Together, we can create a Florida where prosperity is shared and where every person - no matter what we look like or where we come from - has the freedom to thrive. To do this, we must learn about our shared past, including the long history of discriminatory laws and policies that have limited the ability to thrive for most Floridians, particularly for Floridians of color.

The Florida Timeline is an ongoing initiative to build community awareness of the shared legacy of unequal opportunity in our state as well as the shared, positive impact that happens when we come together across our differences to create laws and policies that benefit all of us. The information presented on the timeline is the culmination of extensive research from Florida Policy Institute (FPI) and partners. With a new website launching in October 2022, the timeline features key historical information from criminal justice and tax policy. The timeline will be continuously updated and expanded to include more information and more policy topics in the years to come.

Join us on October 19, from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, at Fox Hall for special presentations, a panel discussion, and official launch of The Florida Timeline.

Understand the connection between the present-day challenges that many Floridians are facing and historical inequities in criminal justice and tax policy
Hear what communities are doing to build a brighter future in St. Petersburg and Florida
Interact with the timeline and learn how you can join the initiative

Agenda Overview:

12:30 PM to 1:00 PM - Optional Networking: light snacks & space to review the timeline
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Event Program: presentations & discussions

Featuring:

Welcome by Dr. Kanika Tomalin, Vice President for Strategy and Chief Operating Officer at Eckerd College
Poetry by Dennis Amadeus, Co-founder of GrowHouse Tampa
Panel discussion moderated by Kelly Kirschner, Vice President and Dean of Executive and Continuing Education at Eckerd College

Panelists:

Esteban Leonardo Santis, PhD, Policy Analyst at FPI
Jabaar Edmond, Vice President of Childs Park Neighborhood Association and President of Pinellas County Urban League Young Professionals
Joey Hentzler, Program Manager at MAZON
Julie A. Rocco, Director of Strategic Investments at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg
Tachana Joseph-Marc, Policy Analyst at FPI

The Florida Timeline launch event is supported by:

The Florida Timeline: Learning from our policy past to shape our future