Honoring Palm Beach County's First Black Leaders
Nemoure Ahmed: Palm Beach County Library System's first African American Branch Manager and Area Coordinator.
Clarence E. Anthony: Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the National League of Cities; former Mayor of South Bay; Namesake of the South Bay Branch Library
Hazel Augustus was West Palm Beach's first African American architect, and designed three of the city's boom-er'as most distinguished, enduring buildings.
Verdenia C. Baker: First Black woman to hold County Administrator position. Visit discover.pbc.gov for more information on County Administrator Baker.
Major Joseph Bernadel: First Haitian American to found a public school in the United States.
Mack Bernard: First Black man of Haitian descent from Palm Beach County elected as FL State Representative, County Commissioner and County Mayor (appointed).
Louise E. Buie led efforts to ensure Black history and contributions were added to previously "all-White" textbooks" in the Palm Beach County School District.
Edith Bush: Executive Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Coordinating Committee.
The Honorable Maxine Cheesman: first Black woman to be elected to the 15th Circuit bench without receiving a gubernatorial appointment.
F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. opened the first Black law practice in West Palm Beach and founded the first minority-owned commercial bank in Florida.
Chief Duren joined Palm Beach County government in 2019 as the Fire Rescue Administrator, responsible for more than 1,600 employees and a budget in excess of $450 million.
Dr. J.H. Russell Dyett, "a pioneering General Practitioner, established his medical practice in West Palm Beach in 1930... [operating] the renowned Twin Palm Lying-in Hospital. He was honored with the Service Award for founding the first pre-natal clinic, sponsored by the State Board of Health..." - African American Research Library & Cultural Center of PBC
Vera Farrington's "dream was to preserve the history of the Black communitty in her native Palm Beach County. Through her efforts... the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum opened in July 2001." - Spady Cultural Heritage Museum
Dr. Donald E. Fennoy II, Ed.D was the youngest and first African American Superintendent of the School District of Palm Beach County.
Clinton B. Forbes served as the first African American Executive Director of Palm Tran from Nov 2015 to Nov 2023.
Maude Ford Lee: First African American female Palm Beach County Commissioner.
Dr. Dennis P. Gallon was the first African American president of Palm Beach State College (then Palm Beach Community College) until his retirement in 2015.
Mildred “Millie” Wilborn Gildersleeve was born into slavery and becamse the first African American nurse midwife in Palm Beach County. She is also the great- great- great grandmother of the Honorable Bradley Harper.
Bernice Gordon Greene was the first "Supervisor of Negro Schools" in Palm Beach County from 1927 to 1935.
Addie L. Greene: First Black woman from Palm Beach County elected as a Florida State Representative.
Judge Bradley Harper was the first African American elected to the Palm Beach County
judiciary without first having been appointed by a governor. His is a sixth generation native of Palm Beach County.
Alcee L. Hastings was the first African American Floridian to serve in Congress since Reconstruction. Appointed by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, he became Florida's first African American federal judge. Elected to Congress in 1992, he represented District 23 (later District 20)
Daniel W. Hendrix was one of six teachers to transition from Roosevelt Junior College to Palm Beach Junior College after their 1965 merger. In 1970, he made history as the first African American elected to the Palm Beach County School Board, marking a significant milestone as the first African American to hold any countywide position.
William M. Holland Sr, was West Palm Beach’s first black attorney and a civil rights leader who initiated school desegregation, championed equal access to public amenities, and filed a landmark lawsuit in 1956. His legacy endures through the Fulton-Holland School District Service Center.
Ineria E. Hudnell, "a Florida A&M graduate, taught in West Palm Beach schools for over 30 years. After retiring in 1978, she became the Keeper of Palm Beach County's Black History, creating a renowned exhibit to educate the public on local Black history, displayed across the state.
Dr. Thomas Leroy Jefferson, the first Black doctor in West Palm Beach, was known as the “bicycle doctor” for making house calls by bike. He served African-American and Native American communities and was a prominent figure in Palm Beach County’s medical history.
Eva W. Mack was West Palm Beach's first African American mayor, and the founder of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach County & Treasure Coast. Eva was also a nurse, a teacher, a community advocate and a social activist
Ava L. Parker is the first female president of Palm Beach State College, leading with a focus on innovation, student success, and community collaboration. Under her leadership, the college opened its 5th campus and achieved record enrollment, earning national distinction as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College.
Charles Spencer Pompey was a Delray Beach civil rights activist, author, teacher, and principal. He founded the Palm Beach County Teachers' Association for Black educators and played a key role in a landmark 1942 lawsuit against salary discrimination. He also advocated for Black children's recreation programs and left a lasting legacy with Pompey Park.
David L. Ricks is the Director of Engineering and Public Works for Palm Beach County, overseeing a vast transportation system and leading a team of over 450 staff. With 30+ years of experience and a background as a U.S. Navy Civil Engineering Corps Officer, he is also a 32-time National and 11-time World Powerlifting Champion.
Debra L. Robinson MD is a physician and educator with degrees from Michigan State and Howard University. Elected to the Palm Beach County School Board in 2000, she has advocated for underserved communities, chaired the NAACP Education Committee, and founded the Coalition for Black Student Achievement in 1998
Judge Edward Rodgers was a pioneering figure in Palm Beach County, becoming its first Black county prosecutor, assistant state attorney, and circuit court judge. A steadfast advocate for civil rights, he established the Riviera Beach Civil Drug Court in 1991, earning the Jefferson Award. He also served as councilman, mayor, and community leader, with a post office renamed in his honor.
Edna W. Runner founded the West Jupiter Tutorial Center in 1986 to support at-risk children in Limestone Creek. Serving as executive director since 2002, she dedicated 37 years to providing after-school care, tutoring, and enrichment. Renamed in her honor in 2011, the center recognizes her lifelong commitment to education and community.
Britton G. Sayles was a pioneering educator and community activist in Palm Beach County. He made history as the first Black college president in the area, leading Roosevelt Junior College from 1958 to 1965 while serving as principal of Roosevelt High School. His leadership helped shape local education during a pivotal time.
Solomon D. Spady was a visionary educator and community leader in Delray Beach. Serving as principal for 35 years, he transformed George Washington Carver High School, inspiring students to excel. He contributed to education, church, and local organizations, leaving a lasting legacy of service, leadership, and commitment to his community.
