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Film Screening of CROSSING THE WATERS

The Impact of Bahamian Pioneers in South Florida

This film is immensely captivating as it seeks to educate, engage, and inspire viewers. The film aims to preserve the history of Bahamian pioneers and their vast contributions to South Florida.

“CROSSING THE WATERS: The Impact of Bahamian Pioneers in South Florida” highlights the continuous contributions that Bahamians have made in fostering the development of dynamic communities and places in America. This film is immensely powerful and captivating as it seeks to educate, engage, and inspire viewers. The film aims to preserve the history of Bahamian pioneers and their vast contributions to South Florida. In Coconut Grove, early Bahamian settlers played pivotal roles in developing and growing vibrant communities. Bahamians built some of South Florida’s most treasured landmarks including the beautiful Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The history of Fort Lauderdale was enriched early on by Bahamian settlers as they shared their skills of trading, farming, sponging, fishing, masonry, and wrecking, on the New River. With Miami and Fort Lauderdale and neighboring communities situated close to the Bahamas, most of the US-affiliated businesses operating in the Bahamas today have largely to do with tourism, thus keeping the ties across the waters strong and everlasting.

Director & Writer: Dr. Michele Dallas, Lindsey Michele Powell; Producer: Dr. Michele Dallas;

Cinematographer: Taimy Alvarez

Editor: Taimy Alvarez, Dr. Michele Dallas

Narrator: Stefan Adderley-Moore, Jim Scott

Cast: Dr. Enid Pinkney, John Dolen, Florence Christie, Raymond F. Christie, Marion Christie-Campbell, Andre Christie, Charles Franklin Adderley, Jessie M. Adderley, Sharon Adderley-Dubose, Prime Minister Perry Gladstone Christie, Sonya Burrows, Lois Edgecombe, Lynn Armstead, Hortense Edgecombe

Biography: Dr. Michele Dallas earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Georgetown University. She earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and completed an Advanced General Dentistry Residency Program at Howard University College of Dentistry. Dr. Dallas is the first African American woman to practice dentistry in Broward County. Dr. Dallas was appointed by the Former Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush to the State of Florida Board of Dentistry. It is important to note that Dr. Dallas is the first African American woman appointed to serve on the State of Florida Board of Dentistry and was appointed by the Former Governor of the State of Florida, Jeb Bush. As the first African American Woman appointed to the State of Florida Board of Dentistry, Dr. Dallas served two terms – 8 years. Dr. Dallas is also a member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the Broward County Dental Association, the American Dental Examiners Association, the Academy of General Dentistry Association, and the Fort Lauderdale Dental Study Club. During her free time, Dr. Dallas often volunteers in the
community. She gives time to charitable organizations and health fairs. She also attends numerous dental continuing education programs and seminars. In particular, Dr. Dallas has served as a member of the Grievance Committee for the Florida Bar, the Democratic Executive Committee (DEC) of Broward County, the Fort Lauderdale Chapter of Links Inc., and as a member of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society. Dr. Dallas is a member of the Broward County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Dr. Dallas has served on the Advisory Board of Directors for the Nan Nox Boys & Girls Club and on the Board of Directors for Southeast Hospice as well as the Board of Directors for the Broward Behavioral Health Coalition. Dr. Dallas has also volunteered as a youth mentor for the Jim and Jan Moran Boys & Girls Club. Not to mention, Dr. Dallas volunteers her time to participate in “Career Day'' for multiple schools in Broward County such as Virginia Shuman Young Elementary School and Dillard Elementary School. Additionally, Dr. Dallas provides volunteer dental services through home visits to senior citizens in her community.

About the African American Research Library and Cultural Center 
The Broward County African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) is located in the Sistrunk community, one of the oldest historically Black communities named for one of Fort Lauderdale’s first Black physicians. Opening to the public on October 26, 2002, AARLCC became the third public library of its kind in the United States dedicated to the study of Black history and culture. The 60,000 square-foot Center serves as a repository of materials related to the local, national, and international voices of the African diaspora with more than 85,000 books, manuscripts, artifacts, framed art, print, photography, audiovisual, and documents held in our Adult Services Section and Special Collections. The Youth Services Section features a special collection of Coretta Scott King Award books and the Ashley Bryan Art Collection from illustrators of African Descent. AARLCC also features a 5,000 sq. ft. museum, a 300-seat state-of-the-art theatre, and a Computer Training Center.

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