2021 Abandoned African-American Cemeteries Task Force
Background
On June 4, 2021, Governor DeSantis signed into law CS/CS/HB 37 (Chapter 2021-60, Laws of Florida) relating to Abandoned Cemeteries. The bill created a 10-member Task Force on Abandoned African-American Cemeteries (“Task Force”), adjunct to the Department of State (“Department”), to:
1. Study the extent to which unmarked or abandoned African-American cemeteries and burial grounds exist throughout the state; and
2. Develop and recommend strategies for identifying and recording cemeteries and burial grounds while preserving local history and ensuring dignity and respect for the deceased.
Specifically, the bill required the Task Force to:
1. Review the findings and recommendations made by the Task Force on Abandoned and Neglected Cemeteries created pursuant to Chapter 98-268, Laws of Florida, and any legislative or administrative action taken in response to the Task Force’s findings and recommendations.
2. Examine the adequacy of current practices regarding the preservation of unmarked and abandoned African-American cemeteries and burial grounds and identify any challenges unique to African-American cemeteries and burial grounds.
3. Identify locations of unmarked and abandoned African-American cemeteries and burial grounds throughout the state and propose strategies, including any proposed legislation, for the preservation and evaluation of such sites.
4. Make recommendations regarding standards for the creation, placement, and maintenance of a memorial at any identified locations of unmarked and abandoned African-American cemeteries or burial grounds throughout the state.
5. Submit a report by January 1, 2022, detailing its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
The Department was required to provide administrative and staff support relating to the functions of the Task Force. The Task Force expired on March 11, 2022.
Members
The members appointed to the Task Force were:
|
|
MEMBER |
REPRESENTING ENTITY |
AREA |
|
1. |
Dr. Timothy Parsons, Chair Director, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State |
Secretary of State, Laurel M. Lee’s designee |
Statewide |
|
2. |
Dr. Kathryn O’Donnell Miyar Bureau Chief, Bureau of Archaeological Research, Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State |
Bureau of Archaeological Research, Division of Historical Resources |
Statewide |
|
3. |
Ms. Yvette Lewis President, NAACP Hillsborough County Branch |
Florida State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) |
Hillsborough County |
|
4. |
Dr. Antoinette Jackson Professor and Chair, Department of Anthropology, USF |
Florida Council of Churches |
Tampa |
|
5. |
Ms. Althemese Barnes Executive Director, FAAHPN |
Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network (FAAHPN) |
North Florida Region |
|
6. |
Mr. Jeffery T. Moates West Central Region Director, FPAN |
Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) |
West Central Region |
|
7. |
Mr. Keenan L. Knopke President & CEO Curlew Hills Memory Gardens, Inc. |
Cemetery Industry |
Temple Terrace |
|
8. |
Senator Janet Cruz |
Florida Senate |
Part of Hillsborough County |
|
9. |
Representative Fentrice Driskell |
Florida House of Representatives |
Part of Hillsborough County |
|
10. |
Mr. Jaha Cummings Council Member, City of Punta Gorda |
Local government |
Punta Gorda |
Meeting Information
First Meeting - July 20, 2021, 2:00 p.m.
Mission San Luis Visitors Center, 2100 W. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32304
Recorded Meeting (The Florida Channel)
Second Meeting - September 2, 2021, 9:30 a.m.
Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602
Recorded Meeting (The Florida Channel)
Third Meeting - October 29, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
Heritage Hall Auditorium, R. A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough St., Tallahassee, FL 32399
Recorded Meeting (The Florida Channel)
Fourth Meeting - November 30, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
Heritage Hall Auditorium, R. A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough St., Tallahassee, FL 32399
Fifth Meeting - December 9, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
Heritage Hall Auditorium, R. A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough St., Tallahassee, FL 32399
Final Report
Final Report of the Abandoned African-American Cemeteries Task Force
Additional Resources
Historic Cemetery Inventory Online Form - By completing this short online form, you can help ensure these often-forgotten but important historic sites are recorded in the Florida Master Site File.
Chapter 2021-60, Laws of Florida
Final Report of the Task Force on Abandoned and Neglected Cemeteries Pursuant to Chapter 98-268, Laws of Florida
Contact
In response to the Task Force’s findings and recommendations, the Department of State established an Office of Historic Cemeteries. For more information about this program, please reach out to the Historic Cemeteries Program Supervisor, [email protected].
