about the project
and the people who made it happen
The Highway 17 North Heritage Trail was the brainchild of Senator Tony Hill of Jacksonville, who had the idea to create a heritage corridor dedicated to the accomplishments of African Americans. Sen. Hill was struck by how so many prominent members of the Harlem Renaissance came from Jacksonville, and wanted to celebrate the working-class highway corridor linking Jacksonville to inland central Florida. the idea was to install information kiosks in the birthplaces of Randolph, Savage, and the Johnson Brothers, linking together this “small migration.”
Senator hill enlisted the help of Edward Waters UNiversity professor David Jamison to write a grant from florida humanities, and the grant was awarded. a board member of the jacksonville history center (JHC), Dr. Jamison enlisted the help of JHc CEO Dr. Alan Bliss, who agreed to let the JHC cosponor the project. Dr. Jamison wanted to be sure to use local talent, so he found local graphic designer Michelle ELam to create the posters. In addition, local artists are responsible for decorating each kiosk. Noted Jacksonville artist Marsha HAtcher designed the Johnson brothers’ kiosk; the director of the Augusta Savage Arts and cultural Center, henrietta Francis, designed savage’s kiosk; and art teacher Erin Delaney and her student be’asia mccants at Crescent City Jr-Sr High school designed Randolph’s crescent city kiosk.
This project would not have been possible without the coordinating and organizing efforts of henrietta Francis in Green cove springs and Angel duke in crescent city.
Humanities Scholar / Project Director:
Dr. David Michael Jamison
David Jamison is the Assistant Professor of History at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida. Previously, he was Visiting Assistant Professor of Black World Studies at Miami University–Middletown in Middletown, Ohio. His specific role was to coordinate the kiosk-installation effort, conscript the design and text to be used on the kiosks, and administer the programming effort. He holds a Ph.D. in African Diaspora History from Indiana University and is the author of book reviews in publications such as The International Journal of African Historical Studies, H-Net Reviews in the Humanities and Social Sciences, and The Open Textbook Library. He has publications in Oxford University Press’ African American Studies Center, The SAGE Encyclopedia of War: Social Sciences Perspectives, Wadabagei: The Journal for Scholars, Students, Community Leaders and Sustainable Developers, the Journal of Caribbean History, and Perspectives: A Journal of Historical Inquiry
Event Coordinator:
Hon. Senator Tony Hill
This project was Senator Hill’s brainchild. Senator Hill’s role was to develop and coordinate with local partners to unify the Highway 17 North Heritage Trail mission, message, and media narrative. Senator Hill was the hub through which all community partners were able to stay on one unified message. Senator Tony Hill is a Jacksonville native, having served in the United States Army before being honorably discharged. As a longtime labor leader, Senator Hill served on the Executive Board Member of ILA Local 1408 and Secretary Treasurer of the Florida AFL-CIO. He was elected to represent Jacksonville in the Florida House from 1992-2000 and the Florida Senate from 2002-2011. He served as the Federal Policy Director for Mayor Alvin Brown from 2011-2015. For the past 5 years, Hill has worked on the staff of U.S. Rep. Al Lawson and helped thousands of constituents in Congressional District 5 connect with federal agencies such as Veteran Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and the IRS in Washington. Senator Hill is a veteran, having served in the United States Army.
STUDENT RESEARCHERS and artists
Travales Woodard
A Junior Biology Scholar at Edward Waters University, hailing from Kissimmee, FL, Travales is committed to extending his education beyond higher education and potential degree. Travales attends Edward Waters University as a first-generation college student, on a Presidential Scholarship, including being inducted as a member apart of the Honors College: Gamma Cohort. He is highly involved within campus organizations and the community such as the Student Government Association. He served as the Freshmen Class Secretary of Academic Affairs, Community Affairs, and Sophomore Class President. He currently serves as the Student Government Association Vice-President for the 2023-2024 Academic Year among other activities. Travales is a huge advocate for his university, classmates, and the purpose it fulfills for its students. Travales has committed to work underneath the leadership of Dr. David Jamison and Senator Tony Hill to reprise the historical representation and civic leadership of A. Phillip Randolph is in the heart of the Jacksonville community. He hopes this installment will be a huge success for the community.
Ebone’ Sapp
A 22-year-old Jacksonville native, Ebone’ is currently a student at Edward Waters University studying Psychology and has plans of becoming a therapist. She graduated with honors from The Potters House Christian Academy in 2018 and went on to study Behavior Analysis at Savannah State University. In high school she had the privilege of serving on Mayor Lenny Curry’s “Mayor’s youth leaders advisory council.” Having lost her stepfather to Covid 19 in 2021 and my grandfather to cancer in 2022, she is fulfilling a promise to them by continuing her education. She also writes fictional short stories and novels.
KAysyn Jones
Kaysyn Jones is an honors undergraduate student at Florida State University studying Creative Writing and History with a minor in African American Studies. A graduate from the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, she went on to intern under Duval County Public Schools in collaboration with the African American History Writing Institute in 2022, followed by an internship at the Ritz Theatre and Museum in 2023. She is currently a member of the Sigma Tau Delta honor society and is an editorial assistant for the Kudzu Review.
Angel Smith
Angel Smith is a 20-year-old sophomore Psychology scholar student at Edward Waters University hailing from Miami FL. Angel is the 2023-2024 student government Secretary of Academic Affairs at Edward Waters. Angel Smith's role is to be in charge of producing and updating Web content and maintaining the website. She played Volleyball and basketball during her high school years at Hialeah Miami Lakes Senior High. She plans on furthering her education to a Ph.D. and then opening up a nonprofit mental health establishment that will cater to black youth in rural neighborhoods.
be’asia mccants
Be’Asia McCants is a junior at Crescent City Jr. Sr. High School in Crescent City, Florida. Since a young age, Be’Asia has been fascinated by art. Her interest in art advanced in middle school when she had her first formal class. Her skills were not developed back then, but she never gave up on creating something that captivated her. By learning some fundamentals in middle school, she was primed for growth and improvement in high school. Be’Asia has continued to learn new styles, techniques and concepts to apply to her own ideas and personal interests. She is currently creating more art to prepare for more competitions and shows.