2021 Year In Review

2021 Year In Review: Top stories I covered as a Multimedia Journalist in 2021

2021 Year In Review: Top stories I covered as a Multimedia Journalist in 2021

What a year 2021 has been!

As the year comes to an end, I reflect on all the stories I covered as a multimedia journalist for the year of 2021.

During my reflection, there were 10 stories I covered in 2021 that were unique, thoughtful, and groundbreaking.

Unfortunately, I did not create a year in review for 2020 but I did write a year in review for the year of 2019 and 2018.

Continue reading as I share with you my top stories I covered for the year of 2021!

Here is the list of the top stories I covered for the year:

10. UF Football honors barrier breakers

Two trailblazers in the storied history of Florida football smiled and reminisced as a mural revealed their historic achievement with family, friends, teammates, and coaches present.

UF football hosted the unveiling ceremony of the mural of the first black scholarship football players at the University of Florida — Leonard George and Willie Jackson Sr., — in September at Gate 3 at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium located at 157 Gale Lemerand Dr.
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George signed to become a player on Dec. 17, 1968 and three days later, Jackson did the same. The signings initiated a new era in Florida football.

The two trailblazers took a picture in front of the mural and shared their experiences.

Read more here.

9. What they see is what they’ll be

The rebirth of a chapter for an organization was celebrated to encourage the members to continue being an inspiration to their communities.

The 100 Black Men of Greater Florida GNV, Inc. hosted its inaugural pinning ceremony at the Jackson N. Sasser Fine Arts Hall at Santa Fe College located at 3000 NW 83rd St. in March to welcome over 25 black men committed to making a meaningful difference in the community they serve.

The chapter’s membership is comprised of representation from north central Florida nearby metropolitan cities: Gainesville, Newberry, Alachua, and Archer.

The 2021 founding chapter members received certificates, pins, and stoles during the ceremony.
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Read more here.

​Read more related articles here and here.

8. Historic Gainesville church on national register

A church that was one of the main headquarters to organize Alachua County residents to fight for social justice in the Civil Rights movement has gained national recognition.

The Old Mount Carmel Baptist Church located at 429 NW Fourth St. has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places for the property’s significance as an architectural and cultural resource.

This is following the church’s designation as a historic site for the state of Florida in 2013.

The building was constructed in 1944 and was associated with local Civil Rights efforts in the 1960s through the early 1970s.

“I want to thank everybody who has encouraged me and supported me in this effort,” said Gerard Duncan, pastor for Prayers by Faith Ministries. “I’m truly thankful and grateful for Rev. Mayberry and Rev. Wright for believing in me to carry this mission out.”

Read more here.

​7. 50th Golden Anniversary of Black Thursday

The University of Florida celebrated and discussed the historical, cultural, and institutional impact of a protest that shaped the black community on campus.

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Black Thursday — a day in April 15, 1971 when 70 students marched into President Stephen O’Connell’s office with a list of demands, including having the university address the shortage of Black faculty and students at UF.

UF’s African American studies department and its director Dr. David A. Canton hosted the webinar with students from UF’s chapters of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Sistuhs, and a keynote speaker named Dr. Betty Stewart-Fullwood sharing her thoughts on the legacy and contemporary strategies of attaining the goals of Black Thursday.

Read more here.

6. Matheson History Museum presents 'Union Academy and Friends'

A local historian provided details about the forgotten history about the first public school for black students in Alachua County in a presentation.

In December, the Matheson History Museum located at 513 E University Ave. hosted historian Fred Awbrey’s presentation about the history of Union Academy, the first public school for Black students in Alachua County. 

Titled ‘Union Academy and Friends,’ Awbrey’s presentation also included details about the Carver Memorial Library, a former public library in Gainesville for black residents and the recreation centers that once occupied the block that have been lost for nearly 75 years.

Awbrey said he has been doing this research project for the past three years.

Read more here.

Watch the presentation here:

5. Salon survives pandemic and expands // Glamtique and Spa opens in Gainesville

A beauty salon withstood the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and celebrated the renovations of the facility.
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Studio Glam located at 1109 NW 13 th Street hosted a grand re-opening in January with guests, hair stylists, nail technicians, and more.

Studio Glam co-founder Erica Phillips said the pandemic matured the young cosmetologists who range from ages 11-22.

Phillips said the cosmetologists adapted to the dire times and found creative ways to keep their businesses afloat.

Read more here.

An honorary mention is Jill Williams’ grand opening of her business in August called Jay Jill Cosmetics Glamtique and Spa.

