MONTHLY NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2020
THE VIRGINIA KEY SUNRISE
News, Views and Updates Surrounding Historic Virginia Key Beach
AUGUST IS BLACK BUSINESS MONTH
WHAT'S HAPPENING!!
Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Day Celebration
For all the little and big ways you've supported... The Virginia Key Beach Park Trust thanks you for ALL you have done in supporting the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Day and 75th Anniversary Virtual Exhibition & Cocktail Party.

#HistoricVirginiaKeyBeachPark is truly a special place on planet earth with many special stories to tell to future generations and to honor those from the past.

Explore and Celebrate Paradise Renewed at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park!
Check out the sights and sounds from Virginia Key Beach...

The Historic Virginia Key Beach Park Day 75th Anniversary celebration was rescheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2020, at Virginia Key Beach Park in Miami-Dade, Florida.

Read more
www.miamiherald.com
Guess Who Stopped by??
Congresswoman Donna E. Shalala celebrated Historic Virginia Key Beach Park's 75th Anniversary by presenting the park with a Congressional Record.
(Pictured above w/ Trust Chairman Gene Dinizulu Tinnie)
Congresswoman Fredrica S. Wilson also presented the park with an Congressional Record. (above)
Freedom Maps Southern Arts & Culture Report
The newly released "Freedom Maps: Activating Legacies of Culture, Art and Organizing in the U.S. South" caps nearly three years of research and interviews with grant makers, artists, cultural activists, and community organizers, many of whom work with Black, LGBTQ, Indigenous and other often-marginalized groups.

The report examines the current state of artistic practice in the South, the ways in which artists and culture workers are helping to build progressive infrastructure through social justice efforts, and practitioners’ visions for the future.

Sunset Salute to Civil Rights Leader John Lewis
He was "THE" shining light on Capitol Hill. Despite extraordinary adversity he didn’t waiver from his commitment to Peace, Love and Nonviolence. John Lewis was at the pinnacle of the moral high ground of civil rights. When Tibetan Buddhists were imprisoned and tormented they prayed that they would not come to hate their captors. They didn’t. I heard that story, and my first thought was of Congressman Lewis. He too led by example Back in the day of setting up email and Facebook accounts my first priorities were the Smithsonian, Southern Poverty Law Center and John Lewis.
He will be missed, but his legacy will be eternal.

Rest In Peace John Lewis

Written by:
Richard Townsend, Trustee
Virginia Key Beach Park Trust
Why the month of August?
NATURE & ENVIRONMENT
Sabal Palmetto

The Sabal Palm also known as the Cabbage palm is native from the southeast region of South Carolina to Florida. The heart of the Sabal palm was a valued food source for South Florida pioneers and Native Americans.
Things To Do at HVKBP?
Each month, we will highlight a different activity to do at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park. The park is open and you are welcome to explore.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Remember When We Could Have Fun Outside??
Tag Us In Your Favorite Photo Outdoors
#VirginiaKeyBeachPark #I♥️HVKBP #HVKBP #ISupportVirginiaKey
See past pics of photo ops we have been tagged in. We are now open and ready for your cameras. Keep them coming in! You never know what might end up in our next newsletter.

Have a unique memory or iconic moment captured at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park? Tag Us for a feature in our next newsletter.

Whether it's a photoshoot, proposal or just a beautiful day at the beach, we would love to share your view from paradise.

Be sure to tag us @VirginiaKeyBeachPark on Instagram or use #HistoricVirginiaKeyBeachPark #VirginiaKeyBeachPark #HVKBP to Share.
LET'S TALK CIVIC ACTIVISM
Ever wondered where some of the new activists groups originated from? For the next few months we will highlight a WomanX Group that have changed the world with a #Hashtag.
#SayHerName

In December 2014, Kimberlé Crenshaw, the African American Policy Forum (AAPF), and Center for Intersectionality along Social Policy Studies (CISPS), launched the #SayHerName campaign.

The Campaign was created to bring awareness to the often invisible names and stories of Black women and girls who have been victimized by racist police violence, and provides support to their families.
COVID-19 PROTECTION TIPS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Discomfort Discourse: Taking Action for Racial Equality
Miami Music Project, ReEnvision Harmony and Social Equity will host a series of town hall webinars designed to provide the tools to do the work they feel is critical for their communities as it relates to eliminating racial inequality.

JOIN the webinars with the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust Executive Director, Guy Forchion and other special guest panelists.

Zoom spots should fill out quickly, BUT no worries, you can also join the conversation on Facebook live on the Miami Music Project's page https://www.facebook.com/miamimusicproject/.

August 13th, 5 - 6:30 PM - The History of Racism, Why We Say Black Lives Matter

August 20th, 5 - 6:30 PM - Implicit Bias and Anti-Racism

August 27th, 5 - 6:30 PM - Time for a Change, How You Can Be An Ally
Complete Your U.S. Census
Experience Paradise Virtually, Download the App!
Access Our Digital Archive Collections Center
Have a history or social studies assignment that's due? Access our digital archives for real #Miami #History. 

Get through those online assignments due while learning local!

To access the archive collection click link below:


The Virginia Key Beach Park Trust - Digital Archive Program is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Summer Backpack Drive
THANK YOU to all who helped Virginia Key Beach Park Trust (VKBPT) provide fun-filled summer backpacks to disadvantaged Miami Children this summer.

So far we have helped numerous children with two organizations in Miami, Hope for Miami and Center for Family ad Child Enrichment.

The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has impacted us all! However, the disadvantaged have had their existing challenges escalate due to limited resources and higher stress levels. Underprivileged children often are forgotten in complicated circumstances like we are currently facing. Please help us show them that we care and they are not forgotten.

Thank you again for helping us to take care of Miami children in need! Your generous donation has ensured lots of smiles for the coming months.

Thank you for your generous gift! 
Virginia Key Beach Park Trust is fiscally sponsored by the Key Biscayne Community Foundation who is a 501(c)(3) organization. Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
 
Virginia Key Beach Park Trust | Historic Virginia Key Beach Park
Main 305.960.4600| Fax 960.460.4620 | Email VKBPT@miamigov.com
Website www.VirginiaKeyBeachPark.net