Spotlight of the Month
 
Broward County's Own Heroes Have a Strong Presence in Black History Month
February is Black History Month, a time to recognize the contributions of notable African-Americans and acknowledge their roles in the development and history of our nation. But what about our hometown heroes? The names may be familiar - you see them on street signs, bridges and buildings throughout Broward - but what did they accomplish that brought them such acclaim? The pioneers of the black community in our county paved the way for segregation, education, literacy, health and social change. From the earliest days of Broward, African-Americans - the sons and daughters of freed slaves, immigrants from the Caribbean, and others - worked hard to create a community where all were indeed equal, often struggling against oppression and prejudice.

"5,000 Babies"
It's been said that Dr. James Franklin Sistrunk could always remember the babies he delivered - all 5,000 of them. In his 44 years in Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Sistrunk became known as Broward County's first black physician; in fact, for 16 years, he was the only black physician.

Born in the north Florida town of Midway in 1891, James Sistrunk served in World War I and then studied at Meharry College in Nashville, Tennessee. After living for a brief time in Dunnellon, Florida, Dr. Sistrunk moved to Fort Lauderdale in April 1922. Before his arrival, Broward's growing black population relied on white doctors for medical treatment. But Dr. Sistrunk soon became the community's doctor, making house calls and treating the poor even when they didn't have money to pay.

For all his efforts, Dr. Sistrunk still had to struggle against racism. His work was restricted, since black doctors weren't allowed to perform surgery in "white" hospitals.

But in 1938, Dr. Sistrunk teamed up with another medical doctor, Dr. Von D. Mizell, to open the first medical facility for blacks, Provident Hospital, located at 1409 N.W. 6th Street. The hospital closed in the mid-1960s when Broward General became integrated. It was converted into the Von Mizell Cultural Center and Library; when the facility became too small, a community effort was launched to fund and build the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center.

Although he passed away in 1966, Dr. Sistrunk lives on in spirit in the many places that commemorate his work throughout Fort Lauderdale. From Sistrunk Boulevard to the J.F. Sistrunk Bridge over the north fork of the New River, Dr. James Franklin Sistrunk is honored for his contributions to the citizens of Fort Lauderdale.

Doctor and Activist
Dr. Von Delaney Mizell, Dr. Sistrunk's partner, is another hometown hero Dr. Mizell was a medical doctor and a community and civil rights activist who started the first NAACP chapter in South Florida. He challenged the medical community by successfully suing the Broward County Medical Association for admittance. He also staged sit-ins and protests, and participated in a boycott of Fort Lauderdale's "Colored School," which held a split school year so that children could work in the fields during the winter.

Dr. Mizell participated in a much-publicized protest to allow access to beaches in Broward County for black people.

To learn more about Dr. Mizell and other activists, click here.