1. The years after World War II brought about changes in Mobile's social structure and economy. Instead of shipbuilding being a primary economic force, the paper and chemical industries began to expand, and most of the old military bases were converted to civilian uses. Following the war, African Americans stepped up their efforts to achieve equal rights and social justice. Some residents of Mobile had considered the city to be tolerant and racially accommodating compared to other cities in the South, especially as the police force and Spring Hill College were integrated in the 1950s.
   
   
2. Buses and lunch counters were voluntarily desegregated by the early 1960s. Mobile's African-American citizens were not as content with the status quo as such residents believed. In 1963 three African-American students brought a case against the Mobile County School Board for being denied admission to Murphy High School. The court ordered that the three students be admitted to Murphy for the 1964 school year, leading to the desegregation of Mobile County's school system. The Civil Rights Movement led to the end of legal racial segregation with passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
   
   
3. The National African American Archives and Museum features the history of "Colored Carnival", African-American participation in Mobile's Mardi Gras; authentic artifacts from the era of slavery, and portraits and biographies of famous African Americans. The University of South Alabama Archives houses primary source material relating to the history of Mobile and southern Alabama, as well as the university's history.
   
   
4. Mobile's Carnival celebrations start as early as November with several balls, with the parades usually beginning after January 5. Carnival celebrations end promptly at the stroke of midnight on Mardi Gras, signaling the beginning of Ash Wednesday and the first day of Lent. In Mobile, locals use the term Mardi Gras as a shorthand to refer to the entire Carnival season, although it literally means Fat Tuesday in French, the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. The year 2002 saw Mobile's Tricentennial celebrated with parades that represented all of Mobile's mystic societies, both black and white.
   
   
5. The Mobile City Hospital and the United States Marine Hospital are both restored Greek Revival hospital buildings that predate the Civil War. The Washington Firehouse No. 5 is a Greek Revival fire station, built in 1851. The Hunter House is an example of the Italianate style and was built by a successful 19th century African American businesswoman.
   
   
6. Bishop State Community College, founded in 1927, is a historically African American community college. Bishop State has four campuses in Mobile and offers a wide array of associate degrees.
   
   
7. The city has hot, humid summers and mild, rainy winters. A 2007 study by WeatherBill, Inc. determined that Mobile is the wettest city in the contiguous 48 states, with 66.3 inches of average annual rainfall over a 30-year period. Mobile averages 120 days per year at least 0.01 inches of rain. Snow is rare in Mobile, with the last snowfall being on February 12, 2010.
   
   

By Race

White

Black

Native American

Asian

Hispanic

Total Population

48.2%

47.9%

0.2%

1.8%

1.2%

Because Hispanics could be counted in other races, the totals above could possibly be more than 100%. If you would like a detailed listing of all ethnic groups in the U.S., please Click Here.

A small percentage of the businesses listed on BlackCityInfo.com may not necessarily be black owned and operated but have received favorable reviews from users who have visited the establishment, or from the owners themselves who warmly seek out African American patronage.

ARTS / CRAFTS

1. Charles Smith Pottery - 1410 Melrose St. - Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 432-3705 - (visit website)
   
   

BUSINESSES/ SERVICES/ VENDORS

1. Bishop State Community College -  Category: Historically Black College -   351 North Broad Street, Mobile, AL 36603-5898 (251) 690-6416  - (visit website)
   
   
2. Black Classics (Books & Gifts) - Black Literature for children and adults.   - 2206-D Airport Blvd., - Mobile, AL 36606 (334) 476-1060
   
   
3. Carter Anthony Consulting Co -  Category: Legal & Financial Services -   P O Box 9423, Mobile, AL 36691-0423 (334) 473-1545
   
   
4. Commonwealth National Bank -  Category: Legal & Financial Services -   P O Box B , Mobile, AL 36601-0520 (334) 476-5938
   
   
5. Gulf Federal Bank Inc -  Category: Legal & Financial Services -   901 Springhill Ave., Mobile, AL 36604-2711 (334) 433-2671
   
   
6. Inner City News -  Category: African American Newspaper -   Post Office Box 1545, Mobile, AL, 36633-1545 (205) 473-2767
   
   
7. Mobile Beacon -  Category: African American Newspaper -   2311 Costarides Street, Post Office Box 1407, Mobile, AL, 36633 (205) 479-0629
   
   
8. North Side Check Exchange Inc -  Category: Legal & Financial Services -   2102 Saint Stephens Rd., Mobile, AL 36617-3727 (334) 471-5280
   
   

