A stretch of West South Street in downtown Orlando will soon honor the late state Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson, a trailblazing lawmaker and historian who spent decades advocating for her community and preserving Black history.
Eatonville residents gathered Friday night to discuss the future of the historic Hungerford property and review the town’s updated master plan. The meeting focused on this week’s land purchase agreement between Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) and the Dr. Phillips Foundation.
Bobby Cain, who helped integrate one of the first high schools in the South in 1956 as one of the Clinton 12, has died in Nashville.
The origin of the Juneteenth celebrations marking the end of slavery in the U.S. goes back to an order issued as Union troops arrived in Texas at the end of the Civil War.
Several Moss Park Elementary students were starstruck Thursday as they watched Orlando Magic legend Nick Anderson walk into their cafeteria.
State Sen. Geraldine Thompson planned to introduce several bills and budget requests during the annual Florida legislative session, which starts next week. With Thompson’s sudden death earlier this month, her colleagues in the Florida House and Senate are working to make sure those proposals live on.
June Bacon-Bercey was America’s first female broadcast meteorologist, breaking many gender and racial barriers. She didn’t just forecast the weather — she changed the forecast for what women and minorities could achieve in science, broadcasting and beyond.
Orlando International Airport is paying tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of Black pilots in the U.S. Air Force, with a new exhibit.
Dr. S. James Gates, graduate of Orlando's Jones High School, has a storied career trying to explain what ties the universe together. These days, those aren't the only ties he thinks -- and worries -- about.
Eatonville, a historic Black town, is witnessing a small but significant transformation as a longtime homeowner benefits from a grant aimed at restoring old homes.
The new Melbourne Founders Museum at Crane Creek celebrates the rich history of the area, highlighting the contributions of former slaves who founded the city.
The event, hosted every year by the local Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Alumni Chapter in Orlando, pays tribute to Lawson, a fellow member, who was the first Black attorney to win a Supreme Court case.
President Donald Trump marked Black History Month at the White House on Thursday by making an appearance at a celebratory reception with a surprise guest, golf legend Tiger Woods, while calling out other athletes in attendance and marveling at the size of the crowd.
Dr. LaVon W. Bracy, a community leader and author, first met State Sen. Geraldine Thompson in 1969 when they became college roommates. Their friendship, which began when they were both 20 years old, lasted a lifetime. Bracy and her daughter, State Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, talked to News 6 about Thompson and her legacy.
Geraldine Thompson, who represented Orange County in the Florida House and Senate for almost 20 years, died Thursday, according to several lawmakers who worked with Thompson throughout her career.
President Donald Trump’s attack on diversity, equity and inclusion programs is leading to pushback from Baltimore's mayor.
The Trump White House has issued a proclamation recognizing February as Black History Month around the same time the Defense Department issued guidance declaring “identity months dead.”.
Bethune-Cookman University hopes to make big upgrades to its gymnasium. With limited university funding, current and former basketball players are stepping up to raise $100,000, starting with their games this weekend.
The Defense Department intelligence agency has paused observances of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Pride Month, Holocaust Days of Remembrance and other cultural or historical annual events in response to President Donald Trump’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal workplace.
The Orange County Library System is hosting events as part of the celebration of Zora Neal Hurston’s legacy. One of them, encouraging kids and educators to explore a new(er) type of book genre.
Civic leaders, pastors, and people from around Central Florida came together early Monday to celebrate and honor the legacies of Arthur "Pappy" Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
At least 26 enslaved people died on the Tennessee plantation of President Andrew Jackson before the end of the Civil War.
Advocates with the historic Hungerford property are calling for the Orange County School Board to return the land back to the community for their control, adding that the property is sacred to the town of Eatonville.
A Florida task force gave final approval to recommend St. Augustine as the top site for a new museum of Black history, but this might not be the end for Eatonville as the potential site.
City officials announced they are trying to apply for a “National Historic Landmark” (NHL) designation for the local Jackie Robinson Ballpark. But they could use some help.
This Black History Month, News 6 is remembering a trailblazer and notable educator who paved the way for future students, instructors, and even Greek life at what's now known as Bethune Cookman University.
