The Tribune

“The Orange Blossom 2.0”, a book by Cesar Becerra, will have a special place in Miami’s 125th anniversary celebration as it highlights the Afro-Bahamian Community.

The Board of the Historic Hampton House and President Emeritus Dr Enid Pinkney along with historian Cesar Becerra are organizers of the historic celebration that will highlight great conversations about Mary Brickell and her influences in the Afro-Bahamian Community.

Cesar A Becerra is a South Florida historian who is taking part in chronicling and sharing the stories of the region for two decades. He is the author of half a dozen books ranging from hiking the Appalachian Trail to the logging history of the Big Cypress Preserve.

The story of Ms Brickell and the Afro-Bahamian Community of Miami is not well told. However, Becerra’s new book Orange Blossom 2.0 amassed decades of research and sheds light on Miami’s “Other Mother” Mary Brickell and her integral and often overlooked role in the founding of Miami.

Becerra has been on a fact finding mission for 25 years; driven to find the true history of Miami’s origin story. He interviewed Dr Pinkney for a critical chapter that follows just how supportive Ms Brickell was to the black community, often putting her own reputation on the line. He believes this could be one of the many reasons why Mary Brickell has been marginalised in Miami’s history.