Prominent African Americans in Jacksonville's History

NOTE: There is another webpage that lists prominent people, both African American and non-African American, who are associated with Jacksonville. Click here to go to that page.

NOTE: There is another webpage that lists prominent people by their occupations or activities. Click here to go to that page.

ALSO SEE various categories in the webpage Jacksonville History by Subject and Jacksonville History by Time Period For info about athletes, for example, see Sports & Recreations

ALSO SEE Family History Page Two for online books that contain prominent Floridians, including Jax residents.

VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS

VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS -- Brief Florida Times-Union articles on some of Jacksonville's leading African American citizens. From "A Postcard from the Past."
VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS -- CURRENT LEADERS -- Homepage of the superb website "A Postcard from the Past." Provides profiles of some of the current leaders in Jacksonville's African American community. Also gives a wonderful overview of African American history in Jacksonville. The site is sponsored by the Florida Times Union. Many of the site's individual pages have been indexed in the website in which you are now.
TWELVE BLACK FLORIDIANS -- "Twelve Black Floridians," by Leedell W. Neyland, 1970. Covers the following: Mary McLeod Bethune (education), Eartha M. White (charity, business, etc.), Zora Neale Hurston (author & folklorist), Abraham Lincoln Lewis (business), Robert "Bob" Hayes (sports), Harry Tyson Moore (civil rights martyr), Jonathan C. Gibbs (politics & government), George Henry Starke (medicine), Matthew M. Lewey (journalism), Alonzo Smith "Jake" Gaither (sports), John Robert Edward Lee, Sr. (education), and Father John Edwin Culmer (religion). NOTE: The entire text of this source is available online. It's provided in the wonderful website called the "Florida Heritage Collection," maintained by the State University System of Florida. NOTE: When you get to the website, you can search by keywords. Just type in "Jacksonville," or "Duval County," or other keywords, such as words from a title. ALSO NOTE: Most of the individual Jacksonville items in the Florida Heritage Collection are listed in JacksonvilleStory.com, the site you're now in.
JACKSONVILLE CELEBRITIES -- List & info about famous people born in Jacksonville. From "The Jacksonville Mall."

PROMINENT JAX INDIVIDUALS -- Descriptions of a variety of people prominent in Jacksonville's history. Includes the earliest settlers. Info provided by Jacksonville History Magazine.
LEADING INDIVIDUALS -- Info & pictures for deceased prominent people who either were associated with Jacksonville or were buried in Jacksonville. Includes photos of their graves. From FindADeath.Com.
FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM JACKSONVILLE -- List of famous people born in Jacksonville, from "The Jacksonville Mall."
PROMINENT JAX INDIVIDUALS -- Descriptions of a variety of people prominent in Jacksonville's history. Includes the earliest settlers. Info provided by Jacksonville History Magazine.
VARIOUS JAX INDIVIDUALS -- Links for many prominent Americans, including some from Jacksonville. Provided by Geometry.net.

VARIOUS JAX MUSICIANS -- Links for well-known musicians who have been associated with Jacksonville. From the Musicians' Association of Jacksonville, American Federation of Musicians Local 444. NOTE: When you get to the website, also see the "Follies" link for additional names.
VARIETY OF JAX MUSICIANS & SINGERS -- A wonderful listing & description of notable musicians who have been associated with North Florida. They range from Cannonball Adderly to Dennis Yost. Info supplied on a webpage called "The North Florida Music Hall of Fame." From the North Florida Music Association.
JAX MUSICIANS -- List & links for notable & celebrated Jacksonville musicians. From the website for the Musicians Association of Jacksonville.
HARLEM RENAISSANCE -- Listen to an audio report entitled "Questions from the Harlem Renaissance." Tells about key roles played by Floridians in the important African American cultural outpouring. Provided by the Florida Humanities Council. NOTE: When you get to the webpage, click on the heading "Last Month's Programs." Keep clicking this heading until you get to the page that contains the audio report you want.
FLORIDA HERITAGE COLLECTION -- Info about the subjects on this webpage may be available at the the marvelous "Florida Heritage Collection." This website gives full-text, online copies of hundreds of Florida books. NOTE: When you get to the website, you can search in different ways. These searches include by "Florida Themes" or by "Florida History Timeline." You can also search by "Florida County" and by "Keywords." With keyword searching, just type in "Jacksonville," "Duval County," or other keywords, such as words from a title. ALSO NOTE: Many of the individual Jacksonville items in the Florida Heritage Collection are listed in JacksonvilleStory.com, the site you're now in. However, Jacksonville info can often be found in books about Florida in general. Many of theses books are at the Florida Heritage Collection website.

