Black History Museum Bill Clears Senate Committee

A Florida Black History Museum in St. Johns County/St. Augustine cleared its first legislative hurdle earlier this month after a Senate committee in Tallahassee unanimously reported a bill sponsored by Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, that provides for the creation of the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and directs the board to oversee the commission, construction, operation and administration of the museum.

At the March 11 hearing before the Committee on Community Affairs, Leek reviewed the progress to date on the Museum, explaining the creation of the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force, which reviewed applications from communities across the state vying to be the home of the facility.

A large group of community supporters from St. Johns County attended the committee hearing and many spoke in favor of the bill which would establish the Museum’s home in Northeast Florida.

Greg White, a community leader in West Augustine and member of its Community Redevelopment Agency, spoke about the community’s commitment to the Museum project.

“I stand here today on behalf of a community that has shown unwavering commitment to sharing and preserving Black history in Florida,” he said. “We didn’t bring a petition or a written statement – we brought an entire community … because they know the significance of this decision.”

Alesia Wilbekin, executive director of the Florida Museum of Black History Foundation formed in November of 2024, told senators why the Foundation was created.

“Our mission is to raise funds through corporate sponsorships, grants and donations,” she said. “The Black History Museum will serve as an essential space for education, preservation and celebration of the remarkable legacies that have shaped our state and our nation. Together we will make this vision a reality.”

State Sen. Barbara Sharief from Broward County and a member of the Community Affairs Committee, expressed strong support for the measure.

“I was so thankful to read this bill and see that Sen. Leek put so much thought into this process,” she said. “It is time for us to move forward. We cannot continue to fight. I am a resounding yes on this bill.”

County Commissioner Sarah Arnold was also among those who travelled to the state capitol for the hearing but did not speak. In a media release from the county following the hearing, Arnold said she was pleased with the action taken by legislators.

“I am beyond excited about the decision by the Community Affairs Committee,” she said in the release. “It is another step forward on our journey to make the dream of the Florida Museum of Black History in St. Johns County a reality. I praise the community for traveling with us to Tallahassee to demonstrate their ongoing support for this project.”

The bill now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government. A companion bill in the Florida House of Representatives, sponsored by Rep. Kiyan Michael is awaiting a hearing before the House Government Operations Subcommittee,