Honoring Our Past, Building Our Future
Throughout its history, Florida’s Capital City has been proudly shaped by the immense contributions and impacts of African American people and culture. This curated guide explores Black culture and history, celebrating and highlighting trailblazing individuals, movements, public art, and memorials. This Black History Month—and all year long—honor the pioneers and visit the landmarks that serve as reminders that Black history is an integral part of Tallahassee’s history.
Trailblazing Individuals
From civil rights heroes like the Rev. C.K. Steele, Wilhelmina Jakes and Carrie Patterson, to black business leaders and entrepreneurs like George Proctor, a freed slave and builder responsible for some of Tallahassee’s most beloved homes, the fingerprints of black leaders can be found throughout Florida’s Capital City.
John Gilmore Riley (1857–1954) was a pivotal figure in Tallahassee’s African American history. Born into slavery, Riley became a prominent educator and community leader. He served as the principal of Lincoln Academy, one of Florida’s first schools for African American students, where he dedicated decades to empowering young minds through education. Riley’s contributions extended beyond the classroom. He advocated for civil rights and community development, laying the foundation for future generations to thrive. Today, his home—preserved as the John Gilmore Riley Center & Museum—stands as a testament to his legacy.
Taking its place among some of the most influential cities in the fight for freedom and equality, Tallahassee is home to movements that accelerated progress for African Americans across the nation. From the first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in Florida on the steps of the Knott House on May 20, 1865, to the Tallahassee Bus Boycott led by students in 1956, Tallahassee has a proud tradition in the struggle for equal rights. In 1972, Tallahassee elected James R. Ford, the first African-American mayor of a U.S. state capital city.
Memorials, Markers, and Culture Trails
Tallahassee Civil Rights Memorial
Located on the site of the former Leon County Jail now known as the Cascades Historical Plaza, the Tallahassee Civil Rights Memorial honors the courageous men and women who led the jail-in to protest segregation and interprets other key events of Tallahassee’s civil rights history. A second smaller exhibit entitled “the Four Corners of History” shares the story of the Old City Waterworks Building, the Caroline Brevard Grammar School, the former Leon County Health Unit and the former jail site.
Smokey Hollows
Located at Cascades Park, the Smokey Hollow Commemoration celebrates the legacy of the historic black neighborhood of Smokey Hollow. The commemoration was established in 2015 to remember the businesses, spirit, and culture of the once thriving Smokey Hollow neighborhood.
Community Remembrance Marker
The Community Remembrance Marker stands in Cascades Park to remember and acknowledge those who were killed by lynching. There were four documented lynchings in Leon County: Pierce Taylor (1897), Mick Morris (1909), Richard Hawkins (1937), and Ernest Ponder (1937). The location of this marker was chosen because of its proximity to the two Leon County jails the men were taken from before they were lynched.
History and Culture Trail on the Capital Cascades Trail and FAMU Way
Sixty years since the passing of the Civil Rights Act, Tallahassee artist Alisha Lewis continues the work of these brave women with her creation of “For the Generations to Fulfill the Dream.” Located on FAMU Way, near the South Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. roundabout, this life-size, bronze sculpture depicts a determined young woman holding a book in one arm and a protest poster under the other. The artwork pays homage to the female students of FAMU and the role they played in the fight against racial discrimination. This sculpture is one of many remarkable works of art featured on the History and Culture Trail, celebrating African American heritage and culture. Explore the History and Culture Trail Story Map for an interactive digital tour.
Frenchtown Walking Trail – Soul Voices
Introduced by the John G. Riley House, Soul Voices of Frenchtownfeatures nine markers with audio components of the voices of its prominent residents both living and deceased telling the story of Frenchtown, one of Tallahassee’s oldest African American communities. Through these voices, visitors will discover, learn and celebrate a time when Frenchtown was a thriving, self-sustaining community of families, homes, businesses and pride – a time when Frenchtown had it all.
