It was a joyous turnout of the community Thursday to cut the ribbon on the brand new Frederick Douglass Community Center.

Officials who celebrated the ceremony included Mayor Danise “Deedee” Henriquez, District VI Commissioner Aaron Castillo, City Manager Brian L. Barroso, the City Commissioners, and members of the Bahama Village Redevelopment Advisory Committee. At least one member of that committee, former District VI Commissioner Clayton Lopez, has been active in the projects since its inception.

Rev. Charles Major – who retired last years after working for the City for 31 years – gave the invocation.

Among the large crowd who turned out to celebrate were future tenants of the facility, the Bahama Village Music Program and the Black Educators’ History Museum. Also in attendance were representatives of Keystar and K2M Design, who designed and built the community center.

The beautifully done new center features classrooms, a kitchen, a main hall for events and performances as well as an outdoor courtyard.

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