Minister Franklin Florence Leader of F.I.G.H.T.

Minister Franklin Florence was a pivotal civil rights leader and the founding president of FIGHT, an acronym for Freedom, Independence, God, Honor, Today. Arriving in Rochester in 1959, he served as the pastor of the Reynolds Street Church of Christ, where he became a prominent figure in the local social justice movement. Following the 1964 Rochester uprising, Florence partnered with community organizers to build FIGHT into a powerful political and social force aimed at addressing systemic poverty and racial inequality.

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Under his leadership, FIGHT famously challenged the Eastman Kodak Company to implement job training and fair hiring practices for Rochester’s Black community. This campaign gained national attention and successfully pressured the corporation to open doors for hundreds of local workers. Florence was known for his uncompromising stance on Black self determination and his ability to mobilize thousands of residents to advocate for housing and education reform. He remained an active and influential figure in Rochester’s political landscape for over fifty years, ensuring that the legacy of grassroots activism continues to inspire new generations of leaders.