The Real Rosewood Foundation, Inc. is supported by a diverse and nonpartisan Board of Directors, members, and volunteers.
Founder’s Message
Lizzie Polly Robinson Brown Jenkins
I had struggled for years to let people know that Black lives do matter, even before the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement became a part of our collective consciousness. Since 2003, the Real Rosewood Foundation has sought to preserve knowledge, spread awareness and foster cultural sensitivity around a massacre that wiped out the small African American community of Rosewood, Florida nearly a century ago. Even now, I am committed to keeping the story of the 1923 Rosewood massacre alive, because it is part of my family history, because it directly impacts us all.
Remembering is an integral part of moving forward. Today, the BLM movement is replaying and reflecting on the civil rights work laid down by previous generations, while educating new generations of people who did not know the seriousness of hate and injustice. It is bringing forth awareness of the experiences that Black people in America have endured all our lives. I grew up with hate and injustice, through which white society turned a blind eye to my needs and never accepted me as an equal. I remember the stares and glares very well.
From the age of five, my mom relayed to me the tale of how my aunt was attacked in her home during the Rosewood massacre. I struggled to stay awake, but the fabric of the story attached itself to me and my heart. It was fresh on my mind the next morning, and I said, ‘Mom, I want to hear more.” That story became our story, and we talked about it often. I carried it with me to school every day. I took it to college, and I took it to work. But I never talked about it (outside of our home).
I have long labored to keep the memory of Rosewood alive. My passion was fueled by the stories my mother told me. Through the Foundation, I pass along the stories and histories handed down to me, educating the public in memory of the Rosewood victims, as well survivors (like my aunt and uncle) and their descendants. In looking at to work ahead of us, the Foundation is spearheading two major educational initiatives:
- The establishment of a museum in Archer, Florida
- The development of a K-12 curriculum requirement for the Rosewood massacre to be taught in all Florida public schools.
I am continuously humbled, honored, and blessed to meet people daily and invite them to join in peace-building, healing, and reconciliation through learning about the history of Rosewood.
Historically anchored,
Lizzie
Board Executive Officers and Board Members
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Mrs. Lizzie Polly Robinson Brown Jenkins | |
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Mr. John M. Jenkins, Sr. | |
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Mr. Pedro Jermaine | |
| Vacant – Executive Board Chair
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Mrs. Joy Glanzer | |
| Vacant – Treasurer
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Ms. Tamika T. Hicks | |
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Ms. Ashley L. McClellan | |
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Mayor Jordan Marlowe, Newberry City | |
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Dr. Kalai Mathee | |
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Mrs. Hazel Gillis | |
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Attorney William “Bill” Cervone | |
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Mr. Jamar Hebert | |
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Mrs. Anita Jenkins-McCarter | |
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Mr. Dwight Samuel, Jr. | |
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Mr. George Gillis | |
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Ms. Princess Cooper | |
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Mrs. Carol Valesques Richardson | |
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Mrs. Deandra Caison | |
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Dr. Alice Walton | |
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Mr. Leontre Robinson |
Rosewood Board Ambassadors
Ian and Hannah Stone *
Rosewood Heroes of the Century
Donated the John Wright House to The Real Rosewood Foundation, Inc.
Levy County Property and Business Owners
The Stones’ Goal: Help Miss Lizzie accomplish her Rosewood goals
Resides in Rosewood, Florida, Levy County
Ms. Dale E. Williams
Primary member of The Real Rosewood Foundation, Inc.
University of Florida
Resides in Gainesville, Florida
Ms. Rosemary Christy
Primary member of The Real Rosewood Foundation, Inc.
Former Educator University of Florida
Resides in Gainesville, Florida
Mrs. Toni Collins
Advocated for the Real Rosewood Foundation, Incorporated Synchronicity
Introduced me to Rosewood documents stored in Bronson Courthouse, early 90s
President of the Levy County Historical Society * $1,000.00 donor
Resides in Chiefland, Levy County
Bailey Sarian
Producer of the Rosewood Massacre / Dark History Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYEdn3rn8sg&t=1510s
Bailey’s first episode she introduced Rosewood to her listeners, the public
Bailey Sarian markets Rosewood’s history to help raise funds to move the
John Wright historic house to Archer, Florida, where the majority of the
survivors exited the escape train and live there today.
Dr. Cynthia Moore Chestnut
Advocated for Rosewood Family Scholarship during Rosewood HB 591 signing
Retired Educator * FA&M University
Former State Representative, County Commissioner and Democratic Party Chair
Resides in Gainesville, Florida, Alachua County
Mr. Freddie Wehbe
Filmmaker: Filmed Commercial for The Real Rosewood Foundation, Inc.
Make It Happen Studios http://www.makeithappenstudios.info
Resides in Gainesville, Florida
Mr. Gerald A. Urso
Rosewood Masonic Lodge # 148 * Researcher
Masterful Researcher for Prince Hall Freemasonry
Resides in Jacksonville, Florida, Duval County
Ms. Melody Vaughn
Healing Rosewood Homes (renovate) by Design for Rosewood Descendants
Graduate of http://www.melodyvaughninteriors.com
Resides in New York and Gainesville, Florida, Alachua County
Mr. Rob Murphy
Co-authored: “Lizzie’s Rosewood Race” Storybook inclusive of Rosewood history and
teaching aids for students and parents.
Poetic Justice: Healing poems, art projects and documentary
Talent Search: Recruits volunteers, documentary participants
Resides in Salt Lake City, Utah
Mr. Gabriel Hill
Rosewood Marketing Agent
International Security Corporation http://www.decointernationalsecurity.com
Vice President of Special Corporation Events Division
Resides in Tampa, Hillsborough County
Attorneys Jeffrey Meldon & Chris Qualmann
Podcaster for The Real Rosewood Foundation, Inc.
