Trend Magazine Online™!








Dr. Dorothy J. Fields, PhD
Historic Lyric Theater Miami
Trend Magazine Online™

By Jay Whipple,
Trend Magazine Online™

Mrs. Black History!

Reproduced from a previous edition...
Dr. Fields Pic

This interview arose out of a statement made by Mr. William D. Talbert, III during our March 2014 edition of Trend Magazine Online™. His statement concerning the renaissance and reopening of the historic Lyric Theater in Overtown Miami was the spark that ignited my interest in following up with this particular interview. During my search for additional information on this historic theater; one name kept coming up -- Dr. Dorothy J. Fields, PhD. My next challenge was of course finding out how to get in touch with this maverick of Black/African-American history. My additional researches lead me to an organization called The Black Archives History and Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc. One email to this fine organization netted me a prompt response from the woman herself -- Mrs. Black history!

Dr. Fields Lyric Theater Pic!

Photo Credit: David I. Muir

Dr. Fields was keen to the idea of an online interview from the start and eager to assist me in learning more about her life in conjunction with the historic Lyric Theater Miami which she personally saved from the wrecking ball years ago. During the interview process I learned that we have a number of parallels between the two of us. She is a person that believes in the principle of ″If it is to be it is up to me,″ which prompted both of us to start something that had not already existed. In her case it was to start the process of documenting Miami′s Black history after a statement made by a local librarian that ″Those people have not thought enough of themselves to write their history,″ in 1976 (Our Bicentennial). In my case it was an attendance at an exhibit at the old Charlotte Museum of History -- in the early 1990′s -- called Balance of Power that blessed me with the idea of Charlotte, North Carolina′s first Black/African-American Heritage Tour™. In addition, we also both have a heritage that connects us with the Bahamas and my hero Mr. Sydney ″Mr. Tibbs″ Poitier. Finally, we were both born in the Magic City a.k.a. Miami, FL.

Here is what Dr. Fields had to say about her and their venue...

Lyric Theater Pic!
Thurs., Feb. 6, 2014
Ribbon Cutting -
Left to right:
Architect, Sylvia Jorrin; City of Miami, District 5, Keon Hardemon; Founder, Black Archives/Lyric Theater, Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields; Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 3, Audrey Edmonson; Executive Director, Black Archives/Lyric Theater, Timothy A. Barber


Jay -- What was it like growing up in Miami during segregation?

Dr. Fields -- Motivating. During the first half of the 20th century there were black businesses, religious and educational leaders living in Miami′s black neighborhoods including Coconut Grove, Lemon City and Seminola with goal-oriented behavior. Some were entrepreneurs. Despite the obstacle of segregation, more specifically Jim Crow, they developed in Colored Town now known as Overtown a self contained community with the goods and services needed. There were black owned hotels, grocery stores, theater, hospital, fish markets, service stations, shoe maker, tailors, newspapers, seamstresses, barber shops, beauticians and churches as well as the services of dentists, medical doctors and lawyers. Residents as far south as Key West and north as West Palm Beach travelled to Overtown every two weeks for goods, services and entertainment. Still, as a result of segregation there were sever limitations.

Nevertheless, I was motivated witnessing the entrepreneurs′ investment of time, energy and resources. They led by example. Overtown also became a winter destination for black entertainers, academics, sports figures and other celebrities. We would see Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and others in Jet and Ebony magazines during the week and on walking down Northwest Second Avenue on the week-end. It was an inspiring time growing up in Miami; still, as a result of segregation there were severe limitations.

Jay -- Of all of your educational accomplishments, which are you the most proud?

Dr. Fields -- The answer is in three phases from 1974 until 2014:

FIRST; in 1974 I conceived the idea of a Black Archives in Miami, to collect primary sources for us to record and write our history ourselves. In 1977 I attended Emory University for graduate studies earning certification in Archives Administration and training in Historic Preservation. As a part of the certification program I developed the plan for establishing The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida. It was incorporated with a community Board of Directors in 1977,

SECOND; saving the Lyric Theater from the wrecking ball then acquiring City of Miami, State of Florida and Miami-Dade County funds to purchase and restore the theater and build an adjacent Welcome Center, establishing Miami-Dade County′s Black Heritage Trail and the Historic Overtown Folklife Village, and

THIRD; acquiring $10million dollars from Miami-Dade County bond to expand the stage, add dressing rooms and upgrade the lighting in the theater and to relocate The Black Archives collection and headquarters to a site adjacent to the theater.

