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.
Location: AC.2.B.3.2.2- AC.2.B.3.2.5
This collection consists of personal papers from Florida A&M University’s Arthur L. Kidd. Kidd, a native of Pennsylvania, earned a B.A. degree in 1924 from the University of Michigan, and in 1929, a Masters of Arts degree from Columbia University. Kidd also did additional studying at the University of Iowa, Columbia University, and New York University. He began his teaching career at Tuskegee Institute in 1924 before accepting a position at Florida A&M College (FAMCEE) in 1925 as Principal of the High School. Kidd worked at FAMCEE until 1944. During his nineteen years of service to the college, Kidd worked in numerous positions, including: Head of the Department of History, Acting Director of the Extension Division, Acting Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and College Registrar. In October 1944, Kidd left his position at FAMCEE to work with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, where he worked in various capacities in Washington, D.C., and abroad in locations including France, Germany, and Holland. He returned to the United States in 1950 and worked for a year at Maryland State College before accepting a second appointment at FAMCEE in 1951 as Director of the Division of Social Studies. Upon the college reaching university status in 1954, in the academic re-organization, Kidd consequently became the Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Until 1969, he served FAMU in various capacities, including director of institutional studies and director of university administrative planning.
The material type in this collection were mainly magazines, news articles, and news clippings from 1949-19687 that followed local and national events affecting Negro people and occurrences impacting their lives. The records of this collection are especially important and informative in that they as resources that document firsthand the many historic events that occurred during the American Negro Civil Rights Years. Most of the records document the passing of school integration and public desegregation legislation, mass boycotts, sit-ins, and other forms of protest, as well as the brutal, nationwide social turbulence that accompanied this period. Additionally, a small amount of materials related to Kidd's instructional duties at FAMU are included.
Biographical data and inclusive subjects were acquired from Murell Dawson circa 2002.
Location: AC.8.A.2.2.4
The Attorney Armstrong Purdee Collection documents the life, legacy, and historical significance of one of Jackson County’s earliest African American legal professionals. The collection contains photographs, commemorative materials, newspaper articles, publications, and digital resources that highlight Purdee’s professional accomplishments and the lasting impact of his work within the community.
Materials include images of commemorative events, a photograph of Purdee’s gravesite, and newspaper coverage discussing his life and contributions. The collection also contains publications related to African American history in Jackson County, including a family reunion cookbook and a scrapbook documenting the legacy of African Americans in the region.
In addition to printed materials, the collection includes a video link documenting a Black History Month program featuring the Jackson County NAACP and the Jackson County School Board. Together, these materials provide insight into community efforts to preserve the historical legacy of Attorney Armstrong Purdee and the broader history of African American leadership and civic engagement in Jackson County, Florida.
The collection is arranged in a single box and organized by subject and material type, including commemorations, news articles, photographs, and publications related to Attorney Armstrong Purdee.
Location: AC.8.B.1.6.2
This file documents the life, military service, and posthumous recognition of Chester Lee Davis, Sr., one of the pioneering African American Marines trained at Montford Point during World War II. Spanning the years 1942 to 2017, this collection provides valuable insight into both Davis’s individual experiences and the broader historical significance of African American service members who served under segregated conditions in the United States Marine Corps.
Chester Lee Davis, Sr. (1923–1981) was born in Quincy, Florida, to Tommie and Iola Davis and was raised in a large farming family. Prior to the outbreak of World War II, his family relocated to Orlando, Florida. In 1943, at the age of eighteen, Davis enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, becoming part of the first generation of African American Marines admitted into service. Due to racial segregation, he trained at Montford Point Camp in North Carolina, a facility established specifically for Black Marines and located near Camp Lejeune, where white Marines trained. Despite facing systemic discrimination and harsh conditions, Davis served with distinction as a member of the 2nd and 3rd Marine Depot Companies. His responsibilities included transporting ammunition and supplies to troops on the frontlines, and he later participated in combat operations throughout the Pacific theater, including assignments in New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands, Guam, and Okinawa. After completing his service, Davis returned home as a corporal and lived in Gadsden County, Florida, where he raised a family. He passed away in 1981 at the age of 58. In 2011, his service, along with that of fellow Montford Point Marines, was formally recognized when the United States Congress awarded them the Congressional Gold Medal, a distinction signed into law by President Barack Obama.
