History of Miami’s black community to be showcased in two new projects

It’s Black History Month and two of the Miami winners of the 2019 Knight Arts Challenge are working on projects that capture different aspects of the African-American experience.

Katja Esson received $75,000 to develop “Liberty City VR — From Roosevelt’s New Deal to the Miami Riots, an immersive virtual reality experience that takes users through the sights, sounds, triumphs and tragedies of Miami’s legendary Liberty City.”

She will resume filming Feb. 16 and is recruiting Liberty City/Miami-based artists and animators to aid in the project, which pays homage to the influence and gifts from the primarily African-American neighborhood.

“Since we have the full support of a lot of the community, we have a lot of young artists who are willing to collaborate with us,” Esson said.

A free documentary panel with Esson is open to all, 7 to 9 p.m., Feb. 7 at The Wolfsonian–FIU, 1001 Washington Ave., Miami Beach. Register at https://wolfsonian.org/whats-on/events/2020/02/liberty-squares-legacy.html

Another winner of the 2019 Knight Arts Challenge, MUCE (Miami Urban Contemporary Experience) Gallery, received $35,000 for its education programs.

Gallery organizers are planning an exhibit called “As a Matter of Black: the Roaring 20s” that will open Feb. 9 with a reception from 3-7 p.m. The exhibit at 246 NW 54th St. will run through March 12.

There will also be a Black History Month Costume Day Party, noon to 7 p.m., Feb. 29. Tickets are $29 and will serve as a Knights Art fundraiser for MUCE EDUCATES. Visit https://www.muce305.org/ for more.

“Join us to celebrate the African-American icons of the Renaissance Era. Dress to impress, as your favorite historical figure and join in on interactive art, music, dance, and culinary treats,” said Bart Mervil, CEO of MUCE305.

The Knight Arts Challenge is open to residents from Palm Beach to Monroe counties and applicants follow just three rules — the idea must be about the arts, the project must take place in or benefit South Florida, and the grant recipient must find funds to match Knight’s commitment.

”From large-scale public art to new theatrical works, this year’s winners reflect a Miami whose artistic voice continues to mature,” said Victoria Rogers, vice president of arts at Knight Foundation. Visit https://knightfoundation.org/ to learn more.

Rotary Miami honors detective, MADD president

Congratulations to the winners of the annual Distinguished Citizen of the Year award and the Griffitts Award presented by Rotary Club Miami.

The Griffitts Award began in 1968 with a generous gift from Jack Griffitts. It honors the City of Miami’s Police Officer of the Year.

Detective John Calabrese won this year for his “detective work, arrest record, and overall contribution to the safety of the people in Miami.” Calabrese received a plaque and a check for $1,500.

The selection is based on monthly recognition at the Miami Police Department of an officer who has demonstrated outstanding work in law enforcement and service to the community. Calabrese was chosen as the most outstanding officer from the 12 monthly winners.

The 60 attending club members also welcomed the recipient of the 1977 Griffitts Award, Retired Captain Ronald Morris, who spoke about how receiving the honor changed his life.

The Rotary Club also chose Helen Witty as its Distinguished Citizen of the Year.

On June 1, 2000, Witty’s 16-year-old daughter, Helen Marie, an honors student at Palmetto Senior High, was killed by a drunk driver, 17-year-old Carla Wagner, while she was Rollerblading on a bike path off Southwest 57th Avenue and Southwest 91st Street.

Wagner, who had just finished her junior year at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Coconut Grove, was drunk on tequila and high on marijuana when she slammed her Audi into Helen Marie.

Wagner was convicted of DUI and served five years at Lowell Correctional in Ocala, a woman’s prison that also houses youthful offenders.

After her daughter died, Helen Witty joined Mothers Against Drunk Driving, becoming the organization’s president in 2018.

MADD’s interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer Vicki Knox wrote that Helen Witty is “a compassionate listener and powerful storyteller (who) has spent 18 years championing MADD’s mission to fight drugged driving and end drunk driving.”

Rotary Club Miami presented Helen Witty with a $500 check for MADD.

If you have news for this column, write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com.

This story was originally published January 30, 2020 at 4:13 PM.