Background
James Albert Dallas was born in Monticello, Florida, on December 19, 1917, to Albert and Florida Dallas.
James Albert Dallas was born in Monticello, Florida, on December 19, 1917, to Albert and Florida Dallas.
He graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1942, where he played trombone in the university"s marching, concert and jazz bands.
He was the first African-American man to have a street in downtown Fort Lauderdale named in his honor. Dallas entered Howard University"s pharmacy program later that year. He was drafted into the United States Army ten days after his admittance into Howard University.
He was assigned to Pacific Ocean Operations, and served as First Sergeant of the 24th Infantry Division in Okinawa, Japan.
He served a total of four years from 1942 to 1946. Teaching Dallas began teaching at Dorsey High School in Miami, Florida, following his separation from the Army.
He taught English and public speaking. Dallas retired from teaching in 1982 after 36 years teaching in Miami Dade County and Broward County.
Entrepreneurship Dallas"s business ventures included two nightclubs: O"Dell"s Lounge and Grill and The Big Savoy, which served black and white patrons in segregated Fort Lauderdale.
Musicians who played at Dallas"s clubs include Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Charlie Brantly, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Ray Charles, and Lionel Hampton. The Dillard Historical Museum has recognized Dallas for his contributions to Fort Lauderdale culture and entertainment. His entrepreneurial activities also included owned a grocery store and pest control business.
Civic leadership He served as leader of the Pride of Fort Lauderdale chapter of the Elks Lodge.
He was also active in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Dallas is also credited with recruiting some to Fort Lauderdale some of the city"s most notable African-American leaders, including the first black doctor to serve at Broward General Medical Center, Doctor Calvin H. Shirley, and the city"s first black attorney, T.J. Reddick. Dallas also served as an adviser to congressman and former federal judge Alcee Hastings.
The Fort Lauderdale City Commissioners unanimously voted to dedicate a portion of 2nd Street in Fort Lauderdale as the "James A Dallas, Senior Street" in honor of Dallas in December 2004.
Dallas, Senior Street was the first street in downtown Fort Lauderdale named in honor of an African-American manitoba
The Mayor of Fort Lauderdale also proclaimed December 4, 2004, Dallas Day.
He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Dallas was a charter member and former leader of the Fort Lauderdale Alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and founding member of the Young Men"s Progressive Association.