AIRPLANE PILOTS

COLEMAN, BESSIE -- Info about Coleman, from an article entitled "The Legacy of Bessie Coleman," by Louise Oertly. BACKGROUND INFO: Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman to receive an international pilot's license. She was not born in Jacksonville, but she died there in an airplane accident in 1929.
COLEMAN, BESSIE -- From an article entitled "The Freedom of Wings," by A. P. Glesner.
COLEMAN, BESSIE -- From the Handbook of Texas Online.
COLEMAN, BESSIE -- From Africana.com.
COLEMAN, BESSIE -- From PBS.
COLEMAN, BESSIE -- From Thomson Gale.
COLEMAN, BESSIE -- From the Smithsonian National Air Y Space Museum.

ARTISTS & SCULPTORS

SAVAGE, AUGUSTA -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Artist's Destiny Was Bitter and Sweet," by Mary Jo McTammany. Describes Augusta Savage, the noted African American sculptor. BACKGROUND INO: Savage was born in Clay County, but attended school in Jacksonville during the early 1900s.
SAVAGE, AUGUSTA -- From "North By South."
SAVAGE, AUGUSTA -- Provided by HomeToHarlem.com.
SAVAGE, AUGUSTA -- From Britannica.com.
SAVAGE, AUGUSTA -- Bio by Jennifer Barth. NOTE: When you get to the web page, the info about Savage is about 1/2 down the page.
SAVAGE, AUGUSTA -- Info about Savage in Jacksonville. From the Eartha M. M. White Collection at the University of North Florida. NOTE: When you get to the webpage, the info about Savage is at item #17 on the list.
SAVAGE, AUGUSTA -- From ArtNet.com.
SAVAGE, AUGUSTA -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Anthem that was 'The Harp' to live again in North Florida." This article tells about plans to make a personalized rendition of the sculpture The Harp. Now destroyed, The Harp was a famous sculpture that was created by noted African-American artist Augusta Savage, who was born in Green Cove Springs in 1892 but spent time in Jacksonville. It was inspired by James Weldon Johnson's African-American anthem Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing.

ATHLETES -- SEE SPORTS & RECREATION

BUSINESS PEOPLE

LEWIS, ABRAHAM LINCOLN -- Profile of Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Florida first African American millionaire, principle backer of the Afro American Insurance Company, and the founder of American Beach. Info provided by the State of Florida.

