Dorothy Smith, Principal

C Fi 9881

If you’re lucky, you remember that one special teacher who made learning fun and engaging. Dorothye Smith was just that kind of teacher, and she spent her career in the Sarasota school system.

After getting her degree from Bethune Cookman University, Smith landed in Sarasota for her first teaching job. Her students were a group of Black fourth graders at Emma E. Booker Elementary School. It was the 1940s, and segregation was in full effect in our schools. Smith stayed at Booker Elementary until 1957 when schools began to be integrated and she was transferred to a school in Venice. Smith became a reading specialist, but her trajectory in the world of education would rise still further.

In 1972, Smith was appointed the first Black principal of an integrated school in Sarasota County. Southside Elementary School is still in session today at 1901 Webber Street. There you can find a plaque dedicated to Smith with an engraved picture of the former principal and the words of advice she would share with her students daily. “Never do less than your best.”

About the Artist:

Born and raised in Michigan, been in Florida since 89'. Never went to art school, just learning by looking, and asking. I've loved to draw since I was a kid, couldn't afford paints, but always had a pencil. A #2, a sheet of paper, I was straight, later color. Color pencil, taught me about color blending, now, painting, it all has just transformed. I have to add, Denise Kowal, the chalk festival, I love, I've been helped and inspired, to step out of the box. A person, an organization that are truly special to me, and one day we will all prosper because of it. No borders, no boundaries. Lastly, Sarasota, my home for decades, I didn't realize the length and breath of the trials and tribulations for people like me, having grown up in the North. But things are a changing, with folks like Denise, and myself. Lets make the change for the best!

The story of black folks in Sarasota, their hard work to build this city, with no recognition, but I felt I would do my part. My part to bring history to the present and the future. Because it took all of us to do so, so lets give credit to where credit is do.

Artist

Luther2

Luther Rosebaro

Luther was born and raised in Michigan, but has been in Florida since 1989. He never went to art school. He learning how to draw by looking, and asking. "I've loved to draw since I was a kid, couldn't afford paints, but always had a pencil, a #2 and a sheet of paper, later color. Color pencils taught me about color blending, now, painting, it all has just transformed. I have to add, Denise Kowal, the Chalk Festival, I love, I've been helped and inspired, to step out of the box. A person, an organization that are truly special to me, and one day we will all prosper because of it. No borders, no boundaries. Lastly, Sarasota, my home for decades, I didn't realize the length and breath of the trials and tribulations for people like me, having grown up in the North. But things are a changing, with folks like Denise, and myself. Lets make the change for the best! The story of black folks in Sarasota, their hard work to build this city, with no recognition, but I felt I would do my part. My part to bring history to the present and the future. Because it took all of us to do so, so lets give credit to where credit is do."

Written By

Nanette Crist

Nanette Crist is a retired lawyer who began blogging when she moved to Florida. It was an online diary of sorts, a way to keep track of her new life. It was also a good way to share her discoveries with friends and family outside the area. Over time, Nanette realized her writing makes her experience the world differently. She keeps an eye out for interesting things to write about and then delves more deeply into them as she crafts her words. It's all about telling the story. Nanette's blog can be found at http://nanettesnewlife.blogspot.com.