Join us for our CFAWL and Paul C. Perkins Bar Association joint February luncheon. It will be held Friday, February 7, 2025 at the Citrus Club in downtown Orlando. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the luncheon starts at noon.
February is Black History Month, aligning with the birthdays of two important figures in the abolitionist movement: President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. While we aspire to recognize and honor the contributions, achievements, and resilience of African Americans and people of African descent throughout history year round, we are excited to partner with the Paul C. Perkins Bar Association for our February luncheon to celebrate inclusivity, equality, and understanding within and beyond the Central Florida legal community. To further that objective, we are thrilled to announce that our February 7, 2025 speaker will be Angie Gardner, Mayor of Eatonville.
Mayor Gardner was elected in 2022 to serve as Mayor of Eatonville, Florida, a historic town known for being one of the first self-governing, all-Black municipalities in the United States. Mayor Gardner is a second-generation Central Floridian, educator, wife, and mother of two.
As Mayor, Gardner has been a transformative figure in Central Florida. She has been a strong advocate for equal opportunities in education, and has spearheaded initiatives to improve academic resources and support systems in schools. She has also been instrumental in preserving and promoting Eatonville's rich cultural heritage, organizing events like the annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival, which celebrates the town's history and Hurston's legacy.
In addition to her work in education and cultural preservation, Gardner has been a crusader for economic equality, advocating for the development of Black-owned businesses and job opportunities in Eatonville and surrounding areas. She has also been vocal about addressing social injustices and has organized community dialogues and advocacy campaigns to tackle systemic issues affecting the Black community.
Mayor Gardner's dedication to her community and her passion for fostering positive change make her a significant and inspiring leader in Central Florida.
