This park is named after Fredd “Glossie” Atkins, the first African-American City Commissioner and first African-America Mayor. Enjoy the day under the fabric shaded picnic tables and seating throughout the park. Park hours: 5 a.m. – 2:30 a.m., daily. Allows leashed pets.

Dedication Wall

GOVERNMENT
Fredd “Glossie” Atkins
First African-American City Commissioner, First African-American Mayor

Delores D. Dry
First African-American Female City Commissioner

Carolyn J. Mason
First African-American Female Mayor

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Jerome Stevens
First Black Postman
Owner of Stevens Funeral Home

Neil Humphrey, Sr.
“A man, small in stature but huge in heart, who wanted everyone to get along, black and white”

• Born in Plant City, FL in 1910
• A veteran of World War ll
• 1^st NAACP* President in Sarasota
• Owner of Humphrey Sundries

Dorothye G. Smith
1972 - The First Black to be selected to head an integrated school. Southside Elementary

Jerome Dupree
Principal Amaryllis Park Elementary and Booker High School.

Mrs. Janie Jackson Poe
December 9, 1897 – April 23, 1984
A community leader and dedicated educator.

Professor Roland W. Rogers

• Principal at Booker High School 1946-1964
• Oversaw the building of the new Booker High School
• 1963 - Booker High School becomes one of the First 37 Negro schools in the South to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. This is through the efforts of Principal, Roland W. Roger.

BOOKER HIGH SCHOOL FIRST GRADUATING CLASS 1935
Annie Blue McElroy, Marthena Riley, A.L. Williams, Nacomi Williams

Professor James R. Dixon
1935 - First Booker High School Principal

Emma E. Booker
First Principal of Sarasota Grammar School for African-Americans
First African-American to have schools named in her honor:

• Emma E. Booker Elementary
• Booker Middle School
• Booker High School

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EDUCATION
1962 - Bay Haven School becomes the first integrated elementary school in the county.
1967 - Booker High School is closed as part of county integration plan.
1935 - Professor James R. Dixon, 
1945 - Llyod A. Haisley
1956-1969 - Ozell Von Stephens

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John Henry Floyd
Builder/Contractor, along with Black Choir Union started the Old Folk Aid Home with Black residents. In 1982 it was renamed J.H. Floyd Sunshine Manor, Pastor Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church.

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NEWTOWN STAKEHOLDERS
Wright and Sarah Bush
Owners of First home in Newtown with electricity & phone service

Joe and Elizabeth Holton
First Black Funeral Home Owners - Holton Funeral Home

Charlie Jones
First Electrician/Plumber

Sam Morgan
First Black Policeman

Shep and Annie Albright
Owners of First Restaurant and Grocery store in Newtown.

Neil Humphrey
First NAACP* President, led sit-ins and wade-ins during Civil Rights era, Owner of Humphrey Sundries

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HISTORY OF NEWTOWN
In 1914, Charles N. Thompson, Manager of the Sells-Forepaugh Circus, and his son Russell, began to plan for a new subdivision for the African American community called Newtown that would provide blacks with better places to live.

This Park,
This Newtown,
This New Beginning.

* National Association for the Advancement of Colored People