Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville’s Bob Hayes is not only the first to win both a Super Bowl and an Olympic Gold Medal, he is the only person to accomplish both. The “Bullet” won gold medals at the 1964 Summer Olympics in both the 100m and 4x100m relay, setting Read More …
Alfred L. Cralle was an African American inventor and businessman. While working as a porter in Markell Brothers drugstore and St. Charles Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa, he noticed that ice cream stuck to the spoons and ladles the servers used, and they usually had to use two hands Read More …
This February, a nationwide film release will feature a local actor and executive producer. Jacksonville native RJ Cyler is the star of “Freedom’s Path,” premiering in 200 theaters on February 3rd. Cyler attended Englewood High School and Edward Waters University before moving to Los Angeles Read More …
Jacksonville’s 42nd annual MLK Day parade begins at 10 a.m. Monday on Water Street near the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. The route proceeds to Laura and West Adams streets and finishes on Lee Street. Additional info here
Happy Kwanzaa! Today in 1966, Kwanzaa was founded as an African American cultural holiday. It is centered around seven principles based on African culture to build and reinforce community. The holiday’s name comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” meaning “first fruits.” Each of Read More …
The Land Use and Zoning Committee considers ordinances to grant historic preservation protections to the St. Nicholas Bethel Baptist Church and Bethel Church Cemetery. The ordinances would declare the church and cemetery local landmarks. 5 p.m., City Hall, 117 W. Duval St. Live stream the meeting here.
Saturday marks the 62nd anniversary of Ax Handle Saturday, a racially motivated attack that took place in Hemming Park in Jacksonville, Florida, on August 27, 1960. On that day, a group of white men attacked African Americans who were engaging in peaceful sit-in protests opposing Read More …
Naval Station Mayport is the new home of a destroyer with a notable history. The USS Mason, which arrived yesterday from its previous home port of Norfolk, Virginia, is named in honor of the last ship to carry the Mason name, which was one of two Read More …
A historic marker will be unveiled today on Amelia Island to honor the 2 million Africans who died and the 500,000 who survived being shipped as slaves in what was known as the Middle Passage. Amelia Island is one of 52 documented arrival locations of Read More …
The “Old Stanton” High School is poised to get a new life thanks to an infusion of funding from the state. Rep. Wyman Duggan, R-Jacksonville, Rep. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, and Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, sponsored the $2.5 million in state funding to renovate the historic building. The Read More …
Two months after the end of the Civil War, federal troops arrived in Texas to ensure that Black Americans living there were released from slavery. The anniversary of their arrival — June 19th, 1865 — was commemorated as Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday last Read More …
The Jacksonville Black Rodeo is at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center for two performances, at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday. It’s the whole rodeo experience — bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, ranch bronc, steer undecorating, barrel racing, relay races and tkids’ mutton bustin’. $22-$40.
JACKSONVILLE’S EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION RETURNS TO JAMES WELDON JOHNSON PARK Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, James Weldon Johnson Park and the City of Jacksonville are excited to announce the return of Jacksonville Emancipation Celebration following last year’s successful event. The festival will take place on Saturday, May 21, Read More …
The popular storytelling performance series Untold Stories returns for its third iteration with a lineup of locals spinning transformative narratives on stage at the Florida Theatre. With a diverse range of voices, tonight’s lineup includes poet Yvette Angelique, artist and activist Hope McMath and entrepreneur Yhang Quintaro, Read More …
Mayor Lenny Curry along with Dr. Alan Bliss, CEO of the Jacksonville Historical Society, and Dave Chauncey, chair of the Jacksonville Historical Society Board, announced the bicentennial events set for June 11. “As we celebrate this milestone birthday, I encourage everyone to look around and Read More …
Jacksonville officials are moving forward on a plan for a heritage trail in the historically African American community of LaVilla — a cultural hub once known as the Harlem of the South. The path would include historical markers at the Richmond Hotel, Old Stanton High School, Read More …
Viola Muse, a Jacksonville hair salon owner and writer with the Negro Writers’ Division of the Florida Federal Writers Project conducted interviews in the Jacksonville Black Community during the 1930’s and 1940’s. Her interviews detailed the lives of children, former slaves and everyday people in Read More …
Sallye B. Mathis was one of the first Black women to be elected and serve on our City Council in 1967. Locally, Ms. Mathis is honored by the local NAACP Jacksonville Branch by naming their annual community service award in her honor, as well as Read More …