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Florida Black First

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Black Firsts in Florida

Executive

  • Jonathan Clarkson Gibbs (1827–1879)
    First African American to serve on the Florida Cabinet, appointed as Secretary of State in 1868 by Governor Harrison Reed. As Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1873, he established Florida's first public school system.
  • Michael A. Calhoun
    Appointed by Governor Rick Scott in 2015 as the first African American to serve as the Adjutant General of Florida. A Florida A&M graduate (1977), Calhoun served over 30 years, including deployments in Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003–2004) and Hurricane Katrina relief (2005).

Legislative

  • Joe Lang Kershaw
    The first African American elected to the Florida Legislature since Reconstruction. A Democratic representative from Dade County (1968–1982), Kershaw is known for his campaign to reverse the tax on cane pole fishing, a popular pastime in the African American community.
  • Gwen Sawyer Cherry
    The first African American woman to serve in the Florida House of Representatives, elected in 1970. A Florida A&M law graduate, Cherry tragically passed in 1979.
  • Carrie P. Meek
    The first African American woman elected to the Florida Senate (1979). A Florida A&M track star and humanitarian, Meek succeeded Cherry and championed several social causes.
  • Dr. Arnett E. Girardeau
    The first African American man elected to the Florida Senate in 1982. Girardeau, a Jacksonville Democrat, defeated multiple candidates in his historic campaign.

Judicial

  • Judge Henry L. Adams
    The first African American appointed to the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court bench in 1979 by Governor Bob Graham. Later appointed as a U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Florida by President Bill Clinton (1993).
  • Judge Marva L. Crenshaw
    The first African American woman to serve as a Circuit Court Judge in the 13th Judicial Circuit, appointed by Governor Jeb Bush in 2000. Later appointed to the Second District Court of Appeal by Governor Charlie Crist in 2009.
  • Melvia Green
    The first African American woman to serve as a circuit judge in Dade County, appointed in 1989.
  • Judge Hubert L. Grimes
    Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush in 1999 as the first African American to serve as Circuit Court Judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit.
  • Joseph W. Hatchett
    Appointed to the Florida Supreme Court in 1975, the first African American since Reconstruction to serve on the state's highest court. Later appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit by President Jimmy Carter.
  • Justice James E.C. Perry
    Appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by Governor Charlie Crist in 2009. Perry was the first African American to serve on the 18th Judicial Circuit Court.
  • Leander J. Shaw Jr.
    Appointed to the Florida Supreme Court in 1983, Shaw became the first African American to serve as Chief Justice, holding the position from 1990–1992.
  • Justice Peggy Ann Quince
    Appointed to the Florida Supreme Court in 1998 by Governor Jeb Bush, Quince was the first African American woman on the Court. She was also the first African American woman appointed to a district court of appeal in Florida.
  • Leah Aleice Simms
    The first African American woman to serve as a judge in Florida, appointed to the Dade County bench by Governor Bob Graham in 1981.
  • Judge Sandra Edwards-Stephens
    Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush in 2000, Edwards-Stephens was the first African American woman appointed to the 5th Judicial Circuit Court.
  • Thomas E. Stringer, Sr.
    The first African American graduate of Stetson University College of Law (1974), Stringer was appointed to the Second District Court of Appeal in 1999 by Governor Jeb Bush.
  • Judge Joyce H. Williams
    Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush in 2005 as the first African American woman to serve as a County Court judge in Escambia County.
  • Judge Karla Foreman Wright
    Appointed by Governor Jeb Bush in 2000, Wright was the first African American woman to serve as a judge in Polk County.
  • Judge Nikki Ann Clark
    Appointed by Governor Charlie Crist in 2009, Clark was the first African American and the first woman to serve on Florida's Second Judicial Circuit.
  • Judge Kathy Garner
    Appointed by Governor Charlie Crist in 2009 as the first African American and first woman to serve on the Gadsden County bench.

These trailblazers paved the way for future generations of African American leaders and professionals in Florida. Their achievements in politics, law, and public service continue to inspire and shape the state's history.