Some Blacks moved away from Lakeland during the city's first 100 years.  Some left to go to college, some joined the military and others sought professional or economic opportunities.

In many cases, these trailblazers became productive members in the new communities in which they chose to live.  Some as business persons, some educators, some preachers, and some as public and elected officials.

A few of these Blacks who have made notable contributions are:

Harris, Henry

Velda H Browning

McKenzie, Loretta

Henry Otis Harris was born in Lakeland on July 26, 1929.  He was a veteran of WWII and Korea. He also was the first black firefighter in Patterson, NJ.

Velda Hawkins Browning was born in Lakeland.  She graduated from Rochelle High School in 1964 and became first Black telephone operator for General Telephone & Electronics (GTE)  in Lakeland.

Loretta Dukes McKenzie was born on Aug. 19, 1935, in Lakeland.  She earned a Master of Education from Howard University, she worked for the U.S. Department of Education as a deputy assistant secretary in the Office of School Improvement, and served as Superintendent of the District of Columbia Public Schools.

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