Chief Wilson and the Jones High School Band
Working against the odds, teenagers and their band leader became effective goodwill ambassadors for Orlando’s African American community in the days before the Civil Rights Movement.
Father Nelson Pinder and the Jones High School Class of 1962
Father Pinder led the fight to integrate Orlando’s restaurants and lunch counters, stores, playgrounds, parks, and schools. He helped to persuade the Orlando Sentinel to eliminate its “Negro Section” and to cover African Americans in the main edition of the paper.
Screening of “Marching Forward” Tells Inspiring Orlando Story
In honor of Black History Month, Mayor Jerry L. Demings and the History Center proudly presents a special showing of the award-winning documentary film “Marching Forward.”
Historical Society honors James W. “Chief” Wilson
The Historical Society presents its 2018 Donald A. Cheney Award to James W. “Chief” Wilson on Tuesday, October 30. Wilson was the legendary band director at Orlando’s Jones High School from the years 1950 to 1990.