CIVIL RIGHTS FIGURES

CHAPPELL, JOHNNIE MAE -- Fascinating Folio Weekly story entitled "Murder on New King's Road," by Susan Clark Armstrong. Tells about the 1964 racial killing of a local African American Johnnie Mae Chappell, a mother of ten children. The event intensified the ugly race relations that gripped Jacksonville at the time.
CHAPPELL, JOHNNIE MAE -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Ex-cop's mission: Seeking justice: Finding evidence for 1964 murder case won't be easy," by Paul Pinkham.
CHAPPELL, JOHNNIE MAE -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Justice to review civil rights figure's '64 killing: Woman slain as race riots swept city," by Paul Pinkham.
CHAPPELL, JOHNNIE MAE -- St. Petersburg Times article from April, 2000, entitled "Remembering Mama," by Adam C. Smith. Tells about Johnnie Mae Chappell's family commemorating the anniversary of her death.
CHAPPELL, JOHNNIE MAE -- St. Petersburg Times article from November, 2000, entitled "Cry for Justice Finally Heard," by Adam C. Smith. Describes how Chappell was honored by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), one of the nation's leading civil rights groups. BACKGROUND INFO: The SPLC rededicated its Civil Rights Memorial in Chappell's honor, adding her to its roster of Civil Rights martyrs. By being added to this list, Chappell became the first Floridian to join such luminaries as Martin Luther King Jr. and the children who were killed in the infamous Birmingham church bombing.
CHAPPELL, JOHNNIE MAE -- Brief information about Chappell, from the Southern Poverty Law Center's roster of Civil Rights martyrs.
CHAPPELL, JOHNNIE MAE -- First Coast news item about the murder of Johnnie Mae Chappell.
FORTUNE, T. THOMAS -- SEE WRITERS & NEWSPEOPLE
MOORE, HARRY T. -- An excellent website for info about Harry T. Moore, an African American civil rights activist. From the Public Broadcasting System. BACKGROUND INFO: According to the NAACP, Moore was the nation's first martyr in the modern civil rights era. Moore was not born in Jacksonville, but he lived in the city during some of his formative years. He and his wife, Harriette, were killed by a bomb on Christmas night, 1951. They died in Mims, Florida, about 180 miles south of Jacksonville.
MOORE, HARRY T. -- Web page entitled "Harry T. Moore Homesite." Provides info & links in regard to Moore.
MOORE, HARRY T. -- Overview of Moore's life, from Africana.com.
MOORE, HARRY T. -- The first chapter of the Ben Green's intriguing book Before His Time: The Untold Story of Harry T. Moore, America's First Civil Rights Martyr. Excerpt furnished by the New York Times.
MOORE, HARRY T. -- New York Times review of Ben Green's book Before His Time, which is about Harry T. Moore.
MOORE, HARRY T. -- Article called "The Sacrifice of Harry & Harriette Moore," from the People's Weekly World. Provides info about the assassination of Moore and his wife, as well as about the times in which they lived.
MOORE, HARRY T. -- St. Petersburg Times article entitled "Lest We Forget," by Eric Deggans. Tells how Florida's African Americans were treated during the time of Harry Moore's assassination.
MOORE, HARRY T. -- An interview with Evangeline Moore, the daughter of Harry & Harriette Moore. From FloridaOnline.com.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- A great deal of info about A. Philip Randolph (1889 - 1979). Is furnished by the A. Philip Randolph Institute. BACKGROUND INFO: Some have called Randolph "The "Dean of the Black Labor Movement," "The Dean of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement," "The Father of the Modern Civil Rights Movement," or "The Grand Old Man of the Civil Rights Movement." In 1889, Randolph was born in Crescent City, a town near the St. Johns River, about 90 miles south of Jacksonville. Randolph spent many of his formative years in Jacksonville.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- Overview provided by JacksonvilleStory.com.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- Info from the A. Philip Randolph Institute. Describes Randolph's impact on the Pullman porter labor scene.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- Additional info about Randolph's impact on Pullman porters. From the A. Philip Randolph/Pullman Porter Museum.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- The history of Pullman porters. From the A. Philip Randolph/Pullman Porter Museum.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- The directory page for the A. Philip Randolph/Pullman Porter Museum.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- Lots of info about Randolph, from a web site entitled "A. Philip Randolph: For Jobs and Freedom." Furnished by the Public Broadcasting System.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- Webpage called "The Asa Philip Randolph Story." This web page notes that Randolph (born in 1889) moved with his family to Jacksonville in 1891.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- Webpage on Randolph, by Sara Thomas. Gives a few details about his school years in Jacksonville. Also provides links at the bottom of the page.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- A long article about Randolph. From The Philadelphia Tribune.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- Lots of info about Randolph.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- From Africana.com.
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- Summary of Randolph's life. From a website entitled "Home to Harlem."
RANDOLPH, A. PHILIP -- Info about Randolph, from a website on Marcus Garvey.

CLERGY

"AFRICAN PRINCESS" BURIED IN THE OLD CITY CEMETERY -- SEE KOFI, LAURA ADORKOR
KOFI, LAURA ADORKA "MOTHER KOFI" ("AFRICAN PRINCESS") -- Info about the "African Princess" who was named Laura Adorkor "Mother Kofi" Kofi (Koffey). A native of Ghana and the founder of an African American church, Koffey is buried in Old City Cemetery in Jacksonville. She was assassinated in Miami in 1928. Info is from FindAGrave.Com, which also furnishes photos of her grave.
KOFI, LAURA ADORKA -- Info from the website for the New York Public Library.
KOFI, LAURA ADORKA -- Info from the website for the University of Illinois Press. From a review of the book "Southern Discomfort." NOTE: When you get to the webpage, go about 3/4's down for the info about Kofi.

DOCTORS

WILLIAMS, ISRAEL E. -- Article entitled "Dr. Israel E. Williams," by Adonnica L. Toler, of Blacksonville.com. Provides info about a leading African-American physician & businessman in Jacksonville.

