From pharmacist and World War I veteran to youth mentor and civic advocate, Diggs helped build the foundation of Lakeland’s Black community — a legacy still honored in the neighborhood that bears his name.
Tag: Black History Month
Posted inArts & Culture
Lakeland NAACP Hosts Black History Month Celebration Thursday
Speakers and poets headline this year’s Black History Month event, at the Coleman-Bush Building.
Posted inHistory
Lakeland’s New Black History Display Offers a Modern Touch
The ‘Hall of History’ recently opened in the Coleman-Bush Building in northwest Lakeland.
Posted inSchools
Black History Month: Lakeland’s Black Schools Faced Arson and Segregation
The first classes were held in St. John’s Baptist Church in 1884, but suspicious fires in 1898, 1905 and 1927 hindered education.
Posted inPeople
Black History Month: Lakeland’s First Black Librarian Impacted Residents’ Lives
Teacher and librarian Elsie Dunbar fought for the city’s first Black library so children could have educational resources.
Posted inEvents
Lakeland’s Black History Festival Postponed to March 23 Due To Expected Bad Weather
The event will still be at Jackson Park and the Coleman-Bush Building.
Posted inPeople
Black History Month: Dr. David Simpson Treated All Patients During the Spanish Flu Epidemic
Simpson Park was later named for him.
Posted inEvents
Lakeland NAACP Offering Black History Course
The six-part series is part of a statewide effort by churches and organizations as Florida changes public school curricula