A. Porter Davis facts for kids

Albert Porter Davis (born November 13, 1890 – died September 1, 1976) was an important African-American doctor and pilot. He worked as a doctor in Kansas City, Kansas. He also held many important jobs in the county and worked at local hospitals. In 1953, he became the president of the National Medical Association. Dr. Davis got his pilot's license in 1928. This made him one of the very first licensed African-American pilots in the country. He helped a lot in the growth of African-American aviation across the nation.

A Life of Service and Achievement

Early Life and Medical Work

Albert Porter Davis was born on November 13, 1890, in Palestine, Texas. He went to Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. This was a historically black medical school. After finishing his studies in 1913, he moved to Kansas City, Kansas. There, he started his medical practice. He also continued his education at Sumner Junior College and the University of Kansas.

Dr. Davis first practiced medicine in the Argentine neighborhood of Kansas City. He spoke Spanish, which helped him serve many Mexican immigrant families in the area. Later, he moved his main office to a large building in downtown Kansas City. In 1920, Dr. Davis opened the Davis Maternity Sanitarium. This place offered private care for African-American mothers. At that time, it was hard for black women to find such services.

In 1926, Dr. Davis made history again. He became the first black Assistant Health Director for Wyandotte County. He held this job until 1932. He also worked at two hospitals: Wheatley-Provident Hospital and Douglas Hospital. Dr. Davis served two terms as Deputy Coroner for Wyandotte County. In 1953, he was chosen to be the president of the National Medical Association. This group was very important. It was for African-American doctors who were not allowed to join the American Medical Association because of their race.

Aviation Pioneer

Besides being a doctor, Dr. Davis was also a skilled pilot. He earned his pilot's license on May 16, 1928. This made him one of the first federally licensed African-American pilots. On the same day, he bought his first plane. The next year, he flew his plane to Chicago for the first national meeting of African-American pilots. Dr. Davis was the only person there who was not from Chicago.

In 1939, Dr. Davis received the Dwight H. Green Trophy. This award was given by the National Airmen's Association of America. This group was for African-American aviators. He was also named one of the association's seven vice presidents. He helped plan their next yearly meeting in Kansas City.

Other Ventures

Dr. Davis also had other business interests. In 1927, he started the Red Top taxi company. He also founded the Service Finance Corporation. This was a savings and loan agency. Both of these were the first black-owned businesses of their kind in Kansas. Later, in the 1940s, he got involved in real estate. He bought and fixed up several homes in his neighborhood. In 1953, he bought a mobile home park.

Personal Life

Dr. Davis married Hazel on September 1, 1926. They had one daughter, A. Portia Davis.

In his younger years, Dr. Davis enjoyed jazz music. He wrote a piece in 1920 that was put to music by James Scott. Scott was a famous ragtime composer from Kansas City. The next year, Dr. Davis acted in Lure of a Woman. This was a silent film and one of the first made by African-Americans in Kansas City.

The Davis family finished building their home in Kansas City in 1938. It was called Castle Rock. The house had a French Eclectic style. It also had many modern features. These were written about in an article in the Kansas City Call. When the house was finished, they opened it to the public. About 400 people came to visit. Today, the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.