William Blackshear News Today

William “Bill” Blackshear had a long history of public service in Safety Harbor. The first African American man elected to the City Commission in 1964, he was also instrumental in

SAFETY HARBOR — William “Bill” Blackshear had a long history of public service in Safety Harbor. The first African American man elected to the City Commission in 1964, he was

Safety Harbor’s first Black commissioner made history. He died at 85. William Blackshear also helped start The Weekly Challenger newspaper.     William Blackshear worked at General Electrics Pinellas plant as a laser welder from 1958 until 1970. [ Courtesy Harry Williams ] Dear Angelia, By compiling the enclosed stories and information, I have attempted to shed some light on the history and lives of our ancestors and to share with you events that made them real, alive and exciting. ...