Dr. Winn is an adjunct professor at Palm Beach Atlantic’s School Ministry. She teaches courses in the Christian Social Ministry department and the Intercultural Studies program, in the areas of community development and engagement, applied anthropology, and cultural anthropology. Dr. Winn has also taught anthropology at Ashford University, Fayetteville State University, Agnes Scott College, and the University of South Florida.
Courses Taught:
Dr. Winn has consulted and served as lead facilitator for several community-engaged projects in community building and preservation efforts, ensuring the community stakeholder representation in the decision making process and the conservation of community history and culture of communities. Projects and Organizations:
City of West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency
In July of 2016, Dr. Winn was hired as an Independent Contractor for the City of West Palm Beach, CRA, Community Redevelopment Agency. Although she was not familiar with CRAs, she was interested in historical family ties to the community. Dr. Winn was hired to initiate and establish community engagement for the Historic Sunset Rising Project in the Historic Northwest for the Sunset Lounge and surrounding areas. The Historic Northwest Rising Project (HNWR) was an initiative to revitalize the Sunset Lounge and the surrounding areas. There was a campaign to inform the neighborhood about the Sunset Lounge and get their input about what they would like to see in the Sunset Lounge and surrounding the lounge. Dr. Winn was part of the Historic Northwest Rising Team., consisting of consultants 8 80 Cities, Better Block, Mosaic Group, and Surale Phillips to conduct community outreach and engagement services. HNWR is a recipient of a 2016 Knight Cities Challenge grant.
From August 2016 to April 2017, the team spoke to over 800 community members about what changes they’d like to see in the Sunset Lounge and the open space across from it. In this two phase project, through extensive community engagement (Ideas Festival, etc.) Hundreds of individuals gave their input identifying needs and preserving the Historic Northwest’s rich history and culture. Participants from all ages, wrote “postcards to the future” describing their future vision for the neighborhood, completed a large-format survey, voting with sticky dots for the ideas they wanted to see in the community. The research resulted in a final report, providing community residents and stakeholders with electronic copies, links, and hard copies of a short version of the summary and final report from the community engagement.
(HNWR) Sunset Lounge Pop-Up Museum – Preservation (CRA)
Dr. Winn created a historical component telling some of the Northwest history through the presentation about how the Sunset Lounge functioned more than just a bar and lounge, but also served multiple purposes, as a site for protest, fashion shows, toy drives, and concerts. She conducted research and compiled several newspaper articles about the Sunset Lounge to create a collage on the Sunset from its opening to the 1980s, to educate younger generations about the Sunset Lounge’s purpose and extensive function. In addition to the survey boards. (images)
Sunset Lounge:
The Sunset Lounge is not simply a bar, but a space to connect and experience our culture in music, food, and social networks. Historically, it has been a place of great performance artists, debutante balls, community awareness, activism, and friendships; from WPOM’s Chico the Virgo’s broadcast spot, a place for a 1969 protest, the “Charmettes” Fashion Show in the 1967, to a venue for hosting parties. Although the Sunset is temporarily closed for renovations, Dr. Winn is preserving this history, but most importantly capturing stories of the wonderful people that make the Sunset and the Historic Northwest District community great. At the Sunset, different generations shared the same space and local people chilled weekly, ending their day with good music, good food, good conversation, live bands, and events.
Participation in Historic Northwest Activities and Events (CRA)
Dr. Winn has been working to ensure this vibe continues after the building’s restoration. She works with community stakeholders and community-based organizations to assist in translating CRA goals and plans for the Historic Northwest District, and their potential impacts on cultural institutions within the community, identify culturally specific beliefs and practices affecting community perception of the CRA’s mission, through ethnographic fieldwork, to identify community needs, its past, and improve communication practices of community and Agency. Dr. Winn also creates ideas to preserve the community’s past and present experiences.
Design Your Park Event 2017-2018 (CRA)
After the Community Engagement Campaign for the Historic Northwest Rising Project ended, Dr. Winn continued serving in other capacities and participated in assisting in the Design Your Park Event, to get input about what stakeholders would like to see in the open space across from the Sunset Lounge. (images)
During COVID-19 (CRA)
During Covid-19 there were many challenges, but through Dr. Winn’s observation, she attended, participated, and identified activities in the neighborhood, particularly residents and owners assisting those in need.: distribution of food, hot meals, or businesses providing assistance to residents through completion of applications for rental assistance, food, employment, etc. (Observation to lead to problem solving Inc PAL, identifying Cityside Suites role as front line workers, along with other community organizations and ways for CRA to support even if this is provided to inform the community and larger public). Queen of Sheba, TruFAst & Residents
NWRiA : Northwest Residents in Action (CRA) & AS A Resident
In 2018, Dr. Winn thought it was important to get at least active and vocal residents in the same room, and she started a resident group in the Northwest called the Northwest Residents In Action. Its mission is to help those in need in the community, through residents helping a community of neighbors. The NWRiA’s vision is to have a Safe and Clean Neighborhood, Build Community Partnerships, Bring accountability, and Revitalize the neighborhood. The residents work to solve issues surrounding public safety, code enforcement, loitering, illegal dumping, and simply bringing attention to the needs of neighborhood. The group meet once a month and have assigned tasks and representation for each department connected to the issues, and attend CRA and Commission Meetings. We have gone on neighborhood walks to assess the neighborhood, identify some of challenges in neighborhood.
