Hobson represents FP in Washington, DC

Former Fort Pierce resident and Indian River State College professor Dr. Marvin Hobson recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent the Zora Neale Hurston Foundation as a guest of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment.

The organization found Hobson through an article published in Indian River Magazine and contacted him through the Foundation to invite him to a special symposium at the White House to discuss funding and preservation opportunities. “They Googled us in an effort to find black monuments and to assist in the preservation of Black spaces,” says Hobson, “and of course Fort Pierce is rich is Zora Neale History.” According to their website, “The

National Religious Partnership for the Environment brings together a diverse alliance of faith institutions and leaders in order to bring voice and action on behalf of caring for God's Creation. Through NRPE's four partners, we bring together 160,000 congregations in the U.S. to protect God's creation through worship, education, stewardship and public witness. The Partnership is supported by individual, church, and organizational donations.”

In addition to the symposium, which included only a handful of other organizations, participants were invited to be special guests at the 2023 Juneteenth Celebrati

on and Concert on the South Lawn of the White House,

featuring Audra McDonald, Broadway Inspirational Voices, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Colman Domingo, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Hampton University Concert Choir,  Jennifer Hudson, Ledisi, Maverick City Music, Morgan State University Marching Band – The, Magnificent Marching Machine, Nicco Annan, Patina Miller, Step Afrika!, Tennessee State University Marching Band – Aristocrat of Bands, and “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. “This was a big surprise,” said Hobson. “I was actually on the plane heading to Washington, D.C., when I received the invitation to the Juneteenth Celebration and Concert,” Hobson says, “so I had to do a bit of scrambling to arrange for an extra day in DC and proper clothing for such an auspicious occasion.”

Hobson said that during the symposium, participants were briefed on a number of funding opportunities that were suitable for their organizations and were given tips on how to submit applications to achieve funding for the groups’ specific missions. “Zora is so vast in the breadth of her work and experience,” says Hobson, “that we could quite literally apply for all of them. There is one grant available just for cemeteries,” he says, “so we’re exploring a way to partner and apply for a grant to help maintain Zora Neale Hurston’s final resting place, here in Fort Pierce.” Though she traveled extensively throughout her life, Hurston lived out her final years in Fort Pierce.

Hobson, who recently accepted a position as a professor in Houston, Texas, became an ardent supporter of Zora Neale Hurston after relocating to Fort Pierce and teaching

English for many years at Indian River State College. Though he has moved to Houston, his roots in Fort Pierce run deep, and his involvement as the president of the Zora Neale Hurston Florida Education Foundation and the lasting friendships he and his family made while here keep him coming back to the area regularly and inspired his continued involvement in the Foundation.

One of the biggest surprises and delights for Hobson was the opportunity to meet other community leaders endeavoring to preserve Black spaces. “Even though we

were all there to learn about funding opportunities available to groups like ours,” Hobson says, “there was no feeling of competition among the cohort. In fact,” he says, “the group decided to continue meeting quarterly because we felt there were so many ways that we could collaboratively support one another.”

For Hobson, the experience was a once-in-a-lifetime dream come true, and he cherishes the memory of those days. Being involved in meetings in the White House was a breathtaking experience, and Hobson says that one memory he takes with him is sharing an elevator with Second Gentleman, Doug Emholtz on his way to a meet

ing. Walking away with a list of grants to apply for was also a highlight, and the opportunity to attend exponentially increased Hobson’s desire to help ensure that the memory of Zora Neale Hurston’s life, amazing body of work, and time spent in Fort Pierce are remembered and celebrated for generations to come.

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