“We Brought the Smoke” Two-Year Anniversary Celebrated, Highlighting West Augustine Advocacy

• 21 April 2026
• Category: SJC News District 2 District 3
• Tags: 2026

Key Takeaways:

• “We Brought the Smoke” anniversary in St. Johns County, Florida: County leaders and the West Augustine community marked the two-year milestone of the grassroots advocacy movement on April 21, 2026, in the County Administration Rotunda.
• West Augustine advocacy supports Florida Museum of Black History: The initiative—born from a 2024 trip to Tallahassee—continues to position St. Johns County as a leading candidate for the future state museum site.
• Board of County Commissioners recognizes community impact: Chair Clay Murphy highlighted sustained civic engagement, while Commissioner Sarah Arnold presented an official proclamation during the April 21 BCC meeting commemorating the anniversary.

St. Johns County and the West Augustine community commemorated the two-year anniversary of the “We Brought the Smoke” initiative during a ceremony held the morning of April 21 in the County Administration Rotunda, prior to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) regular meeting. The Office of Public Affairs produced a highlight reel to capture the moment.

Originally sparked in April 2024, the phrase “We Brought the Smoke” emerged after a determined group of community advocates continued their trip to Tallahassee despite a bus fire, pressing forward to support St. Johns County as the future home of the Florida Museum of Black History.

“‘We Brought the Smoke’ is more than a catchy phrase—it’s a declaration,” said Clay Murphy, Chair of the BCC. “It represents a community that shows up, speaks up, and stays engaged.”

Over the past year, St. Johns County and its partners have advanced several initiatives that elevate and preserve Black history and culture, including the “Rails, Roots, & Freedom” Black history tour, a proclamation recognizing Florida Memorial University’s Homecoming, the opening of the Greg and Lydia White Health and Wellness Center, and the continued historical interpretation and reconstruction efforts at Fort Mose.

Later that day, during the April 21 Board of County Commissioners regular meeting, District 2 Commissioner Sarah Arnold presented a Proclamation Recognizing and Commemorating the Two-Year Anniversary of “We Brought the Smoke!”

The anniversary recognition highlighted the continued collaboration between the County and the West Augustine community, underscoring the role of civic engagement in shaping St. Johns County’s future.