A Sacred Responsibility: Honoring Zion Cemetery and Moving Tampa Forward

Jerome D. Ryans, President & CEO - Tampa Housing Authority

At the Tampa Housing Authority, our mission has always extended beyond providing housing, we are committed to building communities rooted in dignity, respect, and integrity. We believe that true community development must be grounded in respect for people, for place, and for history. Few moments have tested that commitment more deeply than the rediscovery of Zion Cemetery, Tampa's first African American burial ground.

Zion Cemetery is more than a historic site; it is sacred ground. It represents generations of individuals whose lives and legacies helped shape our city, even when their stories were not fully acknowledged. Today, we are called to acknowledge it, learn from it, and ensure it is honored appropriately.

When it became clear that portions of Robles Park Village were built over this cemetery, the Tampa Housing Authority took immediate and decisive action. We relocated residents with care and compassion, recognizing that this was a moral obligation. Doing the right thing required us to act swiftly, thoughtfully, and with the utmost respect for both our residents and those laid to rest.

As we look ahead, our commitment remains unwavering. The redevelopment of Robles Park will include a Memorial Park and a Genealogy Center, dedicated spaces that will honor those buried at Zion Cemetery while creating opportunities for education, reflection, and connection for future generations.

This moment also calls for recognition of leadership across our city. I commend Mayor Jane Castor and Richard Gonzmart for their courage and integrity. They have stepped forward to address a painful chapter in our shared history, one they did not create, but one they have chosen to confront. That is the essence of true leadership, acknowledging the past, taking ownership in the present, and doing what is right for the future of our entire community. I also extend my great appreciation to our Sr. Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, , Leroy Moore, for his exceptional leadership and direction, as this venture could not have been accomplished without his guidance and steadfast commitment. Additionally, I acknowledge the unwavering support of Fred Hearns, President of Zion Cemetery Preservation and Maintenance Society, whose dedication has been instrumental throughout this process.

I applaud Richard Gonzmart, who owned property that sat on this sacred ground and followed through on a critical land swap with the City. His actions helped pave the way for a more respectful and appropriate path forward. That level of accountability and cooperation is not only commendable, but also essential.

At the Tampa Housing Authority, we are proud to stand alongside leaders who share this vision. We remain steadfast in our commitment to transparency, accountability, and respect for the communities we serve. As we continue this work, we do so with humility and a deep sense of responsibility, to those who came before us, to those we serve today, and to generations yet to come.

Together, with my Board of Commissioners and all team members, we are building more than housing. We are building a legacy of respect, because honoring our past is essential to building a better future.