David H. Dwight, Sr.
(1882-1959)

Died aged c. 77

David H. Dwight, Sr., led the way for African-Americans in Jacksonville to become part of the Boy Scouts of America. Born in 1882, Dwight’s leadership led to African-American Scouts being granted the right to participate in scouting activities, attend camp and wear the official Boy Scout uniform. The first Boy Scout camp in the state, initiated during his tenure, served African-American Scouts in Jacksonville and throughout the State of Florida. As a Scout, he achieved the position of assistant regional director of scouting activities for the southeast region. He was the first African-American in America to receive the Boy Scouts of America’s highest council award, the Silver Beaver, in 1936. Dwight was one of the founders of the National Alliance of Postal Employees in 1912. In the 1940s he founded the Duval County Democratic Alliance which aided voter registration in Jacksonville. He died in 1959.

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