Black history in Palm Beach County is not just a story of injustice
- Ontario Johnson
- Feb 17
- 2 min read
It is a story of BUILDERS.
In Coleman Park, Black history is not abstract; it's lived, built, and carried forward every day. This neighborhood was shaped by generations of Black families who created community, culture, and opportunity in the face of segregation and systemic barriers.
It's named for George Coleman, an undertaker who trained many of Palm Beach County's Black undertakers in the art of preparing the dead, creating cultural impact during a time when funeral homes and cemeteries were segregated. His work provided dignified funeral services and professional pathways when both were essential acts of resistance and care. That legacy continues.
Coleman Park was home to Negro League Baseball games that brought national talent, pride, and joy to the community. Pine Ridge Hospital served as one of the few places where Black residents could receive treatment and care for one another. Churches, schools, and small businesses created a social infrastructure that sustained the neighborhood through decades of change producing educators, entrepreneurs, artists, and civic leaders who helped define West Palm Beach.
Today, the Phyllis Wheatley Library Mural stands as a vibrant testament to this history, celebrating Black excellence, resilience, and cultural legacy right here in Coleman Park. It's a visual reminder that this neighborhood's story deserves to be seen, honored, and preserved.
This Black History Month, we don't just mourn what was destroyed.
We honor what was REBUILT and what continues to rise.
Because preserving legacy, supporting long-standing residents, and investing in neighborhoods like Coleman Park is not about nostalgia. It's about equity, dignity, and shaping a future that honors the people who built this place.
Black history is Coleman Park!
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