Mayor Deegan announces African American Advisory Board at Black History Month event
Mayor Deegan announced the creation of the Mayorโs African American Advisory Board and officially proclaimed February as Black History Month at an event with Jacksonville nonprofit 904WARD on Tuesday at the St. James Building.
โCelebration of his lifeโ: Local childrenโs author shares insight on book written about her late firefighter fiancรฉ
A local childrenโs author had the opportunity to read and share insight on her book โMike The Friendly Firefighterโ during a literacy event at the Jacksonville Public Library on Saturday.
Democrats and Republicans hold Black History Month celebrations with an eye on November's election
Black History Month was celebrated in the nation's capital with dueling events on Tuesday highlighting the divide between Democratsโ and Republicans' approaches to courting Black voters in the 2024 presidential election.
Mygani teams up with Empowerment Resources to launch the 9th Annual Curls and Convo event
In honor of Black History Month, Mygani is teaming up with Empowerment Resources Inc. (ERI) a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering children and their families to become strong and successful leaders. They are excited to host their 9th Curls and Convo event! Mygani's signature event was created to instill the value of self-confidence in women + girls of color regardless of their hair texture or skin complexion. Join them for a HISTORICAL convo about what makes natural hair + black culture magical!
Jacksonville Image Awards finalists announced, recognizing excellence in the local African American community
The finalists for the 2024 Jacksonville Image Awards have been selected, and the awards ceremony will be here before you know it! It's the fifth year for the event and this Jacksonville Image Awards helps celebrate Black History Month in February.
J.P. Small coached & mentored many Jacksonville athletes, including author of new book: โThe Faith of the Blind Coachโ
James Purcell Small was a coach in Jacksonville, and perhaps youโve visited J.P. Small Memorial Park, the park named in his honor in the Durkeeville neighborhood. What you might not know is that Small, despite losing most of his vision, continued coaching and mentoring some of the most successful athletes for decades.
Forming the Buffalo Soldier Regiments
Throughout Black History Month, our friend Yolanda โYollieโ Copeland the founder and CEO of Explore JAX Core has been a great resource and guide to our past. Today Yollie walked us through the history of the Buffalo Soldier Regiments and the impact they had on our nation. These all-Black regiments, first established in 1866 by Congress after the Civil War, were primarily made up of veterans who had fought during the Civil War, the U.S. Colored Troopsโas well as those formerly enslaved. Buffalo Soldiers were entrusted with important roles during the post-Civil War eraโpeacetime work as well as active combat to protect U.S. interests. While their duties originally supported government-sanctioned expansion across the United States, all-Black regiments later served in major military actions across the globe:
River City Roundup
Partnership for Child Health Jax hosts a Black History Month event focused on Youth Empowerment Friday from 5:30-7:30pm. For 30 years, the Partnership for Child Health has been advancing the health, equity and well-being of children, youth and families. The organization connects public, private, non-profit and academic organizations to identify, develop and implement systems of care to strengthen and empower children and families making our city a better place for everyone. Attendees will connect with Chrystina McGriff of Ready, Prep, Go Meal prep, storyteller and historian Cora Hackley, and First Coast NPCH. The Special Guest Speaker will be Dr. Benjamin Harvey, a Jacksonville native and tech entrepreneur. Students from Douglas Anderson will be in house with performances, as well. It will be Emmett Reed Center for Hope. www.pchjax.org
โRepresentation mattersโ: Husband, wife attorney team want boutique firm to inspire next generation
Black attorneys make up only 5% of the U.S. population, according to the American Bar Association. One Jacksonville law firm is working to change the narrative and inspire others to get into the legal field while also working to make a difference in their community.
Local orthodontist wants to inspire young people to โwear the white coatโ some day
News4JAX is celebrating Black History Month the whole month of February by showcasing local Black men and women making a difference in the community. Dr. Khalil Orsborn is one of the only Black orthodontists in Jacksonville.
Jumbo Shrimp aim to build on mission to increase diversity in baseball
Harold Craw wanted the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp to connect with the areaโs storied and diverse baseball tradition. What better way to do that than by connecting several local schools with Jacksonvilleโs past and making an event out of it.
8th Curls and Convo event
In honor of Black History Month, Mygani LLC is teaming up with Empowerment Resources Inc. (ERI) a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering children and their families to become strong and successful leaders. We are excited to host our 8th Curls and Convo event!
