CONTACT:
Victoria Kasdan
Co-Chair, Walk Forward: The Ruby Bridges Sarasota Initiative
Mobile: 612-220-4438
vpkasdan859@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Walk Forward: The Ruby Bridges Sarasota Initiative to Bring American Icon to Sarasota This November
The community is invited to support this opportunity to have Ruby Bridges, one of the first Black children to integrate an all-white elementary school, speak in Sarasota through sponsorship opportunities
SARASOTA, Fla. (July 23, 2026) – On Nov. 12, Sarasota will welcome one of the most influential trailblazers in American history through Walk Forward: The Ruby Bridges Sarasota Initiative by bringing Ruby Bridges, one of the first Black children to integrate an all-white elementary school in the South, to Sarasota. This community-wide educational experience is designed to inspire courage, character, and civic
engagement among youth and adults.
The initiative will feature a public town hall with Ruby Bridges at Booker High School’s Visual and Performing Arts Center, where attendees will hear firsthand from the woman whose courage at just 6 years old helped change the course of American history. The town hall will be open to the public, and tickets will be made available for purchase on Sept. 9. “This vision began several years ago when my granddaughter portrayed Ruby Bridges during a program honoring historic Black trailblazers,” said Walter Gilbert, Chair & Visionary of the Walk Forward: The Ruby Bridges Sarasota Initiative. “Seeing her learn about Ruby’s extraordinary courage inspired a dream to one day bring Ms. Bridges to Sarasota. That dream grew through our community’s Walk to School events and the support of local leaders who shared its importance.”
In 1960, Ruby Bridges became the first Black child to integrate William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans. Escorted by federal marshals, she walked into an all-white school despite intense opposition, becoming a symbol of courage and perseverance whose story continues to inspire generations. Today, through the Ruby Bridges Foundation, she continues that work by creating programs and experiences that help young people understand the past, find their voice and build a more just and connected future. The Foundation’s mission is to empower young people through education, dialogue and leadership while encouraging them to take action against racism and bullying.
Booker High School was intentionally selected as the Town Hall venue because of its important place in Sarasota’s history. Historically, as the county’s only all Black high school, Booker played a central role in school integration during the 1960s. Hosting Ruby Bridges at Booker creates a meaningful connection between her historic journey and Sarasota’s own story of courage, opportunity, and community.
“I am deeply grateful to Co-Chair Renee James Gilmore, Co-Chair Victoria Kasdan, and Aundria Castleberry, along with Sarah Wertheimer and Embracing Our Differences, whose partnership and commitment transformed this vision into reality. We hope this event will inspire meaningful conversations, strengthen our community, and encourage future generations to walk forward with courage, compassion, and hope,” said Walter Gilbert, Chair & Visionary of the Walk Forward: The Ruby Bridges Sarasota Initiative.
Community organizations, businesses and individuals are invited to become sponsors of this landmark initiative. Sponsorship support will help make this educational experience possible while creating a lasting impact across our region.
Net proceeds from Walk Forward: The Ruby Bridges Sarasota Initiative will benefit two Sarasota-based nonprofit organizations: Embracing Our Differences, which inspires kindness and respect through art and education, and the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC), which preserves, celebrates and shares the cultural, artistic and historical heritage of African Americans in Sarasota and beyond.
To learn more about Walk Forward: The Ruby Bridges Sarasota Initiative or to become a sponsor, visit engage.embracingourdifferences.org/ruby bridges/.
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About Walk Forward: The Ruby Bridges Sarasota Initiative
Walk Forward: The Ruby Bridges Sarasota Initiative is a community-wide educational and civic experience that will bring Ruby Bridges to Sarasota on Nov. 12, 2026. Through a public town hall and community engagement, the initiative seeks to inspire youth leadership, courage, inclusion and civic
engagement while encouraging conversations about belonging, compassion and the role each person can play in strengthening their community.
