Co-founder of the NAACP, James Weldon Johnson wrote non-fiction, poetry and operas. He also served his country as consul in Venezuela and Nicaragua. Birthplace: Jacksonville.
Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer who travelled with Columbus. He was governor of Puerto Rico and spent much time along the Florida coastline. Birthplace: Spain.
Chris Evert is one of the most successful women's tennis players ever. She has won numerous tennis championships and her classic matchups with Martina Navratilova are legendary. Birthplace: Fort Lauderdale.
A film actor and director, in 1963 Sidney Poitier became the first black man to win a best actor Oscar for his performance, in the movie "Lilies of the Field." He has starred in many other films. Birthplace: Miami.
Asa Philip Randolph was a foremost black leader, encouraging black membership in unions, and helping pass fair employment laws for people of all colors. He also helped to end segregation in the armed forces. Birthplace: Crescent City.
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings wrote the famous book "The Yearling", for which she won a Pulitzer Prize in 1939. Though born in Washington, D.C., all her works are set in Florida. Birthplace: Washington, DC.