Biden closes out Black History Month with White House event
President Joe Biden welcomed Black leaders to the White House Monday for a jovial Black History Month celebration, where he used the moment to call on Congress to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, and pass voting rights bills.
Touring the Black History of Jacksonville
Black History Month is February, but Jacksonville has way too much history to squeeze into 28 days. Yolanda โYollieโ Copeland moved to the River City a decade ago. She discovered there was so much to learn about the culture in the city for herself, but she realized that others might be missing out on that knowledge. She became a history detective (her words) and launched Explore Jax Core Tours. Those who book with her get guided tours detailing the history of neighborhoods like Durkeeville, Springfield, Hansonville and more. She learns more as much as she shares and enjoys opening people up to the Black History of Jacksonville.
14-year-old conquers state championship dream as youngest Black QB to bring title home to Duval
Right now, there are fewer than 10 starting Black quarterbacks in the NFL. But we are seeing more diversity in the next generation of athletes. One local quarterback is changing the game right here in the River City.
Iโm A Star Foundation teens host, produce Black History Month special
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Teenagers in the Iโm A Star Foundation interviewed a multigenerational group of changemakers for their Black History Month special broadcast, โYoung, Gifted & Black, Celebrating Kids Making History.โThe special was streamed live from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. โI believe this Black history program will let anyone who is willing to listen know that they can change history with time, patience and determination,โ said Iโm A Star Foundation student host Myia McLaughlin, 17, a senior at First Coast High School. Among those interviewed included Dr. Laurence Morse, a Jacksonville native and alumnus of then-segregated Matthew Gilbert High School and chairman of Howard University Board of Trustees, and civil rights activist, historian and author Rodney Hurst. AdFaith Sampson, 16, Jordan Sanders, 11, and Tiffany Powell, 13, conducted interviews. Additional Iโm A Star Foundation student hosts and producers included Valencia Gibson, 15, Javar Collier, 14, and John Robinson, 13.
Local artist paints her path through self-expression
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Tatiana Kitchen is a local artist hoping to inspire people in Jacksonville and across the country through her work. โItโs something I enjoy because itโs always been a means of self-expression,โ Kitchen said. TATIANA KITCHEN (Copyright 2020 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.) TATIANA KITCHEN (Copyright 2020 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.) I want to do some murals outside of Florida.โAdTATIANA KITCHEN (Copyright 2020 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.)
Local children open up about Black history in their communities
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ The Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida NFL YET center is a place of opportunity for more than 2,500 young people across Jacksonville. During Black History Month, News4Jax spoke with children at the club about what they see and hear in their community, and how it makes them feel. During Black History Month, Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida celebrated and honored the men and women who proved dreams can become a reality. AdThe Boys and Girls Club offers a safe place for learning, activity and dialogue. Annual memberships to the NFL YET Boys and Girls Club is $25 per child.
Before leading as ambassador, Andrew Young helped break racial barriers in St. Augustine
Andrew Young was asked by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to go to St. Augustine and stop a demonstration. King had been arrested in St. Augustine before for peaceful demonstrations against discrimination. โWe felt that if we could get the Civil Rights Bill of 1964 passed that would take care of St. Augustine and we would, we could do better in Washington than we could in St. Augustine,โ Young, now 88, told News4Jax. King and Young returned the next week to a local diner to get food and make sure integration was happening in St. Augustine. AdHowever, the night in St. Augustine, standing before a group of racist men, remains a vivid memory for Young.
Former NASA engineer works to expose students of color to Black history, STEM
โThe only thing that (it) said about Black history was that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves. As a NASA engineer and a student of Black history, Robinson knew that the contributions of Black Americans were far greater than what he saw in the 300-page book. โThatโs what I would want people to know is that our Black history is not dancing and throwing a ball. We have made many significant strides as a people.โRobinson has been an important part of Black history in America, too. Robinson hopes many more students of color will go on to write a new chapter of Black history that will show up in textbooks one day.
In photos: The rise of Kamala Harris, our countryโs first woman of color to serve as vice president
Vice President Kamala Harris has had quite the rise over the past decade or so: From San Franciscoโs district attorney and Californiaโs attorney general, to the Golden Stateโs senator and now our second in command, right behind President Joe Biden.
