Black History Program Alexander City

He is widely recognized as one of the first African American business owners in Alexander City. He operated as a blacksmith.

• Who is Harvey Thomas

• Who is Frederick Douglas

• Who is Barrack Obama

They were the first African American male and female to be elected to the Alexander City City Council.

• Who is Harvey Thomas and Jenny Thomas?

• Who is Shelly Frank Maxwell and Gwendolyn Coley?

• Who is Larndell Russaw and Jolly Young

They were the frist African American firefighters to work at the Alexander City Fire Department.

• Who is Frank Maxwell, Jolly Rogers, and Harvey Thomas

• Who is Joe Ennis Berry and James Ware

• Who is Larndell Russaw, Jolly Young, and Tommy Neal Cammon

He started as a patrolman in 1978 and rose through the ranks. He became Alexander City's first African American police chief in 2013.

• Who is Harvey Thomas

• Who is Willie George Robinson

• Who is Joe Ennis Berry

These two individuals went to the police academy in Montgomery, AL, and became the first two African American police officers in Alexander City in the 1960s.

• Who is Joe Ennis Berry and James Ware

• Who is Willie George Robinson?

• Who is Larndell Russaw

He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Michigan Hospital in 1972. He returned to Alexander City and joined Russell Hospital. He became the first African American doctor to work at Russell Hospital.

• Who is Dr. Runas Powers?

• Who is Tyrone Oliver

• Who is Harvey Thomas

She grew flowers with her her husband Harvey Thomas, and was considered Alexander City's first florist.

• Who is Dr. Runas Powers

• Who is Jolly Rogers

• Who is Zylphia Thomas

He became the first African American to manage a radio station, WDLK, in Alexander City. He is now the host of a local talk show, "It's All Good with Iceburg Slim."

• Who is Tyrone Oliver

• Who is Milton Riley?

• Who is Tracy McGhee?

He was a first-class carpenter and builder. He was the first African American to be made a member of the Alexander City Board of Education.

• Who is Tyrone Oliver

• Who is Milton Riley

• Who is Tracy McGhee

He worked as an assistant principal for several years. He later became the first African American to be appointed as a principal in Alexander City schools. He became the principal of Alexander City Middle School in 2005.

• Who is Tracy McGhee

• Who is Tyrone Oliver

• Who is Milton Riley