At a time when African Americans were denied entry to most public beaches in Florida, A.L. Lewis, president of the pioneering black-owned business, the Afro-American Life Insurance Company, founded the American Beach community on Amelia Island in 1935 as a haven during the Jim Crow era for first his employees and later the wider black community.
We are thrilled to have distinguished scholar and Lewis’s great-granddaughter, Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, as our presenter to discuss the history and ongoing legacy of American Beach at Thoughtful Thursday at 5 pm March 21 at The Oaks, 203 Sea Marsh.
Cole will take us through American Beach’s 89-year history from its three decades as a sought-after destination for celebrities, local residents, and visitors alike, through the twin impacts in 1964 of Hurricane Dora and passage of the Civil Rights Act, and on to today’s revitalized community.
Event check-in will begin at 4:30 pm, with the presentation starting promptly at 5 pm. Please note there will be no wine/beer bar service prior to the presentation.
Seating in the Sunset Room is limited and reservations via Eventbrite are required. Reservation link is in the calendar on the member dashboard at aipca.net.