Orlando as America’s Melting Pot
By Sebastian Garcia, from the Spring 2026 edition of Reflections magazine As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary this July, Central Florida may seem an unlikely place to look for insight into the nation’s history. After all, when Americans think about the founding era, they tend to picture Independence
The Chan Family: Martial Arts Mastery and a Real-Life Mulan
By Justine Truc, 2024 University of South Carolina Oral History Fellow The metro Orlando area is often recognized for its theme parks and sunny weather, but it’s also a rich cultural melting pot. In an oral history with the Orange County Regional History Center, Mimi Chan offered a fascinating glimpse