Black History Museum Clears Another Hurdle

A group of over 50 citizens traveled to Tallahassee on March 11 to show their support for Senate Bill 466 to secure St. Johns County as the location for the Black History Museum.  The Committee on Community Affairs reported favorably on the bill with a vote of 7-0.  

Florida Sen. Tom Leek filed the legislation creating a governance framework for the Florida Museum of Black History. According to a release from St. Johns County, the bill provides for the creation of the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors, including a selection process for board members. It directs the board to oversee the commission, construction, operation, and administration of the museum, working jointly with the Foundation for the Museum of Black History Inc. and the St. Johns County Commission, which will provide administrative support and staffing to the board for preconstruction activities.

The supporters from St. Johns County included leaders from the West Augustine area, the City of St. Augustine, the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, and county commissioners Sarah Arnold and Christian Whitehurst.

“I am beyond excited about the decision by the Community Affairs Committee,” Arnold 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 next step in the legislative process is for the bill to be heard before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government. The companion bill in the Florida House of Representatives, HB 659, sponsored by Rep. Kiyan Michael, is referred to the House Government Operations Subcommittee. A hearing date for HB 659 has not been announced.