Lexington, September 13, 2025
News Summary
Lexington honors Zirl Palmer, the city’s first Black-owned pharmacist who opened Palmer Pharmacy in 1952. Overcoming racial barriers, he served the underserved Black community and made substantial contributions to local healthcare and business. His legacy includes being the first Black pharmacist in a predominantly white industry and an advocate for community support, significantly impacting future Black entrepreneurs.
Lexington is remembering the legacy of Zirl Palmer, the city’s first Black-owned pharmacist, who made significant contributions to healthcare and community support after opening Palmer Pharmacy in 1952. Palmer’s journey as a groundbreaking entrepreneur began after he relocated from Bluefield, West Virginia, facing numerous challenges along the way, including racial barriers in education and professional acceptance.
Born in 1919, Palmer was determined to succeed despite being required to attend pharmacy school out-of-state at Xavier University of Louisiana. Upon graduation, he made history by opening Palmer Pharmacy in the East End of Lexington, targeting the underserved Black community. At that time, Lexington already had a number of established Black professionals, including nine medical doctors and four dentists, who were part of a gradually developing network of Black healthcare providers…