EDUCATORS

BETHUNE, MARY MCLEOD -- Lakeland [Florida] Ledger article on Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955). BACKGROUND INFO: Bethune was a celebrated black educator and an advisor to US presidents. Bethune started the Daytona Beach, Florida, school that became the noted Bethune-Cookman College. Among other achievements, she also served as Director of Black Affairs in the National Youth Administration under President Franklin Roosevelt.
BETHUNE, MARY MCLEOD -- Lots of info about Bethune. From the website of Bethune-Cookman College.
BETHUNE, MARY MCLEOD -- From the University of South Carolina.
BETHUNE, MARY MCLEOD -- Web page devoted to Bethune. From "The African American History Website." NOTE: When you get to the web site, go to the heading "Other Biographies." This is on the left-hand side of the page.
BETHUNE, MARY MCLEOD -- From the website "Stamp on Black History."
BETHUNE, MARY MCLEOD -- Bethune's bio, from the St. Petersburg Times.
BETHUNE, MARY MCLEOD -- Bio info from Florida Civic Ed.
BETHUNE, MARY MCLEOD -- Info about Bethune, from "Discovering Jacksonville and the Surrounding Area:Historical Tours," by Patrick L. Cooney. NOTE: When you get to the webpage, go about 1/3 the way down.
COLE, JOHNETTA BETSCH -- Biographical info from Wilberforce University. BACKGROUND INFO: An acclaimed anthropologist and author, Johnetta Betsch Cole served as the president of Spelman College, the oldest college for African American women in the United States. She was the first African American woman to serve as Spelman's president since its founding in 1881. Johnetta Cole received recognition as one of America's most outstanding African Americans in the 20th anniversary issues of both Essence magazine and Black Enterprise magazine. Her great grandfather was Abraham Lincoln Lewis, who co-founded the Afro-American Life Insurance Company. Her sister is Mavynee Betsch ("The Beach Lady" at American Beach). (Some of this info came from from "Pat Trosclair's Home Page.")
COLE, JOHNETTA BETSCH -- Info about Cole, from "Pat Trosclair's Home Page."
COLE, JOHNETTA BETSCH -- An article from Africana.com that briefly tells how Spelman College students wanted an African American woman as a president during the 1970s. Additional information about the college's history is also given.
COLE, JOHNETTA BETSCH -- Biographical info from Dominion Virginia Power.
COLE, JOHNETTA BETSCH -- An interesting interview with Cole, from "The Hall of Public Service." Info about her childhood is provided.
COLE, JOHNETTA BETSCH -- Biographical info about Betsch, from a website called "Women's Stories."
COLE, JOHNETTA BETSCH -- Info about Cole, from a web page entitled "Salute to Spelman's 'Sistah Prez', Dr. Johnetta Cole."
COLE, JOHNETTA BETSCH -- Biography from Wilberforce University.
COLE, JOHNETTA BETSCH -- A attention-grabbing photo of Cole, at "Joyce Tenneson Photography."
MCFARLIN, KENAA -- Florida Times-Union article entitled, "McFarlin helped city through turbulent time," by Bill Foley. Tells about efforts of Kernaa McFarlin, Jacksonville educator, during the dark days of education in Jacksonville during the late 1960s.

ENTERTAINMENT

VARIOUS JAX MUSICIANS -- Links for well-known musicians who have been associated with Jacksonville. From the Musicians' Association of Jacksonville, American Federation of Musicians Local 444. NOTE: When you get to the website, also see the "Follies" link for additional names.
VARIETY OF JAX MUSICIANS & SINGERS -- A wonderful listing & description of notable musicians who have been associated with North Florida. They range from Cannonball Adderly to Dennis Yost. Info supplied on a webpage called "The North Florida Music Hall of Fame." From the North Florida Music Association.

BLAKE, "BLIND" -- Info about Blind Blake, from "Tim Gracyk's Home Page." BACKGROUND: Arthur "Blind" Blake (born in about 1893, died in about 1933) was a very influential & mysterious blues musician who may have been born in Jacksonville.
BLAKE, "BLIND" -- From the "Manitoba Blues Society."
BLAKE, "BLIND" -- From the State of Florida.
BLAKE, "BLIND" -- From "T-Bone's Webpage."
BLAKE, "BLIND" -- From the Central Iowa Blues Society.
BLAKE, "BLIND" -- Website entitled "Broke, Black, & Blue." Give brief info about Blake.
CHARLES, RAY -- Lakeland [Florida] Ledger article about Ray Charles. BACKGROUND INFO: The popular singer was not born in Jacksonville, but he lived & entertained there for a period of time during the 1940s. He also attended school in nearby St. Augustine.
CHARLES, RAY -- Brief info about Ray Charles' stay in Jacksonville. From RayCharles.com.

