Vickie O Heritage Productions Inc

The "Newtown Alive" project produced by Vickie O Heritage Productions, Inc. is transformative work.

In Sarasota, African American history was missing from the pages of history books on the shelves at county libraries. With the exception of But Your World and My World by Mrs. Annie McElroy very few resources were available that documented the lives and accomplishments of Black pioneers and their descendants.

Advocacy by Newtown residents during their centennial celebration sparked City of Sarasota officials to begin the Newtown Conservation History District project. A consultant was identified to complete deliverables. Vickie Oldham and her team were selected and began the work in 2015. The team leverage the work to develop a treasure trove of resources:

A Research report

Newtown Alive Book

44 Oral history interviews

A Podcast series (featuring oral history interviews)

Trolley tours and private tours

An African American Heritage Trail

15 historic markers 

https://www.newtownalive.org

A Mobile app

A social media presence 

A popular electronic newsletter

Numerous media articles

Vickie O Heritage Productions Inc. teamed with Visit Sarasota to add Sarasota's beach desegregation story and trolley stop to the U. S. Civil Rights Trail. It is the southernmost site listed with the nation's most iconic destinations. 

Next is the opening of an African American arts, cultural and history center. Oldham started a new tax exempt, non-profit organization to oversee operations. The Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition will begin presenting exhibitions in the historic Leonard Reid House while fundraising begins to construct a new facility.