The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in downtown Jacksonville was the location where FLAJAX Club members, family and friends came together to celebrate Christmas for the club’s 96th year. Nearly 300 patrons and members enjoyed fine dining, dancing and celebrating with each other. Sounds were provided by Harold E. Thomas and The Danger Zone Band.
For 25 years, Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Henry Sellers has been the Chairman of the Christmas Dance, “Each Year the dance gets better and better,” said Sellers.
The Christmas Dance was established by the club’s founding members in 1930 in an effort to thwart segregation and provide African Americans with a first class, formal, annual, holiday celebration. This year’s annual gala included the installation of four new members, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) David Ballard, Sergeant First Class (Ret) Combat Medic, Pastor Craig S. Campbell, Sr., founder of Armor of Faith Christian Center, Inc. and, John A Coleman and Dorvil Steevantz. The club also made a $500 donation to the President (Chrisopher Jett) of the 100 Black Men of Jacksonville. Like the FLAJAX Club the 100 BMOJ provides numerous opportunities via education, mentoring, college fairs and employment of several youth in the community. The two organizations have decided to collaborate and support each other because they share several, similar concerns about our youth and the community.
“The FLAJAX Club tries to ensure they make some type of donation to the community throughout the year whether it’s scholarship donations, school supplies or other types of donations in an effort to be a blessing to others,” said FLAJAX Club President James Andrews. The FLAJAX Club was founded on October 16, 1930 on the principles of integrity, leadership and fidelity. The FLAJAX Club is one of the oldest and most respected social and civic clubs in the community. The FLAJAX Club continues to enjoy a position of prominence in the civic, social and cultural activities of African Americans in the community. Next up is the clubs Valentin’s Dinner, scheduled for Saturday, February 14th, UNF Adams Herbert Center.