Sigma Alpha Iota

14 Summer 2025 • sai-national.org SAIs In Action By Cheryl Poe B arbara Wingo, President of the Gainesville Alumnae Chapter, serves on the board of the Norman Studios Silent Film Museum in Jacksonville, Florida. Wingo's interest in Florida history and Florida music, along with her leadership and vision, resulted in the official opening of the Rita F. Reagan Set Building at the Norman Studios Silent Film Museum on Saturday, January 18, 2025. The gala event celebrated Jacksonville's dedication to preserving its silent film heritage as "The Winter Film Capital of the World" and, even more significantly, Richard Norman's films, where he presented African Americans in positive, non-stereotypical roles. Wingo's work has not only helped preserve the history of Norman Studios—she was also instrumental in Norman Studios' granting Florida composer and National Arts Associate Dr. Nansi Carroll a commission set to music: "Saint Peter Relates an Incident of the Resurrection Day" by James Weldon Johnson (1871–1938). This composition was expertly performed by the Ritz Chamber Players, a Florida-based ensemble who "[amplifies] the voices of Black composers and championing diversity." (www.ritzchamberplayers.org). They performed with vocal soloists and a choir to a standing-room-only audience at the gala opening. Dr. Carroll, along with several sisters of the Gainesville Alumnae Chapter, were able to enjoy the premiere performance in person. To fully appreciate the significance of the occasion, a thumbnail sketch of the historical magnitude of Norman Studios is as follows: • Among the thirty silent film studios that operated in Jacksonville between 1908– 1918, the Norman Studios complex is the only one that has survived. • Richard E. Norman purchased the silent film studio complex in the early 1920s, which was founded in 1916 in Jacksonville as Eagle Film City. • Norman was among the nation's first filmmakers to produce "race films"— that is, films with all-black casts. Fast forward almost 100 years: • Norman Studios becomes a National Historic Landmark in 2016. • The City of Jacksonville purchased the set building, now renamed the Rita F. Reagan Set Building, in 2023. Today, Norman's five-building studio complex survives in Jacksonville's Old Arlington neighborhood. Norman Studios is working to restore and reopen this entire historic complex as a thriving community, education, research and tourism center. Discover more about Norman Studios at www.normanstudios.org. Preserving Jacksonville's Silent Film Legacy From left, Cristina Logan, Cheryl Poe, Sarah Nussel, From left, Cristina Logan, Cheryl Poe, Sarah Nussel, Barbara Wingo, Nansi Carroll, and Brenda Smith at Barbara Wingo, Nansi Carroll, and Brenda Smith at Norman Studios Norman Studios

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