As an esthetician, she is taking her cosmetics services to the next level to ensure clients feel and look glamorous.

Her glamtique and spa is located at 4509 NW 23 rd Ave. Suite 18. The services and products being offered are body contouring, sauna detox, EndermoTherapy, facials, brow tinting and sculpting and lamination, and waxing services. 

Williams said her mother inspired her to be an esthetician.

Read about her soft opening here.

​Watch her grand opening here:

4. Giving Him His Flowers

A man who has worked selflessly for the community for decades received his flowers of appreciation from those he served.

William John Smith has been working at Crevasse’s Florist located at 2441 NW 43rd St Suite 20 for 65 years and family and friends acknowledged his dedication by attending a drive-by celebration at his home in east Gainesville in July.

Smith was born in Gordon, Alabama and through his adolescent years, he attended Philadelphia Junior High School and Ashford Colored High School.

Smith graduated May 23, 1956 from high school and was one of the 13 in the graduating class.

Two months later, a family friend to the Smith’s family, Ulysec Russ, played a major role in Smith making his move to Gainesville, Fl.
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With only $9.25, he moved to Gainesville and started working at  Crevasse’s Florist on Thursday, July 19, 1956 when he was 18.

Read more here.

Watch the video here:

3. Celebrating a centenarian

A community gave their birthday wishes to a woman who embraced each person she met with kindness, grace, and generosity.

Vernell Singleton celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends at her home in east Gainesville in October.

“I’m blessed for them to think about me like that,” Singleton said.

Dozens of cars filled with family and friends including the Gainesville Police Department celebrated by driving to her home and greeting her with honks, gifts, cheers, and music.

“I thank God everyday,” Singleton said. “I thank God has brought me this far.”
Singleton is known as the Williams’ family matriarch and is the third oldest child born to the late Ike and Malvina Williams. 

Singleton was born on October 7, 1921 in Irving, Florida. 
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She had 10 siblings and Vernell’s parents instilled in her the importance of loving family and having respect for all. 

She loved her brothers and sisters and found joy in taking care of them.

Read more here.

Watch video here:

2. Going back to school in style

Braiders throughout the city donated their time and skills to make the first day of school special for girls in the area.

Trinity’s Day Spa hosted the Back 2 School Braid Bash at the Martin Luther King Jr. Multipurpose Center located at 1028 NE 14th St. in August.

​Owner of Trinity’s Day Spa, Edwennia Moore, initially wanted to host the event last year but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the children were authorized to take online classes for the school year.

This year, more students will be attending school in-person and Moore wanted to ensure that the 40 girls who pre-registered for the event feel their best for the school year ahead.

“I felt like this is a better time to do it,” Moore said. “It is an open area to socially distance with booths.”

There were eight local hair braiders who provided two to five free feed-in braids to young girls in kindergarten through senior year in high school.

Read more here.

Watch the video here:

1. Healing homes of Rosewood descendants

Living in peace and beauty is the mission of an interior designer determined to use her gift to help descendants of a massacre.
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Healing Homes by Design, a company created by Melody Vaughn Interiors, hosted an Art, Wine, Design fundraiser in July at Caffe Sabroso located at 404 SE Second St.

Interior designer, Melody Vaughn, created the fundraiser to help the descendants of Rosewood to renovate, repair and refresh their homes.

The Rosewood massacre was in January of 1923 when homes of black residents were destroyed by a fire caused by a white mob after a white woman alleged that she had been raped by a black man, who was lynched during the mayhem.

Lizzie Jenkins, founder of The Real Rosewood Foundation, Inc., gave an oral presentation on the history of Rosewood and its residents.

“I’m blessed to be a part of Rosewood history,” Jenkins said. 
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Jenkins remembered when Vaughn called her about the fundraiser idea and she was proud to see the idea come to fruition.

“I’m honored to witness the birth of a dream,” Jenkins said. “She told me about her plan, and today it really happened. She’s perfect. God put people in your life for a reason.”

Jenkins said she is thankful to be a part of Vaughn’s mission to help rebuild homes for Rosewood descendants.

Jenkins wants the community to support Vaughn in her efforts.

Read more about Vaughn's mission here.

​Read more about Vaughn's fundraising event here.

Watch the video here:

Watch the 2021 recap video below:

Thank You For Reading!

That's a wrap for the top stories I covered in 2021!
I am excited for my multimedia journalism journey in 2022!
To never miss a story or event I'm covering,
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Have A Great Year!