The Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC) is building momentum at the historic Leonard Reid House.
The coalition is launching new programming, deepening a partnership with The Ringling and laying the groundwork for long-term expansion as the organization prepares to renew its lease with the city of Sarasota for the Newtown landmark.
SAACC filed a pre-application with the city in August for a new approximately 10,000-square-foot, two-story African American Culture, History and Art Center on the adjacent vacant lot at the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and North Orange Avenue.
The proposed $5 million facility would include exhibition space, classrooms, a retail area, an outdoor courtyard and a solar-shaded rooftop terrace.
But SAACC President and CEO Vickie Oldham said the organization is focused on building a strong foundation before launching the capital campaign needed to make that vision a reality.
"We are preparing for a capital campaign, but working on infrastructure," Oldham said.
She said SAACC is strengthening its fundraising capacity as it plans for future growth.
In the meantime, the Leonard Reid House has become an increasingly active center for arts education.
SAACC and The Ringling have been partnering to bring arts programming to Newtown, with Ringling teaching artists working inside the house throughout the year.
The two organizations are now planning an art makerspace, though Oldham said renovations to the building are still needed. She described the collaboration as a "proof of concept" for the kind of broader cultural programming a new facility could support.
SAACC will open its fall season with a new exhibition, "Black Joy," on Nov. 4, followed by a Nov. 14 celebration of Black entrepreneurship and business leadership.
The organization is also seeking sponsors for both events.
What's ahead for SAACC expansion?
The project remains in its earliest stages.
SAACC's pre-application came before the city's Development Review Committee in September, where reviewers raised roughly 14 questions about the site – including parking, tree preservation and access.
No action was taken, and a timeline for next steps has not been set.
As SAACC renews its lease and advances its expansion plans, leaders say the organization is positioning itself for the next phase of growth while continuing to activate the historic site through arts, culture and community engagement.
The Leonard Reid House, named for one of Sarasota's pioneering Black civic leaders, was relocated from the Rosemary District to Newtown in 2022 and reopened as the city's first African American cultural center in January 2024.
Samantha Gholar is an enterprise journalist with USA TODAY Co. and reports on business, culture and lifestyle for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota coalition plans $5 million Black cultural center
