History of The Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community (P.E.C.)

On November 23, 1987, barely 90 days after the historic town of Eatonville had completed its centennial celebration, the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange (Florida) unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the five-laning of Kennedy Boulevard, the main street of the oldest incorporated African American municipality in the United States and hometown of Zora Neale Hurston, noted 20th century writer, folklorist, and anthropologist. Though Eatonville's citizens and friends could neither believe nor understand the commission's decision, they did recognize that Historic Eatonville™ must be preserved if this unique community and the cultural traditions it represents were to survive.

Two weeks after the board's decision, some 200 persons from Eatonville, Maitland, and other areas of Orange County organized The Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community (P.E,C.), which was incorporated in May,1988. During its first year, P.E.C. was primarily an advocacy organization, focusing on preservation strategies, including completing a historic survey of the town and taking steps to delay the road-widening project. Also during this time, P.E.C. began planning its first major cultural event, the Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities. The festival is now recognized internationally as a premier event celebrating the cultural contributions Africa-descended people have made to the United States and to world culture.

Having completed 20 years of service, the organization continues to focus on its ultimate goal -- developing Historic Eatonville™ into one of America's premier heritage communities.

About the P.E.C.

ZORA! Festival is organized and presented by The Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc. (P.E.C.), a membership-based, tax exempt, historic preservation organization. Established in 1988, the organization’s mission is:

To enhance the resources of Eatonville, Florida, which is the oldest incorporated African American municipality in the United States and the hometown of writer, folklorist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston

To educate the public about Eatonville’s historic and cultural significance and

To use the community’s heritage and cultural vibrancy for its economic development

The board of directors is comprised of well-regarded Central Florida business, civic and governmental leaders as well as residents of the historic Eatonville community. To view the current board members, please click here.

About the Festival

The event features museum exhibitions, public talks, panel discussions, workshops and concerts. It culminates with a three-day weekend Street Festival of the Arts, which features everything from literacy programs for children; performances by local, regional and national acts; Juried Arts competitions, presenting fine artists with their original artwork in competition for cash prizes; an international marketplace, where visitors purchase wares from around the world, an international food pavilion featuring an array of food options and more.

In a city where visitors have countless entertainment options, cultural tourists are choosing ZORA! Festival, where the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau reports over 80% of out-of-town attendees come to the Orlando area solely for this event.

National Planners

Please click here to view a complete list of our national planners

P.E.C. Staff Members

N. Y. Nathiri, Executive Director
Lonnie Graham, Guest Curator
Cynthia M. Lee, Office Manager
Kathy Berlinghof, Accountant
Cyria Underwood, Lead Docent/Administrative Support
Shelly McKinney, Vending Coordinator

Excellence Without Excuse (E-WE)
Community Computer Arts Lab & Learning Center

Alice M. Grant, Manager
Daisy S. Willis, Teacher
Bruce E. Bouler, Technician
Shari L. Ware, Clerical & Computer Assistant

Museum Staff

Maye St. Julien, Receptions
Benjamin Tyson and Jimmy Scott, Operations
Cynthia C. Lee and Edwin Harvey, Volunteers