Their Service, Our Freedom: Meek-Eaton Exhibit Preserves Black Military Legacy
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — For decades, they rested quietly in archival boxes — uniforms pressed by time, medals etched with sacrifice and stories waiting to be told. During Black History Month, those histories took center stage at Florida A&M University as the Meek-Eaton Black Archives launched an exhibition honoring African American military service across generations.
The exhibit “FAMU Celebrates America250: Highlighting the Meek-Eaton African American Military Collection” which debuted Feb. 1, explores themes of service, sacrifice, patriotism and citizenship through African American military history while marking the university’s contribution to the statewide America250FL commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“We wanted to highlight material that had literally been hidden for many years,” said
Timothy A. Barber, director of museum operations at the Meek-Eaton Research Center and Museum. “These
uniforms and artifacts told a story you can’t erase. African Americans participated
in every American war, and FAMU alumni were part of that history.”
The exhibition drew from the Meek-Eaton vault and significant private family donations,
featuring military uniforms, medals, photographs, documents and personal artifacts
spanning from the American Revolution through modern conflicts. Each detail — from
fabric creases to unit patches — served as tangible proof of African Americans’ enduring
role in defending the nation.
Black history brought to life — attendees gather for the ribbon cutting of the Meek-Eaton
exhibit at FAMU, celebrating generations of African American military service, sacrifice
and legacy during Black History Month. (Photo Courtesy: Ernest Nelfrard)
Among the most personal contributions were military uniforms donated by FAMU alumnus
Ronald “Joe” Mack, a Daytona Beach native whose journey began as a freshman ROTC cadet
on the Hill. Mack later rose to the rank of full colonel before serving as a senior
executive with the Department of the Army.
“I donated the uniforms several years ago, and this was the first time they were displayed,” Mack said. “Everything I achieved was based on the education and ROTC training I received here and the support of fellow Rattlers.”
Seeing his uniforms again — including pieces he had not viewed in years — stirred deep emotion. “It was a great, big, warm feeling,” Mack said. “I want our students to know that you can come here and go all the way to the top.”
Military dress uniforms donated by FAMU alumnus Joe Mack are featured in the Meek-Eaton Black Archives exhibit, highlighting the legacy of African American service and leadership during Black History Month. (Photo Courtesy: Ashley Flete)
For Autumn Heatrice, museum registrar at the Meek-Eaton Black Archives, the exhibition represented a transformation of stored objects into living history.
“These collections were in boxes, downstairs in our holdings,” Heatrice said. “This exhibit gave them new life. We were able to humanize the collections by providing context — honoring those who came before us and the sacrifices they made.”
The exhibition’s immersive storytelling spanned centuries, beginning with a focused narrative on Jocko Graves, a 12-year-old African American participant in the American Revolution, and extending through the Civil War, World Wars, the Iraq War and contemporary service. Special attention was also given to women in the military, highlighting their evolving roles in modern conflicts.
Community members gather inside the Meek-Eaton Black Archives exhibit at Florida A&M
University, which showcases African American military history and service. (Photo Courtesy: Ernest Nelfrard)
The careful presentation resonated with students, encouraging reflection and discovery. Jace Hopkins, a second-year broadcast journalism major, said the Jocko Graves statue left a lasting impression, particularly noting how later versions altered the figure’s skin color.
“It parallels what’s happening now. People like the message, but not our skin,” he said.
Hopkins explained that the exhibit also revealed how much history remains untaught. During his visit, he learned about the Black national anthem for the first time and discovered lesser-known facts, including Polaroid’s role in developing World War II goggles.
“My biggest takeaway was that I need to learn more about my history,” Hopkins said. “I would recommend my peers come see this because there’s so much here that we don’t know.”
Visitors explore an interactive display at the Meek-Eaton Black Archives exhibit at
Florida A&M University, engaging with digital stories and artifacts that bring African
American military history to life. (Photo Courtesy: Ernest Nelfrard)
Beyond preservation, the exhibition strengthened campus partnerships focused on student success. Lewis Dilbert, Ph.D., director of military and veteran affairs at FAMU, highlighted collaborative efforts supporting student veterans through scholarships, internships and educational programming.
“This exhibit helps students understand the role African Americans played in shaping this country,” Dilbert said. “We’re grateful to the Black Archives and the Florida Veterans Foundation for prioritizing this work and making these resources available.”
In addition to physical artifacts, the exhibition featured a digital storytelling kiosk supported by the Florida Veterans Foundation, allowing FAMU-affiliated veterans to permanently record and archive their service stories.
“This kiosk serves as a repository of veteran stories,” said Pia Woodley, chair of the Florida Veterans Foundation. “Once recorded, those stories are registered with the Library of Congress and preserved for families and future generations.”
Historic military uniforms and artifacts are displayed at the Meek-Eaton Black Archives
exhibit at FAMU, honoring African American service members during Black History Month.
(Photo Courtesy: Ernest Nelfrard)
FAMU became the first historically Black university in Florida to pilot the initiative, expanding access to military storytelling beyond traditional museums.
Open now through August 2026, the exhibition offers visitors months to experience African American military history firsthand — from Revolutionary-era service to modern-day conflicts — through original artifacts, personal stories and interactive elements.
Free and open to the public, the exhibit serves as both a tribute and an educational resource, inviting the FAMU community and beyond to reflect, learn and honor a legacy too often left untold.
For more information, visit the Meek-Eaton Black Archives or follow @famublackarchives on social media for updates.
A visitor views historic images of African American military service at the Meek-Eaton
Black Archives exhibit at FAMU during Black History Month. (Photo Courtesy: Ernest Nelfrard)
Media Contact:
Ashley Flete
Senior Communications Specialist
ashley1.flete@famu.edu