CHARLES, RAY -- Info about Ray Charles in Jax, from the website for Rhino Records.

CHARLES, RAY -- Info about Ray Charles, from the Lakeland (Florida) Ledger.

CHARLES, RAY -- Info about Ray Charles in Jacksonville. From the website for Ability Magazine.

DANIELS, BILLY -- From the Music Web. BACKGROUND: A popular African American singer, Billy Daniels was a Jacksonville native. During his heyday in the 1940s & 1950s, Daniels was best known for his highly dramatic rendition of "That Old Black Magic."

DANIELS, BILLY -- From Centrohd High Diffusion.

DANIELS, BILLY -- Pictures of Daniels & his grave. From FindAGrave.com.

JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- SEE ALSO WRITERS & NEWSPEOPLE

JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON & J. ROSAMOND JOHNSON -- Overview of the hit songwriting team of James Weldon Johnson & J. Rosamond Johnson. From Jass.com.

JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON & J. ROSAMOND JOHNSON -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Animatronics Bring Johnson Brothers to Life," by Alliniece T. Andino. Tells about an impressive display that is presented by the Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum in Jacksonville. BACKGROUND INFO: The display shows animatronics figures of James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson. James sits at a desk near John, who is seated at a piano. The Johnson brothers were the Jacksonville composers of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," widely known as "The Black National Anthem."

JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON & J. ROSAMOND JOHNSON -- Info about the animatronics display for the Johnson brothers at the Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum. From Blacksonville.com.

JOHNSON, JOHN ROSAMOND -- Article entitled "John Rosamond Johnson 1873-1954," from "Blacksonville.com."

JOHNSON, JOHN ROSAMOND -- Info about J. Rosamond Johnson from "African American Publications."

MOORE, BILLY -- Interesting article entitled "Dr. Billy Moore, Percussionist and Music Consultant," by Adonnica L. Toler, from Blacksonville.com. Tells about the accomplished African-American drummer Billy Moore, a native of Jacksonville.

MOORE, BILLY -- Lots of info about Moore. From MooreMusic.com.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS

Also see Beaches for info about American Beach.

"BEACH LADY" -- SEE BETSCH, MAVYNEE.
BETSCH, MAVYNEE -- Florida Times-Union article entitled, "An American Beach Original: Mystical Figure Fights for History," by Alliniece T. Andino. Gives a profile of MaVynee Betsch, the "Beach Lady" who lives in American Beach, which is located in Nassau County. BACKGROUND INFO: Betsch is a local activist, a historian, and a great granddaughter of A. L. Lewis, the founder of American Beach. Her sister is Johnetta Betsch Cole, the president of Spelman College.
BETSCH, MAVYNEE -- Florida Times-Union article that describes MaVynee Betsch and American Beach. Article is entitled "The American Dream: WJCT Documentary Tells Story of African-American Beach Community on Amelia Island," by Charlie Patton.
BETSCH, MAVYNEE -- Interesting article entitled "Ma Vynee Oshun Betsch: 'The Beach Lady'," by Kimberly N. Martin, at Blacksonville.com.
BETSCH, MAVYNEE -- Info about Betsch, from a web page called "Our Environment."
BETSCH, MAVYNEE -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "'Beach Lady' Faces a Problem ," by Allison Schaefers. Tells about a lack of space for Betsch's collection of mementos of American Beach. Betsch serves as the unofficial archivist of American Beach.
BETSCH, MAVYNEE -- Profile from emagazine.com.

BETSCH, MAVYNEE -- From SunshineParadise.com.

BETSCH, MAVYNEE -- From Asheville Global Report.

BETSCH, MAVYNEE -- From PowerHouseSpeakers.com.

FAMILIES

HUPEWA FAMILY -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Book Tells of Black Contributions in U.S.," by Alliniece T. Andino. Tells about the Hupewa family in neighboring Nassau County.

