In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin and the ensuing protests and upheaval, Sarasota Magazine contributor Heather Dunhill approached the magazine’s then-editor in chief, Susan Burns, with an idea for a new interview series: “Listening to Black Voices.” In the four years since, Dunhill has interviewed more than 50 members of Sarasota’s Black community—activists and entrepreneurs, artists and educators, philanthropists and executives—and each interview has been accompanied by a black and white portrait taken by Sarasota photographer Michael Kinsey.

Next month, in partnership with the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Sarasota Magazine is proud to present an exhibition of Kinsey’s portraits at Art Center Sarasota. Views From the New Horizon: Portraits From Sarasota Magazine's "Listening to Black Voices" Series will be on display at the center March 14-April 20, with an opening reception that will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 14.

Panel Discussons

Additionally, "Listening to Black Voices" creator Heather Dunhill will host a series of panel discussions with members of the Black community. On Wednesday, March, 20, from 5 to 7 p.m., and Thursday, March 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dunhill will moderate panel discussions with guests who were all featured in the "Listening to Black Voices" series. The panels are free to attend, but registration is requested. Click here to register.

March 20 Panelists

Jim Lawrence , former NYPD Chief of Personnel 
Jetson Grimes, community activist
Dr. Caryl Sheffield, educator 
Dr. Janet Taylor, psychiatrist

March 21 Panelists

Ann Hobson Pilot, classical musician 
Charylayne Hunter-Gault, author and journalist 
Gale Fulton Ross, artist 
Dr. James Stewart, economist, scholar, and professor

For more information, click here.