Historical marker unveiled for Dr. David D. Foote

At a ceremony Saturday morning, the Vicksburg Branch of the NAACP unveiled a historical marker for Dr. David D. Foote.

The ceremony was held at Bethel A.M.E. Church on Monroe and at the marker location at 710 Cherry Street.

At Bethel a ceremony was held that talked about the life of Dr. Foote and included speakers Mayor George Flaggs and former Mayor Robert Walker. Walker spoke in depth about Dr. Foote and the world in which he began the NAACP in Vicksburg.

Former Mayor Robert Walker speaks at Bethel A.M.E. Photo by David Day

The biography of Dr. Foote presented at the ceremony reads:

Vicksburg native, Dr. David D. Foote, was born on October 26, 1879. His father served as a carrier and was noted among the most prominent Black men in Vicksburg. After securing his education in the Vicksburg Public Schools, Dr. Foote matriculated with Straight University in New Orleans, LA, graduating with high honors in 1901 in a class of 18 students. After serving in the mercantile business for two years, he entered Howard University in Washington, DC, in 1903 to study dentistry and was awarded a diploma in 1906. He returned home, applied for a temporary dentistry license, and after one year applied for and was granted a permanent license, becoming the first African American dentist to be licensed in the state of Mississippi. Dr. Foot’s offices were located at 106 1/2 North Washington Street.

Dr. Foote was considered one of the best dentists in the city. His office was splendidly and handsomely equipped and his work would compare favorably with that of any dentist of any ethnicity in the state. Dr. Foote, affable and entertaining, had many friends among the member of both races and enjoyed their confidence, respect and esteem. He was a member of Bethel A.M.E. church and also a Woodman.

Three Black men, Dr. John Miller (a physician from Ann Arbor, Michigan), Dr. Foote (dentist) and Mr. William P. Harrison (a pharmacist and owner of a drug store), formed a committee to seek relief from paying war bonds. The Vigilantes summoned Dr. Miller for a hearing, where he spoke of the many injustices that prevailed at the time and asked that a change be made. Attorney T. G. Ewing made the initial contact with the NAACP national office. In 1918, Dr. David D. Foote, a charter member, began service as the first President of the first Branch of the NAACP formed in the state of Mississippi. The application listed D. D. Foote, a dentist, as President; Mr. J. H. Handricks, a carpenter, as Vice President; Dr. T. G. Pinson, a minister, as Secretary; and Mr. Everett harris, a fish dealer, as Treasurer. Dr. John Miller was made Chairman.

The marker says:

Dr. David D. Foote

David D. Foote (1879-1967) was educated in

Vicksburg public schools, graduated from

Straight University, and earned a degree in

dentistry from Howard University in 1906.

Returning to Vicksburg, he was among the first

licensed Black dentist in Mississippi. Along

with other Black professionas, he was active

in protesting Jim Crow laws of the World War l

period. To fight discrimination, Foote hosted

a meeting at his home where Mississippi’s first

brand of the NAACP was founded in 1918.

He was its first president.

The marker on Cherry for Dr. Foote, who founded the first Branch of the NAACP in Vicksburg. Photo by David Day