Donated to the Meek-Eaton Black Archives by Chester L. Davis, Jr. on June 13, 2017, the collection reflects a deliberate effort to preserve and share the legacy of Davis and other Montford Point Marines. The materials within the collection collectively document Davis’s military career, his contributions during World War II, and the national, state, and local recognition he received posthumously. The collection includes correspondence, legislative recognitions from the United States Congress, the State of Florida, and the City of Quincy, news articles, photographs depicting medals, military service, and commemorative events, as well as official service records and cassette tapes. These materials not only highlight Davis’s individual achievements but also situate his experiences within the broader narrative of African American military service and the struggle for equality within the armed forces.
At the time of processing in February 2017, the collection lacked an original order. As a result, the materials were organized by subject matter and date, then arranged alphabetically and housed in acid-free folders within a single archival storage box. Where applicable, items within individual files have been arranged chronologically to preserve contextual relationships. The collection was processed and cataloged by Dr. Murell Dawson, Senior Archivist, with assistance from undergraduate intern Shaarnè Morris, and is currently stored in the archival storage area on the third floor. As a cohesive body of records, this collection provides an important resource for understanding the experiences of Montford Point Marines and the enduring legacy of their service, sacrifice, and recognition within American military and social history.
Location: AC.2.A.1.5.7
Patricia Stephens Due (1939–2012) was a prominent civil rights activist and leader in the movement for racial equality, particularly in Florida. Born in Quincy, Florida, she became actively involved in the struggle against segregation while a student at Florida A&M University. As a key member of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Due helped organize sit-ins and protests, including the historic 1960 Tallahassee “jail-in,” where she and other students chose imprisonment over paying fines for challenging segregation laws.
Throughout her life, Due remained committed to civil rights advocacy, working to desegregate public spaces and increase voter registration among African Americans. She later co-authored Freedom in the Family with her daughter, documenting her experiences in the movement. Her legacy endures as a symbol of courage, resilience, and lifelong dedication to justice.
https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/patricia-stephens-due-41
Location: AC.7.A.3.5.1 - AC.7.A.3.6.1
The Florida African American History Education Task Force Files document the development, implementation, and advancement of statewide initiatives to incorporate African American history into Florida’s public school curriculum. The materials date from 1995 to 2003 and are closely tied to the legislative mandate established by the State of Florida in 1994 through Florida Statute 1003.42, which required the teaching of the history, culture, experiences, and contributions of African Americans in K–12 education.
Following the passage of this legislation, the African American History Task Force (AAHTF) was established to ensure the effective execution and sustainability of this mandate. The Task Force played a central role in guiding curriculum development, supporting teacher training, and promoting educational equity through the integration of African American history across grade levels. Grant-supported initiatives were also developed under the Task Force’s direction to provide resources, workshops, and programming aligned with the original intent of the statute.
The collection consists of administrative and programmatic records that reflect the operations and impact of the Task Force. Materials include correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, grant documentation, curriculum guides, workshop and conference materials, and educational publications. These records highlight collaboration among educators, policymakers, and community stakeholders working to institutionalize African American history education throughout Florida’s school system. The files also document outreach efforts, training sessions for teachers, and the evaluation of program effectiveness.
Collectively, the Florida African American History Education Task Force Files provide valuable insight into the institutionalization of African American history within public education in Florida. The collection underscores the role of legislative action, educational advocacy, and community engagement in shaping inclusive curricula and preserving the historical narratives of African Americans for future generations.
Location: AC.3.A.2.6.1 - AC.3.A.3.1.3
Dr. Gilbert Lawrence Porter was an educational pioneer in the state of Florida who devoted more than five decades of his life to advancing educational equality during the era of segregation and desegregation. Born on January 6, 1909, in Kansas, Porter pursued higher education at Talladega College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. He later obtained a master’s degree in educational administration from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in philosophy from The Ohio State University, becoming the first African American to receive this distinguished degree from the institution. Throughout his career, Porter remained committed to improving the quality of education for all students while advocating for equal salaries, professional recognition, and civil rights for African American teachers within a segregated and unequal educational system.
