Brownsville: A Journey Through Historic Landmarks

• Brownsville’s Historic Hampton House, the filming location for “One Night in Miami,” is a key highlight of the tour. A green book hotel filled with memorabilia from the 1950’s and 60’s. 
  
• Georgette’s Tea Room, a 1940's Bed and Breakfast for blacks where Billie Holliday had a permanent room.
• Lincoln Memorial Cemetery a Bahamian style cemetery where many of Miami founding black families are buried.
• Explore large scale “renewal” projects by the Related Group that have taken over Brownsville and Liberty City.
  

Liberty City

The heart and soul of today's black community in Miami. 

• Demolition of Liberty Square aka Pork n Beans
• The new Liberty Square and all the massive Related Group projects
• Lemon City Cemetery
• Partially standing apartheid wall
• Orchid Villa school. The first integrated school in Miami.
• Muhammad Ali’s humble home
• Mosque that Ali and Malcolm frequented
• Church of the Open Door (built by civil rights icon Dr. John Brown)
• Remaining damage from the 1980 McDuffie riots
  

Recommended Time: 30-60 minutes

Rediscovering Overtown

Overtown, once the vibrant center of Miami’s Black community, faced significant challenges when the construction of the I-95 highway nearly decimated the area.

Today, however, Overtown is experiencing a cultural and economic revival.

New residential buildings, restaurants, and the influence of Wynwood’s growth are fueling this resurgence. Key historical landmarks and the area’s 1890s-era churches continue to highlight Overtown’s rich and enduring legacy.

• Lyric Theater
• Black Police Precinct ($10 entrance fee)
• Dana Dorsey house
• Dorsey baseball field
• Lil Greenhouse grill (lunch)
• Red Rooster (lunch)
  

Coral Gables’ Historic Legacy

A Black neighborhood in Coral Gables? Wasn’t that illegal?

Despite the historical restrictions, Coral Gables did, in fact, have designated areas for its Bahamian workers. George Merrick, the founder of Coral Gables, set aside two areas across US1 for his employees. 

Today, these neighborhoods are marked by distinctive white stone street signs.

While few of the original Shotgun homes remain, the rich history of these areas is still evident.

Discover Bill Baggs Lighthouse, a National Underground Railroad Monument

Spain declared Florida a slave sanctuary in 1693, proof the Underground Railroad went south before it ever went north. Bill Baggs Lighthouse stands as a National Underground Railroad Monument, though its hours of operation can be tricky. From its vantage point, the lighthouse offers stunning views of Stiltsville and the vibrant reefs of Biscayne National Park. Historically, this area served as a crucial escape route for Africans and Native Americans fleeing oppression, seeking refuge in the Bahamas or Cuba to avoid being returned to slavery or forcibly relocated on the Trail of Tears.

For a thorough visit, we recommend a full hour, or more if you plan to combine your trip with a visit to Virginia Key Beach.

TIP:  This is a very historical and scenic site, but very time consuming. If there are two sites you are better off visiting on your own, the Key Biscayne lighthouse and neighboring Virginia Key beach are worth a beach day.

Honoring Civil Rights Leaders: Father Gibson, Athalie Range and Dr. John Brown

Father Gibson, born in the Bahamas, was a prominent civil rights leader with influential churches in Coconut Grove and Overtown.  And his wife Thelma Gibson was the first nurse to cross a hospital's color line. 

Athalie Range was born in Key West to Bahamian parents. She gained recognition as a civil rights leader and was notably present in President Carter’s limousine when it was struck by rocks following the McDuffie riots.

Dr. John Brown was Black Seminole from Oklahoma, an opthamologist, moving to Miami in 1955.  He led C.O.R.E., the Congress of Racial Equality, an alliance between Jewish and black activists, and was part of Rev Mundy's group of WWII veterans that did the first wade in, forcing the city to open a "Colored beach". 

All played pivotal roles in advancing civil rights in Miami and are highlighted on the tour.

