James R. Ford
Encyclopedia
James R. Ford, accomplished educator, politician
, businessman and community activist, was born on December 1, 1925, in Leon County, Florida
. He attended Florida A&M University
, where he earned his B.S. in 1950 and his M.Ed. in 1959.
Ford served in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. He worked in the Leon County public school system from 1950 to 1987 as a teacher
and its first black administrator, presiding over the county's first integrated school staff.
In 1972, Ford became Tallahassee's first black mayor
, the first black mayor of a state capital city. He was elected to subsequent terms as mayor in 1976 and 1982. In addition, he served fourteen consecutive years as a Tallahassee city commissioner. In this office, he played a key role in establishing the Minority Business Department, the Frenchtown Area Development Authority and the Affirmative Action Office, and worked to eliminate segregated practices in the city government and to secure employment for blacks.
Ford is also active in the business community. He built WAMN Radio Station, becoming Tallahassee's first black manager of a radio station
. He owns and manages six businesses and acts as the president of CNJ Associates. He has served as the president of Sigma Phi Pi and Alpha Phi Alpha
fraternities, the Tallahassee Urban League and the Tallahassee Chapter of 100 Black Men, and as commander of the Tallahassee Sail and Power Squadron. He has sat on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce
, the United Way, Meals on Wheels
, the March of Dimes
Big Bend Chapter, the American Red Cross
's Tallahassee Chapter and the Florida League of Cities. He currently sits on the boards of the Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center, the Lively Vocational School and Peoples 1st Community Bank. He and his wife, Clinita, have a son (James R. Ford jr.) and two daughters (Janita and JaKathryn).
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, businessman and community activist, was born on December 1, 1925, in Leon County, Florida
Leon County, Florida
Leon County is a county located in the state of Florida, named after the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León. At the 2010 Census, the population was 275,487. The county seat of Leon County is Tallahassee which also serves as the state capital. The county seat is home to two of Florida's major...
. He attended Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
, where he earned his B.S. in 1950 and his M.Ed. in 1959.
Ford served in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army. He worked in the Leon County public school system from 1950 to 1987 as a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
and its first black administrator, presiding over the county's first integrated school staff.
In 1972, Ford became Tallahassee's first black mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
, the first black mayor of a state capital city. He was elected to subsequent terms as mayor in 1976 and 1982. In addition, he served fourteen consecutive years as a Tallahassee city commissioner. In this office, he played a key role in establishing the Minority Business Department, the Frenchtown Area Development Authority and the Affirmative Action Office, and worked to eliminate segregated practices in the city government and to secure employment for blacks.
Ford is also active in the business community. He built WAMN Radio Station, becoming Tallahassee's first black manager of a radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
. He owns and manages six businesses and acts as the president of CNJ Associates. He has served as the president of Sigma Phi Pi and Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha is the first Inter-Collegiate Black Greek Letter fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations ...
fraternities, the Tallahassee Urban League and the Tallahassee Chapter of 100 Black Men, and as commander of the Tallahassee Sail and Power Squadron. He has sat on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
, the United Way, Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels are programs that deliver meals to individuals at home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals. The name is often used generically to refer to home-delivered meals programs, not all of which are actually named "Meals on Wheels"...
, the March of Dimes
March of Dimes
The March of Dimes Foundation is a United States nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies.-Organization:...
Big Bend Chapter, the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
's Tallahassee Chapter and the Florida League of Cities. He currently sits on the boards of the Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center, the Lively Vocational School and Peoples 1st Community Bank. He and his wife, Clinita, have a son (James R. Ford jr.) and two daughters (Janita and JaKathryn).