, the performance transitions to real time, “and then we begin our history lesson,” says Syprett. Working a multi-podium setup, various judges and legal officials take turns leading the audience through some of the most pivotal Supreme Court decisions in the ongoing struggle for equality and civil rights, from the Dred Scott decision to Plessy v Ferguson and all the way to Title IX and Obergefell v Hodges. In between each, performers from WBTT come to the stage for emotional, musical interludes ranging from spirituals to Stevie Wonder. “We learn by history,” says Syprett. “ And we all need to appreciate where we are in America’s history.”

Closing out the night, 12 select individuals representing 12 organizations or groups in the community will take the stage, share a bit of their story, and claim their place in the fabric of the community by declaring, “We are Sarasota.” And maybe this, says Syprett, can help alleviate some of the divisiveness and tension permeating political and social dialogue since the 2016 presidential election. “I’m fearful of it and want it to stop,” she says. “It’s time to bring back the powerful message of We Are Sarasota.” And with 600 students in the audience, she hopes the younger generation takes note of all the lessons inherent. “Our goal is to empower people,” says Syprett. “A movement can begin with a single person.”

We Are Sarasota returns for one night only at the Sarasota Opera House this Monday, April 30. 

Pictured: Founder Nate Jacobs (left) and singers from Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe perform in the 2012 presentation of "We Are Sarasota." Photo by Cliff Roles.

The Francis Ballroom at Louies Modern in Downtown Sarasota filled to the brim yesterday morning with business owners, entrepreneurs, innovators, creators and community leaders of all sorts, where they gathered to talk shop, trade tips, network and, most importantly, show support for their fellow go-getters. And being the SRQ Women in Business 4th annual Hear Me Roar Leadership and Awards Luncheon, all of these local movers and shakers present were women. Playing emcee for the day, SRQ Media CEO Lisl Liang and Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Ashley Grant took the opportunity to introduce keynote speaker Cricket Burns, honor Patti Cazzato with the Trailblazer Award and induct new members into the Women in Business Leadership Circle.

Part of an initiative dedicated to championing women entrepreneurs and thought-leaders, the luncheon began by recognizing past inductees from the last four years of the Women in Business Leadership Circle, including notable names such as Lee En Chung of L. Boutique, Denise Kowal of the Sarasota Chalk Festival, Dr. Sandra Stone of USF Sarasota-Manatee, Anna Von Gehr of The Ringling Museum, Veronica Brandon Miller of Goodwill Manasota, Erin McCloud of the Friendship Centers and Jennifer Vigne of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County. By the afternoon’s end, 12 more women would join the ranks.

Flying in for the event, fashion maven Cricket Burns of CricketsCrush.com gave an inspiring keynote address, leading listeners on a whirlwind journey through a life full of ups and downs and a million detours that never dissuaded her from what she knew she could accomplish. “Lofty pinnacles and deep dark valleys,” she says, but never enough to wrest control from her grasp. “I’m in charge of my own destiny,” Burns says, and not even cancer, which struck both her and her husband within a year of each other, could change that. “As a family,” she says, “we fought twice, and we won.” And the gathered women, they would have to fight too. But it would be worth it. “The world needs your gifts,” Burns concluded. “Don’t let someone else slap a dead end sign on your dreams.”

Accepting the Trailblazer Award for 2018, Patti Cazzato took the stage next. The first woman CEO of the eco-conscious San Francisco-based manufacturer Timbuk2, she began with an important reminder: “I was the best person for the job.” On her way to the top, Cazzato battled her own ups and downs, including launching her own business in June 2008, only to see investors flee as the Great Recession hit. Self-financing her venture for seven years, it proved one of the most difficult, but rewarding, endeavors of her professional life—and put her in the right place to take her current role at Timbuk2. “Think about your truth—what gets you up in the morning,” she says. “Be present on your journey. There’s a message in those setbacks.”

Lastly, it was time to announce the new inductees into the Women in Business Leadership Circle, selected by a panel of six judges, all women. All nominees were named by women in the community. Winners include: Lulu Ann of iHeartMedia, Paige LeMay of Coastal Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, Katy McBrayer of Michael Saunders and Company, Jeannie Perales of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and Britt Riner of Liber Consulting. Finalists include Mary Bensel of the Van Wezel, Morgan Gerhart of Girls Inc., Peggy Kronus of Willis Smith Construction, Shawna Machado of Safe Children Coalition, Jacqueline Moore of Jacqueline Moore Campaign, Deva O’Donnell of Richards Foodporium and Kathryn Shea of the Florida Center for Early Childhood.

Closing out the night, Liang made a compact with the gathered women of business. “I promise this is only the beginning,” she says, as the Women in Business initiative—and its members—are always driven by that one forward-thinking question: “What’s next?” 

Pictured: Cricket Burns delivers the keynote address at the 2018 Women In Business Hear Me Roar Luncheon. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

Michelle Bianchi, managing director and CEO of The Players Centre for Performing Arts, has announced her resignation as of yesterday, April 25. Bianchi joined The Players 17 years ago, being named CEO in 2008. In 2016, she received the Arts Leadership Award for Arts Management from the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota. 

The Players Centre for Performing Arts

Asolo Repertory Theatre has announced that Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele will continue their tenure for five more years at the theatre, through the 2022 - 2023 season. Their new contracts signify both Mr. Edwards' and Ms. DiGabriele's dedication to oversee Asolo Rep's five-year "Staging Our Future" strategic plan, announced in October 2017. This five-year plan includes fulfilling the vision for the Robert and Beverly Koski Production Center Campus, which includes the acquisition of new properties located next to the existing production center for additional rehearsal rooms, sound production, physical therapy and more. The plan also features the establishment of the Herman and Sharon Frankel Asolo Rep Annex and upgrades to Asolo Rep's Mertz Theatre. Edwards is currently in his twelfth season as Producing Artistic Director of Asolo Rep. Linda DiGabriele has been Managing Director of Asolo Rep since 1994. 

Asolo Repertory Theatre

Kyle Coppola, a State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) alumnus, said the biotechnology classes he took at SCF helped him land his dream job. After graduating from SCF and completing an internship at Enzymedica, Coppola was offered a job as a molecular biology research assistant at the Roskamp Institute. The non-profit bio-medical research company specializes in neurological research and potential therapies for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions including Traumatic Brain Injury. The position also offers him more opportunities in education. Once Coppola completes his bachelor’s degree in biological science and has spent a year working at Roskamp, the Institute offers a doctoral program in neuroscience through a partnership with a university in the United Kingdom. 

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

Coming to aid of veterans and the homeless has been an ongoing commitment for JFCS of the Suncoast, and this Sat., April 28, the organization is partnering with more than 30 national, community and county organizations to host a special Homeless Veterans Stand Down at the Florida Department of Health. Held from 8am to 12pm, the free event is for homeless veterans, to provide them with a variety of complimentary legal, health and employment service offerings, along with backpacks filled with non-perishable food, personal care items, clothing, blankets and more. Participating organizations include Career Source Suncoast, City of Sarasota HOT Teams, First Step of Sarasota, Goodill, Harvest House, Legal Aid of Manasota, Manatee Technical College, Sarasota Vet Center, Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness and The Salvation Army. 

JFCS of the Suncoast