Meldon Law Gainesville and Ocala http://www.meldonlaw.com
University of Florida
Resides in Gainesville, Florida, Alachua County
Former Congressman Ted Yoho Represented the 3rd District of Florida
Introduces Rosewood Historical Landmark
Introduced Rosewood History and Miss Lizzie to C-SPAN
Library of Congress Librarian Dr. Carla Hayden
Dr. Maxine Jones Rosewood Lead Investigator
Attorney Steve Hanlon, Rosewood Pro Bono Lawyer
Mary Johnson, Florida Director of Libraries
Resides in Gainesville, Florida, Alachua County
Gabi Bucataru
Filmmaker, pro colorist and digital content creator specializing in creative
storytelling and documentary formats * http://www.photogabi.com
Resides in Chicago, IL
Dr. Sheila Allison-Wells
Catalogues Rosewood Artifacts and Collections
Simmons College * Meharry Medical School * Residency Wayne State University
Resides in Gainesville, Florida
Deputy Chief Investigator Darry Lloyd
Co-piloted Rosewood Commercial for the Real Rosewood Foundation, Inc.
Deputy Chief Investigator / Public Information Officer serves as the primary contact for media inquiry on State Attorney Eighth Judicial Circuit Cases.
UF State Attorney Eighth Judicial Circuit http://www.sao8.org/Staff/lloyd.html
Resides in Gainesville, Florida, Alachua County
Mr. Chris Mathews
Volunteer Website Engineer for The Real Rosewood Foundation, Inc.
Software Quality Assurance Engineer / Test Automator
Resides in Maine and Gainesville, Florida
Rosewood Board Chairs
Rosewood Centennial 2023: January 1
Mr. Pedro Jermaine
Rosewood Annual Gala
Ms. Stephanie Birch
Rosewood Museum and Memorial Director
Dr. Kalai Mathee
Rosewood John Wright’s House Restoration
Mayor Jordan Marlowe
Rosewood Teacher Mahulda Gussie Brown Carrier Scholarship
Mrs. Hazel Gillis
Rosewood Peace and Healing Return Ceremonies
Mr. John M. Jenkins Sr.
Rosewood Military Men
Mr. George Gillis
Rosewood Special Zoning
Mrs. Joy Glanzer
Rosewood Honorary Members
Dr. Jaffus Hardrick
President of Florida Memorial University, My Alma Mater
Resides in Miami, Florida
Dr. Maxine D. Jones
Principal Author of “The Rosewood Incident” for The Florida Legislature
Resides in Tallahassee, Florida
Dr. Carla Hayden, Library of Congress Librarian
First African American Librarian appointed by President Obama
Resides in Washington, D.C.
Attorney Steve F. Hanlon, Holland and Knight
Pro Bono Public Interest Lawyer for Rosewood family members
Resides in Tampa, Florida
Ms. Marie Monroe Ames
Rosewood descendant and great granddaughter of Martine Goins, Founder
Resides in Riviera Beach, Florida
Mrs. Margaret Kruse
Granddaughter of Rosewood train conductor William C. Bryce
Resides in Bryceville, Florida
Attorney Abby Ellzey
Great great grandniece of John Wright, Rosewood store merchant
Resides in Jacksonville, Florida
Mrs. Phoebe Walker Hughes
Sister to Levy County Sheriff Robert “Bob” Walker
Resides in Orlando, Florida
Mrs. Leah Kitchen
Shared Grandfather Levy County Sheriff Robert “Bob” Walker photos
Resides in Houston, Texas
Mr. Fred Davis
Nephew of Levy County Sheriff Robert “Bob” Walker
Resides in Chiefland, Florida
Ms. Amy Johnson
Florida State Director of Libraries and Librarians
Resides in Tallahassee, Florida
Mr. Eric Godet, GGCC President
The GGCC donated complimentary membership to the Foundation
Resides in Gainesville, Florida
Mrs. Ilene Silverman, Host
The Ilene Silverman Show interviewed Lizzie Jenkins, President
Resides in Gainesville, Florida
Dr. Charles S. Williams
UF Professor organized The Real Rosewood Foundation finances.
Resides in Gainesville, Florida
Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr.
Served on The Real Rosewood Foundation, Inc., board four years
Resides in Alachua, Florida
Ms. Teri Jones
Original Rosewood cataloguer for Rosewood Artifacts and Documents
Resides in Melbourne, Florida
Mrs. Linda Williams
Served as Chairperson for Mahulda Gussie Brown Carrier Scholarship
Resides in Gainesville, Florida
Ms. Jessica Shareen
Great great great grandniece of Mary Jane Hall Wright, her chapter
Resides in New Jersey
Rosewood Historians
The work of the Foundation is made possible by the enduring legacies of the Rosewood Historians (past and present). They have kept the memory of Rosewood alive through shared intergenerational knowledge. Four generations of Archer, Florida, Alachua County, family historians.
| Juliann Sams | 1826-1926 |
| Lizzie Polly Sams Brown | 1871-1938 |
| Mahulda Gussie Brown Sams Carrier | 1894-1948 |
| Theresa Marie Brown Sams Robinson | 1902-1997 |
| Dorothy Mae Robinson Brown Sams Samuel | 1932-1992 |
| Lizzie Polly Robinson Brown Sams Jenkins | 1938 |
Real Rosewood Foundation, Inc. 