Category B: Mobile’s Unsung Black Heroes (Past & Present)

Question 1

1 What is the name of the man raised in the late 1800s, who at the age of 32 owned “The Mobile Weekly Press”?

Answer 1

He recognized the power of the press and felt every American, irrespective of race, should “toot his own horn.” He was not afraid to speak out about racial wrongdoings in the City of Mobile. He left Mobile in 1907 and relocated to Nashville where he opened one of the largest and most elaborate funeral homes in the American South. Andrew N. Johnson

Question 2

What is the name of the Mobilian who co-founded a real estate business with the wealthy businessman, James T. Peterson, and co-founded a successful funeral business with Edgar Harney?

Answer 2

Clarence W. Allen

Question 3

What is the name of the man considered to be one of Mobile’s wealthiest African Americans in the late 1800s?

Answer 3

James T. Peterson

Question 4

Who was the first Black carpenter?

Answer 4

Joachim Holloway

Question 5

Who was the principal of Williamson for almost 40 years?

Answer 5

Limeal Keeby

Question 6

What is the name of the noted barber who operated a popular barber shop in the famous Battle House?

Answer 6

He was also a mortician and a co-founder, along with Clarence W. Allen, of the Johnson-Allen Mortuary, formerly known as Allen & Harney. Johnson and Allen is the oldest African-American funeral home in Alabama that has been continuously operated by the same family- the descendants of Clarence Allen. Edgar Harney

Question 7

Civil Rights Activists in Mobile

Answer 7

Dorothy P. Williams

Question 8

9 Who was the first African American principal of the Mobile Educational Institute? He was known as the “Nestor of Colored Education’’ in Mobile. He was a graduate of the first class of Negroes from the old Blue College in 1876. Additionally, he served as the 10th president of the Alabama Teachers Association.

Answer 8

William A. Caldwell

Question 9

Who was the first African American principal of the Mobile Normal School? He was one of the most highly respected Negroes of his time. He was a minister and continuously gave back to the Mobile community by providing annual Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners to inmates of all races. After accepting the position as Dean of the Department of Theology at Selma University in 1904, the white citizens of Mobile presented him with a gold watch as an appreciation of the work he did for the City of Mobile. Rev.

Answer 9

Albert F. Owens

Question 10

What is the name of the Mobilian who has the distinction of serving as the Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star for 50 years?

Answer 10

Janie Balasco

Question 11

Who is noted as being one of the first African American chefs at the Admiral Semmes Hotel in Mobile and went on to handle catering events for many prominent Mobilians in the 1900s?

Answer 11

Jasper Barnett

Question 12

What is the name of the Mobile educator, born in 1900, who served as Supervisor of Education in the Mobile County School System for over 40 years?

Answer 12

Mary W. Burroughs
(Burroughs Elementary School in Theodore was named in her honor)

Question 13

What is the name of the Silver Beaver award-winning Boy Scout Master and Mobile community leader who worked as the maintenance engineer with the Mobile Housing Board and is remembered as one of Mobile’s most useful citizens?

Answer 13

Leslie Busby

Question 14

Who is the founder and conductor of the Casher Philharmonic Choir? He offered scholarships to future musicians and paved the way for the Casher Philharmonic Choir to make albums and television appearances.

Answer 14

A. Leon Casher

Question 15

What is the name of the writer who started one of Mobile’s first magazines in 1947, “The Mobile Review,” because of her desire to create a magazine that reflected the positive aspects of life in the African American community in Mobile? The magazine focused on healthcare, history, science and religion, politics, and school news.

Answer 15

Ellie Cooper

Question 16

Who is the prominent Mobile attorney who was the first African American State Senator from Mobile and the third in Alabama since the days of Reconstruction? He was a graduate of Hillsdale High School and had numerous contributions to his credit in the field of law and politics.

Answer 16

Michael Figures

Question 17

Who is the doctor who opened Finley’s Pharmacy on Davis Avenue in 1950? He also showed an interest in the pride and self-esteem of young people by sponsoring softball and baseball teams and providing uniforms and trophies.

Answer 17

John L. Finley

Question 18

Who is the Mobilian born in 1896 who landed his first job with Overby Studio where he was trained as a professional photographer and took many of the early Mardi Gras photographs along with ship launchings?

Answer 18

Ernest Emile Horton

Question 19

Who is the graduate of Central High School who received multiple degrees, became an English teacher at Bishop State, and then went on to be elected to the Alabama House of Representatives for District 103? She became the first African-American woman in Alabama to become a college President in 1981, today that college is known as Bishop State Community College. Yvonne Kennedy

Answer 19

Yvonne Kennedy

Question 20

Who is the prominent Mobile County school teacher born in 1900 who served as president of the A. F. Owens Tenant Association and was an honorary member of the Mobile County Commission, Mobile County Board of Pensions and Security, NAACP, Mobile County Law Enforcement Association, and the National Caucus and Center on Black Aged?

Answer 20

Annie McGrew

Question 21

Who is the woman to become the first fully qualified African-American licensed librarian in the City of Mobile? There is a public library located in Toulminville named after her.

Answer 21

Virginia D. Smith

Question 22

Who is the Tuscaloosa, AL native who, with only $150 in his pocket and hard work in his actions, founded the Mobile Beacon newspaper?

Answer 22

Frank P. Thomas

Question 23

Who is the educator, inventor, and civil rights leader born in 1920 who is known to be the foremost authority on Black history in Mobile, founded the only African-American private Industrial Welding Trade School in the South, and salvaged natural resources of Mobile for future generations?

Answer 23

Henry C. Williams, Sr.

Question 24

Who is the Mobile native known as “Wonderwoman” due to her hard work in caring for the sick and shut-in? She took her paycheck, and with a few friends, prepared 75-150 dinners weekly and delivered them to sick and less fortunate people.

Answer 24

Ida Perry