Exploring Liberty Square: The Changes in Liberty City

In the heart of Liberty City lies the former Pork and Beans, now known as Liberty Square, which has been replaced by modern apartments. The original site is now deserted. 

We are interested in understanding what the Related Group received in return for their impressive work on Liberty Square. Large scale Related projects are found throughout Liberty City and Brownsville.

Little Haiti, Little River, and Lemon City

Little Haiti, just a few years ago, was called "Lemon City". Together with Little River, this area has a project that may rival Related Group’s projects, with even more risk of gentrification. 

The remnants of Lemon City, even older than Coconut Grove, are gone. The Buena Vista neighborhood, once known for its elegant 1920s homes, and the area just to the north, became a vibrant Haitian community in the 1980s.

Today, Little Haiti is undergoing massive gentrification, getting pushed north. 

Sites include:

• Little Haiti Cultural Center
• Haitian Heritage Museum
• My old Curley High School
• Chef Creole (lunch or snack)
• Lemon City Cemetery
  

Why Muhammad Ali Holds a Special Place in Miami’s History

Why does the Black Miami is Beautiful tour emphasize Muhammad Ali?

In Miami, we like to say that while Cassius Clay was born in Louisville, Muhammad Ali was born in Miami. This local pride highlights the deep connection we feel to the legendary boxer and his impact on our community.

The Iconic Fight in Miami: How Cassius Clay’s Politics Shaped Boxing History

Miami is the site of the historic boxing match where Cassius Clay defeated Sonny Liston in one of the most famous fights in history.

The FBI, concerned about Clay’s new alliance with Malcolm X and his affiliation with the Nation of Islam, even considered canceling the fight at the Miami Beach Convention Center due to these political tensions.

Muhammad Ali’s Home: A Simple Landmark on the Black Miami is Beautiful tour

On the Black Miami is Beautiful tour, we always pass by Muhammad Ali’s home while traveling from Brownsville to Liberty City. It’s a very simple house, offering a modest glimpse into the life of one of boxing’s greatest legends.

Spanish Florida’s Legacy: Freedom and Resistance in Early American History

Spanish Florida marked the beginning of Black history in the United States in 1513 with Juan Garrido, a native of the Congo, who accompanied conquistador Ponce de León in claiming La Florida for Spain.

In 1693, Spanish Florida was declared a “Slave Sanctuary,” allowing escaped slaves from British America to live freely if they converted to Catholicism, baptized their children, and defended Florida against British attacks. Despite this sanctuary status, slavery was still present in the region.

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine had a predominantly native and African population, including escaped slaves, refugees from other Spanish colonies in the Caribbean, and a few Spanish settlers. A black township named Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mosé was established a mile north of the city to protect it from British invasions; today, it is known as Fort Mosé.

Visiting Fort Mosé state park provides a different perspective on Florida’s history compared to what is typically taught by Tallahassee.

Uncovering the Truth: Spanish Florida, the Black Seminoles, and Andrew Jackson

The rich 300-year history of Spanish Florida, including its Native American and African heritage, has been largely overshadowed by Tallahassee’s narrative. Under General Andrew Jackson, the United States launched attacks and seized both East and West Florida from Spain, leading to 50 years of conflict known as the Seminole Wars. Jackson’s true motive was to recapture escaped slaves for his allies, a fact he obscured by portraying the conflict as a battle against "savage natives" to justify his actions.

During these wars, Africans integrated with various tribes such as the Upper Creeks, Lower Creeks, Red Stick Creeks, and Miccosukee, who were forced into Florida while resisting the U.S. Army. This was the first conflict in which Americans faced a protracted and unsuccessful campaign, revealing the complex and often overlooked history of resistance and cultural fusion in the region.

Resetting Your Understanding of Black History in America

Our rich Native American and African history has been significantly overlooked by Tallahassee’s narratives. For those traveling down the state to Miami, a visit to St. Augustine is essential.

It offers an opportunity to reset and broaden your understanding of Black history in America, providing a more comprehensive perspective on these crucial historical experiences.