Dana Chapman

Born in Quitman, Georgia and the son of former slaves Dorsey (1872-1940) was a self taught man who with only a fourth grade education became a highly influential businessman, realtor, banker, and philanthropist. His business involvement in the Miami area began around 1896 when working as a carpenter for Henry M. Flagler's Florida East Coast Railroad he recognized the need to provide housing for black workers. By purchasing land, constructing rental housing and reinvesting the income to build more, he was able to extend his holdings as far north as Ft. Lauderdale. During the area of segregation Dana A. Dorsey was one of the pioneer land owners in the Liberty City Development. He and his wife sold land on Northwest 17th Street and First Avenue to the City of Miami for a park for African-Americans which is still enjoyed today. Dorsey Hotel, the first black owned hotel in Miami, and the Negro Savings Bank were his properties. Dorsey was a firm believer in education and he donated large tracts of land for black schools. He sold to Dade County Public Schools for one penny the property on which Dorsey High School was eventually built. The Dorsey Memorial Library, opened on August 13, 1941, was built on land he donated shortly before his death. The flags were lowered to half-staff all over Miami when Dana A. Dorsey died in 1940.

From the guide to the Dana A. Dorsey Collection, 1900-1966, (Florida International University. Green Library. Special Collections.)