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Welcome to The Orlando Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Park Square Homes names new president, COO.

• UCF Knights share stories, build chemistry.

• A deep-dive into the life of Jesse Owens.

• And more…

Quote of the Week

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” 

–Pele

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Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Investment involves risk.

Disclosures:

The content is not intended to provide legal, tax, or investment advice.

No money is being solicited or will be accepted until the offering statement for a particular offering has been qualified by the SEC. Offers may be revoked at any time. Contacting Masterworks involves no commitment or obligation.

Contemporary art data based on repeat-sales index of historical Post-War & Contemporary Art market prices from 1995 to 2023, developed by Masterworks. There are significant limitations to comparative asset class data. Indices are unmanaged and a Masterworks investor cannot invest directly in an index. 

Net proceeds distributed back represents the total liquidation proceeds distributed back to investors, net of all fees, expenses and proceeds reinvested in Masterworks offerings, of all works Masterworks has exited to date.

See important Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.

Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

Which lake in Orlando is known for its annual dragon boat festival, attracting teams and spectators from across the region?

A) Lake Eola

B) Lake Fairview

C) Lake Baldwin

D) Lake Tohopekaliga

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The historic neighborhood in Orlando known for its antique shops, vintage clothing stores, and street murals is A) Ivanhoe Village.

News

💼 Business

Busy Orlando homebuilder Park Square Homes names new president, COO. (link)

Orlando passes new restrictions on downtown nightclubs. (link)

🏒 Sports

UCF football report: Knights share stories in an effort to build chemistry. (link)

Hawthorne 2-sports star CJ Ingram commits to Gators in basketball. (link)

🏦 Finance

Apartment complex in Cocoa sells for $64.3 million. (link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

⚽ UCF Knights Womens Soccer vs. Utah Valley Wolverines Womens Soccer
UCF Soccer and Track Complex, Orlando, FL
Thursday, Aug 22nd | 5:30 PM | (More Info)

⚾ Lakeland Flying Tigers vs. Bradenton Marauders
Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, FL
Sunday, Aug 25th | 12:00 PM | (More Info)

Music & Concerts

🎶 Pegasus Palooza Concert Knight - Role Model
Addition Financial Arena, Orlando, FL
Thursday, Aug 22nd | 8:00 PM | (More Info)

🎤 Beres Hammond
Hard Rock Live Orlando, Orlando, FL
Friday, Aug 23rd | 9:00 PM | (More Info)

Family

🎨 August Indoor Art Market
2425 E South St, Orlando, FL
Sunday, Aug 25th | 4:00 pm | (More Info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Futuristic Orlando with advanced weather control systems” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Orlando Historical Events

Orlando's First Television Station (1954) - Expanding local news and entertainment.

Orlando's journey into the television era began in 1954, marking a significant milestone in the city's media landscape with the launch of its first television station, WDBO-TV (now WKMG-TV). This pioneering station not only catapulted Orlando into the burgeoning world of broadcast television but also established a new platform for local news, entertainment, and community engagement. Its initiation was met with great enthusiasm by the local populace, who were eager to embrace the novel and dynamic medium of television, which promised to bring the world into their living rooms in a way that radio and newspapers could not.

As the torchbearer of television broadcasting in Orlando, WDBO-TV quickly expanded its programming to include local news coverage, thus playing a pivotal role in shaping the city's public discourse. The station initiated the broadcast of daily news bulletins, covering everything from local politics and community issues to weather updates and sports, thereby providing residents with timely and pertinent information. This emphasis on local news not only fostered a better-informed community but also established the television station as a trusted source of information, thereby cultivating a loyal viewer base.

Beyond news, WDBO-TV was instrumental in promoting local entertainment, producing and broadcasting a variety of shows that showcased the talents and cultures within Orlando. From live music performances to talk shows featuring local personalities, the station became a platform for cultural expression and development. This blend of local news and entertainment programming ensured that the station was not just a passive transmitter of information but an active participant in the cultural and social life of Orlando. The foundation laid by WDBO-TV in 1954 thus set the stage for the growth of television broadcasting in the city, significantly influencing its media landscape and community engagement for decades to come.

Famous People From Orlando

Jesse Owens - Olympic gold medalist, his victories in the face of Nazi propaganda inspired many, including those in Orlando.

