News

The Lee County Black History Society (LCBHS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Autumn J. Watkins Holloway, M.Ed. as its new Executive Director. With nearly 20 years of experience as a professional nonprofit administrative leader and compassionate educator, Holloway brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to preserving and promoting Black history and culture in Lee County. “As a Fort Myers native and fourth-generation Dunbar resident, I am truly honored to join the Lee County Black History Society as the Executive Director,” said Holloway. “I look forward to working closely with the board, staff and the community [...]

The free program celebrated entertainers and female activists in Florida’s Black History On May 20, the Lee County Black History Society presented “The Women of 1865 and Thereafter” at Roberto Clemente Park, 1936 Henderson Ave., Fort Myers. The program was free to public and included approximately 50 guests for a tented event in the park. Guests heard from speakers and presenters about Florida’s civil rights activists during and following Florida’s Emancipation. Special entertainment was provided by Karlus Trapp, who gave a special performance of “The Roots of Black Music in America,” a musical journey through time that included spirituals, Louie [...]

Established in 1994, the Lee County Black History Society chose to become a “history society” rather than a “historical society” in order to live, breathe, and grow and to better preserve and commemorate the cultural and educational contributions of both locally and nationally known Black people. In celebration of Women’s History Month in March, I would like to highlight just a few of the many local women who shaped and continue to influence Southwest Florida and the Black community. Dr. Ella Mae Piper Dr. Ella Piper Piper was a successful businessperson who continued a popular Dunbar event her [...]

By Charles Barnes, Lee County Black History Society Chairman of the Board of Directors National Minority Health Month is observed in April, designed to bring awareness of poorer health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities than their White counterparts. The observance was started in 1915, when Booker T. Washington established National Negro Health Week. Many health disparities that continue to disproportionately affect minorities are rooted in poverty as well as inferior care due to racism. In Southwest Florida’s history, many Black residents helped ensure quality health care for the Black community. Melissa Jones and Candis Walker Melissa Jones and Candis [...]

In an effort to spur community support and energize fundraising for a planned African American Cultural Center, Attorney Joe North and his family including his wife Benita, son, Joe North Jr., daughter, Kem Longo, and Joe’s father, James North, presented a check for $100,000 to the Lee County Black History Society on March 15 at the Williams Academy Black History Museum at Roberto Clemente Park in Fort Myers. “Over the years, this community has supported me in ways I could not even have imagined,” North said. “My wife and I discussed what we could do to give back to the [...]

By Erica Van Buren, Fort Myers News-Press February 21, 2023 The Williams Academy Black History Museum, a staple in the Dunbar community, highlights the accomplishments of historical figures that called Fort Myers home. “The Williams Academy Black History Museum opened in January 2001,” said Charles Barnes, chairman of the Lee County Black History Society. “The building was an old schoolhouse built in 1912. It was actually the first government building funded to educate Black kids in Lee County. In 1995 the building was slated to be demolished by the Lee County School district.” Barnes said Janice Cass, founder of the Lee [...]

Movie Night planned Feb. 10; Heart Hustle health event Feb. 25 The Lee County Black History Society is hosting two events for Black History Month, including Movie in the Park Feb. 10 and Heart Hustle, a health and wellness event Feb. 25. On Friday, Feb. 10, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., the society will show “Teach Us All,” a 2017 documentary that examines educational inequality after the 60th anniversary of the 1957 Little Rock school desegregation crisis through case studies in Little Rock, New York City and Los Angeles. The movie screening is free and will be shown on a [...]