On April 28, the children of Community Day School in Sarasota were treated to an interactive author visit from Kentrell Martin, creator of Shelly’s Adventures, and his son, Kasey. The visit was part of Janis Kaplan Author’s Day at CDS–a cherished tradition honoring the life and legacy of a devoted elementary teacher whose love of learning continues to shape the CDS community.

Shelly’s Adventures is a children’s book series developed to help bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing communities. The collection is centered on Shelly, a young girl with a deaf father. Throughout the series, Shelly teaches her friends American Sign Language (ASL) so they can communicate with her dad. Each story follows Shelly and her friends on everyday adventures, where they learn fun facts along with new signs tied to what they encounter.

Martin was inspired by his experience growing up with a deaf brother. Seeing how deaf individuals were often misunderstood, he made it his mission to promote inclusivity and awareness of Deaf culture. His goal is to show children that deaf people are no different from anyone else—communication barriers simply require a different language.

Since 2015, Martin has visited more than 300 schools nationwide, delivering interactive presentations that combine reading and hands-on ASL instruction. During these visits, he guides students through foundational signs, including numbers, colors, animals and the alphabet. By the end of each session, students are often able to hold simple signed conversations. Martin typically teaches 60 to 90 words per presentation and incorporates activities like “silent signing time” to reinforce learning.

"I often ask students, if they met someone who didn’t share their language, would that make the person different or strange?” Martine explains. “Then I explain that it's no different for people who are deaf. Through my author visits, I want children to understand that deaf people aren’t different from them—there’s simply a communication barrier, and it’s one that can absolutely be overcome.”

While Martin’s brother is not directly involved in the project, Shelly’s Adventures has become a family effort. His wife and sons contribute to the books and occasionally join him during school visits. Martin notes that students of all ages respond enthusiastically to both the stories and ASL, reflecting a growing interest in sign language education across the country.

“Janis Kaplan Author’s Day is one of the most meaningful traditions at CDS, and Kentrell and Kasey brought it to life in a powerful way," says Head of School Dan Caeser. "They showed our students that storytelling can open doors to understanding, connection and empathy, and gave them tools to communicate in ways that truly matter.” 

Pictured: Kentrell Martin and his son, Kasey, reads books and teaches children to sign at aurhor visits across the country. Photo courtesy of CDS.

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we’re showing up with a full calendar of programs and events! LGBTQ+ youth continue to face higher rates of stress, isolation, and anxiety, making accessible, affirming support more important than ever. That’s why we offer free support spaces and therapy designed with our community in mind. This month, ALSO is able to expand access to free therapy services thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. We’re also partnering with Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation to bring the #BeThereCertificate to our community, a free, self-paced online course that teaches practical skills to support others’ mental health. We invite all youth, parents, staff, and volunteers to participate and earn the certificate. By completing the course, you’ll gain tools to better show up for friends, family, and our community, and help create a culture where no one feels alone. 

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Shumaker Partner David Heedy has been appointed to the Board of Directors of SunCoast Blood Centers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe, high-quality blood products to hospitals and patients across Southwest Florida. Founded in 1949, SunCoast Blood Centers plays a vital role in supporting the health of communities throughout Southwest Florida by ensuring a reliable supply of lifesaving blood products for local hospitals and patients. Through his board service, David will help support SunCoast Blood Centers in advancing its mission to deliver lifesaving blood services and strengthen the health of the communities it serves. 

Sarasota Jewish Theatre (SJT) recently received a $10,000 grant from The Exchange to support its 2027 Howard Millman Performance Series. The mainstage play series was given the name of the Howard Millman Performance Series for the 2026 season, to honor the profound impact the late Howard Millman had on the theatre community. The plays chosen for the 2027 mainstage series, which runs from February to May 2027, are “We Had a World” by Joshua Harmon, “Moonlight and Magnolias” by Ron Hutchinson, and “Kindertransport” by Diane Samuels. For more information, visit SarasotaJewishTheatre.org. 

Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) is pleased to announce the selection of the 2026 Gulf Coast Leadership Institute (GCLI). Through this annual program, Gulf Coast partners with the Leadership Development Institute of Eckerd College to provide intensive, high-quality leadership training designed to identify, develop, and connect a diverse and growing group of community leaders. This year, 25 participants will take part in six training sessions from May through June at Gulf Coast’s downtown Sarasota Philanthropy Center. The result is a network of skilled, action-oriented leaders who are committed to using their new skills to help transform their communities through service. Since the program’s inception in 2006, over 425 community members have completed the training, and many continue to work together on civic initiatives and community improvement projects. For more information on the program, please visit GulfCoastCF.org/GCLI. 

The Hermitage is a leading national arts incubator and the only major arts organization in Florida exclusively committed to supporting the creation and development of new work across all artistic disciplines. Located on Manasota Key in Sarasota County, the Hermitage provides accomplished and diverse artists with multi-week residencies to create original works of theater, music, visual art, literature, dance, and more. Hermitage Fellows have included eighteen Pulitzer Prize winners, multiple Tony, Oscar, Emmy, Grammy nominees and winners, Poets Laureate, MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellows, and hundreds of extraordinary artists from around the world. Hermitage artists, writers, and performers offer a unique glimpse into the creative process, sharing their original works-in-process with our Gulf Coast community. These free, hour-long programs take the shape of musical performances, play readings, concerts, visual art demonstrations, panel discussions, master classes, open studios, and more. Audiences can experience a unique level of engagement with these extraordinary talents at our year-round sunset programs on the Hermitage Beach and other partner venues throughout the region. To register for an upcoming Hermitage program or to make a tax-deductible, year-end gift in support of the Hermitage, visit HermitageArtistRetreat.org. 

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SPARCC (Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center) recently hosted a Together in Teal: A Child Safety Day in Arcadia, bringing families, community partners, and local organizations together in recognition of Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. In partnership with Suncoast Remake Learning Days—presented by the Campaign for Grade-Level Learning and funded by The Patterson Foundation—SPARCC brought this special event to Arcadia for the first time, expanding its efforts to engage and support families throughout DeSoto County through education, awareness, and prevention. The event focused on child safety through interactive, hands-on learning experiences designed for children and families. Participants explored safety concepts in engaging ways, toured an ambulance, and met with local first responders, law enforcement, and children’s service providers. For more information about SPARCC and the free programs and services it provides, please visit www.sparcc.net.