Benjamin M. Frazier, Jr.

Benjamin McVickers Frazier Jr, a well-known journalist, civil rights legend, founder of Northside Coalition of Jacksonville and community leader, passed away on Saturday, June 24, 2023—just one day after he turned 73 years old.  He was surrounded by family and close friends.  Ben was the second of three children, born to the union of Benjamin and Estella M. Frazier June 23, 1950 in Jacksonville, FL. He was raised on the northside of town in College Circle, off Kings Road and was a member of his family church, St. Stephens A.M.E where he gave his life to Christ at an early age.  He attended S.P. Livingston, James Weldon Johnson and the first year of high school at New Stanton Senior High.  At the beginning of his 11th grade year, he transferred to William M. Raines High School, where his uncle, Dr. Andrew Robinson, was principal.  He graduated in the class of 1968 and was chosen as the Class Most Courteous.  Upon graduating from Raines, Ben attended Jones College, majoring in broadcast management.  While attending Jones, he started working at WOBS here in Jacksonville where he read the news and was a disc jockey.  That melodic voice was the gift that led him to jobs at various radio stations in New Orleans, Atlanta, New York City, and Washington, D.C.  He was a news anchor at the Associated Press Radio Network, the Mutual Back Network and served as News Director at WOL Radio.  While working at the Mutual Back Network, he created and produced a series of “Black History Moments” tapes that were aired in several markets around the country during Black History month.

In 1979, Ben returned to Jacksonville, where he kicked off his television career.  He worked at WJXT as the noon anchor of Eyewitness News, the first African-American to hold down that position in Northeast Florida.  Nine months later in 1980, he was tapped to anchor the 6:00pm and 11:00pm news in Detroit, Michigan on Channel 4 WDIV-TV.  He was well liked and respected as a result of his commitment to the job and serving the community.  When he wasn’t at the news station, he was speaking to a myriad of community organizations and churches.  HE LOVED HIS JOB!!!!  Unfortunately, the honeymoon with the station took a turn for the worse when after a year of improved ratings for the station, Ben insisted on being paid a salary commensurate to his News team members.  Needless to say, his tenure at WDIV ended when his contract expired in 1983.  Because of his quick wit, charismatic personality and smarts, he was able to secure several other TV jobs in Detroit but his dance with an addiction caused him and his family to return back home to Jacksonville, where he quickly got a job working with Channel 12.  Unfortunately, that tenure ended shortly after it began because of the addiction. In nearly 50 years as a journalist, Ben wrote extensively on the subject of African American history. He’s the recipient of more than 200 awards for community service and journalism from civic and social organizations in Jacksonville, Detroit, and Atlanta. Ben’s television career garnered three regional Emmy awards for best local newscast in Detroit and for documentary production. He was honored by the City Council of Detroit, and as the Optimist Club Man of the Year. 

For the next 20 years, Ben floundered in his daily life.  He credits part of his sobriety to the leaders of his church, Bethel Baptist Church Bishop Rudolph McKissick Sr and Bishop Rudolph McKissick Jr.  Once sober, Ben was gainfully employed in the Collections Industry, where he worked as a collector, manager, and eventually, went on to start his own Collections business.  

In 2015, as a result of witnessing an altercation between a convenience store owner and one of the store’s customers, Ben interceded and was also cursed out.  Along with other community members, he led a boycott against the store owners and a month later, they met with Ben and the others, which led to the birth of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville (NCOJ).  NCOJ is a grassroots non-profit organization that speaks out against social, racial, and economic injustices. Its ambition is to produce positive and productive change in the struggle to eradicate racial, gender and class discrimination.  NCOJ has held several health fairs, food drives, Come Together Day Festivals, canvassed communities in 32208 and 32209 handing out peace cards to stop the violence, fed the homeless, helped families with down payment assistance for new homes (in conjunction with the Family of Gloria Goelz), played a large role in getting schools with confederate names changed, and won the lawsuit against city redistricting.

Ben was an avid fisherman.  He loved going to the various fishing spots between Jacksonville and St. Augustine and eventually passed the test for his Captain’s License.  It didn’t matter whether he caught fish or not.  Just being on the water allowed him to find the peace and calm he sought.  He loved looking at the sunrise, and always loved having gatherings with family and friends.  We would always laugh when he claimed himself to be “Mr. Excitement”.  

He was a member of NAACP, AFTRA, and Association of Black Journalist.

Ben was predeceased by his parents, Benjamin M. Frazier Sr. and Mrs. Estella Macon Frazier, sister, Beverly Jean Frazier Cole and his niece, Tetley Jean Wright-Bender.  He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter, Kelly Loraine Frazier, his son Benjamin M. Frazier III and their mother, Josephine Moore Frazier; grandchildren, Benjamin M. Frazier IV, Leilani Guadalupe, Dakarai M. Frazier, and Kayani J. Frazier; sister, Lynne Frazier Walker; nephews Fred Cole Jr. and Arthur Straughter Jr.; cousins, Conchita Robinson, Estelle Robinson Price, Diane Brockington (Wendell), M. Denise Davis, Victor Burt (Sadie), Patsy Ola Brinson Freeman; special and devoted friends; Debbie Tribble, Ed Dawkins, and June Kemp; a host of other relatives and a multitude of friends.

Visitations will be held on Friday, July 7, 2023 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 9:30 a.m. until 10:55 a.m. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. All services will be held at The Bethel Church, 215 Bethel Baptist Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville.  This kind gesture will allow the organization to carry on with the purpose and mission that Ben envisioned. The donation link is on the bottom of the first page on www.northsidecoalitionofjacksonville.com

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