Home » Miami’s Black Grove Gains Political Recognition as ‘Little Bahamas’

Miami’s Black Grove Gains Political Recognition as ‘Little Bahamas’

by Kevin Sorenson
Campaigns For Good

Miami, Florida, renowned for its vibrant culture and diverse population, holds within its history a deeply rooted connection to the African diaspora, particularly through the community known as The Black Grove. This community’s origins trace back to West African slaves who found freedom in the Bahamas before settling in Florida, where they cultivated a rich heritage that persists to this day. The story of The Black Grove is a testament to resilience, cultural preservation, and the enduring spirit of its founders.

In the early 19th century, Florida became a destination for many Bahamian Africans seeking freedom from British rule and slavery. The Bahamas, a British colony at the time, offered a refuge for runaway slaves from various parts of the Caribbean and North America. These freedom seekers brought with them a rich cultural tapestry shaped by their West African roots, blending traditions from Yoruba, Igbo, Akan, and other ethnic groups. This cultural amalgamation formed the foundation upon which The Black Grove would later flourish.

The journey from the Bahamas to Florida was fraught with challenges, yet the Bahamian Africans persevered, driven by the promise of freedom and opportunities in the burgeoning community of Miami. Upon arriving in what is now Coconut Grove, they encountered a landscape ripe for cultivation and settlement. The fertile soil and favorable climate of South Florida offered them the chance to establish homesteads and build a community that reflected their shared experiences and aspirations.

Central to the identity of The Black Grove community was the preservation of cultural practices and traditions brought from Africa and nurtured in the Bahamas. Music, dance, storytelling, and spiritual beliefs served as vital threads in the fabric of daily life, fostering a sense of unity and resilience among its inhabitants. Through these cultural expressions, generations of Bahamian Africans in Miami maintained a connection to their ancestral heritage while adapting to their new environment.

Economically, The Black Grove thrived through agriculture, fishing, and trades such as boatbuilding and carpentry. These skills were passed down through families, contributing to the self-sufficiency and sustainability of the community. The coconut groves that gave the area its name not only provided a source of income but also became symbolic of the community’s resilience and determination to thrive in their adopted homeland.

Despite facing challenges such as racial discrimination and economic inequality, The Black Grove community persisted, building institutions that supported education, health, and cultural enrichment. Churches played a central role, providing spiritual guidance and serving as community centers where social, cultural, and political issues were discussed and addressed. These institutions became pillars of strength and solidarity, fostering a sense of belonging and collective identity among residents.

Ebenezer Woodbury Franklin Stirrup, was one of those immigrants who came to Florida in 1888 at the age of 15. Stirrup started out clearing land for property owners, but he negotiated to be paid in land instead of cash. This allowed Stirrup to acquire an abundance of real estate, which was not at all common for Black men at that time.

After Stirrup began setting his roots in Coconut Grove, it turned into the first black community in the state of Florida. Stirrup began building homes on the land he now owned with the intent of having other Bahamian immigrants and their families live there when they arrived. What turned into a few homes soon became more than a hundred, offering affordable housing for not only Bahamian immigrants but African Americans who came to South Florida as well. It wasn’t long before Coconut Grove became known as a destination for Black families, giving it the nickname Black Grove.

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson of Florida’s 24th Congressional District, with backing from the NAACP, the Greater Miami Host Committee spearheaded the designation of Miami’s oldest neighborhood as “Little Bahamas of Coconut Grove,” a recognition of the historically Black enclave settled by Bahamians in the 19th century even before Miami was incorporated as a city.

Miami commissioners voted on July 19, 2022 to mark the area’s cultural and historical importance with the designation. The naming of the neighborhood comes at a time when the West Grove is under pressure from gentrification that threatens to displace longtime residents, including descendants of Bahamian settlers and early pioneers who came from other states in the American South.

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