Rev. C.K. Steele Statue and Rosa Parks Marker
The Reverend C.K. Steele (1914-1980) was the most recognizable figure in the Tallahassee Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s and the city’s bus terminal located at 111 W. Tennessee St. was named in his honor. The former pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church marched with Martin Luther King Jr. and was a founding member of the Southern Leadership Conference. Many meetings associated with the Tallahassee bus boycott were held at his church which made it a frequent target of Ku Klux Klan activities.
Tallahassee-Leon County Civil Rights Sidewalk
Located downtown on the corner of Monroe and Jefferson Streets, the Tallahassee-Leon County Civil Rights Sidewalk tells the story of the city’s 1956 bus boycott and the lunch counter sit-in demonstrations of 1960-1963. Located on corner of East Jefferson Street and Monroe Street, the sidewalk has 16 terrazzo panels and includes the names of local Civil Rights leaders and other activists who participated in the protests.
T-Pain Lane: Honoring a Hometown Legend
In 2024, during Tallahassee’s Bicentennial year, the city honored one of its most iconic cultural figures by renaming a street, “T-Pain Lane,” after Faheem Rashad Najm, known worldwide as T-Pain. A Leon County native, T-Pain rose to prominence as a GRAMMY® Award-winning artist, producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and global cultural icon, leaving an indelible mark on pop culture. The renaming ceremony celebrated his contributions to music and his hometown pride, and the festivities continued the following day with T-Pain performing a sold-out show at the Adderley Amphitheater.
Photo courtesy of Julia Beverly.
Experience Black Culture Today
Seasonal Events
Black History in Tallahassee continues to unfold with new events celebrating black history and culture, including the Harambee Festival, Frenchtown Rising, and Soul of the Southside, which have become annual traditions for the entire community.
Retail
Founded in 2011 by Nefetari (Nef) Dennard at the early age of 16, The Fuzzy Pineapple, located on S. Adams St. is a local art, apparel, and accessory company specializing in handmade and customized artwork. Co-owned by her sister, Nzinga (Zing), the pair contribute their own designs and work while also splitting the various business duties.
Art & Artistry
Black artistry is at the core of the African American experience in Tallahassee. Experience other forms of art that thrive throughout Tallahassee, through local events and venues such as the Anderson Brickler Gallery and Black On Black Rhyme or enjoy a walk through FAMU campus to explore murals and artwork paying homage to the Divine 9 organizations and alumni that made FAMU great.
For over 20 years, Olean’s Café has proudly served Southern cooking from the soul. The café is located directly across from FAMU’s campus and has been a staple for Rattlers and southern food lovers alike. Olean McCaskill owns and operates the café, and on most days can be seen working behind the counter. The walls are covered in photos of her family, the community, and FAMU legends. When looking for soul food with heart, Olean’s is the place to go!
From southern eats to snowball treats, Black-owned restaurants are an essential part of Tallahassee cuisine and culture. In fact, a stroke of culinary genius is spreading throughout Tallahassee, and it is inspiring a new generation of young, gifted, and black entrepreneurs. These businesses – The Chocolate Dandies, and Gurlie’s Lemonade have been filling bellies and dominating headlines with their creative approaches to sweet treats and cuisine.
Other notable African American heritage sites include:
- Battle of Natural Bridge Historic State Park, where two regiments of U.S. Colored Troops among Union forces fought against the Confederates
- First Presbyterian Church, built in 1838, this prominent Classic Revival style building still has its original gallery set aside for slaves who were members of the church but sat apart from their masters.
- Old City Cemetery, Tallahassee’s first public cemetery served as the burial place for both African Americans and whites as early as 1829. Laws at the time required African Americans be buried in the western half of the cemetery. After 1937 most African Americans were buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
- Rutgers House, commemorating the extraordinary lives of Antonio, George and John Proctor — free black men in 18th- and 19th-century Tallahassee.
- Tallahassee Museum, offers various historic structures including the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, the state’s first organized Black church.
- Taylor House Museum, historic home of Lewis W. Taylor and a museum of African American history, culture and civil rights.
