TALLAHASSEE, Fla.\u00a0\u2014 For decades, they rested quietly in archival boxes \u2014 uniforms pressed by time,
\n medals etched with sacrifice and stories waiting to be told. During Black History
\n Month, those histories took center stage at Florida A&M University as the Meek-Eaton
\n Black Archives launched an exhibition honoring African American military service across
\n generations.<\/p>\n
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The exhibit \u201cFAMU Celebrates America250: Highlighting the Meek-Eaton African American Military Collection\u201d\u00a0which
\n debuted Feb. 1, explores themes of service, sacrifice, patriotism and citizenship
\n through African American military history while marking the university\u2019s contribution
\n to the statewide America250FL commemoration of the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to highlight material that had literally been hidden for many years,\u201d said
\n Timothy A. Barber, director of museum operations at the Meek-Eaton Research Center and Museum. \u201cThese
\n uniforms and artifacts told a story you can\u2019t erase. African Americans participated
\n in every American war, and FAMU alumni were part of that history.\u201d<\/p>\n
The exhibition drew from the Meek-Eaton vault and significant private family donations,
\n featuring military uniforms, medals, photographs, documents and personal artifacts
\n spanning from the American Revolution through modern conflicts. Each detail \u2014 from
\n fabric creases to unit patches \u2014 served as tangible proof of African Americans\u2019 enduring
\n role in defending the nation.<\/p>\n
![\"Black](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1024x768_MEEKEATON9.jpg\")
Black history brought to life \u2014 attendees gather for the ribbon cutting of the Meek-Eaton
\n exhibit at FAMU, celebrating generations of African American military service, sacrifice
\n and legacy during Black History Month. (Photo Courtesy: Ernest Nelfrard)<\/p>\n
Among the most personal contributions were military uniforms donated by FAMU alumnus
\n Ronald \u201cJoe\u201d Mack, a Daytona Beach native whose journey began as a freshman ROTC cadet
\n on the Hill. Mack later rose to the rank of full colonel before serving as a senior
\n executive with the Department of the Army.<\/p>\n
\u201cI donated the uniforms several years ago, and this was the first time they were displayed,\u201d
\n Mack said. \u201cEverything I achieved was based on the education and ROTC training I received
\n here and the support of fellow Rattlers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seeing his uniforms again \u2014 including pieces he had not viewed in years \u2014 stirred
\n deep emotion. \u201cIt was a great, big, warm feeling,\u201d Mack said. \u201cI want our students
\n to know that you can come here and go all the way to the top.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Military](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1024x768_MEEKEATONEXHIBITUNIFORMS.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
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Military dress uniforms donated by FAMU alumnus Joe Mack are featured in the Meek-Eaton
\n Black Archives exhibit, highlighting the legacy of African American service and leadership
\n during Black History Month. (Photo Courtesy: Ashley Flete)<\/p>\n
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For Autumn Heatrice, museum registrar at the Meek-Eaton Black Archives, the exhibition
\n represented a transformation of stored objects into living history.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese collections were in boxes, downstairs in our holdings,\u201d Heatrice said. \u201cThis
\n exhibit gave them new life. We were able to humanize the collections by providing
\n context \u2014 honoring those who came before us and the sacrifices they made.\u201d<\/p>\n
The exhibition\u2019s immersive storytelling spanned centuries, beginning with a focused
\n narrative on Jocko Graves, a 12-year-old African American participant in the American
\n Revolution, and extending through the Civil War, World Wars, the Iraq War and contemporary
\n service. Special attention was also given to women in the military, highlighting their
\n evolving roles in modern conflicts.<\/p>\n
The careful presentation resonated with students, encouraging reflection and discovery.
\n Jace Hopkins, a second-year broadcast journalism major, said the Jocko Graves statue
\n left a lasting impression, particularly noting how later versions altered the figure\u2019s
\n skin color.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt parallels what\u2019s happening now. People like the message, but not our skin,\u201d he
\n said.<\/p>\n
Hopkins explained that the exhibit also revealed how much history remains untaught.
\n During his visit, he learned about the Black national anthem for the first time and
\n discovered lesser-known facts, including Polaroid\u2019s role in developing World War II
\n goggles.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy biggest takeaway was that I need to learn more about my history,\u201d Hopkins said.
\n \u201cI would recommend my peers come see this because there\u2019s so much here that we don\u2019t
\n know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond preservation, the exhibition strengthened campus partnerships focused on student
\n success. Lewis Dilbert, Ph.D., director of military and veteran affairs at FAMU, highlighted collaborative
\n efforts supporting student veterans through scholarships, internships and educational
\n programming.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis exhibit helps students understand the role African Americans played in shaping
\n this country,\u201d Dilbert said. \u201cWe\u2019re grateful to the Black Archives and the Florida
\n Veterans Foundation for prioritizing this work and making these resources available.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to physical artifacts, the exhibition featured a digital storytelling
\n kiosk supported by the Florida Veterans Foundation, allowing FAMU-affiliated veterans
\n to permanently record and archive their service stories.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis kiosk serves as a repository of veteran stories,\u201d said Pia Woodley, chair of
\n the Florida Veterans Foundation. \u201cOnce recorded, those stories are registered with
\n the Library of Congress and preserved for families and future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n
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![\"Historic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1024x768_MEEKEATON3.jpg\")
Historic military uniforms and artifacts are displayed at the Meek-Eaton Black Archives
\n exhibit at FAMU, honoring African American service members during Black History Month.
\n (Photo Courtesy: Ernest Nelfrard)<\/p>\n
FAMU became the first historically Black university in Florida to pilot the initiative,
\n expanding access to military storytelling beyond traditional museums.<\/p>\n
Open now through August 2026, the exhibition offers visitors months to experience
\n African American military history firsthand \u2014 from Revolutionary-era service to modern-day
\n conflicts \u2014 through original artifacts, personal stories and interactive elements.<\/p>\n
Free and open to the public, the exhibit serves as both a tribute and an educational
\n resource, inviting the FAMU community and beyond to reflect, learn and honor a legacy
\n too often left untold.<\/p>\n
For more information, visit the Meek-Eaton Black Archives or follow\u00a0@famublackarchives<\/a>\u00a0on social media for updates.<\/p>\n Media Contact:<\/p>\n Ashley Flete![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1024x768_MEEKEATON6.jpg\")
A visitor views historic images of African American military service at the Meek-Eaton
\n Black Archives exhibit at FAMU during Black History Month. (Photo Courtesy: Ernest Nelfrard)<\/p>\n
Senior Communications Specialist\u00a0
ashley1.flete@famu.edu<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n