JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville community activist and Northside Coalition leader Benjamin Frazier has died at 73, his family confirmed.
His daughter, Kelly Frazier, says he was surrounded by family and close friends as he courageously ended his nine-month battle with cancer at 9 p.m. Saturday at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville.
The family is asking for privacy and says they will announce memorial information when details become available.
They offered the following statement regarding his passing:
"Ben was a long-time broadcast journalist who became the first Black anchor of a major news show in Jacksonville. He was also an award-winning civil and human rights leader, a tireless voice for the voiceless even as he underwent cancer treatment. Ben received the NAACP’s Rutledge H. Pearson Civil Rights Award for his advocacy and outstanding contributions to civil rights over many decades. Ben was extremely proud that he spoke at the United Nations. He talked about it frequently.
He fought for equality among Jacksonville’s citizens, equity in our neighborhoods, and integrity, transparency, accountability, and compassion in our government.
He will be missed solely by family, friends, and the Jacksonville community."
Who was Ben Frazier?
Frazier, an alumnus of Raines High School, was the first Black TV anchor at Jacksonville's WJXT-TV.
He formed the Northside Coalition in 2016 and was an outspoken advocate for civil rights. Frazier often championed for improved police practices and policies that prioritized the well-being of Black citizens.
In December 2022, Frazier was arrested at a City Council meeting after he refused to stop speaking during a public comment portion of the meeting. He was also arrested while attempting to attend one of Gov. DeSantis' news conferences held in a state building. Both charges were later dropped.
Frazier traveled to Geneva last year to address the United Nations Committee to Eliminate Racial Discrimination. During his visit, he spoke out against Gov. Ron DeSantis' controversial "anti-riot" law.
He went public with his diagnosis of Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma in October 2022.