African-Americans have played a key role in creating modern Florida. Early slaves escaped here and found freedom with the Spanish and the Seminoles. Fort Mose in St. Augustine was the earliest settlement of free blacks in America. Slaves on cotton, indigo, rice, and tobacco plantations were the foundation of Florida’s agricultural economy from the mid 1700s to the mid 1800s. After the Civil War, free blacks kept north Florida plantations going with their labor, provided much of the work force for the citrus, timber, turpentine, and phosphate industries and worked as cowboys. Black laborers and craftsmen built Florida cities.

The record of African-American achievement is also written in architecture, paintings, music and literature. Black churches are some of the best vernacular buildings in Florida, designed and built by skilled local craftsmen. Architects Hazel Augustus, Richard Brown and the firm of McKissack and McKissack designed buildings in cities. Poet James Weldon Johnson, of Harlem Renaissance fame, was principal of Old Stanton High School in Jacksonville where he composed Lift Ev’ry Voice. Ray Charles started his career at nightspots in Jacksonville. Famed author Zora Neale Hurston described growing up black in Eatonville in her novels and stories. Educator Mary McLeod Bethune founded Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, and Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier at Dodgers spring training, there. The Highwaymen painted the Florida landscape and sold their art from town to town throughout Florida.

Creativity continues to flourish. Gospel. Reggae. Jazz. Blues. Hip-hop and Rap. Paintings. Sculpture. Fiber art. Poetry. Storytelling. Discover the energy, depth and richness of the African-American experience in museums, galleries, cultural centers, clubs, and churches throughout Florida. Feel the pulse of African-American communities on college campuses like Bethune-Cookman and Florida A & M and in traditional neighborhoods like Lincolnville in St. Augustine, La Villa in Jacksonville, Callahan in Orlando, Overtown and Liberty City in Miami.