Location: AC.7.B.

The Black Entertainers Collection (approximately early 1900s–2017), donated by Mildred S. Kershaw, is a one-box collection that documents the legacy, cultural impact, and historical significance of Black entertainment across local, national, and international contexts. The materials within this collection reflect the breadth of Black artistic expression and professional achievement, highlighting themes of Black liberation, representation, ownership, and cultural preservation. Geographic locations associated with the collection include Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Florida; Ocala, Florida; Charleston, West Virginia; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, D.C.; New York, New York; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Johannesburg, South Africa, illustrating the widespread influence of Black entertainers and cultural production.

The collection consists of professional correspondence, newspaper articles, publications, promotional photographs, programs, and miscellaneous objects that collectively document the careers, public reception, and cultural contributions of Black entertainers. These materials provide insight into performance history, media representation, and community engagement, while also preserving evidence of the social and political contexts in which Black entertainers operated. Although the collection offers a strong foundation for understanding the history and evolution of Black entertainment, many items are undated and lack clear identification, which limits the ability to fully contextualize specific individuals, events, and materials.

Items within the collection are arranged in series according to the type of communication object they represent, such as correspondence, printed materials, and visual media. Within each series, materials are organized in alphanumeric order to maintain a consistent and accessible structure. Attachments associated with individual items are arranged chronologically by year to preserve original context and sequencing. All documents have been placed in protective sleeves and any original hardware has been removed to support long-term preservation.

Location: AC.7.B.1.2.2 - AC.7.B.1.2.3

The Afro-American Life Insurance Company was a pioneering African American–owned business founded in 1901 in Jacksonville, Florida, by Abraham Lincoln Lewis and a group of associates. Established during a time of widespread racial discrimination and segregation in the United States, the company emerged in response to the limited access Black Americans had to essential financial services. Many mainstream insurance companies either denied coverage to Black individuals or offered policies at unaffordable rates, leaving Black communities without the financial protection that life insurance could provide.

In addition to offering life insurance policies, the Afro-American Life Insurance Company played a vital role as a financial institution within the African American community. It provided opportunities for economic stability through services such as mortgages and financial planning, helping to build wealth and security for families who were otherwise excluded from traditional banking systems. The company’s influence extended beyond finance; it was instrumental in the development of American Beach, a recreational resort established in 1935 as a safe and welcoming destination for Black Americans during the era of segregation.

Throughout the early and mid-20th century, the Afro-American Life Insurance Company stood as a symbol of Black entrepreneurship, resilience, and self-sufficiency. However, increasing competition from larger insurance companies in the latter half of the 20th century contributed to its eventual closure in 1990. Despite this, the company’s legacy endures as a significant example of African American economic empowerment and community development. The historic building that once housed the company at 101 East Union Street in Jacksonville has since been renovated and repurposed, continuing to serve the community in new ways. https://unfdhi.org/earthawhite/items/show/49

Location: AC.1.B.2.1.1 - AC.1.B.2.1.6
Asa Philip Randolph (1889–1979) was a pioneering labor leader and civil rights activist who played a major role in advancing equality for African Americans. Born in Florida, he organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1925, the first successful Black-led labor union, and became a leading voice for workers’ rights and racial justice.
Randolph helped pressure the federal government to end discrimination in defense industries during World War II and was a key organizer of the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. His lifelong commitment to nonviolent protest, labor rights, and civil rights made him one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century.