In September 2020, the Mayor, Commissioner Fox, Chris Roog, CRA Director, and the Historic Northwest Project Manager, Genia Baker join us on the walk. It was a great opportunity to talk to our City leaders and officials directly and allow them to see first hand the neighborhood. It was a success. For the past four years, Dr. Winn has worked to ensure resident representation in decision making and dispel the myths of Northwest residents’ lack of interests in their neighborhood, the negative perception of the neighborhood, and NWRiA : Neighborhood walks, connecting residents, informing residents, making sure they are at the table in decision making. (Images)
Burkhardt Construction Job Fair
Tuesday, January 28th, from 6 – 8 PM at the Salvation Army Northwest Community Center.
Dr. Winn promoted event in the North West neighborhood, assisted attendees with applications and identified appropriate jobs for attendees to apply for. Trades in attendance: Electrical, Utilities, Paver Installation, Landscaping, & General Labor. (images)
As an anthropologist, Dr. Winn conducts what is called ethnographic research, location research, involving observation and participant observation, immersing herself in the culture, working closely with the community. As a researcher and observer, Dr. Winn attends and participates in several events, activities, and frequent businesses. Dr. Winn spent much of her time talking with and informing locals residents and former residents, building relationships and sharing about upcoming events and renovation projects. Dr. Winn attends neighborhood events, activities, ribbon-cuttings, community, and organization meetings to build relationships, understand organization functioning, challenges, perception, and experiences with City and CRA, and the redevelopment taking place itself. Dr. Winn attends community meetings, contacting residents/stakeholders about events, activities, issues, and informing residents.
Podcast in Anthropology
Check out Dr. Winn’s podcast interview with Anna and Amber on “The Dirt” through the American Anthropological Association.
https://soundcloud.com/thedirtpodcast/this-is-anthropology-4
Promoting Events and Editing (CRA)
Dr. Winn connects with the CRA marketing staff to inform them of the culturally appropriate language, communication, and editing. Editing newsletters, final reports, flyers, and signs and the development booklet presented early this year at the Bourbon and Bowties event. Push transparency, simplicity, advertising, and perceptions and removing city and redevelopment jargon.
PRESERVATION
Pioneer Banners: Preserving History & Culture in the Historic Northwest (CRA)
As WPB CRA consultant, Dr. Winn carried out the process to ensure completion of the Historic Northwest Pioneer Banners on Rosemary Ave. Dr. Winn worked with community leaders and heritage groups to highlight the pioneers and identify and provide the images of the pioneers. The African American Research Library and Cultural Center of Palm Beach County selected the featured pioneers, provided several of the photos and all of the background information on the individuals. The pioneers include those in business, law, medicine, entertainment, and barbering.
Museum Experience and Preservation Projects
Dr. Winn has worked in several museums as an archivist, tour guide, and researcher at the Mary McLeod Bethune Home, the Herndon Home Museum, the Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, and the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum.
Dr. Winn works to present history and tell the narratives of the Black experiences in Palm Beach County and other cities.
Habitat for Humanity’s Historic Plaque Project
Dr. Winn served as consultant for Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County in the creation and installation of five historical markers/plaques in the Historic Northwest District. Through Habitat’s Lowe’s Small Catalytic Grant assisted in the development of an historical trail in the City of West Palm Beach’s Historic Northwest District, including the design and placement of 3-5 plaques, through resident and community stakeholder engagement. I am continuing to work to preserve historical objects of the Sunset Lounge. (images)
Storm of ’28 Memorial Park Coalition, Inc. West Palm Beach, FL.
Since 2015, Dr. Winn has volunteered, consulted, and assisted the Coalition in the education and awareness of the mass gravesite of the 674+ victims of the 1928 hurricane located in an African American community, West Palm Beach, FL. Dr. Winn created and developed the content and production of the Pauper’s Cemetery and Mass Gravesite’s historic sign at the site’s entrance. Dr. Winn also assisted in the production of marketing tools and strategies to promote the site and the efforts of the Coalition to develop a museum. (images)
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Northwest Business Association Black History Series on Black Businesses – VIDEO
In August 2019, Dr. Winn narrated the Progressive Northwest Business Association’s – Historic Northwest District Black Business Fact Series, celebrating three of Black entrepreneurs, Cracker Johnson, Carl Robinson, and Folia Stuckey. (August 24, 2019 – images).
Interviewee for On the Town PBS series about local Black History. Photos: Interview At Evergreen Cemetery, Black cemetery of pioneers and prominent blacks in West Palm Beach with Debbye Raing and Film and television personality Frank Licari. (images)
Palm Beach County African American Virtual Oral History Project
Dr. Winn serves as Project Director, empowering, training, and educating youth researchers representing West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Pahokee, and Belle Glade, who virtually interviewed elders representing these same cities, about life growing up in Palm Beach County. The youth edited interview transcriptions & conducted follow-up interviews & research to enhance the narratives. The final presentation will tell the elders’ stories & highlight what elders would call segregation as simply “a way of life.” Sponsored by the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County. (images)
Youth Education and Empowerment
Dr. Winn has been a guest speaker and provided several sessions to educate our youth on African American history, culture, anthropology, and academic advice in the K-12 schools and Youth Community Organizations to impact, inspire, and empower youth . (images)
Professional Development (images)
Dr. Winn provides professional development to individuals and institutions infusing anthropology and its importance, promoting understanding race, class, and identity, language, and cultural belief practices to improve communication, dispel racial and stereotypical myths, and consider cultures.
Conferences and Presentations
African and African American Summer Institute
Distinguished Lecture Series at the at the Historical Society of Palm Beach County
Speaker and Workshop
Professional Development Workshops