Florida’s 462,000 Negroes today present many evidences of the progress they have made in the 250 years they have been in the peninsula. They have businesses ranging from the small bootblack stands and restaurants found in every city to two large insurance companies, one having assets of more than a million dollars. Each city has from one to several undertaking establish – ments, real estate offices, doctors, lawyers, and other professional men, in -19- addition to a variety of small enterprises.

Some cities, like Miami, Tampa , and Jacksonville, have entire city blocks where Negro businesses are the only ones to be found. There are eleven Negro newspapers in the State state (weeklies), several large hotels, gas stations , and movie houses.

There are several beaches and pleasure resorts operated as private vent – ures, with at least one of them a resort for Negroes of several states. Busi – ness and office buildings, owned by individuals or organizations, are found in the large cities.

The 103,536 Negro children, youths , and adults who attend public schools in the State state do so in 936 schools. Two thousand three hundred seventy–seven teachers instruct them, and there are four Negro supervisors. There are 54 Negro principals in the State state in addition to those employed in private insti – tutions. Brick, frame and other buildings housing the pupils total 769.

According to the last census , there are 43,108 Negroes of high school age in the State state , of whom 4,894 are enrolled in the high schools. These high schools are in operation in 37 of the State's state's 67 counties.

Five of the public high schools are accredited, as are the high school departments of two of the private colleges. One of the high schools, the Booker Washington school Schoool in Miami, has an enrollment of more than 2,000, with a faculty of 45. Stanton High in Jacksonville has an enrollment of 1,500.

There are eight colleges and private institutions up to or above high school grade. Largest of these is the State state college at Tallahassee, called the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College, with an annual enrollment of more than 1,000 and a large faculty. The school was originally vocational, -20- but now carries full liberal arts courses ; . graduate Graduate work is offered in some fields.

The Baptist church has two institutions in the State state : the Normal and Industrial College at St. Augustine , with an estimated annual enrollment of about 300, and the Florida Memorial College at Live Oak, with an enrollment of about 250.

The Methodist Episcopal church Church has a junior college at Daytona Beach and a junior college at Jacksonville. Also at Jacksonville is the school operated by the African Methodist church Church , Edward Waters College. The Roman Catholic and Protestant Episcopal churches Churches conduct parochial schools at Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville , and Pensacola.

In music , Florida has given the world several Negro composers and artists, at least one of whom has become internationally famous. James Rosamond John – son,The reference is to John Rosamond Johnson (not James). born in Jacksonville in 1881, has written the musical score for a number of musical shows popular on Broadway, also a light classical operetta and a number of songs. Among the best known of his compositions was a great success early in the century. His is sung at every Negro patriotic gathering.

Choirs of unusual merit are found in a number of Negro churches in the larger cities, and several school groups have become nationally noted. There are annual song festivals at two of the colleges.

In literature , Florida has produced two outstanding figures, both still living and active. Foremost is James Weldon Johnson, brother of Rosamund, whose went into several editions, and who has contributed, in addition, several other books. T. Thomas Fortune, born -21- in Madison County, was one of the best known editors early in the century ; . for For years he was editor of the .

Zora Hurston, born in Mandarin, has written three books which will per – petuate the folklore of her race: , , and .

A prominent sculptress is Augusta Savage, born in Green Cove Springs. After a period of study abroad, she opened a studio in New York City. Among her well – known works are busts of Henry H. Flagler, , and a life – sized group idealizing Negro womanhood.