In a building that once held Klan meetings, there’s a library now, and on the windows are decals with some of the notable, legendary, influential Black leaders in Pensacola’s history, along with motivational quotes from them.
The new Brownsville Library opened on Aug. 21 following a ceremony that featured Escambia County commissioners, other elected officials, and a flock of community residents and Brownsville revitalization groups.
The 8,000-square-foot library has more than 5,000 books in circulation. The first floor features a public library and café space, with a large multi-use space on the second floor for senior activities, children’s programs, classes and events. The library even has a vending machine for books and DVDs.
Another well-received feature − the large laminated bookmarks featuring the same leaders depicted on the window decals, along with the quotes. Those depicted in the series include noted civil rights leader and pastor Rev. B.J. Brooks, civil rights advocate and former Pensacola City Council member Cecil Hunter, educator Elmer Jenkins, educator Alice Williams, civil rights advocate, business owner and preservationist Georgia Blackmon and others, including architect, builder and minister Theophalis May.
Lucille Brooks, the widow of Rev. Brooks, attended the Brownsville Library grand opening ceremony with one of the couple’s grown children, Janice Brooks DeSoto.
Seeing the bookmark and the window decal, Lucille Brooks was proud that her husband is still appreciated and honored.
“It means that his labor was not in vain, glory be to God,” she said. “I really appreciate this and it’s an opportunity for the younger generation to learn (area history).”
As for the library?
“I think it’s a great library,” she said. “Very nice and needed.”
The new library, part of the West Florida Public Libraries system administered by Escambia County, is part of a continuing effort to brighten and better Brownsville, a working class mixed neighborhood with a large concentration of Asian Americans and African Americans, as well as other races.
The Brownsville Library was pushed by Escambia County District 3 Commissioner Lumon May, son of Theophalis May, and many community members, including the women of the Brownsville Silver Seniors, a yellow-clad group that advocates for Brownsville.
“This was very much needed in the community and it’s another symbol of the progress in Brownsville,” said Callie Moyĕ, Brownsville Silver Seniors president. “I’ve been here over 20 years and I love the neighborhood and you can see the growth and progress. It’s growing and people are coming together here in Brownsville.”
Escambia County has invested millions of dollars in developments around Brownsville, including the renovation of the 70-year-old former Masonic Lodge that is now the Brownsville Library. It was a building used by many organizations, from fraternal lodges to community groups, and, well, others.
“This was the place where the Klan once met,” May said. “But today it is a building of hope.”
May said the library is just part of Brownsville’s improvements.
“We invested in building housing, crime is down and we found that (Brownsville) is a place where you can live, work and play,” he said. “This project has been a long time coming, and I look forward to seeing all our residents take advantage of everything the library has to offer.”
The Brownsville Library is located at 3300 W. DeSoto St., adjacent to the often-used Brownsville Community Center and across from Brownsville Church, which has taken an active role in helping better the community under the leadership of church pastor Rev. Evon Horton, who came to Brownsville 19 years ago.
“After 19 years of partnering with Commissioner May and others in this city and in this county, we’ve see some miracles happen,” Horton said. “We’ve seen Cervantes change with (Department of Transportation) safety improvements, we’ve see the Brownsville Community Center grow and we have seen the ECUA bring in sewer instead of septic. … We’ve seen a transformation of this community and it’s because of the miracle of God.”
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: New Brownsville Library brings more than just books to improving westside community
Reporting by Troy Moon, Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