GOVERNMENT & LAW ENFORCEMENT

BROWN, CORRINE -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Black Voices -- Spotlight on Corrine Brown," from Jacksonville.com. Brown is a well-known African-American lawmaker from Jacksonville.
BROWN, CORRINE -- Corrine Brown's homepage.
BROWN, CORRINE -- From Congress.org.
BROWN, CORRINE -- Info about Brown, and a profile of her congressional district. From the Washington Post.
BROWN, CORRINE -- Florida Times-Union from 1998 article entitled "Congressional Fight Reaching Fever Pitch," by John Dunbar. Gives a profile of Corrine Brown.
BROWN, CORRINE -- A 1996 profile of Brown & her congressional district, from CNN.
BROWN, CORRINE -- From the TREA Senior Citizens League.
BROWN, CORRINE -- From a webpage entitled "Profiles of African Americans in Florida Politics."
DEAN, JAMES -- First Coast news item about the reinstatement, years after his death, of the African American Key West judge, James Dean, who lived for a time in Jacksonville.
DEAN, JAMES -- Tampa Tribune item about the reinstatement of James Dean. BACKGROUND -- Dean was the South's first black judge. He was illegally removed from his position in Key West in 1889, and he later moved to Jacksonville.
GIRARDEAU, ARNETTE -- Info about Dr. Arnett E. Girardeau, a Jacksonville dentist. BACKGROUND: In 1982, Girardeau became the first African American man elected to the Florida Senate.
GLOVER, NAT -- Biography from the City of Jacksonville website. BACKGROUND: Mr. Glover served as a very popular sheriff of Duval County. He was the first African American sheriff elected in Florida in more than 100 years.
GLOVER, NAT -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Black Voices -- Spotlight on Nat Glover," from Jacksonville.com.
GLOVER, NAT -- Lots of detail about Glover, from the Florida Sheriffs Association.
MATHIS, SALLYE -- "New Black Voices: The Growth and Contributions of Sallye Mathis and Mary Singleton in Florida Government" either is or will be available online in its entirety. It is being provided by the Florida Heritage Collection.
SINGLETON, MARY -- "New Black Voices: The Growth and Contributions of Sallye Mathis and Mary Singleton in Florida Government" either is or will be available online in its entirety. It is being provided by the Florida Heritage Collection.

LAWYERS

LEE, JOSEPH E. -- Historical info about Joseph E. Lee, who began practice in Jacksonville in the 1870s as the city's first black lawyer. From the Florida Historical Markers Program website.
LEE, JOSEPH E. -- A brief profile of Joseph E. Lee, from the Florida Historical Markers Program. BACKGROUND INFO: Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1849, Lee lived in Jacksonville for some time. During the 1870s, Lee became Jacksonville's first African American lawyer. Among other accomplishments, Lee proved influential in Florida's Republican Party.
MCGILL, SIMUEL DECATUR -- A profile of the African American lawyer Simuel D. McGill, from "Black Family Today Magazine Online." BACKGROUND: Among other achievements, McGill worked on civil rights cases for the NAACP. McGill also labored on a 1923 case that helped lead to Florida's elimination of executions by hanging in 1924.
MCGILL, SIMUEL DECATUR -- Info about McGill, from the Eartha M. M. White Collection at the University of North Florida. BACKGROUND INFO: McGill was best known for his defense of four African-American Florida men, sentenced to death for murdering a white man in 1933. McGill won them a new trial, which resulted in a not guilty verdict.

PHOTOGRAPHERS

WEEMS, ELLIE LEE -- Article entitled "Ellie Lee Weems: 1901-1983," by Adonnica L. Toler, from Blacksonville.com. Provides info about a leading African-American photographer who took pictures of Jacksonville's African-American community. His many negatives and pictures are preserved in a library in Atlanta.

RECREATION PROMOTERS

DWIGHT, FLORIDA C. -- Informative article entitled "Florida C. Dwight, 1886-1977," by Adonnica L. Toler. Tells about an educator and pioneer in African-American recreation in Jacksonville. From the website "Blacksonville.com."
DWIGHT, DAVID H. -- Article entitled "David H. Dwight, 1882-1959," by Adonnica L. Toler. Tells about a pioneer in the development of Boy Scouts among African Americans in Jacksonville. Article is from the website "Blacksonville.com."

SLAVES

CELIA -- Lots of info about Celia's fate and her family's fate. Celia, a slave, was the first female known to be executed in Florida. Info is provided by JacksonvilleStory.com. Info links are located in the Jax Curiosity Shop section of this website. BACKGROUND INFO: Celia was hung in Jacksonville in 1848 for killing Jacob Bryan, her owner. Jacob was Celia's father and was probably also the father of Celia's own children.