Teens join effort to honor enslaved voices of Kingsley Plantation
Itโs where Anna Kingsley, an African woman who became a slave, went on to become a slave owner herself. RELATED: Kingsley Plantation: Journey through time offers living lessonAdNow a collaborative effort between local teens, Groundwork Jacksonville and a few other organizations tells the stories of six enslaved people who lived and worked on Kingsley Plantation, including Gullah Jack. And then his story gets real interesting from there,โ said Shanell Davis-Bryant, project manager of Groundwork Jacksonville. I think itโs important for us to take a moment and reconnect with our roots and understand that context of our roots. But know that this is a part of our history, a part of our story.โAdThe Green Team from Groundwork Jacksonville said the idea is to make people feel like they were inside the plantation.
โBirthplace of freedomโ: Fort Mose treasured for its historical importance
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. โ Black culture stretches further back in St. Augustine history than many may know. โIt is a story that needs to be told by everyone and anyone that will listen,โ said Fort Mose Historical Society President Charles Ellis. News4Jax's Kent Justice speaks with historian and re-enactor James Bullock and Fort Mose Historical Society President Charles Ellis. โFort Mose is the birthplace of freedom,โ Ellis said. We just need to acknowledge it and to see how that changed peopleโs lives.โAdTo learn more about Fort Mose, visit the historical societyโs website.
Ray Charlesโ musical legacy has roots in Jacksonville area
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Singer-songwriter Ray Charles may have had Georgia on his mind, but North Florida is where his path to fame and fortune began. AdRecreation of Ray Charles' childhood home, now a museum. AdGALLERY: Ray Charles performing throughout the yearsErik Avanier: โAs someone who grew up with him, how proud are you of Ray Charles? Ray Charles died in 2004 and left behind a legacy of music, but also financial resources that helped to form the Ray Charles Foundation, which is based in Los Angeles. Ray Charles said: โThe inability to hear is a handicap; not the inability to see.โ The vision of The Ray Charles Foundation is to instill in the youth of America that โthere is no challenge too great one cannot overcome.โThere is also the Ray Charles Library in Los Angeles that is a two-story building that Charles built.
Black communityโs distrust of law enforcement goes back centuries
They were the epitome of racist law enforcement officials.โToday calls for justice and police reform stems from police killings and excessive force used in Black communities. AdHurst said saying โblack lives matterโ does not mean itโs instead of anyone, but that it means black lives matter, also. โBut the response to that invariably is, โblue lives matter.โ Blue lives have always mattered,โ he said. โIf you really look at these policies theyโre not antagonistic towards law enforcement officers. JSO and other law enforcement agencies do have outreach programs and transparency resources for the community.
New interactive educational signs bring Flight to Freedom Trail to life year round at Fort Mose
Fort Mose Historic State Park has partnered with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida to launch a self-guided educational tour experience along the Flight to Freedom Trail. ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. โ In celebration of Black History Month, Fort Mose Historic State Park launched a self-guided educational tour experience along the Flight to Freedom Trail, bringing to life the rich history of the park year-round. โMore than 300 years ago, Fort Mose served as a beacon of hope for enslaved people in what would become the United States. (Courtesy of Fort Mose Historical State Park)โWe launched the Flight to Freedom reenactment in 2009,โ said Charles Ellis, president of Fort Mose Historical Society. It does this through programs that preserve and protect state parks, educate visitors about the value of state parks, encourage community engagement and active use of state parks, and advocacy.
Young equestrian helping raise awareness that competitive riding needs to be more diverse
Sheโs only 11, but Miah Young has found her passion in life. Horse shows,โ said Jeremiah Young, Miahโs father. Miah Young jumps Primrose the Paint. Miah said it makes her happy to know sheโs helping raise awareness that competitive riding needs to be more diverse. Weโve ridden at barns, and we donโt see any African Americans,โ her mother said.
Music in the Black church: โDifferent, but never deficientโ
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Uplifting, strengthening, calming: All three are words to describe music in the Black church. UNCUT: Full interview with Rudolph McKissick Sr., Rudolph McKissick Jr. โIn many of your Black churches you had call and response, what is called Dr. Watts in the Black church, where the deacon would sing a line and then youโd repeat it,โ McKissick Jr. said. He describes his extended family as โa big time church family,โ and references his own upbringing in The Bethel Church. Local community advocate Marsha Oliver grew up in The Bethel Church, singing in the choir as a child and shares how she was able to detect her fatherโs mood based on the church songs he sang.
