Historic Figure Spotlight: Lawton L. Pratt
Hi friends! Welcome back! We’re so excited to continue sharing the incredible stories rooted in the very walls of the beautiful building The Raven calls home. Stories that honor the people who helped shape history in powerful ways. Today, we’re shining a light on Lawton L. Pratt, Florida’s second licensed Black funeral director, the first operator of what was
Historic Figure Spotlight – Bessie Coleman
When Bessie Coleman took to the skies in the early 20th century, she did more than fly—she shattered ceilings. Born in 1892 in Atlanta, Texas, Bessie became the first African American and Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license. Her story is one of courage, persistence, and a refusal to be limited by the barriers of race and gender.
From Farewell To Welcome: Designing The Raven
The Raven has so many stories to tell, and as we write her next chapter we are so excited to share her past. When 525 W Beaver St became available, we saw a unique opportunity to breathe new life into a space long associated with farewells. The 106-year-old building is believed to be Florida’s first funeral home and is rich
LaVilla, Florida: A Historic Neighborhood’s Journey
LaVilla’s story begins in 1866, just after the Civil War when it was founded by Francis F. L’Engle as an independent town. It quickly became a sanctuary for newly freed African Americans seeking to build lives, homes, and futures. In 1887, LaVilla was annexed into the growing city of Jacksonville—but it never lost its distinct character. By the early 1900s,
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