CELIA -- Associated Press article entitled "Wuornos scheduled to become third woman executed," by Ron Word. Includes info about Celia, the first female known to be executed in Florida.

SOCIAL WORK

WHITE, EARTHA -- Two links that give a river of info about Eartha White (1876-1974). BACKGROUND INFO: The granddaughter of African American slaves, White may have been the most remarkable woman ever born in Jacksonville. Among her many achievements, the "Angel of Mercy" earned distinction in the field of social work. The webpages about her are furnished by by the Eartha M. M. White Collection at the University of North Florida.
WHITE, EARTHA -- This is the homepage for the Eartha White Collection at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Lots of information about Eartha White can be retrieved from this site.
WHITE, EARTHA -- Info about White's life. From the University of Miami.
CLARA WHITE MISSION -- History of the historic mission, furnished by the mission's website.
WHITE, EARTHA -- Info about White, from an online guide called "Discovering Jacksonville and the Surrounding Area: Historical Tours," by Patrick L. Cooney. NOTE: When you get to the website, scroll about 1/2 way down the page.
WHITE, EARTHA -- A nearly five-minute long recording of Eartha White. Gives a moral tale that she heard from her mother, Clara White. The tale is called "The Girl Who Didn't Mind Her Mother." Placed online by the American Memory Collections of the Library of Congress. NOTE: When you get to the website, press the tab "Geographic Location." Next, go to the tab "Clara White Mission." After you press on this tab, the tale by Eartha White will be accessed.
WHITE, EARTHA -- This website gives an online source called "Selections from the Eartha M. M. White Papers." The items in this small selection date from about 1900 to 1950. They cover a hodgepodge of topics in regard to Eartha White. Pictures are also provided. This source is part of the Florida Heritage Collection.
WHITE, EARTHA -- "75th Diamond Birthday Observance of Useful Life of Eartha Mary Magdalene White, 'Doctor of Humanities,'" (Is from 1951) -- NOTE: The entire text of this source is available online. It's provided in the wonderful website called the "Florida Heritage Collection," maintained by the State University System of Florida. When you get to the website, you can search by keywords. Just type in "Jacksonville," or "Duval County," or other keywords, such as words from a title. ALSO NOTE: Most of the individual Jacksonville items in the Florida Heritage Collection are listed in JacksonvilleStory.com, the site you're now in.
EARTHA WHITE PAPERS -- "Selections from the Eartha M.M. White Papers" (A variety of items & pictures having to do with Jacksonville's African-American history during the early 1900s) -- NOTE: The entire text of this source is available online. It's provided in the wonderful website called the "Florida Heritage Collection," maintained by the State University System of Florida. When you get to the website, you can search by keywords. Just type in "Jacksonville," or "Duval County," or other keywords, such as words from a title. ALSO NOTE: Most of the individual Jacksonville items in the Florida Heritage Collection are listed in JacksonvilleStory.com, the site you're now in.

