HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 06 Approval of Ocoee Remembers Event - November 1, 2025
City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761
Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: June 17, 2025
Item #: 6
Contact Name: Douglas Gaines Department Director: Mark Johnson
Contact Number: Ext. 1503 City Manager: Craig Shadrix
Subject: Approval of Ocoee Remembers Event - November 1, 2025. (Parks and Leisure
Services Deputy Director Gaines)
Background Summary: Since 2022, the City of Ocoee has held an Ocoee Remembers event on the first
Saturday in November to honor and pay tribute to the descendants of the African Americans who were victims
of the 1920 Ocoee Election Day Massacre. This observance recognizes the historical injustices that occurred
and seeks to provide a space for reflection and remembrance while continuing to move forward in unity. This
year, the city’s remembrance event is planned for Saturday, November 1, 2025. Staff is seeking the
Commission’s authorization to proceed with the event as planned below.
Without prior coordination, the Alliance for Truth and Justice (ATJ) organization recently informed city staff that
they plan to host their own remembrance events for the descendants on November 1st. The ATJ has
partnered with the Orlando Museum of Art to invite the descendants and the public to a video presentation to
be held at the museum. After the museum presentation, the ATJ in collaboration with the Ocoee Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ), will host a service at the church for the descendants. The church service will also
be open to the public. Historical note: during the tragic events on November 2, 1920, the Ocoee Christian
Church provided a safe haven for African Americans fleeing the mob violence. The ATJ has reached out to
ask about partnering with the City.
Unless authorized by the City Commission, staff is moving forward with the City's event as usual with the 2025
Ocoee Remembers event program outlined below:
Memorial Wall Remembrance Ceremony at Unity Park– Open to the Public
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• Invocation – Pastor Keith Tower, HighPoint Church
• Opening Remarks/Recognition of Elected Officials – Mayor
• Presentation of white roses to descendants, who will be invited to lay them on the Memorial Wall,
which bears the names of the 263 African Americans known to have lived in Ocoee in 1920
• Remarks - Descendants
• Poem shared in honor of the victims and survivors
• Dove release to symbolically honor the memory of those who once called Ocoee home
City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761
Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org
Reception at the Ocoee Lakeshore Center – Invitation Only
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
• Heavy hors d'oeuvres
• Ocoee High School Jazz Band (TBD)
• Photos of previous Ocoee Remembers events shown on television monitors
• Caricature Artists
• Memory Jars
• Keepsake gift for the descendants
Issue:
Should the Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners authorize city staff to move forward with the Ocoee
Remembers event as proposed to be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025?
Recommendations:
Staff recommends the Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners authorize city staff to move forward with the
Ocoee Remembers event as proposed to be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
Attachments:
None
Financial Impacts:
There is $10,000 funded in FY 2024/25 for the Ocoee Remembers event.
Type of Item: Regular