Change is inevitable. As time goes on people, beliefs, and even communities are susceptible to change. However, one must also acknowledge not all change is beneficial. The term gentrification is an example of this type of change. The term refers to the process of wealthy individuals or businesses moving into urban areas and influencing the economy,
This is causing a chain reaction against heavily urban areas throughout America, and resulting in millions being displaced from their homes.
On Tuesday, February 8th, 2023, the Town Council of Eatonville, Florida voted 4-1 against a development plan proposed by Orange County. The proposed plan would’ve built 350 new residential housing units, along with residential shopping areas. However, the plan was voted against due to community leaders like Julian Johnson, educating community members on the land.
Johnson is the founder of the organization, 1887 First. The organization focuses on bringing social change to Eatonville and it’s citizens by proving resources such as political education and financial literacy. However, a good amount of Johnson and the organizations time has been spent on spread awareness on the 100 acre land that sits in heart of Eatonville.
The land in question was once the site of the Historical Hungerford School. The school was established in 1899, and was the first school in Central Florida to educate African Americans. The land the school thrived on for 112 years was originally donated be Mr. E.C. Hungerford. A homeowner in local Maitland, Florida, the school was then named after Hungerford’s son, Robert, who was a doctor that spent his time teaching African Americans to read and write. In 2009, the cost of operating the school proved to be great. Student numbers also decreased, and as a result the school board decided to close the campus.
Now with the rights of the land in the air Johnson and other community leaders have been the driving force for the town of Eatonville’s fights for its land back.
"We did a lot of ground work... we started organizing and spreading awareness in the community". Johnson described the groups methods to spread the awarenss of the 100 acres being sold. "I'm talking, door to door nobody does that anymore." This community involvement proved to be crucial in the Council’s final decision, after once being split on the matter.
Although the 100 acre parcel isn’t completely safe from being sold to developers, February 8th’s decision shows the power of community unity. "The act of the community coming together, that's something we haven't seen in a long time"
Community members such as Millard Livatt are thankful on the Councils decision but not satisfied. "Look man that land means a lot". Livatt a long time employee at the Zora Neale Hurston Museum of Fine Arts, understands the importance of the land and what it could do for the community. "We could put so much in that lot that would benefit this little ole town". Regardless of where the funds go Livatt and other members of the community, are insisting the money goes directly back into the town. "We need something man, I mean look around man, they've cheated us a lot but not this time, we just can't let that land go for nothing".
Next stop on Johnson’s mind is a meeting with the Orange County School District. "We need to be meeting with Orange County public schools to make sure this deal goes in our benefit". Elvin The Orange County School Board still holds rights to the land and can still choose to sell. If the sale goes through the school district will make $10 million off the property, while Eatonville will receive $4 Million dollars.
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