By Ken Roland
ORLANDO, FL — In a powerful affirmation of her legacy, a stretch of West South Street in Orlando has officially been renamed “Geraldine Thompson Way,” honoring the late Florida Senator and lifelong advocate for civil rights, education, and the preservation of Black history.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 987 into law this month, approving a series of road designations across the state. While some headlines have focused on a separate designation honoring former President Donald Trump in Palm Beach, in Central Florida, it is the renaming for Thompson that holds deeper historical and cultural weight — especially within Florida’s Black community.
Senator Thompson, who passed away in February 2025 following complications from knee replacement surgery, leaves behind a towering legacy. She was the first African American woman elected to the Florida Legislature from Orlando and was widely recognized for her unwavering commitment to social justice and historical preservation.
“She was our voice in Tallahassee,” said Valencia College Professor Dr. Aisha Matthews. “Whether it was protecting our schools, our health, or our history, Geraldine never flinched in the face of pressure. This renaming is long overdue — she built bridges long before anyone put her name on one.”
Thompson’s work as the founder of the Wells’Built Museum of African American History and Culture transformed a former segregated hotel into a community landmark that honors Orlando’s Black legacy — including its deep connections to the Civil Rights Movement. She championed efforts to teach African American history in Florida schools and consistently advocated for marginalized communities in policy debates.
“She didn’t just serve; she led with dignity and purpose,” said local civil rights attorney Kevin Cobaris. “Naming this street after her in the heart of Orlando sends a message to our children that their history matters — and so do they.”
House Bill 987 also included other dedications across Florida, including a stretch of Southern Boulevard near Mar-a-Lago named for Donald Trump and a designation for the late Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart. However, in Orlando — particularly among Black residents who saw Thompson as more than a politician — this moment is about honoring a woman who broke barriers and carried the stories of her people with her into every room she entered.
As cars now drive along “Geraldine Thompson Way,” many hope the next generation will be inspired not just by a name on a sign, but by the path she paved.
