Friends of Marion County Black History Museum, Inc.

09/04/2026

08/26/2026

🎉 160th Anniversary & Inaugural Homecoming Celebration 🎉

Join us for a day of fellowship, fun, and great food as we celebrate 160 years of history and community!

🍽️ Food Trucks
•A Unique Taste in a Shell
• Mr. & Mrs. Tater Tot
• Sour Mouth Lemonade
• Ju**ie Fries

🛍️ Vendors
• Ocala Housing
• Girls on the Rise
• Woman’s Domestic Violence Center
• One Stop Shop
• Pretty Classy Accessories
• Lady G’Z Sweet Spot
• Friends of Marion County Black History Museum

🎧 Music by: Fresh Force DJ’s

Come out and enjoy food, music, vendors, and family-friendly fun! Bring your chairs, bring your tents and prepare for a good time!

Register for the Alumni breakfast HERE: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1998361551194?aff=oddtdtcreator

More details coming soon—stay tuned!

08/26/2026

Join us today to experience history!!!! ❤️🖤💛💚

08/25/2026

08/23/2026

Did You Know? ❤️🖤💛💚

Howard High School opened in 1955 with 295 Black students, while Ocala High School opened in 1957 with 845 White students. These schools reflected Marion County's legally segregated education system, where students attended schools based on race.

In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that "separate educational facilities are inherently unequal." Despite this landmark decision, Marion County continued operating segregated schools.

Change came with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination in programs receiving federal funding. Because public schools depended on federal assistance, Marion County was required to begin desegregating its schools.

The district initially adopted a "Freedom of Choice" plan, allowing students to choose which school they wished to attend. However, the plan had little impact because nearly all students remained at their former segregated schools. The district also encouraged teachers to cross racial lines, but this effort was largely unsuccessful.

A major turning point came in 1965 when 34 African American students from Howard High School, Fessenden, Belleview-Santos (Belleview) and Booker T. Washington (Dunnellon) integrated Ocala High School. Their courage challenged generations of segregation and helped open the doors of equal educational opportunity for future students. Their actions remain a defining milestone in Marion County's Civil Rights history and a powerful reminder that lasting change often begins with the bravery of a few.

We Salute You!!!!! ❤️🖤💛💚

The Marion 34

Larry Andrews
Samuel Bryant
Ronald Coleman
Donald Finley
Kerry Hampton
Ronald Heard
Angela Johnson (Riley)
Ernest K. Johnson III
Sylvia Jones (Seamon)
Michelle Lamb
Brenda Lawrence
Ira Lowe (Poole)
Cheryl Lonon (Walker)
Gregory Monroe
Albee Owen
Larone Thomas
Anniebelle Williams (Rogers)
Eunice Woodbury
Vicki Williams
Rosemary Florence
Pearly Wilkerson
Dwight Valarie
Kenneth Vernon
Don Juan Scott
Lincoln Bruce Pasteur
Diana MçNeil
Edwin Kendrick
Shirley Ingram
Jacquelyn McKnight
Gloria Kinsler
Rosalind Williams (Wilson)
Garvey Pinkston
Lauretta Eason
Mary Lenon Braddon
Meredith Williams

We are gathering information on the names of the 34 teens through word of mouth from individuals involved. If you can help uncover any of the names or confirm information, please reach out to us at: [email protected] or [email protected].

Visit the Marion County Black History Museum to learn about more Black history facts from Marion County.
❤️🖤💚💛

08/21/2026

Where the Legends Came to Play During the Jim Crow Era.

08/20/2026

🔎 CAN YOU HELP US PUT A NAME TO THESE FACES? 🔎

Every photograph has a story—and sometimes, the community holds the missing piece.

The Marion County Black History Museum needs your help identifying the people pictured in this photograph from our historical collection.

👀 Take a close look.
❤️ Do you recognize a face?
🏫 A former classmate, teacher, neighbor, church member, coworker, or family member?
📍 Someone from Ocala or another Marion County community?

If you recognize ANYONE, please leave their name in the comments. If you know the approximate year, location, school, church, organization, or event, please share that too!

Even the smallest detail can help us document a life, identify a family, and preserve an important piece of Marion County’s Black history.

📸 History lives in these faces. Help us give them their names back.

Please SHARE this post—someone in your family or community may be able to solve the mystery!

08/20/2026

Did You Know? ❤️🖤💛💚 Ron Coleman was the first Black athlete on scholarship at the University of Florida, serving as a member of the Track and Field team. He was born and raised in Ocala, Florida and attended Howard High School. Mr. Coleman, the child of a barber and teacher was one of the first black students to integrate Ocala High School in 1965.

During his senior year, he set a new state record and won the Class 2A State Championship in the Long Jump with a jump of 24 feet and five and a half inches!

Ron continued his career at the University of Florida where he won 6 Southeastern Conference Championships in both indoor and outdoor track and field.

Coleman excelled in long and triple jump events.

Fun Fact: Ron Coleman served in the United States Navy for 22 years as a Naval Aviator from 1975-1997.

Fun Fact: In 2004 he was inducted into University of Florida Hall of Fame as a distinguished letter winner.

- taken from Westside Gazette (Carma Henry)

Visit the Marion County Black History Museum @ Howard Academy Community Center to learn about more Marion County Black History! ❤️🖤💛💚

08/19/2026

Do You Remember? (Photo: Orlando Sentinel 10.30.1961)❤️🖤💛💚

Visit the Marion County Black History Museum every Wednesday from 3:00p-6:00p.