TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Tallahassee community is celebrating Black History Month with a insightful history lesson about the Big Bend.
It's an opportunity for people in the community learn more about the Capitol City in places they see everyday.
The people I talked to say it's about a lot more than just the month of February...and that this history should be recognized.
"Black history is not just in February it's everyday, it's 365 days a year -- black history is a very important part of American history, Nicole Everett, the Co-Chair of Black History Month Festival 2020
A first hand educational experience.
That's the goal of the Downtown Tallahassee Tour for the Black History Month Festival organization.
The group says people need to know more about the city's background.
"The importance of these tours is to give people the opportunity to see the history of Tallahassee of black Americans here in the Big Bend region -- and how their lives were prior to some of the changes that have taken place,
said Everett.
The tours go from Frenchtown to downtown Tallahassee.
Saturday's tour focused on Smokey Hollow in Cascades Park.
People checked out a historical barber shop, examples of a "shotgun house" and even hopscotch.
Stefanie Bowden says this opportunity is something you can't get in the classroom.
"In schools you're learning history all the time. But it's nothing like seeing things in person -- being around other people in the community -- hearing the knowledge they have and hear the stories that they're able to share with you through personal experiences or through stories they heard growing up here in the community," said Bowden.
"I think life is all about storytelling. Through the movies you watch -- what we hear on the radio -- and it's all about telling these stories because if we don't tell them -- they will get lost," said Everett.
The next tour will be on February 22.
The groups is also hosting other events throughout the month of February.
