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Black History EveryWeek: Booker T. Washington visited Pensacola in 1912; 2,000 Black and whites hear speech

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From: Miami Times
Date: 20020924
Author:Potter, Richard C.

Potter, Richard C.
Miami Times
09-24-2002
On a chilly Friday evening, March 1, 1912, Dr. Booker T. Washington came to
the Pensacola, Florida, Opera House to preach the gospel according to
Horatio Alger to his Black brothers and sisters.

According to the Pensacola Journal of March 2, 1912, an SRO audience of
Black and Whites gathered to hear "the leading negro of the world speak,"
The Journal estimated the house at more than 2,000.

After a glowing introduction by Pensacola Mayor Frank Reilly, Dr.
Washington launched into an hour long pep talk to his people:

"When Dr. Washington rose to speak he was ...

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