Polk County African American Trailblazers

We are pleased to honor the following twenty Polk County African American Trailblazers during African American Emphasis Month aka Black History Month.

We highlighted each person with a brief intro. The honorees are:

First Row: The Reverend Alex Harper, Lakeland – Pastor, President of The African American Historical Museum Lakeland, Inc., Past President of Lakeland Branch NAACP, and many other hats and organizations affiliation. Doris Hicks, Lakeland – Polk County Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Alumna Chapter, who has raised more than a half million dollars for students to attend college. Mayor Eugene Fultz, Lake Wales. – Fultz is the third African American mayor. The other two rotated into the Mayor’s seat through a vote of the other four Commissioners. The city charter was changed in 2012, stating that “The Mayor will no longer be rotated into the seat. The Mayor will now be elected at-large.” Mayor Fultz is The first Mayor elected “At-Large”, and has served four consecutive terms since Lake Wales establishment in 1911. Its police department was the first agency in Polk County to use body cameras. Carrie Oldham, Lakeland, the first African American female mayor, rotated into the Mayor’s seat through a vote of the other Commissioners. Edgar T. Pickett, Jr, Lakeland – He organized the LPD fingerprint filing system and established its first crime lab division, which was named after him and Herman Moulden. County of any ethnicity. Mr. Pickett taught Fingerprinting and crime scene photography at Polk Community College now Polk State College, as well as in Hardee, Pasco counties. After retirement he worked as a fingerprint consultant. The longest living retired police detective in Polk County.

Second Row: Mayor Morris West, Haines City – Mayor West and the Haines City Commissioners were the first Polk County city to extend city employees with a paid Juneteenth Holiday. Geraldine Watson, Bartow – A consummate volunteer for Bartow High School athletic department. Commissioner Terrye Howell, Lake Wales – Outstanding community advocate. Mildred McMillon, Lakeland – Founder and CEO of Faith In Action Organization Northwest Lakeland. Spend countless hours providing direct services, food, transportation, paying utilities bills to seniors and others in need. The Reverend Arthur Johnson, Mulberry – Established St. Luke’s Affordable Apartment Housing; provided Thanksgiving dinners for the needy, and the community at the church’s multi-purpose center.

Third Row: John Ruffin, Lakeland – Concerned Citizens of Florida State President, and a strong advocate against injustice. Juanita Geathers, Winter Haven – The first African American Democratic State Committee Woman, and an education advocate. Jordan J. Corbett, Bartow – “Jordon J. Corbett is a Polk County native, retired Polk County SchoolsTeacher and School Board Member, FHSAA Hall Of Fame High School Track Coach, member of the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame, and the last living member of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (Smoke Jumper) during World War II.” Bessie Melton, Lakeland – In her eighth, established ‘Seniors On The Move’ at her church that extends into the Community. Herbert Dixon, Bartow – An avid golfer and Iconic Legend who has been inducted into three Golfer’s Hall of Fame. Herbert Dixon is a former professional golfer and African American during the segregation era. . At 102, local golf icon Herbert Dixon just had the driving range at the Bartow Golf Course named after him.

Fourth Row: Harlem Turner, Lakeland – The ROSE HEIGHTS ELKS LODGE #318 INC. Lakeland, under the leadership of Harlem Turner’s management as President/Director, provides food to the elderly and those in need of food from the Elks Lodge. The lodge sponsors youth oratorical contests, as well as offers scholarships. Janice Jolly Smith, Haines City – A longtime advocate for the city’s Oakland neighborhood. Haines City named a pool for longtime community advocate. Annie B. Phyall, Lakeland – Annie works closely with the police and fire departments, as well several other Lakeland-based agencies, to highlight these resources and enact social change where it’s needed most. She was the 2018, August’s Love Lakeland CityMaker award recipient. Earnestine Davis, Winter Haven – President of Concerned Citizens of Winter Haven. A past President of Winter Haven Branch NAACP, a GOVT advocate, and against injustice. Collins Smith, Mulberry -A retired educator and coach, a sports enthusiast who was recognized by The Ledger twice as their Coach of the Year. He honed his passion for giving back to the community through his involvement in several community groups and city leadership positions, including serving as a City Commissioner for the City of Mulberry and on the Mulberry Community Service Board