[Full-day] Nashville African American History & Food Walking Tour

About

 This full-day experience (8-hours) blends powerful history with soul-satisfying food and the rare chance to share a meal with a local who brings context and connection to every bite. Whether you’re a conscious traveler, an educator at heart, or a parent passing wisdom to the next generation, you’ll walk away fuller,  in every sense of the word.

What to Expect

Discover the heartbeat of Nashville beyond the headlines and honky-tonks. This full-day African American history and food tour invites you to explore the city through a new and deeply human lens. Through the eyes of the people. 

From the footsteps of Civil Rights leaders to the kitchens of local Black-owned establishments and traditional afrocentric plates, you’ll walk the story of a community that has shaped the soul of the Music City.

This experience goes beyond sightseeing. It's about slowing down, listening closely, and connecting with the past, with the place, and with the people. Along the way, you’ll enjoy curated tastings that celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Nashville’s Black community, deeply rooted flavors passed down through generations.

What sets this tour apart? You’ll share a meal with a local. Not a chef or a performer, just a real person, with real stories, ready to sit with you, break bread, and talk honestly about life, legacy, and what it means to be Black in Nashville today. These conversations are intimate, sometimes emotional, and always unforgettable.

Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or solo on your own journey of learning, this experience is designed to leave you nourished intellectually, emotionally, and yes, deliciously.

Come with an open heart. Leave with a deeper understanding.

Meet Your Guide: Chakita Patterson

Passionate. Poised. Unforgettable.

“Chakita Patterson isn’t just a tour guide. She's a nationally recognized educator, speaker, and community historian who has made it her life’s work to stand in the gap where traditional history leaves off. With a Master’s degree, LMSW licensure, and years of experience as a professor and community organizer, Chakita leads every tour with depth, grace, and a bold commitment to truth-telling.

Named one of Nashville Business Journal’s Women of Influence and a 40 Under 40 honoree, Chakita has been featured in both local and national media for her groundbreaking work in race, history, and unlearning. She’s also a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award by Epoch Tribe and the Best of Nashville Award in Tourism by the Nashville Scene. And she’s just getting started.

Chakita brings lived expertise to every step of the journey. A former Nashville Historical Commissioner and lifelong educator, she has studied the legacy of Nelson Mandela in South Africa, African heritage in Tanzania, and cultural identity in places like Costa Rica, Spain, and Canada. She weaves all of that global experience into a local story that feels personal, urgent, and deeply human.

Her tours are a space for reflection and real conversation. A space where people, especially those ready to listen and grow, can walk away changed. Chakita believes learning history should be honest, healing, and even joyful. It’s this rare blend of culture, compassion, and charisma that makes her not just a guide, but someone you’ll never forget.”

Fine Print Information

• The tour will proceed rain or shine.

• Tour stops are subject to potential modifications without prior notification, ensuring the highest quality and relevance of the tour content.

• Please note: This experience is thoughtfully designed for adult participants. While children are always welcome in the spirit of learning, we recommend our 2-hour or half-day tours as a more age-appropriate and engaging option for guests under 1