Building Bridges Through History: Inside The Black Archives with Kamila Pritchett and Patricia Braynon
From Archives to Ancestry: Building Bridges Through History
Episode 7 of The Balance with Andreana Jackson
In this episode of The Balance, we journey through time—connecting family, legacy, and community—with two incredible women preserving Miami’s Black history: Kamila Pritchett, Executive Director and CEO of The Black Archives, and Patricia Jennings Braynon, historian, genealogist, and chairperson of The Black Archives board.
Together, we explored how understanding our past can ground us in purpose and strengthen the bridge between our ancestors and the generations that follow.
Honoring Miami’s Black Legacy
Founded in 1977 by Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields, The Black Archives began as one woman’s mission to preserve Miami’s disappearing Black history. Decades later, it has grown into one of South Florida’s most vital cultural institutions.
Under Kamila Pritchett’s leadership, the Archives operate several landmark properties—the historic Lyric Theater, the Dana Albert Dorsey House, and the Dr. Samuel H. Johnson X-Ray Clinic—all located in Overtown, Miami’s historic Black neighborhood.
“Owning these properties allows us to maintain a connection to the past and preserve a physical legacy of Black excellence in Miami.”
— Kamila Pritchett, The Black Archives
These sites tell stories of innovation, courage, and community. Dana Dorsey, Miami’s first Black millionaire, once owned the land that became Fisher Island, one of America’s most exclusive zip codes today.
The Power of Genealogy
Patricia Jennings Braynon has traced her Miami roots back to the late 1800s, uncovering generations of Bahamian and Jamaican ancestry. Inspired by her mother’s research, she’s turned her passion into purpose—helping others find their own family stories.
During The Black Archives’ inaugural Finding Your Roots Festival, Patricia and her husband shared how they used tools like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, and African Ancestry to map their lineage and reconnect with their past.
“Start with yourself. Write down what you know—your parents, grandparents, cousins—and build from there. Obituaries are a goldmine of information.”
— Patricia Jennings Braynon
She emphasized that genealogy isn’t just about documents—it’s about connection. “When you record stories, even casually on your phone, you’re preserving pieces of your heritage for generations to come.”
Genealogy as an Act of Respect
In a Miami Herald article, Kamila shared a powerful truth:
“Genealogy work is essential in respecting our ancestors and the sacrifices they made, and is a reminder to reclaim our history.”
— Kamila Pritchett, Miami Herald (by Raisa Habersham, Oct 22, 2025)
On the show, she expanded: “We live in a fast-paced, tech-driven world. But looking back grounds us. It honors the people whose efforts and struggles allow us to stand where we are today. You don’t need to be a scholar to care about history—just someone who respects those who came before.”
A Family’s Legacy in Brick and Memory
Patricia’s family history is woven into Overtown’s foundation. Her grandfather and great-grandfather built the Ward Rooming House, a refuge for travelers—especially Native Americans—who were barred from staying in segregated hotels.
“My family lived right on 9th Street, just steps away from the Lyric Theater,” she said. “The rooming house was more than a business—it was a safe haven.”
Today, that same building stands preserved as part of Overtown’s living story.
Rediscovering Hidden Stories
Kamila’s own roots intersect with Miami’s journalistic history. Her grandfather once served as editor and later publisher of the Miami Tropical Dispatch, a Black-owned newspaper that chronicled community life in the 1940s and 1950s.
“I knew he worked with newspapers,” she said, “but through The Black Archives, I learned the full scope of his legacy—he was documenting Black Miami’s story in real time.”
She also highlighted a fact often missing from the narrative: when Miami was incorporated in 1896, one-third of the signatures came from Black men.
“Without them, the City of Miami simply wouldn’t exist.”
— Kamila Pritchett
Carrying the Torch Forward
Patricia’s legacy continues through her family—her late son, Senator Oscar James Braynon II, served as a state legislator, and a park in Miami Gardens now bears his name. “The legacy continues through my grandsons,” she said proudly.
Meanwhile, The Black Archives plans to make the Finding Your Roots Festival an annual event, offering ongoing genealogy workshops and storytelling programs.
“We’re creating a space for people to learn about themselves and their community,” said Kamila.
Supporting The Black Archives
Beyond preserving history, The Black Archives serves as a cultural and community hub. The Lyric Theater—a restored gem in the heart of Overtown—is available for private events, offering the public a unique way to support this vital work amid funding challenges.
You can connect or contribute at bahhlt.org or follow @blackarchivesmia on social media. And don’t forget—Give Miami Day is a powerful opportunity to give back and sustain the legacy.
Final Thoughts
“When you learn about the people who came before you, it gives you pride. It gives young people a reason to lift their heads high and shine.”
— Patricia Jennings Braynon
That sense of pride—and balance between past and present—is exactly what The Balance celebrates.
Thank you for joining me for Episode 7, From Archives to Ancestry: Building Bridges Through History.
Stay rooted in your story, look within, and keep finding your balance.
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