Jumbo Shrimpโs Harold Craw still making history as teamโs GM
But heโs doing just that each and every time out as the general manager of the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Craw first joined Jacksonvilleโs minor league baseball franchise in 2015. And that makes him the longest tenured African-American general manger in minor league baseball history. Both teams donned Jacksonville Red Caps jerseys to celebrate Negro League baseball and Black History Month. Craw is the only current African-American general manager in minor league baseball, and only the second African-American to ever be named a general manager in the minor leagues.
โThe Harlem of the South,โ other glimpses of Jacksonvilleโs past
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ As part of Black History Month, News4Jax has shared local stories about the Civil Rights movement, segregation, Black leaders and Black-owned businesses in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Black history is all of our history, and News4Jax is committed to bringing you stories about our diverse communities beyond February. You might not know the area was once its own city and was a very prosperous area for members of Jacksonvilleโs African-American community. โA lot goes into teaching Black history. โThat Black history is American history.
โSmallโ Jacksonville baseball stadium is historic diamond in the rough
Renovated a few years ago, this field in Jacksonvilleโs historically Black Durkeeville is steeped in African American history. One of the original Negro League teams, the Jacksonville Red Caps, played on the field in 1938. Full Screen Full Screen 1 / 6 Renovated a few years ago, a baseball field in Jacksonvilleโs historically Black Durkeeville is steeped in African American history. See, they canโt start the game without me.โIn 1953, a new era of history for Jacksonville and baseball began when the stadium became the home of the Jacksonville Braves. In 1953, Samuel Wolfson racially integrated the Jacksonville Braves by adding three Black baseball players to the roster.
Navigating the Green Book in Jacksonville: A Black travelerโs guide
The Hotel Rita was a lodging facility featured in the Green Book, a Black traveler's guide from the time of segregation. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ To truly understand what it was like to be a Black tourist during segregation, you have to go back to that era and open a book: The Green Book. It was a Black travelerโs guide to finding hotels, restaurants, filling stations, entertainment venues, and other businesses across the country that would serve them. โSo, a gentleman by the name of Victor Green published the first Green Book in 1936.โThe book was published each year and contained the names and locations of businesses Black travelers could visit. She said to keep themselves and their families safe, Black travelers had to plan out their entire trip from start to finish.
Edward Waters College carries over 150 years of influence and history
Edward Waters College was founded in 1866 by members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to educate freedmen. TV personality and now Edward Waters College professor Rahman Johnson is a notable EWC graduate. Less than 10 years later, it took on the name Edward Waters College with the support, once again, of the AME Church, named after the third bishop, Edward Waters. Eighty percent of the students at Edward Waters College are first-generation college students, so theyโre establishing a new tradition. Even during a pandemic, Edward Waters College hit its highest enrollment in 15 years.
Jacksonvilleโs LaVilla area was once thriving haven filled with Black-owned businesses
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Jacksonvilleโs LaVilla neighborhood was once its own city, where African Americans flourished and prospered. The LaVilla neighborhood was his foundation, where he learned to play football and eventually earned a scholarship to attend college. LaVilla, at one point in the โ20s, had 600 Black-owned businesses,โ historian Carol Alexander said. โI think the plan disappeared or somebody squashed the plan because we should be here by now, but we are constantly restarting and restarting and restarting,โ Alexander said. โBut I think now is the time that it will change, I do feel now is the time of change.โJacksonville's LaVilla neighborhood was once its own city that boasted 600 Black-owned businesses.
Kingsley Plantation: Journey through time offers living lesson
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Kingsley Plantation is the oldest standing plantation in Florida. (Provided by Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve)Walking on Kingsley Plantation is like taking a journey back in time. โWe know theyโre important because here at Kingsley Plantation the enslaved people buried their dead oriented around one of these trees. We never stop learning.โAdA painful, difficult past wrapped in natureโs beauty, Kingsley Plantation serves as more than just a history lesson. AdIf you want to learn more about the Kingsley Plantation, you can head to the siteโs Facebook page or go to http://www.nps.gov/timu.