Highlighting a Curator of Black Culture, Senator Geraldine Thompson

Geraldine Thompson, 66, is a supporter of black history and the arts. She voices her opinion through legislation, community work and advocates for the curation of black art and history.

Florida Senator Geraldine Thompson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in November of 1948 yet she grew up in Perrine, Florida which is in South Dade County.  She graduated from a segregated high school, May High School and then attended Miami Dade College where she earned her A.A. in 1968. In 1970 she received her B.Ed. in 1970 from the University of Miami and later moved to Tallahassee with her husband where he attended law school. Throughout a part of the couple’s time in Tallahassee she worked for Gwendolyn Sawyer Cherry who was the first African American women to serve as a part of the Florida House of Representatives.

Senator Thompson later attended the Florida State University and received a Master’s degree in Communication in 1973. Following finishing schooling she and her husband relocated to Orlando where they both led very active lives. She served as the Assistant to the President at Valencia College for 24 years.

She is the Founding President of the Association to Preserve African American Society, History and Tradition Inc. Her passion for highlighting historical preservation is a major component of some of the community work she has accomplished.

“I’ve personally known Senator Thompson for some time,” said Jason Henry a political analyst based in Orlando, Florida. “When I ran for office in 2012, it was for the seat she formerly held, to me she’s one of the more thoughtful legislators that we have.”

Henry also explained that he believes his moments he shared with her on his campaign trail highlight the historical path she has “carved” which have helped him “navigate Florida’s political waters”.

Her history as a legislator began in 2006 when she was elected into the Florida House of Representatives where she served until 2012. During that time between 2008 and 2010 she served as the Democratic Leader Pro Tempore. In 2012 she was elected as a Florida Senator and she was reelected as an incumbent.

 “I’m the founder of the Wells’ Built Museum of African American History,” said Senator Thompson according to West Orlando News. “And I’ve been saying to Visit Florida who gets about $60 million in terms of appropriations from the State, that we [African Americans] are missing out big time.”

In recent years the Black Cultural Tourism Enhancement Commission bill failed. Senator Thompson had hoped to bring tourist dollars to the state of Florida similar to what states like Tennessee and Alabama have done by restoring historical sites to attract visitors.

“It was intended to bring people from all over the State who would know what Florida’s cultural assets are and who could then advise Visit Florida on how we could enhance tourism, particularly, Black Cultural Tourism,” said Senator Thompson. She hopes to bring this bill back to life to preserve and beautify notable black areas in Orlando.

A few notable committees she is a part of include: Commerce and Tourism (Vice Chair), Community Affairs and Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development.

A notable bill which Jason Henry noted is the SB 1490: Labor Regulations which addresses paid sick leave under certain circumstances. “If passed Senator Thompson’s legislation for earned sick time would help many working class families across the state,” he said.

A highly important bill according to Henry which will be confronted during this legislative session is also Senator Dwight Bullard’s minimum wage bill as well as his bill related to food deserts.

“All are important, just depends on how each bill will impact you,” Henry said. “[Senator Thompson’s] bills are most definitely relevant but the timing may be off.”

Senator Thompson is a member of the NAACP, a recipient of the Executive Women Award, the Legislative Award from the American Cancer Society. She serves as the Florida Director of the National Foundation for Women Legislators. She is married to Emerson R. Thompson Jr., is a mother of three children and also has four grandchildren.