Affichage de 120 résultats

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.B.1.4.5

Location: AC.2.B.1.5.1
Joseph Woodrow Hatchett (1932–2021) was a trailblazing lawyer and judge who made history in Florida and across the United States. Born in Clearwater, Florida, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University and later received his law degree from Howard University School of Law.

In 1975, Hatchett became the first African American justice on the Florida Supreme Court, where he served until 1979 and helped restore public trust in the court during a critical period. He later broke additional barriers when he was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals, becoming one of the first Black federal appellate judges in the South.

Throughout his career, Hatchett was known for his commitment to justice, civil rights, and public service. His legacy endures as a pioneering figure who opened doors for future generations in the legal profession.

https://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/the-court/about-the-court/former-justices/Justice-Joseph-Woodrow-Hatchett

Location: AC.2.B.1.6.6

Location: AC.2.B.2.3.8
Billy Joe made the transition from a successful professional playing career to becoming one the most highly decorated black college football coaches in history. After two seasons as an assistant coach he got his first head coaching job at Cheyney State in 1972. He had a winning club that first season and stayed with the Wolves for six more years. Joe then honed his skills with two years as an assistant in the NFL before taking the head job at Central State (OH). There he turned the Marauders into a national black college power. In 13 years at CSU he had six seasons where he lost only one game. His second team made it to the NCAA Division II finals, the first of 11 consecutive playoff teams. In both 1990 and 1992 his teams won the NAIA national championship. In 1994, he moved to Florida A&M. Joe quickly built this program as well. His second team won a league title while his third went to the first of six straight playoff appearances with his 1999 team advancing to the national semi-finals. On the Black College level he won six national championships and is second only to Eddie Robinson on the all-time black coaching win list. Greatly respected by his peers, he served the American Football Coaches Association as both president and vice president. https://footballfoundation.org/honors/hall-of-fame/billy-joe/2191

Location: AC.2.B.3.2.7
Costa Kittles, affectionately known as “Pop,” was a football and baseball star at Florida A&M University during the late 1940s and 1950s before becoming one of the most successful head baseball coaches in Florida A&M history. He went 401-128 (.758) as the Rattlers’ head coach before retiring in 1982.

https://www.abca.org/ABCA/ABCA/Awards/Hall-of-Fame/Hall-of-Fame-Inductee.aspx?Ordinal=345#:~:text=Costa%20Kittles%2C%20affectionately%20known%20as,coach%20before%20retiring%20in%201982.

Location: AC.2.B.3.3.1 - AC.2.B.3.3.3
Bernard and Shirley Kinsey are renowned collectors, philanthropists, and cultural preservationists best known for building one of the largest private collections of African American art and history in the world. Beginning in the early 1970s, the couple started collecting artwork, rare books, manuscripts, and historical artifacts during their travels, eventually amassing a collection of over 700 pieces that document more than 400 years of Black history and culture.

Bernard Kinsey, a Florida native and graduate of Florida A&M University, is an entrepreneur and former corporate executive, while Shirley Kinsey, also a FAMU graduate, is a former educator. Together, they founded the Bernard and Shirley Kinsey Foundation for Arts and Education and have dedicated their lives to preserving and sharing African American history through exhibitions, publications, and educational initiatives.

Through their work, the Kinsey's have helped bring greater visibility to the achievements, struggles, and contributions of African Americans, leaving a lasting legacy in the fields of art, history, and education.

Location: AC.2.B.3.4.1 - AC.2.B.3.4.2

Location: AC.3.A.2.2.1

Location: AC.3.A.3.2.3