Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida (PPSWCF) will hold a ribbon-cutting event to officially unveil a new mural on the side of their Sarasota health center. The mural features Sarasota’s first Black resident, Lewis Colson, and his wife Irene. It is part of an ongoing initiative led by Newtown native Walter Gilbert and is one of four large-scale artworks by the Gilbert Mural Initiative. This mural initiative is a crucial step in highlighting the contributions of the Sarasota Black community and the importance of preserving history in our city. Black residents of Sarasota have played a major role in contributing to and building Sarasota since the 19th century. Sarasota’s Overtown neighborhood (now the “Rosemary District”) was initially established by Lewis Colson in 1910 and was one of the city’s first Black communities. A former slave, Colson, alongside wife Irene, went on to help organize Sarasota’s first Black church, Bethlehem Baptist Church, and Lewis served as its first minister. Irene Colson served as a midwife for the many Black residents who were denied access to mainstream medical care, and she was held in high regard in the community. After passing away in 1922, Mr. Colson was buried at Rosemary Cemetery. He and Irene are the only known Black residents to have been buried at the white-only cemetery. Legend has it that the Colsons were buried during the night to avoid discontent from the families of the others buried at the cemetery. This mural initiative was funded by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Mural organizer Walter Gilbert, PPSWCF President and CEO, Stephanie Fraim, former PPSWCF board chair Mary Braxton Joseph, and Jon Thaxton from Gulf Coast Community Foundation will speak. Guests will include local community leaders and elected officials.

Thursday, July 20th, 6:00pm, Planned Parenthood Sarasota Health Center – 736 Central Ave, Sarasota.

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