Diversity in Nashville

Black History Month

Nashville celebrates Black History Month throughout February. Join us for special events, hear from multiple scholars at local universities, and more.

January 29-February 26
Black Heritage in Racing Exhibit

Directly from the KY Derby Museum, this exhibit explores the significant contributions of Black Americans to the early success of the Kentucky Derby. The exhibit also addresses the impact of segregation and Jim Crow, which led to the exclusion of African Americans from the racing industry. The display also narrates the stories of Black individuals who served as primary caretakers for horses in the 20th century. The exhibit goes to shed light on the initiatives undertaken by the Black community to enhance the participation of African Americans in the modern era of the racing industry. The exhibit is free to the general public with the purchase of any ticket to Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery.

Ongoing
Nashville History on Tour

Your tour guide David Ewing is a nationally recognized expert on Civil Rights and helped locate the lost mugshots of John Lewis’ arrest for the lunch counter sit-ins and helped present them to Congressman Lewis in Nashville. Explore how Nashville was one of the most important cities for marches, arrests, and bombing stories. Learn about John Lewis and the African American student-led peaceful nonviolent lunch counter sit-ins to desegregate downtown eating establishments in 1960 in Nashville.

Ongoing
Nashville Public Library
Nashville Public Library Civil Rights Room

The Civil Rights Room in the Nashville Public Library is a space for education and exploration of the Civil Rights Collection. The materials exhibited capture the drama of a time when thousands of African-American citizens in Nashville sparked a nonviolent challenge to racial segregation in the city and across the South.

Ongoing
Nashville Sites

Follow in the steps of those who took a stand by taking a seat. The Civil Rights Sit-Ins tour was written and narrated by Fisk University professor Linda Wynn. The Downtown Civil Rights Sit-Ins tour begins at Chuch Street and Sixth Avenue North and ends at Rosa L. Parks Boulevard and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Ongoing
Tennessee State Museum

Learn more about Black History at the Tennessee State Museum. The Civil War and Reconstruction were monumental times of conflict and change for the people of Tennessee. Featured artifacts and stories in this exhibit document a period that forced Tennesseans to take sides and make sacrifices.

Ongoing
The National Museum of African American Music

The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) officially opened to the public in January 2021. Discover the central role African Americans have played in shaping and creating all genres of American music. From classical to country to jazz and hip hop, NMAAM has integrated history and interactive technology to share the untold story of more than 50 music genres and sub-genres.Tours initially follow a weekend schedule and will be held on Saturdays and Sundays 11am-6pm.

Ongoing
United Street Tours

United Street Tours offers a Civil Rights Walking Tour of Nashville, a fascinating journey through the rich history of the Civil Rights Movement right here in the heart of Music City! This Nashville walking tour will take you on a captivating exploration of the city’s pivotal role in the pursuit for equality and inclusion.