The Banner project of the City of Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has expanded with 46 more banners. The Banner project previously placed 97 banners that honored African Americans who were born, lived, worked or attended school in Bartow and made a significant impact.

The City hosted an event to celebrate five individuals being honored, including Bartow resident Mary Jones. Jones was the first Black resident to serve on the Fort Meade City Commission. She later became Fort Meade’s first female Mayor. In 2013, the Neighborhood Improvement Corporation presented Jones with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the annual L.B. Brown Heritage Festival.

Bartow Mayor Trish Pfeiffer, who conceived of the project with former Bartow CRA Director Erik Rashad, said, “The intent of the Banner project is to remind citizens of the community’s richness, heritage and the contributions of its past and present sons and daughters that will inspire future leaders residing in Bartow.” The banners are installed on corridors that are predominantly in the African American community to revitalize those areas and connect them to their history, Pfeiffer said.

CRA Executive Director Howard Smith said, “The brilliance of the CRA Banner Project connects art with conversation and hopefully will spark community building and community pride.” When the first banners were installed, there was a noticeable increase in car caravans and pedestrians viewing the banners, Smith said.