Dana A. Dorsey

Dorsey (1872 – February 29, 1940[1]) was a businessman, banker, and philanthropist who became one of the first African–American millionaires in Florida and the American South.

In 1917, he and his wife Rebecca sold land to the City of Miami for a park for African–Americans (during an era of segregation).

In 1926, Fisher traded 7 acres of the island to William Kissam Vanderbilt II in return for a 200-foot (61 m) yacht.

Vanderbilt's improvements led to what is today one of the wealthiest and most exclusive residential enclaves in the area.

Dorsey was a firm believer in education and he donated a large quantity of land for black schools.

With that rental income, Dorsey was able to invest in the land, and at one time owned 21 acres of what is now Fisher Island near Miami Beach.

[3] In addition to the land donation, the ladies of the Washington Heights Neighborhood Association and the Friendship Garden Club worked to raise funds needed to begin construction.

Since the government's facilities for African–Americans were poorly maintained, if created at all, it was left to the African–American community to see to its own educational, recreational and spiritual needs.