This portrait of Dr. York Bailey is part of Sam Doyle's First Blacks series, which commemorates the achievements of African Americans in his home community of St. Helena Island, South Carolina. Doyle displayed the paintings in his yard so his neighbors could view their shared history. Dr. Bailey returned to St. Helena after earning his medical degree in Washington, DC. He served the community as the doctor and also as the deacon, treasurer, and advisor for Brick Baptist Church.