GET TO KNOW OUR FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SamanthA J. Gholar

Samantha was born and raised in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. A wanderer and nomad at heart, she has lived all over the Southeast since entering college but has resided in Florida since 2010.

Samantha is an award-winning journalist whose passion for storytelling was recognized by Florida Press Association in 2015. Her career as a news journalist began after earning her bachelor's degree from her alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi, in 2008. She landed in St. Petersburg, FL in 2010 taking a job as a journalist at a local newspaper, and continues to contribute to local, state, and national media outlets today. Currently, she works as the social justice reporter for USA Today Network-Florida.

In January 2017, Samantha thought of an idea that could bring together all of Sarasota’s talented young Black professionals. Hoping to help like-minded people of color feel a sense of support and belonging in the area, she launched Emerge Sarasota, a 501c3 nonprofit that connects and provides a platform for the area’s Black and multicultural professionals community.

In addition, to Emerge, Samantha’s philanthropic works have grown since moving to the Suncoast in 2014. Samantha has served in leadership positions and volunteered with local charities and nonprofits such as Children First, Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota & DeSoto Counties, and the Alzheimer’s Association - Florida Gulf Coast Chapter.

Samantha is a mother, entrepreneur, and certified well-being educator.