The Gilbert Porter Desegregation Files document Porter’s extensive work in educational reform, particularly in relation to school integration and policy development in Florida. The collection consists of Dade County school reports, national reports on desegregation plans and procedures, and materials related to organizations such as the Florida Conference of Social Welfare and the Florida Conference of Social Work. A significant portion of the collection includes newspaper clippings that highlight race relations and integration efforts in Dade County and throughout the state of Florida.
The records reflect the administrative, social, and political challenges surrounding desegregation and provide insight into the strategies and policies implemented during this transformative period.
Location: AC.2.B.1.6.3
The Hayling family was deeply rooted in education, service, and civil rights leadership, with multiple members connected to Florida A&M University. Dr. Robert B. Hayling was born into a family that valued education—his father was a longtime professor at FAMU, and all of his siblings pursued higher education as well.
As a family, the Hayloads were shaped by a strong commitment to advancement and community uplift, which influenced Dr. Hayling’s role as a key leader in the Civil Rights Movement in St. Augustine. His activism not only impacted his own life but also affected his family, who faced social and economic pressures during the struggle for desegregation.
Overall, the Hayling family represents a legacy of education, resilience, and leadership, contributing to both academic and civil rights progress in Florida.
Location: AC.8.B.1.1.1-AC.8.B.1.1.3
Joseph “Joe” Lang Kershaw, Sr. (June 27, 1911–November 7, 1999) was the first African American elected to the Florida Legislature since Reconstruction. Born in Live Oak, Florida, he attended Florida A&M University in the 1930s, where he was involved in early campus life, including the beginnings of the football program, and pledged Kappa Alpha Psi. He later worked as a teacher in Miami-Dade County and as a janitor in the Florida Legislature before entering politics. Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1968, Kershaw served for fourteen years and chaired the Elections Committee, contributing to the establishment of the Florida Human Rights Commission.
The Joseph Lang Kershaw, Sr. Collection documents Kershaw’s life, career, and contributions to Florida’s political and educational history. The collection contains materials related to his personal and academic background, as well as records reflecting his tenure in the Florida House of Representatives.
Included are documents that highlight his legislative work, professional activities, and community involvement. The collection also contains materials pertaining to his family, including references to his father, A. J. Kershaw, as well as correspondence and documents related to colleagues and contemporaries such as Gwendolyn Cherry and Althea Gibson. Collectively, these records provide insight into Kershaw’s role as a pioneering African American legislator and his broader impact on civil rights and public service in Florida.
Location: AC.2.B.2.3.2 - AC.2.B.2.3.5
Reverend Dr. James L. Hudson, Sr. (1904–1980) was a minister, educator, and civil rights leader. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, he graduated from Morehouse College in 1926 and later earned a divinity degree from Colgate-Rochester School of Religion in 1931. He served as a chaplain at Leland College until 1946 before completing doctoral studies at Boston College. Dr. Hudson later joined Florida A&M University as a chaplain and professor, where he founded the Department of Religion and Philosophy and served as its first chair. A close associate of Rev. Charles K. Steele, he played a key role in civil rights efforts, including the 1956 Tallahassee Bus Boycott, and was active in organizations such as the Tallahassee Ministerial Alliance and the Inter-Civic Council.
The Reverend Dr. James Hudson, Sr. Collection documents Hudson’s career in ministry, education, and civil rights activism. The collection contains materials related to his work at Florida A&M University, including records associated with the establishment of the Department of Religion and Philosophy, as well as documents reflecting his role as a chaplain and educator.
Additional materials highlight his involvement in civil rights initiatives in Tallahassee, including his collaboration with local religious and community leaders. The collection may include correspondence, sermons, speeches, and organizational records that illustrate his leadership in religious and civic life. Collectively, these materials provide insight into Hudson’s lasting contributions to higher education, faith leadership, and the advancement of social justice.