Peace and Justice Institute

Sanford Unveils Quilt to Honor Historic Goldsboro Community

Britney Pierce — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:30:34 +0000

Sanford celebrated “Historic Goldsboro Day” with the unveiling of a commemorative quilt at City Hall, honoring the legacy of the historic Black community founded 135 years ago. The quilt, created by Goldsboro community quilters, is a collaborative effort to preserve and celebrate Goldsboro’s legacy.

Read the full article here. Also, learn more here.

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PJI Selected as the 2025 Community Organization of the Year by the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce

Britney Pierce — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 18:28:58 +0000

Thank you to Betsy Gardner and her wonderful team at the Winter Park Chamber for this recognition. This honor belongs to our incredible Board of Directors, Advisory Council, dedicated staff, and talented facilitators—your commitment is what makes PJI the organization it is. We’re grateful to everyone who helped make this possible.

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PJI listed as one of the 101 Things to Love about Orlando by Scott Maxwell

Britney Pierce — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:30:15 +0000

It’s time again to give thanks for all the things we love about the community we all call home.

Readers offered hundreds of suggestions for the 15th annual installment of “101 Things to Love about Central Florida.” Some are old favorites. Some are new entries. All help make Central Florida unique.

Read the full article here.

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Ocoee marks 105th anniversary of 1920 Election Day Massacre

Britney Pierce — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:35:25 +0000

Descendants of the survivors of the 1920 Ocoee Election Day Massacre gathered Saturday in downtown Ocoee’s Unity Park to commemorate the event’s 105th anniversary.

In a ceremony hosted by the city of Ocoee and open to the public, descendants laid white roses at the park’s Memorial Wall.

Erected in 2024, the Memorial Wall — two black panels, opening accordion-style and etched with white writing — lists the names of Ocoee’s 263 Black residents who were murdered, maimed or forced from their property in 1920 by the white mob bent on retribution because the Black men, Mose Norman and Julius “July” Perry, tried to vote.

Read the full article here.

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How the Birthplace of Black Lives Matter Rebuilt Trust After Trayvon Martin’s Killing

Britney Pierce — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 15:18:05 +0000

Under a blazing Florida sun in April 2012, Andrew Thomas went for a drive. He headed 40 miles northeast from Sanford, near Orlando, toward Daytona Beach, a getaway well known for its race track and white sands. But this was no vacation. Mr. Thomas, then a project manager for the city of Sanford, was looking for the Dream Defenders. The group of some 30 young adults had just begun a three-day march in support of Trayvon Martin, a Black 17-year old whose killing in Sanford had rocked the nation.

Read full article here.

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Historic Central Florida Black Community’s Story to Be Preserved in Commemorative Quilt Project

Britney Pierce — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 14:00:16 +0000

The Race, Equality, Equity and Inclusion Committee for the city of Sanford plans to commemorate Goldsboro’s history through a storytelling quilt as part of its Pathway to Reconciliation Project.

On Saturday, the REEI Committee along with the city of Sanford held an event to collect historical narratives about Goldsboro, which will be incorporated into the commemorative quilt design.

According to the Goldsboro Museum, the community originally existed as an independent city, incorporated in 1891. However, in 1911, Forrest Lake orchestrated the dissolution of both Goldsboro’s and Sanford’s charters, resulting in Goldsboro’s absorption into the city of Sanford.

Read full article here.

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‘A sense of community’: Orlando preschool hosts parenting workshop for moms

Britney Pierce — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 14:39:42 +0000

Read the full article here.

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March 2025 PJI wins the Central Florida Pledge Civic Leader of the Year Award

Britney Pierce — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 15:25:24 +0000

PJI is honored to receive the 2025 The Central Florida Pledge Civic Leader of the Year Award! The Central Florida Pledge Award honors organizations that demonstrate a commitment to “showing up, standing up, and speaking up” to help create a more inclusive, compassionate, and united community.

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Peace and Justice Institute Hosts History of Hopper Academy Event

Britney Pierce — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 15:49:24 +0000

This past Tuesday the Peace and Justice Institute held a community event at Hopper Academy. The purpose of this event was for an evening of re- flection and conversation on the History of Hopper Academy: mapping the future through understanding our past.

Read the full article here.

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Orlando Sentinel Commentary: Empathy is key to managing conflict after Election Day

Britney Pierce — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 18:49:18 +0000

The skill of conscious response will be useful as we face an election where nearly half the population faces deep disappointment and outrage over the results. The outrage may be triggered by deep-seated fears that something important is going to be taken away, including reproductive rights, guns, environmental protections, one’s faith and identity. The stakes feel high.

Practicing self-regulation is key, allowing us to slow down, stand in each other’s shoes, and gain empathy for what others may be feeling. This practice is reflected in Gandhian nonviolence and peace, an active force capable of disarming people who believe they are our enemy.

Read the full article with Rachel C. Allen here.

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