Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association

Before Miami’s transformation into a modern metropolis, its incorporation in 1896 marked a pivotal moment in its history. Florida state law mandated a minimum of 300 registered voters for incorporation, and Miami exceeded this requirement with the help of a diverse group of residents, including many Black workers employed by Henry Flagler. On July 28, 1896, 162 Black men, most of whom were Bahamian, attended the incorporation meeting, constituting 44 percent of the voters. Without the contributions of these laborers, Miami’s evolution into an international paradise would have been improbable, underscoring the vital but often overlooked role of Bahamians in the city’s development.