When Chakita was the dean at a local high school in 2018, she saw a trend in education that she sought to change. There was a general lack of teaching about or representation of Black History in Nashville. So, Chakita made a bold move to create United Street Tours — a tour company that specializes in Black History tours and experiences. The company became an instant success.
Her mission is to make antiracism the new normal through education and action.
“I first created the tour for my students as a way to inspire them.”
What started out as a dream turned into a way of life.
“We started selling the tours for five dollars. FIVE dollars. We sold out for the first six months. We have been completely embraced by the Nashville community.”
Patterson’s main tour runs through downtown Nashville, where Civil Rights history flourishes, visiting sit-in locations that still stand today. They also have a walking tour near Jefferson Street, in a predominantly African American community near Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“The Negro Leagues and baseball history are an important part of the Nashville story. This city is so much more than a country music paradise. Major League Baseball coming to Nashville by honoring the Negro League reality will help evolve the way people see our city and the way people experience our city.”
Chakita has been featured in StyleBlueprint who dubbed her work as “the tour everyone should take”. She is also Nashville Business Journal’s 40 under 40 and selected as a 2021 Woman of Influence in the Trailblazer category. Her company is rated 5-stars on major sites and she’s hosted people on tours from all over the world.
For more information and finding time to book your tour, click here.
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