Jesse Owens: 1913-1980

Jesse Owens, born James Cleveland Owens, was an American track and field athlete whose performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics stood as a powerful testament to human spirit and equality, challenging Nazi propaganda. His legacy extends beyond the track, including impacts on communities and individuals around the world, such as those in Orlando.

Early Years and Introduction to Athletics (1913-1930)

Jesse Owens was born in Oakville, Alabama, and was the tenth child of Henry and Emma Owens. In search of a better life, his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio, during the Great Migration. In Cleveland, Owens attended Fairmount Junior High School, where he caught the attention of Charles Riley, his physical education teacher who introduced him to track and field, recognizing his potential early on.

Rise to Collegiate Success (1931-1935)

Owens attended Ohio State University, where he quickly made a name for himself as an extraordinary athlete. Despite facing racial discrimination and being unable to live on campus or eat in the same restaurants as white athletes, Owens set three world records and tied a fourth at the Big Ten Championships in 1935, an achievement that has been dubbed "the greatest 45 minutes ever in sport."

Defying Nazi Propaganda in Berlin (1936)

The 1936 Berlin Olympics was Adolf Hitler's stage to promote his beliefs of Aryan supremacy, but Owens shattered that narrative by winning four gold medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and 4x100 meter relay. Owens' victories were not only a personal triumph but a moment of significant cultural importance, challenging the racist ideologies of the time.

Welcomed Back and Unexpected Challenges (1936-1945)

Despite Owens' Olympic success, he returned to the United States to a segregated society that offered limited opportunities for African Americans. The hero’s welcome he hoped for was curtailed by the realities of the era's racial prejudice. He engaged in various jobs, including participating in exhibition races against horses and other stunts to earn a living.

Breaking Barriers Beyond Track (1946-1960)

After World War II, Owens took on roles beyond the athletic realm, working as a public speaker and advocating for sports and its benefits to youth. His influence extended into civil rights, though he often chose a more conservative approach to social change, advocating hard work and personal initiative as the means to achieve equality and success.

Jesse Owens and Orlando (1961-1970)

Later in life, Jesse Owens developed ties with Orlando, Florida, where he was involved in various community and youth sports initiatives. His presence in Orlando was symbolic, inspiring many African American athletes in the area. Owens was a proponent of amateur sports and dedicated to fostering young talent, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

Later Years and Legacy (1971-1980)

The final decade of Owens’ life saw him recognized for his contributions to sport and society. He was showered with awards and honors, reflecting a belated but significant acknowledgment of his achievements and the barriers he broke. Owens passed away from lung cancer in 1980, leaving a legacy far greater than the sum of his athletic achievements.

Role as an Ambassador (Throughout Career)

Throughout his life, Owens served as an unofficial ambassador for athletics and human rights, traveling the world to speak about his experiences and the power of sport to unite and uplift. His role extended into advocating for the Olympic movement, emphasizing its capacity to transcend racial and cultural boundaries.

Posthumous Honors and Remembrance (1980 and Beyond)

Following his death, Jesse Owens has been commemorated in various ways, including the naming of streets, schools, and sports facilities in his honor. His story continues to be a source of inspiration, symbolizing the triumph of talent, perseverance, and dignity over racial and ideological barriers.

Connection to Community and Impact (Throughout Life)

Owens' life story transcends his Olympic glory, embodying the struggles and successes of African Americans during a pivotal era in U.S. history. His contributions to society, particularly in places like Orlando, reflect a commitment to improving the lives of others and fostering opportunities for future generations.

Key Achievements of Jesse Owens:

• Winner of four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and 4x100 meter relay.

• Set three world records and tied another at the 1935 Big Ten Track and Field Championships.

• Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976, the highest civilian award in the United States.

• Inducted into the USA Track and Field Hall of Fame.

• Held roles as a speaker, advocate, and ambassador, promoting sports and racial equality.

Jesse Owens' life is a remarkable story of breaking barriers and achieving greatness despite the challenges posed by racial prejudice and discrimination. His victories at the 1936 Olympics were not only personal triumphs but also powerful statements against Nazi ideology, showcasing the irrelevance of race to human potential and achievement. Owens' legacy of courage, determination, and humanity continues to inspire across generations and borders, embodying the true spirit of athleticism and equality.

Connect With Me

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

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