About Us
Our Founder
The founder of Mt. Dora's Retreat is the legendary Brother Samuel Tate.
"Sam Tate has been a radio DJ for almost 60 years. He began his career at WEAL in Greensboro, NC while a student at North Carolina A&T University. In 1983 he built Blowing Rock's first radio station, WOIX above Mystery Hill.
Now he produces Gospel Gems, the only internationally syndicated Oldie Goldie Black Gospel radio show. Sam has had an extraordinary life, from riding on James Brown's leer jet to building a radio station in Belize.
This exhibit [at the Alexander Community Gallery] chronicles some of his experiences as a DJ, educator, North Carolinian, and pilot. Sam says, 'Whenever I'm not on the air, I'm in the air.' Well, now he will also be in a museum.
The companion documentary A Life on Air: Brother Samuel Tate is a finalist of the 2022 BooneDocs Film Festival." Alexander Community Gallery (06/2022)
Our Purpose
Mt. Dora's Retreat is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) focused on 3 programs to support children, youth and families around the globe. These programs include: a) support for military veterans with PTSD through counseling, serene getaways, and a Community Gardens project by the river; b) support for youth interested in Broadcasting through the Young World Radio Show; and c) helping young people of color become licensed pilots through The Flying Colors Youth Aviation Program and the Samuel B. Tate Flying Colors Youth Aviation Scholarship.
COMING SOON!
Our Mission
“THE MISSION OF MT. DORA’S RETREAT IS TO HONOR HEROS OF THE PAST; RECOGNIZE AND SUPPORT VETERANS WITH PTSD AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND INSPIRE LEADERS OF THE FUTURE.”
Our Goals & Objectives
- ESTABLISH A PEACEFUL GETAWAY FOR VETERANS WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THE USA, AFRICA, AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS.
- PASS THE TORCH FROM THE LEGENDARY RADIO BROADCASTER, SAMUEL B. TATE, TO A NEW GENERATION OF MEDIA AND BROADCAST PROFESSIONALS.
- INCREASE THE REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE OF COLOR IN THE FIELD OF AVIATION (CERTIFIED COMMERCIAL PILOTS AND FLIGHT ATTENDENTS).