Honoring Palm Beach County's First Black Leaders
Hazel Augustus was West Palm Beach's first African American architect, and designed three of the city's boom-er'as most distinguished, enduring buildings.
Verdenia C. Baker: First Black woman to hold County Administrator position. Visit discover.pbc.gov for more information on County Administrator Baker.
Dr. J.H. Russell Dyett, "a pioneering General Practitioner, established his medical practice in West Palm Beach in 1930... [operating] the renowned Twin Palm Lying-in Hospital. He was honored with the Service Award for founding the first pre-natal clinic, sponsored by the State Board of Health..." - African American Research Library & Cultural Center of PBC
Vera Farrington's "dream was to preserve the history of the Black communitty in her native Palm Beach County. Through her efforts... the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum opened in July 2001." - Spady Cultural Heritage Museum
Dr. Dennis P. Gallon was the first African American president of Palm Beach State College (then Palm Beach Community College) until his retirement in 2015.
Mildred “Millie” Wilborn Gildersleeve was born into slavery and becamse the first African American nurse midwife in Palm Beach County. She is also the great- great- great grandmother of the Honorable Bradley Harper.
Addie L. Greene: First Black woman from Palm Beach County elected as a Florida State Representative.