Honoring Black History Month: A Conversation Through Design

As the owner and designer of 1771 Designs, a local apparel company inspired by the rich history and culture of St. Petersburg, I am excited to share the story behind our latest T-shirt release, which is dedicated to sparking a vital conversation about our city’s past.

In honor of Black History Month, I have created a design that focuses on the green benches of St. Petersburg—an iconic yet complex symbol in our city’s history. Born and raised in South St. Pete, I was privileged to grow up in a diverse community surrounded by different races, religions, languages, and cultures. However, it wasn’t until a conversation with a dear friend who is a St. Pete native growing up near Child’s Park—that I became fully aware of the painful legacy of these benches.

For as long as I could remember, St. Pete was celebrated as the “City of Green Benches.” Every postcard and historical image featured these benches as a picturesque gathering spot. Yet, my friend explained that for many Black residents, these benches were not symbols of hospitality but of segregation and exclusion. As we spoke, I realized I had never noticed the glaring omission in those images—only white people were depicted enjoying the benches.

That conversation stayed with me. Over the past year, I have researched and spoken to others, only to find that so many people, both lifelong residents and newcomers, were unaware of this painful chapter in St. Pete’s history. The green benches, once a staple of the city, were also tools of segregation, prohibiting Black citizens from resting on them. This stark reality is a part of our city’s past that we cannot ignore.

My design was created with the goal of educating and fostering dialogue. It is a call to reflect on our past while ensuring a more inclusive future. One of the most powerful conversations I had during this journey was with Ms. Gwen Reese, an incredibly driven, educated, kind, and caring woman. She recounted a heartbreaking memory from childhood, recalling how she once asked her mother, “Mommy, my feet hurt—why can’t we sit on this bench and rest?” Her mother’s response was devastating: “Because we are not white, and we are forbidden.”

In what universe does this make sense? Why does skin color matter? Why, even today, is diversity and inclusion still such an issue?

The history of St. Petersburg, including the green benches, the Gas Plant district, and the Deuces, holds important lessons. It is our responsibility as a community to ensure that this history is acknowledged, shared, and learned from so that we never allow such injustices to happen again.

I invite the people of the Tampa Bay area to join me in this conversation. Wear the shirt, share the message, and most importantly, educate yourself about our city’s history. Only through awareness and unity can we continue to build a future that is brighter than our past.

A portion of the proceeds from each shirt will be donated to the African American Heritage Trail. This trail tells the story of the first 100 years of Black life, culture, and contributions in the city of St. Petersburg—from the settlement of John Donaldson, the first Black man in the city, to the Civil Rights era. The African American community shaped the very fabric of St. Petersburg, and this history deserves to be remembered and honored. I encourage you to watch the virtual walking tour available on their website: https://www.afamheritagestpete.com/heritage-trail.

Thank you for your time and for providing a platform to share this important story.

Sincerely,
Matt Shapiro
1771 Designs
www.1771designs.com
IG: 1771_Designs