Charles Spencer Bio

Charles Foster Spencer

Biographical Sketch
Charles F. Spencer was born the ninth child of James and Burnell Spencer and raised in the East 21st Street Community, one of the poorest areas in the City of Jacksonville. Interestingly, his home was within a few blocks of the Talleyrand waterfront and the longshore loading docks.

Today, Mr. Spencer serves the International Longshoremen’s Association in the capacity of International Vice President and Executive Vice President of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District, I.L.A. He also serves as Vice President, Florida AFL-CIO. In addition, Mr. Spencer is
a Founding Director of the Jacksonville Bank; President of Spencer’s Designer Florist, Gifts & Arrangments, Inc.
He is recognized nationally for his work as an accomplished labor and community leader. Mr. Spencer has a passion for helping people and lives out the motto …” to do all you can…for as many as you can…while you can”…author, Clara White, Jacksonville community leader.
Education:
Matthew W. Gilbert High School; Edward Waters College: Florida Junior College and Southern Security Life Insurance Training School.
Present Community and Civic Affiliations:
A. Philip Randolph Institute – Florida State Chapter, President
Florida AFL-CIO, Vice President
Edward Waters College – Board of Trustees
Jacksonville Housing & Community Development Commission, Board Member
Leadership Florida Alumni- 1997 Graduate
A. Philip Randolph Institute, National Board of Directors
Jacksonville Logistics Advisory Group

Past Community and Civic Affiliations:
Jacksonville Airport Authority – Board of Directors
Florida Community College at Jacksonville – Board of Trustees Jacksonville Sports Development Authority — Chairman Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club – Board of Directors United way of Northeast Florida – Board of Directors
Jacksonville Urban League – Board of Directors
l. M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless – Board of Directors Jacksonville Propeller Club – Board of Governors
Jacksonville NAACP – Board of Directors
Jacksonville Shands Hospital – Community Advisory Committee
Chamber of Commerce – Board of Governors
Jacksonville Airport Authority – Board of Directors

Honors and Awards:
Honorary Degree of Associate in Science, Florida Community College at Jacksonville, in recognition and appreciation for his commitment to education (only the 8th Honorary Degree conferred by the college in 25 years)
Recipient, “Man of the Year Award” presented by the Florida State Voter’s League
Recipient, “Distinguished Service Award” presented by Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, FL Recipient, “Jim Burnett Community Service Award”
Recipient, “Labor Civil Rights Award” presented by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Charles F. Spencer Day, February 28, 1986, proclaimed by Mayor Jake Godbold, City of Jacksonville Recipient, “Distinguished Service Award”, presented by National Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Recipient, National Who’s Who Award in Business
Recipient, American Biographical Institute’s “Man of the Year” Award
Recipient, “Businessman of the Year Award,” presented by Community Rehabilitation Center, Inc.
Charles Foster Spencer Day, April 14, 2011, proclaimed by Mayor John Peyton City of Jacksonville.
Recipient, “Whitney M. Young Jr. Leadership Award”, presented by the Jacksonville National Urban League, who exemplifies the ideals of inclusion partnership and equality set forth by the late national Urban League president.

Personal:
Charles and his wife Elaine have 6 children and 9 grandchildren. He is a member of the Westside Church of Christ, where he serves as Director of Finance, Director of Special Activities and a member of the Church’s Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Westside Ministries, Inc. Charles enjoys golf, bowling, easy listening jazz, contemporary gospel and watching sports programs.