GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The African and African American Historical Society in Gainesville held an event celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, emphasizing how understanding history shapes the future.
Organizers said the goal of the event was to connect Florida’s African American legacy with the challenges and opportunities communities may face. They said knowing where communities come from helps guide where they are going, and that history remains a powerful tool for progress.
“It is important that we understand where we came from, where we are, so that we can plan for the future,” Dr. Jacob Umofe Gordon said. “It’s very critical in the American past — and we must connect that past with the American present so we can begin shaping what comes next. We’ve got to learn lessons from history. If we don’t, we are likely to perish.”…