ABOUT US
MISSION
AARLCC’s primary mission is to preserve and perpetuate the history and contributions of the African American communities of Palm Beach County and Florida from their earliest history to the present and into the future that will provide learning opportunities, exhibitions, programs, and events to educate the public and empower our youth for their future.
VISION
AARLCC will discover, collect, and preserve artifacts and source materials pertaining to the history of African Americans and the African Diaspora in Palm Beach County and establish a facility for the safeguarding and displaying of such materials. It will also ensure the realization of educational goals by dissemination of this knowledge for the enlightenment of the citizenry through preparing and publishing historical materials descriptive and illustrative of African Americans in Palm Beach County.
Officers of AARLC of Palm Beach County, Inc.
Officers of AARLC of Palm Beach County, Inc.
Annie Ruth Wilburn - Nelson, President
Annie Wilburn Nelson is a lifetime resident of
West Palm Beach, FL. She graduated from
Roosevelt High School.
College graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, PA,
Cum Laude with a B.S. Marketing and Distribution.
She obtained a Master's Degree in
Administration and Supervision from
Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL.
Retired from the School District of Palm Beach County after 30 years where she held the positions of DCT Coordinator, Business Teacher, Marketing and Merchandising Instructor, and Job Placement Coordinator.
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Prior owner of:
Blue Front BBQ Sauce,
Annie's Subs & Ice Cream, and Black Goddess Cosmetics.
Faithful member of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, serving as Trustee for 15 years, and
President of the Senior Usher Board and a member of social justice team ministry of the PEACE (People Engaged in Active Community Efforts) organization.
She is a strong
Community Advocate for Social Justice.
Donald Gibson, Vice President
Donald Gibson, II. was born in West Palm Beach, FL and graduated from Roosevelt High School, located in West Palm Beach, Fl and graduated from Florida A&M University, located in Tallahassee, FL. After graduating from FAMU, Mr. Gibson relocated to San Francisco, California.
While residing in San Francisco, Mr. Gibson was employed as a mental health counselor, clinical coordinator, and a program analyst for Ward 92 San Francisco General Hospital, later becoming the Clinical Director.
Mr. Gibson returned back to West Palm Beach and immediately began getting involved in crime prevention, educational needs, and Coleman Park Improvement Project.
Mr. Gibson became involved with AARLCC of Palm Beach County, Inc. when retired educators Mr. S. Bruce McDonald and Mr. Floyd Andrews, along with Honorable Judge Edward Rodgers suggested he would be an asset in helping with the African American Research Library and Cultural Center of Palm Beach County, Inc. with exposure of the African Diaspora and aiding in preserving African American pioneer's artifacts.
Gwendolyn Ferguson, Secretary
Gwen Ferguson is a native of West Palm Beach, FL. She
attended the local public schools and graduated from
Roosevelt High School.
She obtained a Bachelors of Science degree from
Florida A. & M. University in Tallahassee, FL and a Master's of Education degree from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
In 1995' she retired from Palm Beach Community College after serving as an academic counselor for 22 years.
Since January 1, 1996, she has served as the Executive Assistant at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in
West Palm Beach, FL
Alice G. Barnes, Treasurer
Alice Givens Barnes is a native of West Palm Beach, FL. She attended the local public schools and graduated from Roosevelt High School.
Graduate from Jersey City Medical Center School of Radiology. College degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in Occupational Management.
Retired from Good Samaritan Hospital after 20 years where she was a Radiation Technologist. After another 15 years, she retired from the School District of Palm Beach County as a Director of School Aged Childcare.
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A dedicated member of Christ Evangelical Baptist Church, serving as a Youth Leader for over 25 years, and the Chairperson of the Communion Ministry.
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She is a devoted wife, mother, and Prayer Warrior.
Group Proposes Transformation of
Roosevelt High School in West Palm Beach, Florida
Group Proposes Transformation of
Roosevelt High School in West Palm Beach, Florida
African American Staples in West Palm Beach, FL
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Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church (TMBC), was originally founded in 1893 in an area called the Styx in Palm Beach. African-American construction crews who were building the grand hotels and homes in Palm Beach lived with their families in the Styx area. One year later, the TMBC relocated to downtown West Palm Beach on what is now Clematis Street and established the first school for African American children in Palm Beach County.
Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church
Pine Ridge Hospital
Established in 1916 to serve (negros) African Americans. Pine Ridge Hospital offered the only hospitalization to African Americans during segregation and the Jim Crow era.
Sunset Cocktail Lounge
Established in 1933 for Jazz Entertainment. Was considered the "Cotton Club of the South". Ella Fitzgerald and prominent jazz entertainers performed at the Sunset Cocktail Lounge in West Palm Beach, FL.