Black History Month
Black History Month began as a week-long celebration in 1926, before evolving into a month-long tradition in 1976, now celebrated each February.
In Broward County, history has always co-existed comfortably with transformation and change. Broward is home to the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, only the third of its kind in the U.S. This 60,000-square-foot public library is home to rare books and artifacts on Black history and culture. The library also features an auditorium and exhibit areas providing opportunities to exchange ideas and cultural values as well as promote an understanding and appreciation of the contributions of persons of African descent.
Juneteenth - June 19th
Juneteenth (June 19), also known as Freedom Day, is the anniversary of when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas learned they were free.
The first step on this nation's long overdue path to ending the practice of slavery was the Emancipation Proclamation, a presidential order which was signed by Abraham Lincoln on September 22, 1862, and took effect on January 1, 1863. It declared: “All persons held as slaves within any State… shall be…forever free."
Few people realize that it wasn't until June 19, 1865 – more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation – that Union soldiers landed at Galveston and told enslaved African Americans of their emancipation. That day became known as Juneteenth, a day to celebrate freedom granted forever to those who, in their enslavement, played such a pivotal role in the history and building of this nation.
Slavery formally ended with passage of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on January 31, 1865. It declared:
“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude… shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
Watch Juneteenth Video
Broward County Parks Named After Local Black Leaders and Advocates
Reverend Samuel Delevoe Memorial Park
Reverend Samuel Delevoe was an army veteran and one of Fort Lauderdale's first Black police officers. After his tenure on the police force, he went on to become a political activist and community leader who was dedicated to improving relations between Black residents and the police. He also founded the Minority Builders Coalition of Broward and the Black Coalition of Broward County, where he advocated for quality housing, jobs and education opportunities for all people. He died in 1977 by a gunshot wound, and the park was renamed in his honor in 1979.
Lafayette Hart Park
Lafayette Hart was one of the founding members of the Washington Park Civic Association, which lobbied to have a recreational space in the Washington Park neighborhood. Hart and others believed the park would increase the well-being of people in the area and instill a stronger sense of community. Hart passed away in 1989 and the community asked for the park to be renamed from Washington Park to Lafayette Hart Park in his honor.
Dillard Green Space
This green space is named after James H. Dillard, a professor at Tulane University in New Orleans and an advocate for education, especially for Black people. Although Dillard was a white man and the son of Virginia slave owners, several prominent Black educational institutions are named after him, including Dillard University, a Black liberal arts college in New Orleans, and Fort Lauderdale's Dillard High School. The story behind the naming of the school is tied to prominent Black educators Joseph and Blanche Ely. Dr. Joseph A. Ely was the principal of the first school for Black students in Broward County in 1924. He and his wife, Blanche Ely, were educational pioneers within Broward County, with Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach being named after her. In 1930, Joseph A. Ely petitioned to have the school where he was principal renamed after James H. Dillard, a staunch advocate for Black education.
Lewis-Chisom Park
Phillip Chisom Jr. was the owner and operator of Phillip Barbecue Stand. He passed away in 1979. Lucian Lewis Jr., was the owner of Ponderosa Soul Food and Grocery in Fort Lauderdale. He passed away in 1986. Lewis also played a big role in installing drainage pipes and opening roadways around the Franklin Park neighborhood when he served as the president of the local homeowner's association. His wife, Jewel Lewis, is very active in the community and was known for hosting Thanksgiving dinners for the entire community (2003-2010).
Prominent Historic Black Leaders
Dr. James F. Sistrunk
An early African American physician in Broward County. Dr. James F. Sistrunk founded Provident Hospital with Dr. Von Delaney Mizell. Provident was the first hospital for African American residents in Broward County. Groundbreaking took place in 1938. *Image courtesy of Broward County Historical Commission, Carolyn Dandy Collection
Howard Family
Douglas Valdama Howard and Rosa Earlene Howard pose for the camera. The Howard family came to Deerfield Beach about 1897 from Georgia to farm. William H. Howard was one of the first African American registered voters, as seen by his voter registration card in the collections of the Broward County Historical Commission. He registered before Broward County came into existence in 1915. *Image courtesy of Val Hardin
Collins Family
The Collinses were early Dania pioneers and civic leaders. There is a school in Dania Beach named after Leola Collins. *Image courtesy of the Collins Family
Mizell Family
Members of the Mizell family, posing here in 1914 in their grove, were pioneer residents of Dania Beach. They were among the first families to settle in Dania Beach when they moved there in 1912, coming down by train from Hamilton County, Florida. From left: Von, Ivory, Minnie holding baby Murray, and Isadore. *Image courtesy of Broward County Historical Commission, Mizell Family Collection
Eula Bandy Johnson
An important Civil Rights activist in Broward County, Eula Bandy Johnson was the organizer of the famous “wade-ins" in 1961 at segregated Fort Lauderdale beach and the first Black woman to vote in Broward County. Eula died at the age of 94 in 2001. *Image courtesy of Broward County Historical Commission, Carolyn Dandy Collection
Watch Eula Johnson Video
