African American History Tour – The Sit-In & Civil Rights

Beyond its renowned reputation as a lively party destination, downtown Nashville holds a fascinating secret waiting to be discovered—its rich civil rights history.

Join our Nashville walking tour as we trace the steps of inspirational leaders from historically black colleges and universities. These influential figures brought their knowledge and enthusiasm to the forefront of the fight for equality.

On this Nashville walking tour, you’ll explore the legendary impact of civil rights leader John Lewis, who studied at the American Baptist Theological Seminary (now American Baptist College) and later became a U.S. congressman. Inspired by the nonviolent resistance, he organized sit-ins and protests to combat racial segregation. Join our Nashville tour to delve into his remarkable contributions.

Diane Nash was another well-known leader and a fearless activist for equal rights. Diane Nash attended Fisk University, a notable historically black university in Nashville. On this walking tour of Nashville you’ll witness, how she actively participated in the sit-in movement while she was still a college student. She later went on to help plan the Freedom Rides, which opposed segregation on interstate buses.

You’ll also explore the legacy of James Lawson, a well-known civil rights activist and supporter of nonviolent protest. On this Nashville walking tour, you’ll dive into James Lawson’s pursuit for inclusion and equality in Nashville. While studying Gandhi’s writings, he rose to the leader of nonviolent activist training, influencing a generation of movement leaders.

The historically black colleges and universities in Nashville fostered both intellectual development and activism. Future civil rights leaders were nurtured at Fisk University, Tennessee State University, and Meharry Medical College, among other institutions. At this institutions students got engaged in empowerment, community engagement, social responsibility, in addition to becoming educated.

The students and leaders from these colleges organized sit-ins at segregated lunch counters, marched for voting rights, and fought for desegregation in schools and public spaces. Their bravery and unwavering dedication made Nashville a hub of civil rights activity, earning it the nickname “the Athens of the South.”

On this Nashville walking tour, you’ll explore how these visionary leaders and the countless activists they inspired helped dismantle racial segregation and paved the way for a more inclusive society. Their efforts in Nashville’s civil rights movement contributed significantly to the nationwide pursuit for inclusion, equality, and justice.

This tour of Nashville’s civil rights story is a testament to the power of education, activism, and the collective action against injustice. The legacy of these leaders and the historically black colleges they attended continues to inspire future generations in their ongoing pursuit of equality for all.