Island Democrats To Hear ‘Black Lives Matter’ Speakers

provided to Santiva Chronicle

Earl Sparrow and Rachel Bass will discuss the topic: Black Lives Matter – Fact, Fiction, Fallacy, at the regular meeting of the Democratic Club of the Islands at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18, in the Founder’s Room of the Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way.

Sparrow is a late bloomer to the world of political activism. He first heard the call to arms when President Obama began his first historic campaign. After volunteering for the Obama campaign, he became an active voice in the Dunbar community, hosting a local community show called CTV Politico interviewing local politicians of the red and blue variety. In 20l6 he became the current host of the show CTV Pillars of Success.

Sparrow is an avid advocate of justice in all its forms including supporting Black Lives Matter. He is a member of the local NAACP and is currently involved in chartering a chapter of the Urban League. A former educator and financial planner, he is currently a private music instructor.

Bass is a Cape Coral resident and recent graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University where she earned a B.A. in Art. Following graduation, she was an intern at Robert Rauschenberg Artist Residency on Captiva Island. Much of her recent work addresses issues surrounding racial justice, while remaining conscious of her role in the conversation as a white woman.

Bass is currently the Lee County organizer for Showing Up For Racial Justice of Southwest Florida and recently attended a week long organizer’s workshop in the historic Highlander Research and Education Center in New Market, Tenn. She is committed to the work of bringing white people into the cause for racial justice through activism, education, artistic expression, and community organizing.

Everyone interested in the topic is welcome to attend. To join the Democratic Club of the Islands, bring a check for $25 payable to DCI to the May l8th meeting, or mail it to DCI, P.O. Box 898, Sanibel, FL, 33957. For more information e-mail demclubislands@gmail.com or call 239-994-3l75.