COLUMBUS – Rita Fuller-Yates is the voice behind the Columbus Black History Tour.
Rita Fuller-Yates fell in love with the past at a young age, but it was her hometown of Columbus that always held a special place in her heart.
“Once I started learning local history and I could visualize the streets that the history was talking about, I was in love,” said Fuller-Yates.
The Columbus Black History Tour walks you through the history of downtown and the near east side. Columbus residents pass buildings like the Lincoln Theatre every day, not knowing that it was built to offset segregation to give the Black community a cultural and entertainment home.
“It’s really history you can touch,” said Fuller-Yates. “So often we assume people know what sits around them, and so often we don’t and these history tours remind us of the value of not only sharing Black history, but preserving Black history.”
She tells everyone that history isn’t only about the past, but the present too. Participants on the tour walked down Long Street where the wall of Columbus’ Black history lives and breathes.
Kelly Hubbard has been a part of Columbus’ Black history her whole life. She has worked at Diehl-Whittaker, the oldest African-American family-owned and operated mortuary in Columbus, for thirty years. She took the tour for her birthday, making the day the perfect mix of learning and fun.
“This community is changing so much and we want to make sure that people realize Diehl-Whittaker, where I’ve spent my whole life, is still a part of this community, a big part of it,” said Hubbard.
Everyone gets to celebrate history tidbits with a cheer and wave of a pompom. While the near east side is looking different, most of the community is still predominantly African American.
Fuller-Yates says that she wants everyone on the tour to not only learn something, but pass down the knowledge, and help her keep history alive.
“We have to get back to being our family historians, our community historians, and just sitting around and telling one another and sharing with one another,” said Fuller-Yates.
The Columbus Black History tour runs on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. There is also a virtual walking tour available.