BEAUTY CARE - BLACK HAIR SALONS - MULTICULTURAL

1. African Queens Beauty Supply -   520 Houston Street - Mobile, AL 36606 (251) 476-4575
   
   
2. African Village -   PO Box 7382 - Mobile, AL 36670 (251) 343-8138
   
   
3. Annie's Beauty Salon -   2565-B Government Boulevard - Mobile, AL (334) 476-0704
   
   
4. BeeHives Downtown UpScale Barbershop -   558 St Francis St - Mobile, AL (251) 694-1157
   
   
5. Braids Unlimited -   2328 Saint Stephens Road - Mobile, AL 36617 (251) 450-0639
   
   
6. Cuttin-Up Barbershop -   352 St Francis St. - Mobile, AL (251) 432-2001
   
   
7. Diversity Hair Studio -   880 Drive Mrtn L Kng Jr Avenue - Mobile, AL 36603 (251) 432-2880
   
   
8. Geometrix Hair Salon -   15 S. Conception Street - Mobile, AL (251) 432-2192
   
   
9. Greg's Professional Barber and Beauty Salon -   1917 Duval Street - Mobile, AL (334) 473-9575
   
   
10. Keisha's Hair Salon -   406 Hill Avenue - Mobile, AL 36610 (251) 457-5580
    
    
11. Locs of Soul -  352 St Francis St - Mobile, AL (240) 515-4388 - (visit website)
    
    
12. Paula's Hair Unlimited -   729 Lakeside Drive, West - Mobile, AL (334) 661-1747
    
    
13. Sally Beauty Supply -  3764 Airport Blvd - Mobile, AL 36608 (251) 344-6410
    
    
14. Sally Beauty Supply -   5441 Highway 90 W - Mobile, AL 36619 (251) 666-3023
    
    
15. Sally Beauty Supply -   740 Schillinger Road South - Mobile, AL 36695 (251) 631-3099
    
    
16. Studio 17 Hair Designs -   2350 B Airport Blvd - Mobile, AL (251) 476-6300 - (visit website)
    
    
17. Top Notch Hair Designs -   650 Palm Street - Mobile, AL (251) 470-1464
    
    

DINING - CATERING

1. Dreamland Bar-b-que -  Category: Soul Food - Known for bbq ribs. -   3314 Old Shell Road, Mobile, AL 36607 (251) 479 9898   - (visit website)
   
   
2. Faye's Soul Food Dinner -   1453 Saint Stephens Rd, Mobile, AL 36603 (251) 433-8182
   
   
3. K J's Soul Food -  Mobile, AL 36610 (251) 456-5056
   
   
4. Mama’s on Dauphin -   220 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 36602 (251) 432-6262
   
   
5. Saucy Q Bar B Q -  Category: Soul Food - Meat so tender it falls of the bone. -   1252 Government St., Mobile, AL (251) 433-RIBS   - (visit website)
   
   
6. Soul Food Spot -   Mobile, AL 36610 (251) 457-5352
   
   

John L. LeFlore Mighty Marching Rattlers 2009-2010 "Mardi Gras/Boom-Boom" Pt.II. "Orange & Green Rattlers; GET SOME!"

CHURCHES

1. Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church -   714 Savannah Street - Mobile, AL 36603 (251) 438-2341 - (visit website)
   
   
2. Emanuel AME Church -   656 Saint Michael Street - Mobile, AL
   
   
3. Highpoint Baptist Church -   5605 Thomas Jefferson Ct - Mobile, AL (251) 3487232 - (visit website)
   
   
4. New Beginnings Church -   726 Elba Ave - Mobile, AL 36601 (251) 457-5323 - (visit website)
   
   
5. St Paul AME Church -   1255 Montrose St, Mobile, AL 36605 (251) 432-5207
   
   - (visit website)
   
   

ENTERTAINMENT

1. Comedy Zone -   Comedy Club 301 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602-2608 (251) 432-0062
   
   
2. Hayley's -   This friendly local bar welcomes everyone, never a cover charge. 278 Dauphin Street - Mobile, AL 36602 (334) 433-4970
   
   

ANNUAL EVENTS

1. Annual BAYFEST Music Festival - Downtown Mobile Alabama (Oct) - (visit website)
   
   Festival guest will make merry on the streets of downtown Mobile, Alabama for three days and nights to the strains of over 125 live musical acts.
   
   
   
2. Annual Mobile Alabama Black Rodeo - Mobile Alabama Civic Center Arena (Oct) - (visit website)
   
   Cowboys ride wildly wrenching bulls, wrestles steers to the dirt with headlocks and cowgirls guide their horses tightly around barrels.
   
   
   
3. Natural hair and Wellness Expo - (240) 515-4388 - Location: 600 W. I -65 Service Rd. Mobile, Al. 36608 (June) - (visit website)
   
   An event that allows natural hair care and wellness to merge for a full body experience.