Where To Learn About Black History In Jacksonville
When you think about the sunshine state, the first things that may come to mind are theme parks, beaches, alligators, and the infamous “Florida Man.”
But, like many other cities and states throughout the county, Florida has uniquely interlaced pieces of Black history in its heritage. Donning the title of “the first” in many categories relating to African American history within the state of Florida, Jacksonville is the perfect city to learn, explore and appreciate Black history and the many contributions of its residents to this nation.
If you are a novice to historical exploration in the area, the best way to start diving into the Black history of Jacksonville is booking a tour with Yollie of Explore Jax Core. In a quest to learn more about her roots, she began to discover untold stories and hidden truths from around the city. The two-hour riding tour stops at historic Black neighborhoods, James Weldon Johnson Park, St. Johns River, and Stanton School credited as the first public school for Black children in Florida. I learned about natives like A.L. Lewis, the first Black millionaire in the state who made monumental contributions to his community. We also stopped at Brewster Hospital, the first hospital for African Americans in Jacksonville, filling the gap where medical access was not granted at neighboring facilities. There are many more stops along the way, each with an opportunity to take photos as Yollie gives an in-depth, unfiltered narration of its significance to Jacksonville. It was abundantly clear during our tour that Yollie has a passion for imparting knowledge to all her passengers. Honestly, two hours was not enough time!
For the sports fanatic, America’s favorite pastime, baseball, has roots here too. Nestled in Durkeville is the JP Small Memorial Park, the former home to the Jacksonville Red Caps, one of the Negro League baseball teams. Just below the stadium lies a museum erected to pay tribute to the teams and players (locally and across the country) that were a part of the Negro Leagues. If you’re lucky enough, your tour guide will be Mr. Washington, who intersects history with his personal antidotes and childhood memories that made me feel like I was a part of that moment he regaled. Aside from his stories, my favorite part of the museum was learning about the Black women of baseball: Toni Stone, Mamie Johnson, and Connie Morgan.
No trip to Jacksonville could be complete without a stroll through the area formerly known as “The Harlem of The South.” LaVilla is one of the epicenters of Black culture within the city. Here we visited The Ritz, a theater that was a safe place for Black citizens to gather for shows and music. A portion of the theater is a museum featuring an incredible animatronics show of the Weldon brothers, authors of the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice.” As we moved through the museum, we saw staged rooms depicting what the schools, doctor offices, pharmacies, churches, and beauty salons looked like during yesteryears. A significant staging is of a Woolworth, paying homage to the nationwide 1960 lunch counter protests.
As painful and hidden as the past may be for African Americans, the names and legacies of their leaders are not forgotten. The one person’s name that I heard repeatedly throughout my stay was Eartha M.M. White. Through business endeavors, investments, and philanthropy, Eartha founded organizations, schools, nursing homes, homeless centers, and more that were pivotal to the success of Jacksonville and its residents. Today, her legacy lives on at the Clara White Mission named after her mother. I had the opportunity to visit the mission and witness their tremendous efforts to forward Eartha’s legacy. Upstairs, the office spaces are fitted with pieces of her bedroom and kitchen furniture from her home as part of the Eartha M.M. White Historical Museum. I got a glimpse of her life through photographs and memorabilia, gaining a deeper appreciation for her life’s work. Rumor has it that her spirit roams the corridors of the mission and will send a subtle gesture to let the board members or volunteers know when she does not like their decisions.