A prominent former Lakeland educator has penned a new book that he hopes ensures the legacy of a part of the city's history.
The book, written by 81-year-old Dr. Neriah Roberts, chronicles the evolution of the city's black population.
Roberts said he is optimistic his labor of love will help preserve stories for future generations.
"I was just trying to fill a need as I saw it," Roberts said of his book, "The Evolution of African Americans, Lakeland, Florida (1883-2014)."
A native of Lakeland, Roberts figured prominently in the period of transition from segregated to racially-inclusive public schools in Polk County. He taught at Rochelle Junior-Senior School. Also, he served as principal at Auburndale High School and Lakeland Highlands Junior High before moving on to the Polk School district office, where he retired in 1996.
Roberts Elementary in north Lakeland is named for him.
Roberts' 480-page book links stories and pictures from a span of more than 100 years. Images include a segregated 8th-grade class in 1927, high school sports squads from the '20s and '30s, and the city's first black police officers pictured in 1954.
"We have become doctors," Roberts said. "We have become lawyers, engineers. We have become judges. All of that with less."
Former Lakeland mayor Gow Fields is featured in the book. So is the man Fields' is named for: Dr. Gow Bush Fields. Gow Fields said his political achievements are due to many of the men and women featured in Roberts' book.
"It's awesome," Fields said of the book. "And seeing it all documented in one place is touching and moving."
Book purchases can be made by contacting Roberts at (863) 686-7454 or neriahr@aol.com