Benjamin McVickers Frazier Jr., civil rights activist, community advocate and founder of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville, died June 24, one day after his 73rd birthday.
Born June 23, 1950, in North Jacksonville, Frazier graduated from William Raines High School and then attended Jones College.
Frazier began his broadcasting career at Jacksonville radio station WOBS, and also worked in television news at WJXT TV-4 where he was the noon anchor of Eyewitness News. He was the first African American to hold that position in Northeast Florida.
In 2015, Frazier was retired from broadcasting and helped establish the Northside Coalition, a nonprofit organization focused on social, racial and economic injustices.
Over the years, the organization played a role in removing Confederate soldiers’ names from public schools and won a lawsuit against city redistricting of voting boundaries.
At the time of his death, Frazier and the nonprofit were leading the campaign to remove Confederate monuments from city property.
Here is a look at some of the biggest deals and people who made headlines in 2023.
Top Deals:
Cosentino Group plans $270 million first phase of manufacturing plant. Story here
Phoenix Arts & Innovation District launches in New Springfield. Story here
Blackwater Development says it has Regency Square Mall deal. Story here
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club wins approval to start expansion, renovations. Story here
ICE finalizes its $11.9 billion acquisition of Black Knight Inc. Story here
‘Stadium of the Future’ plans are unveiled by the Jaguars. Story here
Gateway Jax plans $500 million Downtown project in NorthCore. Story here
Aldi buying Winn-Dixie, Harveys parent Southeastern Grocers. Story here
Regency Centers buys Urstadt Biddle in $1.4 billion deal. Story here
Top Newsmakers:
Donna Deegan makes history as Jacksonville’s first female mayor. Story here
Bryan Moll poised to help revitalize Downtown with Gateway Jax. Story here
Nick Allard guides JU College of Law toward new Downtown campus. Story here
Aundra Wallace an assured but low-key leader in region’s growth. Story here
Suzanne Pickett: Advocate for city’s Historic Eastside. Story here
Obituaries of 2023:
Beaver Street Fisheries Chairman Hans ‘Harry’ Frisch. Story here
Civic leader and insurance executive Marvin Cecil 'Ceree' Harden III. Story here