James Weldon Johnson

In Maine, every June 17 will be James Weldon Johnson Day

The state of Maine and the city of Wiscasset are preparing to honor the legacy of Johnson, one of the most accomplished people to ever come out of Jacksonville — and an occasional summer visitor to Maine.

Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Park rendering

First Coast

Jacksonville Unveils Plans For 'Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing’ Park In LaVilla

Brendan Rivers

The city of Jacksonville has released design plans for the Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Park in the historic LaVilla neighborhood near Downtown.The park will…

Outside of City Hall, large building with steps leading to the entrance, a couple of palm trees out in the front

First Coast

Jacksonville City Council Weighs Change To Renaming Public Spaces

Sky Lebron

Jacksonville City Councilman Ron Salem wants to create a lengthier process to rename public parks and buildings, after the council two weeks ago struggled…

Pillar where the Hemming Park monument used to stand, including a fountain and path. Buildings and trees in the background.

First Coast

Councilmen Propose Slowing Down Process Of Renaming Jacksonville Parks, Buildings

Sky Lebron

Less than a week after the Jacksonville City Council voted to rename Hemming Park to James Weldon Johnson Park, Councilman Rory Diamond is filing a bill…

Hemming Park pillar, with nothing at the top, buildings, sky and trees in the background.

First Coast

Councilman Files To Rename 5 Parks, Following James Weldon Johnson Debate

Sky Lebron

Ahead of Tuesday’s Jacksonville City Council meeting, Councilman Garrett Dennis is filing five emergency bills to rename parks throughout the city to…

Pedestal in the middle of Hemming Park where a confederate mounment used to be on top, downtown buildings in the background, and the skyrail

First Coast

Jacksonville Councilman Files Bill To Change Name Of Hemming Park

Sky Lebron

A Jacksonville City Councilman is introducing a bill to change the name of Hemming Park. Councilman Garrett Dennis filed the bill Wednesday, according to…

First Coast

The Jaxson: James Weldon Johnson Deserves To Be Celebrated

James Weldon Johnson is, without exaggeration, the single most accomplished person ever to come from Jacksonville or Florida.Among other things, the…

First Coast

Video: Eastside Jacksonville Murals Depict Local History And There Are More To Come

Lindsey Kilbride

The side of the Man Cave Barbershop building on the corner of A. Philip Randolph Boulevard and Pippin Street is covered with a geometric design of vivid…

First Coast

U.S. Rep. Lawson Wants Jacksonville Recognized As James Weldon Johnson’s Birthplace

Lindsey Kilbride

North Florida Democratic Congressman Al Lawson wants Jacksonville to be nationally recognized as the birthplace of Civil Rights activist and songwriter…

First Coast Connect

2/23/2017: Tony Hill- James Weldon Johnson; Opioid Babies; NASA Discovers Earth-Sized Planets

Kevin Meerschaert

Thursday on “First Coast Connect,” we spoke with former State Senator Tony Hill about an event Friday to honor Jacksonville native and civil rights…