During a recent government meeting, notable figures from history were commemorated for their contributions to civil rights and community development. The discussion highlighted influential individuals such as James Weldon Johnson, a key figure in the civil rights movement who organized the March on Washington, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic \"I Have a Dream\" speech. Johnson was also recognized for his literary achievements and his role as an ambassador.
The meeting also paid tribute to Zora Neale Hurston, a celebrated author known for her novel \"Their Eyes Were Watching God,\" and Joseph E. Lee, the first Black lawyer admitted to the bar in the area. Additionally, the contributions of Abraham Lincoln Lewis, Florida's first millionaire and founder of the Afro American Life Insurance Company, were acknowledged.
Other figures mentioned included Lieutenant General Emmett Page and Sally Mathis, who made history as one of the first Black city council members in the city. The meeting underscored the importance of recognizing these individuals who shaped the community and the nation, particularly those who hailed from the east side of the city.
The session concluded with a call for additional speakers, indicating a continued commitment to honoring local history and its impact on present-day society.