User:D M Moore Bailey

Bailey was born in Slocomb, Alabama to Johnnie “Bob” Moore and Mary Ellen Grider. Her family later moved to Texas before relocating to Haines City, Florida, in 1954 and to Lakeland, Florida, in 1955.

She graduated from Rochelle High School in Lakeland in 1968 and later attended Polk Community College before enrolling at Texas College in Tyler, Texas, where she graduated in 1976. While attending Texas College, she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in 1974.

Bailey worked as a journalist for The Ledger, writing community feature stories and covering local events."Advocate, radio host known for helping others". The Ledger. June 24, 2012.

In June 1992, she began hosting a public affairs radio program titled Community Voices, which was later renamed Update and eventually Our Voices. The program aired on stations including WWAB before Bailey joined Root Communications and later Hall Communications, where it aired on WLKF 1430 AM/96.7 FM.

The program featured interviews and panel discussions with community leaders, clergy, educators, and elected officials discussing issues affecting Central Florida communities.

Bailey served as president of the Lakeland branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). During her tenure, the branch experienced significant membership growth and hosted civil rights figures, including Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.

She helped re-establish the Polk County Black Democratic Club and founded the Polk County Chapter of the National Congress of Black Women, which has more than 110 members.

Bailey served on the Peace River Basin Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District following appointment by Florida Governor Lawton Chiles.

She also served on the Polk County Charter Review Commission and other civic boards within the Polk County government.

Bailey established the African American Chamber of Commerce of Polk County, which was renamed the African American Metro PC Chamber of Commerce, Inc. She helped organize the African American Historical Museum of Lakeland. "African American historical Museum looking for permanent home". Yahoo News.

She is also a founding member and treasurer of Friends of Cathay Williams, an organization promoting recognition of Cathay Williams, the only known female Buffalo Soldier.

Bailey has been identified as one of Polk County’s prominent African American community leaders."Polk's Black leaders". The Ledger. April 13, 2012.

Bailey founded the Lakeland Juneteenth Committee in 1992 and organized the first Juneteenth observance in Lakeland at the Coleman-Bush Building."City commission urged to recognize Juneteenth". LKLDNow.

The observance expanded into a series of community events, including parades, rodeos, cultural festivals, film programs, and historical commemorations recognizing African American history and heritage.

The first Juneteenth parade in Lakeland was held in 1995.

Bailey later organized the Juneteenth Rodeo at Combee Arena, celebrating African American cowboy heritage."Juneteenth rodeo meant to celebrate heritage". The Ledger. June 22, 2016,. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)

The rodeo featured events such as barrel racing, pole bending, calf roping, team roping, and youth mutton busting competitions.

Bailey later served as Regional Director for Region 6 of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation.

Bailey developed youth mentoring initiatives, including a student leadership program known as City Force 2000, which promoted mentoring, leadership development, and civic engagement among students in Polk, Sumter, Marion, Lake, and Citrus of Florida counties.

She has served in parent-teacher leadership roles, school advisory councils, and community education initiatives supporting youth development.

Bailey has participated in charitable initiatives, including fundraising support for the March of Dimes and volunteer service with the Marine Toys for Tots program.

During a hurricane emergency in Lakeland, the Juneteenth Committee partnered with Catholic Social Services to provide meals for more than 150 residents at Combee Arena.

Bailey also organized community safety initiatives, including smoke detector distribution programs in Lakeland neighborhoods.

Bailey received the Candace Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Polk County Chapter in 2023.

She was nominated by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for the Rosa Parks Drum Major for Justice Award and received the South Atlantic Regional Deloris H. Oliver Service to Mankind Award.

Her civic contributions were recognized in the Congressional Record by U.S. Representative Darren Soto in 2022.