St. Johns Recommends $50K for Black History Museum
While construction of the Florida Museum of Black History is still a few years off, efforts to educate the public about the facility is in line for a big boost after the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council approved a $50,000 grant for the organization. St. Johns County/St. Augustine was selected as the site of the museum by a Task Force created by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Tourism and Cultural Development Director Tera Meeks briefed TDC members on the status of the museum project, saying the county has been moving forward with initiatives to support the effort. Among the initiatives are the creation of a museum foundation and communication efforts to increase local support for the museum.
Howard Holley, EVOLVE News publisher and a member of the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force, told TDC members while St. Johns County and St. Augustine were selected as the site of the museum, “there is still a lot of work to do” as the project moves forward.
“We have a lot of history, but it’s not history that people can see, feel, touch, understand,” Holley said. “This I s what our opportunity is between now and when the museum actually opens.”
Holley said the creation of a foundation is a first step in ensuring the success of the museum project.
“We know we will be getting funding and need to secure funding to complement whatever the state provides,” he said. “In the meantime, we’ve got to communicate, communicate, communicate and tell that story as broadly as we can.”
The $50,000 grant will be used for a communications campaign to inform and educate the public about the museum and why St. Johns County/St. Augustine was chosen.
Alesia Wilbekin, who is working with Holley on the foundation, said in order for the museum project to be successful the focus now should be on communications.
“We will work to make sure we have that broad-based communication ensuring others understand why St. Johns, why St. Augustine,” she said.
Meeks said while the museum project works its way through the state government it is important to keep the momentum going in the county and broader region.
“Not doing anything for the next 11 months did not feel like the right answer,” she said.
Holley echoed that concern, saying that interest and enthusiasm could dissipate while state officials move the project forward in Tallahassee.
“We’re going to need community support,” he said. “We asked for 100% funding, but we don’t anticipate receiving it. We’re looking at a two-to-three-year horizon before we have the funds to begin construction.”
TDC member Troy Blevins said he is in full support of the request, but had concerns about which of the county’s five tourism funds the money would come from.
Meeks said it could come from either Category 1 for destination marketing efforts or Category 4 for administrative expenses, special uses or special events.
“I would vote for it if it is 4,” Blevins said.
In the end, TDC member and St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline amended her original motion to approve the request to include language that the funds come from Category 4. The motion passed unanimously, with TDC member Gayle Phillips abstaining. Phillips also served on the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force.