Manasota ASALH seeks volunteers for this summer program—and to help run weekend and after-school programs.
By Oscar Moore
Original Air Date: July 25, 2025
Host: The Mobile Freedom School and its focus on African-American history is back this summer. Mason Chambless took one class and learned about this: the history of traffic lights.
Jasmine Persaud: What meant most was that he was able to give back.
And at the very end, you guys get to see a picture of Mr. Garrett Morgan. Everyone say, ‘Garrett Morgan!’
Kids: Garrett Morgan!
Mason Chambless: This is Jasmine Persaud, reading to a group of six-year-olds Saving the Day, a picture book by Karyn Parson. The book is about Garrett Morgan, an African-American man who designed an early traffic signal, the design of which was eventually sold to General Electric.
Persaud’s class is a part of the Mobile Freedom School. That’s an extracurricular program dedicated to teaching African and African-American history to school-aged kids. Designed by Manasota ASALH—that stands for Association for the Study of African American Law and History—the Mobile Freedom School started in 2023. That was a time when many worried that African-American history was being pushed out of Florida schools by House Bill Seven, also known as the “Stop WOKE Act.” The program is dedicated to truthfully teaching African and African-American history as well as examining how those communities have helped build the America of today.
At Wednesday’s class, at the Roy McBean Boys and Girls club in Sarasota, 16 young students learned about how an African American helped create technology that many Americans today rely on every day. Afterwards, guided by Manatee Elementary School teacher and artist Jahkori Dopwell Hall, the kids worked with Play-Doh and clay to create their very own traffic lights.
Edna Sherrell, one of the co-creators of Mobile Freedom School, said that Africans have made meaningful contributions to the world that should not be overlooked but instead known and celebrated. For her, regardless of House Bill Seven, what is being taught by Freedom School is important.
She said, “People often say all of this is because the Governor says this or that, and this specific initiative did start at a time when Black history is under attack, but the truth of the matter is that this should be taught.…This is a continuation of what should’ve been, not a kneejerk reaction.”
Jada Greene-Wright is the executive director of the Manasota branch of ASALH. She says that the Sarasota community has been very supportive of the program and that Freedom School is hoping to teach one hundred kids Black history over the summer. When asked if a program like Freedom School could help to bring Black history back into the school curriculum, Greene-Wright responded that it could help get close to change. She believes that Black history is important for everyone, not just Black kids, and would like for this history to be known by—and shared to—all.
For those wanting to get involved, Greene-Wright says that the program is looking for volunteers—not just for the summer but for the after-school and Saturday programs that will start once the school year begins. The organization also accepts donations to help cover operations.
Reporting for WSLR News, Mason Chambless.
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