In an effort to uncover hidden aspects of Black History within Florida, we will be discussing the community of Rosewood, a prosperous Black community only an hour away from Gainesville, that was targeted by a racially-motivated massacre in 1923. We will recount the tragic events that took place in the early days of January 1923, as well as detail the journey of the Rosewood survivors and descendants in the aftermath of the massacre.

In our very first episode of “STAAR This”, we interview the Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Florida, Antonio Farias. In June 2020, in response to great social unrest and a need for justice, the university released a list of initiatives it is committed to pursuing. These initiatives center around education, representation, and history. In the interview with Mr. Farias, we ask for details regarding what change the UF community can expect regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.