The six-month program is designed to help local Black leaders drive change on nonprofit boards in the Orlando region.
Black History Month was celebrated in the nation's capital with dueling events on Tuesday highlighting the divide between Democrats’ and Republicans' approaches to courting Black voters in the 2024 presidential election.
Orlando native and Broadway sensation Michael James Scott recently headlined Walt Disney World Resort’s Black History Month festivities.
Target says it will stop selling a product dedicated to Civil Rights icons after a now-viral TikTok video spotlighted some significant errors.
City officials are pumping $30 million into the historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, with the hopes of keeping its history alive.
For the start of Black History Month, News 6 is taking you to the historic town of Eatonville. It is the first self-governing all-black municipality in the country.
Zora Fest 2024 is back and the city is gearing up for a busy weekend as both tourists and residents are taking the time to celebrate and learn more about a prominent local African-American historical figure.
The U.S. Air Force plans to expand its search for grave sites in a former Black cemetery at a base in Florida after discovering 121 potential sites already.
Each year, the town of Eatonville and the Association to Preserve Eatonville Community hosts the Zora! Fest honoring her life and legacy. Some of the events leading up to the festival are encouraging community members to explore their local library.
As members of a historic African-American Fraternity gather to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., they are also getting results for their community and empowering young people through scholastic recognition.
Rodney Bailey says when you walk into La Rosa Realty Downtown Orlando, "we got Biggie playing, we got Mary J. Blige playing.
Fifth grade students at East Lake Elementary have spent the last few weeks learning more about Black history and the many pioneers with lasting legacies.
A 2017 study at the University of San Diego found “students who experience science through a balance of reading informational text and hands-on experiences show greater gains on measures of science understanding, science vocabulary and science writing.”
President Joe Biden says “history matters, and Black history matters,” a forceful declaration that comes after the state of Florida blocked a new advanced course on African American studies from being taught in its high schools.
In Central Florida and across the country, a lot of people are coming forward seeking mental health counseling but at least two therapists we spoke with say black men are still lagging behind when it comes to seeking mental health care and treatment.
Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore were leaders in the civil rights movement and established the first NAACP in Brevard County.
In 2018, Maurice Allen would become the first African American World Long Drive Champion, ranking number one in the world twice in the Long Drive golf event.
There are still many firsts happening in Black communities, even in the oldest Black incorporated municipality in the country, Eatonville, Florida.
The videos featured students in a variety of skits, including one satirizing alleged attempts at book bans by the state and another that features several students bowing down a trio of Black students for Black History Month.
Jones High School, the first public school for African Americans in Orlando, is hosting its first ever ‘multi-versary’ banquet inviting alums from several generations to come together and reminisce about a school with quite a history.
Students, school officials and community members came together to recognize the life and legacy of the first African American student to graduate from Osceola High School in 1966.
George Walker probably could’ve been doing many things in his early 70s that were way more relaxing.
MAC Boys Entertainment, a company designed to fill the void of Black representation in the theatre world, is putting on “Mackossa,” a show which takes audiences through an evolution of dance in its many forms.
This Black History Month News 6 is highlighting a Sanford track coach who is using his own success to get results for student athletes.
The Orange County Library System announced that they areghosting chef and author Kwame Onwuachi at a “Meet the Author” event at Orlando Public Library.
The Orlando International Airport is set to honor pilot Bessie Coleman with a display in celebration of Black History Month, according to a release from the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
One Lake County advocacy group is helping to get results and preserve history after an elementary school is set to close but will be taking on a new life as an education center.
From age 11, Slim started writing rhymes for birthdays mimicking the patterns he heard from rap songs flowing out of the radio.
News 6 is honoring and celebrating influential and impactful Black leaders all month - including the contributions made by 79-year-old Deloris McMillon of Osceola County.
The Orange County Regional History Center is hosting an event called “Celebrating Black Arts and Culture” in honor of Black History Month.
The City of Ocala held a Black History Month program for seniors Monday morning at the newly opened Mary Sue Rich Community Center at Reed Place.
Whether you feel like you have a strong understanding of black history, or you're working to learn more, we've assembled 10 facts, or anecdotes, from history.com, to help you grow your knowledge base.
