For the past twenty years, Dr. Winn has had the opportunity to gain knowledge, as well as contribute to communities using applied anthropology. After graduating from the University of South Florida’s PhD program in Applied Anthropology, Dr. Winn accepted a tenured-track position at Fayetteville State University. During her tenure, Dr. Winn found herself applying anthropology in the classroom, creating effective learning practices for students, receiving “Teacher of the Year.” Due to the positive impact anthropology had on the students, she realized again, the importance of expanding anthropological knowledge outside of the classroom to broader audiences, to help individuals gain an appreciation for anthropology’s relevance today. After four years at the university, Dr. Winn decided to pursue a career in applied anthropology full-time, outside of the academy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Preserving History and Culture in the Historic Northwest:
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.
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.
Burkhardt Construction Job Fair
Tuesday, January 28th, from 6 – 8 PM at the Salvation Army Northwest Community Center. Dr. Winn promoted event in the NWest neighborhood, assisted attendees with applications and identified appropriate jobs for attendees to apply for. Trades in attendance: Electrical, Utilities, Paver Installation, Landscaping, & General Labor.