David H. Dwight, Sr. - Jacksonville, FL
N 30° 19.052 W 081° 43.430
17R E 430410 N 3354193
A blue plaque recognizing David H. Dwight, Sr., is located at the North Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
Waymark Code: WM3AK4
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 03/05/2008
Views: 27
The blue plaque for David H. Dwight, Sr., was created as part of The Great Floridians 2000 Program. According to the Florida Department of State website about this program
(visit link): "The Great Floridians 2000 program was designed to recognize individuals who distinguished themselves through their philanthropy, public service or personal or professional service, and who have enhanced the lives of Florida's citizens. In 1998, the Florida Department of State and the Florida League of Cities, to help celebrate the approaching turn of the century, initiated the program to dedicate a special series of commemorative plaques in cities throughout the state. These plaques recognized "Great Floridians 2000" by honoring men and women who made significant contributions to the history and culture of our state."
"Anyone could nominate an individual to be designated a Great Floridian 2000 by submitting a Great Floridians 2000 application. These applications were periodically reviewed by the appointed Great Floridians 2000 Committee, a group of seven distinguished historians from throughout Florida. The applications included the listing of an historical property where the plaque was affixed that was associated with the Great Floridian. Once the decisions were made, nominators were notified and advised on how and where to purchase the commemorative plaque."
The following is a biography of David H. Dwight, Sr., posted on the Great Floridians 2000 Program website
(visit link): "David H. Dwight, Sr., led the way for African-Americans in Jacksonville to become part of the Boy Scouts of America. Born in 1882, Dwight’s leadership led to African-American Scouts being granted the right to participate in scouting activities, attend camp and wear the official Boy Scout uniform. The first Boy Scout camp in the state, initiated during his tenure, served African-American Scouts in Jacksonville and throughout the State of Florida. As a Scout, he achieved the position of assistant regional director of scouting activities for the southeast region. He was the first African-American in America to receive the Boy Scouts of America’s highest council award, the Silver Beaver, in 1936. Dwight was one of the founders of the National Alliance of Postal Employees in 1912. In the 1940s he founded the Duval County Democratic Alliance which aided voter registration in Jacksonville. He died in 1959. His Great Floridian plaque is located at the North Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America, 521 South Edgewood Avenue, Jacksonville."