The Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, Inc. (SAACC) has rceived a gift of $150,000 from Frank and Katherine Martucci. The funding has been earmarked for the establishment of a development office and staff.

In addition to the Martuccis' donation, SAACC also received a collection of rare black and white photographs by African American photographer James Van Der Zee. A similar body of work was donated by the Martuccis to the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

The SAACC ultimately plans to construct a brand-new arts, cultural and heritage center in Newtown. This week a lease agreement with the City of Sarasota was approved to open a small cultural center in the historic Leonard Reid House.