Rutledge H. Pearson – an American history teacher, civil rights leader and human rights activist focused on empowering his students to become involved in the civil rights movement. Mr. Pearson’s introduction to the civil rights movement started as a baseball player when Jacksonville park officials chose to close the park rather than allow organized baseball to become integrated. He served as the advisor to the NAACP Youth Council during the sit-ins, Ax Handle Saturday and the subsequent boycotts, and eventually became president of the Jacksonville Branch of the NAACP and later elected president of the Florida State Conference of the NAACP. Mr. Pearson, who died tragically in a questionable car accident in 1967, was inducted into the State of Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2016.

Alton Yates – served as the 1st Vice President of the NAACP Youth Council during the sit-in demonstrations, Ax Handle Saturday, and its aftermath. Mr. Yates had a 32-year career in the U. S. Air Force, receiving international acclaim for his work with the Air Force Aeromedical Field Laboratory. He served as an administrator under four different Jacksonville mayors and his career path intersected with the worlds of education, community relations, and technology services. Mr. Yates remains a tireless advocate for equity in his hometown and has touched dozens of organizations who are committed to human rights.

Ben Frazier – a veteran journalist, news anchor, TV host, producer, and narrator. Mr. Frazier is now blazing a new trail as a community activist as the president and founder of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville which was born in 2015. The Coalition’s mission is to empower, educate and organize our communities in an effort to establish greater self-sufficiency. As community advocates, Mr. Frazier feels it is our mission to stand against racial, economic and social injustice.

Rudy F. Jamison Jr., Ed.D. – University of North Florida faculty member and assistant director of the Center for Urban Education and Policy in the UNF College of Education and Human Services. Dr. Jamison’s academic interests include: Black leadership development, community organizing, diversification of teacher education, and culturally responsive teaching/leadership. Dr. Jamison is committed to advancing consciousness around equity, racism and social justice in a way that assesses, challenges, and supports a more virtuous humanity. Along with Mr. Hurst, Dr. Jamison co-authored the book, Never Forget Who You Are: Conversations About Racism and Identity Development.

Wells Todd – an organizer and activist with Veterans for Peace, Jacksonville’s Progressive Coalition, Jacksonville Community Remembrance Project and Take ‘Em Down Jacksonville.  Mr. Todd has been a consistent, leading voice for the removal of white supremacist symbols and names from parks, schools, bridges, and other public spaces. He is an advocate for changing the school curriculum to include the kind of teaching practiced by Rutledge H. Pearson where the truth of American history is taught to all students.