ZORA! Festival hosts 1st Preservation Conference in 2015

The 26th annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of Arts and Humanities (ZORA! Festival) presents a first-ever, 2-day historic preservation conference, Thursday and Friday, January 29 -30. The Historic Black Towns and Settlements Historic Preservation Conference will showcase the collaborative efforts at economic development by the Historic Black Towns and Settlements Alliance, Inc. (HBTSA), a partnership of 5 African-American communities, located in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi; and provide a forum where community preservationists from across the country and beyond will have the opportunity to hear from experts and to discuss among themselves practical ways of enhancing their effectiveness within their respective communities.

The conference schedule includes the Historic Black Town Preservation Tour by Everett L. Fly, Landscape Architect, FASLA and NCARB Certified Architect. Richmond McCoy, President and CEO of Urban America LLC will discuss the Community Economic Development opportunities associated with Tax Credits. The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network will also present several sessions during the conference. Conference attendees can look forward to special networking activities designed to celebrate small town culture while also facilitating idea exchange. Attendees will also receive a complimentary ticket to attend “Mississippi Delta Blues” a multi-media presentation by Dr. William Ferris, the Joel R. Williamson Eminent Professor of History & Senior Associate Director of the Center for the Study of the American South at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

ZORA! Festival is presented annually by The Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc. (P.E.C.), a 501(c)3, historic preservation and cultural arts organization, first organized in 1987. The Festival celebrates the life and work of 20th century writer, folklorist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston; her hometown, Eatonville, the nation’s oldest incorporated African American municipality; and the cultural contributions people of African ancestry have made to the United States and the world. The mission of the Association to Preserve Eatonville Community (P.E.C.) is to enhance the resources of Eatonville, to educate the public about the town’s historic and cultural significance, and to use the community’s heritage and cultural vibrancy for its economic development.

ZORA! Festival is funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Council. Major underwriting is also provided by Community Partners, including World Conference of Mayors; the University of Central Florida (UCF) Office of the President, Office of the Provost and the College of the Arts & Humanities; InGlur Inc.; TeKontrol Inc., Visit Orlando; Bright House Networks, VITAS; and Local 6. The Festival schedule and registration are available at www.zorafestival.org.