by Angel Higgins
Tennessee State University launched its inaugural Black History Month tour, an initiative designed to honor and educate participants on the rich African American history and culture deeply rooted in Nashville. The event brought together faculty, staff, and students, underscoring TSU’s commitment to fostering cultural awareness and appreciation within its community.
The tour, intended to be an annual event each February, included visits to three iconic cultural landmarks: The Fisk University Galleries; The National Museum of African American Music; and The Jefferson Street Sound Museum. Participants traveled on TSU’s charter bus to each location, where they engaged in immersive experiences highlighting the artistic, musical, and historical contributions of African Americans. Expert guides provided valuable insights throughout the journey.
Tonya Turner, senior assistant and training coordinator for business and finance at TSU, played a key role in organizing the tour. The idea stemmed from a previous orientation bus tour for new TSU employees, which inspired Turner to expand the initiative into a dedicated Black History Month tour.
“I overheard a few employees discussing the history of Jefferson Street,” Turner said. “At first, I wanted to focus solely on Jefferson Street, but then I thought, why not create a Black History Month tour instead?”
Students were excited to take part in the experience. Olivia Whitmore, a junior majoring in family and consumer sciences, learned about the tour through her honor society advisor, Dr. Brione Lockett.
“He mentioned there was a Black History Month tour happening that would be really good to attend and get to know more about Jefferson Street,” said Whitmore, a Nashville native. “It was enlightening to learn about our history in such a personal and engaging way. I appreciate TSU providing these opportunities during Black History Month. I t really deepens our connection to our culture.”
Fellow student Kristian Butler, also a family and consumer sciences major, reflected on her experience at The National Museum of African American Music.
“My favorite experience was watching the Roots Theatre documentary and seeing how African American music has transitioned and evolved throughout history and around the world,” said Butler, who is from Memphis.
According to Turner, the tour was hosted by TSU’s Business and Finance Department. She hoped participants gained a deeper understanding of Black history and the invaluable contributions of African Americans in shaping the United States.
At The Fisk University Galleries, visitors admired African American masterpieces that showcased Black artists’ impact on the art world.
“We were completely in awe of the talent and history represented here. Seeing these works in person was truly inspiring,” said one attendee.
At The National Museum of African American Music, the group explored Black music’s evolution through interactive exhibits.
“I never knew how deeply rooted African American music is in every genre we listen to today. This experience was eye-opening,” said a TSU faculty member.
The tour concluded at The Jefferson Street Sound Museum, highlighting Nashville’s Black music scene.
“I grew up in Nashville, but I never realized how much history was right in my backyard. This tour gave me a newfound appreciation of my city,” shared a student participant.
As a token of appreciation, participants received gift bags filled with TSU memorabilia to commemorate the event. As the bus returned to campus, a shared sense of gratitude and enlightenment resonated among attendees. TSU’s first Black History Month tour was more than just a day of sightseeing—it was a celebration of history, music, and the enduring legacy of African Americans in Nashville and beyond.
The organizing committee for the event included Darryl Thompson, Sharon Hull-Smith, Dr. Brione Lockett, Brittany Cosby, Dr. Learotha Williams, Regina Anderson, Linda Spears, Greg Robinson, LaToya Bankhead, Andre Westmoreland, Franchetta Greer and Bradley White.
