About the Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail
Preserving the stories, places, and legacy of African American history in Mobile.
In Her Own Words...
I was the eldest daughter of the late James H. Finley, Sr. and Joycelyn Franklin Finley. My parents were Civil Rights Advocates who instilled in me, a conviction to contribute to the physical and spiritual health of my community. My grandfather, Dr. James A. Franklin, Sr. also endowed me with a humanitarian legacy of service to the community.
Although a native of Mobile, after marriage, I lived for five years (1973-1978) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My professional career started as an accountant at Iowa Electric Light and Power Company. I was later appointed to the position of deputy director for a business development office, Iowa Development and Economic Assistance Systems (IDEAS). After the birth of my daughter, Nicole, I moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1978 and completed my undergraduate degree with a BBA from Eastern Michigan University in 1982.
Upon my return to Mobile, I taught mathematics at John L. Leflore High School and later became a loan officer at Commonwealth National Bank. I earned my Masters in Business Administration from Spring Hill College and launched my 25-year career in Managerial Logistics with Scott Paper Company/Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Subsequent to my recent retirement, I looked forward to making valuable contributions to the physical and spiritual health of Mobile’s community.
After retirement, my second career has focused on community contributions through working with church and community associations. Through the development of the Mobile African-American Heritage Trail, valuable history has been secured in the discovery of Mobile’s forgotten chapters of local African American history.
I leave a legacy of an African-American historic trail that is illuminated by stories of "courageous contributors" recognizing their determination and struggle for the inspiration and triumph of all generations to come.
Our Mission
To educate, preserve, and mark the historic contributions of African Americans in Mobile through storytelling, site-based exploration, and community engagement.
Our Story
A Message from Our President
President
Karlos Finley
On behalf of the Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail (DFFAAHT), you are invited to go back in time and explore the unique history of Mobile, Alabama.
We are a city entrenched in struggles, challenges and triumphs steeped in Mobile's African-American culture, aptly described as "unique and one of a kind".
Journey through history so rich and thorough and a time when European and African explorers first landed on the shores of the Gulf Coast and began populating this land we now know as, the United States of America. You will travel through time, more than 300 years back in history and brought into the modern age of today's diverse community.
We thank you in advance for allowing us to introduce you to such vital, pivotal and essential history designed for all to learn from.
In the words of our late founder, "you can't know where you're going, if you don't know where you've been."
We look forward to meeting you on the Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail.
In Loving Memory,
Joycelyn A. Finley, Ph.D.
1956 - 2021
Always in our Hearts
Dr. Joycelyn A. Finley (1956–2021) served as the Vice President of the Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail of Mobile, the District 1 Representative for the Black Heritage Council Board, a member of Leadership Mobile Class of 2017, and as a member of the Delta Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Joycelyn Finley, II continues to be cherished by family and friends.
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Karlos Finley
VICE PRESIDENT
Cheryl P. Franklin
SECRETARY
Medina Trenier
TREASURER
Dr. Coleridge Franklin
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Kelly Finley
TOUR DIRECTOR
Eric Finley
HISTORIC MARKER CHAIR
Marcia Hall
DIRECTOR
Sheila Flanagan
DIRECTOR
Charlotte Greene
DIRECTOR
Kimberly Pettway
Our Partners & Supporters
Organizers
City Councilman William Carroll, District 2
Funding Support
Samuel L. Jones, Former Mayor of Mobile
Councilman William Carroll, District 2
Former Councilman Fredrick Richardson, Jr., District 1
Mobile County Commissioner, Merceria Ludgood
Special Recognitions
University of South Alabama College of Education,
Department of Instructional Design and Development
Mobile County School Board
Southern Poverty Law Center
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Archival Photographs courtesy of
The University of South Alabama Archives
Partners
Alabama 200 - Explore Mobile - United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Visit Mobile, 2018 Top Attraction
Governor, Alabama State Senate, city of Mobile, Mobile county
2015 Gov Tourism conference, Battle House
Ambassador program
Black History Month
Saraland HS, UMS Wright, John L. LeFlore HS, Vigor HS, Murphy HS, Continuing Learning Center (CLC)
Spring Hill College partnership, design students
The University of South Alabama Archeology Dept.
Mobile County Public Library - Local Churches
Church Bible studies - Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)
Mobile County Blue Way
College of William and Mary
MCTC Alumni Association
Grant funding Kimberly-Clark Corp.
Mobile City Council
Bishop State Community College
MCPSS 4th grade curriculum
Summer Camps
Gulf Coast Exploreum, My Body Works (African American Doctors & Pharmacists)
Mobile Medical Museum
Mobile Museum of Art
American Association for Retired People (AARP)
Alabama Contemporary Arts Center
Mobile Arts Council
Mobile United/Leadership Mobile
Orange Beach Tourism Conference
Recognitions
ACCESS Magazine
Natural Awakenings
Top 100 mid-size cities
Proceedings and Debates of the 112th Congressional record
"Dora Franklin Finley Day" in the city of Mobile
AT&T African American History calendar (Cooper, Malone, Dora Franklin Finley, James A. Franklin, MD., James H. Finley, Sr.)
Rotary Club
Lyons Club
MENSA Ltd.
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
60 minutes
Roland Martin Unfiltered
National Public Radio (NPR)