Jay -- Are your immediate family members into Black/African-American History?

Dr. Fields -- I am the proud mother of two daughters, Katherine Fields Marsh and Edda Fields-Black. Katherine is an attorney and her husband, Marcus Marsh, is an accountant. Edda, a historian, is a college professor and author of the book, Deep Roots: Rice Farmers in West Africa and the African Diaspora. Her husband, Samuel W. Black, a curator, is president of the Association of African American Museums. They have two children who are my wonderful grandchildren.

Jay -- At what point in your life will you pass the torch to the next generation?

Dr. Fields -- Our current Executive Director, Timothy A. Barber -- a graduate of Miami Central High School and Florida A&M University -- began as an archives intern in 2003. Now a certified archivist, historian and curator, he became the overseer of the construction of The Historic Lyric Theater Black Archives Welcome Center Complex. He is responsible for the operations, administration and programming of this premiere cultural institution.

Lyric Theater Pic!
Inside The Exhibit Hall located in The Black Archives adjacent to the Welcome Center and historic Lyric Theater.
Left to right:
Miami-Dade County Director of Cultural Affairs, Michael Spring; Miami-Dade County Commissioner, District 5, Audrey Edmonson; City of Miami Mayor, Tomas P. Regalado; Black Archives/Lyric Theater Board Vice Chair, Garth C. Reeves, Sr.; Black Archives Executive Director, Timothy A. Barber; Black Archives/Lyric Theater Founder, Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields; Black Archives/Lyric Theater Board Chair, Ruth Clyne; and Black Archives/Lyric Theater Board Treasurer, Steven Enriquez, CPA. Not shown: Miami-Dade County Director of Tourism, William "Bill" D. Talbert, III


Jay -- You marched with Dr. King in 1960 in Atlanta. What stands out in your mind about this historic event?

Dr. Fields -- It was Dr. King′s practice of non-violence that we followed. The experience is well documented by a classmate, Dr. Georgianne Thomas, Spelman Class of 1964. She created, and her daughter Rev. Alvelyn Sanders wrote, produced and directed the independent documentary chronicling our class participation in the movement, ″Foot Soldiers: Class of 1964- An Atlanta Story That Changed The World,″ www.footsoldiers1964.com.

Jay -- Whom or what was your first inspiration in pursing black history?

Dr. Fields -- In 1974 I was a school librarian and reading teacher in the Miami-Dade County Public Schools at a then all white school preparing for the 1976 Bi-Centennial, the celebration of the 200th birthday of the USA. I wanted local books written by black people. As was my custom, I called the main library in downtown Miami to ask that they pull 15 or 20 books for me to check out. The librarian asked me to hold the phone while she checked to see what was available. She returned to the phone and said, ″We only have a folder with clippings about black people, I guess those people have not thought enough of themselves to write their history.″ I was stunned at her answer and my journey began to show that we care.

Jay -- Do you think that young (K-12) black students are getting enough history in school?

Dr. Fields -- No, but I do not believe that teaching black children should be left to the schools. Parents and the community including churches, civic and social groups must accept responsibility, too. Students should be encouraged to participate in programs such as the NAACP′s Act-So.

Jay -- Is the Lyric Theater the only nationally designated landmark in Miami with a connection to the black community?

Dr. Fields -- No, as a result of my historical research several buildings are listed locally and six on the U. S. Secretary of Interior′s National Register of Historic Places including: Lyric Theater, Dorsey House, Greater Bethel AME Church, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and St. John Institutional Baptist Church. The ″Cola Nip,″ J & S building was demolished. The City of Miami was incorporated in 1896, the same year several Overtown church congregations were organized.

Old Lyric Theater Miami Pic!
Old Lyric Theater Miami Pic

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