WRITERS & NEWSPEOPLE

FORTUNE, T. THOMAS -- Web page devoted to Timothy Thomas Fortune. Info furnished by "The African American History Website." BACKGROUND INFO: A civil rights leader, Fortune was also one of the most prominent African American journalists after the Civil War. He was a native Floridian who was associated with Jacksonville. NOTE: When you get to the web site, go the heading "Other Biographies," which is on the left of the page.
FORTUNE, T. THOMAS -- Overview of Fortune's life. Furnished by the History Channel.
HURSTON, ZORA NEAL -- Lakeland [Florida] Ledger about Zora Neal Hurston (1891-1960). BACKGROUND: Hurston was a well-known African American writer & anthropologist. Although not a Jacksonville native, Hurston lived there for a number of years.
HURSTON, ZORA NEALE -- Florida Times-Union article called "Hurston's Work Part of Florida Folklore," by Ann Hyman. Tells about Hurston's gathering of Florida folk tales during the years 1938-1939, when she worked with the Federal Writers Project.
HURSTON, ZORA NEALE -- Info about Hurston from a web site called "Voices from the Gaps: Women Writers of Color." Also provided are many links to other sites about Hurston.
HURSTON, ZORA NEALE -- A profile of Hurston. Also provided are links to other websites about her. Furnished in "Myths and Dreams: Exploring the Cultural Legacies of Florida and the Caribbean."
HURSTON, ZORA NEALE -- A detailed timeline for Hurston's life. From a website maintained by the Zenana Book Club.
HURSTON, ZORA NEALE -- Web page called "Zora Neale Hurston: Genius of the South." Includes links.
HURSTON, ZORA NEALE -- Lots of info & pictures. Website name: "Zora Neale Hurston."
HURSTON, ZORA NEALE -- Actual recordings of Hurston singing and telling a story. Furnished by the State of Florida.
HURSTON, ZORA NEALE -- From Africana.com
HURSTON, ZORA NEALE -- Bio of Hurston from the St. Petersburg Times.
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- Lakeland [Florida] Ledger article on James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938), an African American who was born in Jacksonville and spent a number of years there. BACKGROUND INFO: Johnson accomplished enough for several lifetimes. He was very a very prominent educator, diplomat, writer, poet, songwriter, and civil rights leader. Along with his brother Rosamond, James Weldon Johnson also penned ""Lift Every Voice and Sing." This is widely considered to be the "Black National Anthem."
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- Detailed info about Johnson's life in Jacksonville. From a website called "PAL: Perspectives in American Literature: A Research and Reference Guide." NOTE: When you arrive at the site, scroll toward the bottom to see the info.
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- Article about Johnson's life in Jacksonville. Article is entitled "James Weldon Johnson's Life and Career," by Herman Beavers. From the website "Modern American Poetry."
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- Lots of info & pictures for Johnson. Includes many links. Even includes links to online texts of his writings & poems. From the University of South Carolina.
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "LaVilla festival Saturday: Celebration will honor Johnson," by John Carter. Provides a good color picture of Johnson.

JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- A Florida History & the Arts article entitled "Jacksonville's Native Son." Gives a profile of Johnson.
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- Article entitled "James Weldon Johnson 1871-1938," from "Blacksonville.com."
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- Web page devoted to Johnson. From "The African American History Website." NOTE: When you get to the web site, go the heading "Other Biographies," which is on the left-side of the page.
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "LaVilla festival Saturday: Celebration will honor Johnson," by John Carter.
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- Info about Johnson. NOTE: When you get to the webpage, go about 1/2 the way down.
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- Bio info from Florida Civic Ed.
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- OVER 100 LINKS -- Links to over 100 websites & webpages about James Weldon Johnson. From Geometry.net.
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- "LIFT EV'RY VOICE" -- Info about Johnson (along with lyrics to "Lift Every Voice and Sing"). From "Gberry's Phi Beta Sigma Page."
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- "LIFT EV'RY VOICE" -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "'Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing': A Century Later, Jacksonville Children to Re-create First Performance of Song, by Alliniece Taylor. Tells about the 100th anniversary celebration of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing."
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- "LIFT EV'RY VOICE" -- Website that tells where to obtain different recorded versions of "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Includes classical interpretations, traditional quartet gospel singing, and a capella versions. From the "African American History and Heritage Site."
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- POEMS -- Lots of info about Johnson's poetry. From "Modern American Poetry."
JOHNSON, JAMES WELDON -- POEMS -- Text of several of Johnson's poems. From "Jill Diesman's Homepage."
MENARD, JOHN WILLIS -- Listen to an audio report entitled "John Willis Menard: Florida's Reconstruction Poet." Tells about an African American politician, journalist, & poet who lived for a time in Jacksonville after the Civil War. Provided by the Florida Humanities Council. NOTE: When you get to the webpage, click on the heading "Last Month's Programs." Keep clicking this heading until you get to the page that contains the audio report you want.
MENARD, JOHN WILLIS -- Info from a webpage entitled "John Willis Menard," by Spessard Stone.
MENARD, JOHN WILLIS -- Info from a webpage entitled "Lays in a Summer Land," by Spessard Stone. Tells about a book written by Menard.
SHUFTEN, JOHN -- A picture & profile of John Shuften, from "Black Family Today Magazine Online." BACKGROUND: Shuften moved to Jacksonville during the latter 1800s. He became one of Florida's first black journalists.
SIMPSON, MARY WOOTEN -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Black Voices -- Spotlight on Mary Wooten Simpson," from Jacksonville.com. BACKGROUND INFO: Simpson is the publisher of The Florida Star, a weekly newspaper founded in 1951 to serve Jacksonville's African-American community. The paper was established by Mary Wooten Simpson's late husband, Eric O. Simpson. Mary Wooten Simpson is a native of Jacksonville and a former principal.