She is a community advocate for her African American neighborhood and is a constant force for removing barriers and taking action on long time issues while constantly learning from her neighbors.
Josette was honored with the city’s “Neighbor with Heart” award by the mayor in May 2022. The tours have been recommended by the New York Times among others. Her work has won city, county and state awards. She has appeared on numerous television segments and in print for her work educating St. Petersburg.
1. How and when did you get hooked on history?
I have traveled the world for 45 years and always enjoyed learning the history and culture of a new country. In my anti-racist journey when I realized that my white skin had its own culture and it was different for dark skin, I was ravenous to learn more. I didn’t have to get on an airplane and travel to a far off destination. A different culture was in my backyard and learning could happen right at home. Through that learning I was stunned by the depth of the injustices that happened to my neighbors and their ancestors. I recognized that learning and teaching the history could possibly support altering the forward trajectory and make a difference in achieving social justice.
Today I immerse myself in everything I can to learn more about the Black culture and history in St. Pete and beyond. It has added incredible richness to my life. Seven years ago I moved into a historically Black neighborhood and it was the best decision. I learn from my neighbors everyday. Their love and embrace of me and all of our neighbors makes this a true community.
2. What role does history play or has it played in your personal life?
The passion for St. Petersburg’s local Black history has resulted in the creation of St. Petersburg Black History Tours 5 years ago We are a volunteer group that leads biking and walking tours sharing this impactful history. I am the founder and historian that leads these tours and I love every minute. It is the most meaningful work I’ve ever done and don’t really think of myself in retirement. I’ve got work to do!
3. What role does history play a part of your professional life/career?
The tours I lead are my professional life now. I love leading every one and meeting the next new group. My life has never felt more meaningful.
4. Why is studying/knowing history important?
Twenty years ago when I immersed myself in studying and researching St. Petersburg’s local Black history, it was easy to make the connection to the systemic racism in the city today. I also realized that the history from the founding of the city in St. Pete wasn’t taught and yet it was foundational to racism today. History is vital to not only understanding the past but the present and provides guidance to the future. The tours I lead always including facts about systemic racism in St. Pete today and then 4 action items to improve racial equity. History is vital and guides us to making progress for the future.
5. What is your favorite period or aspect of history to learn about and why? I am ravenous to learn any aspect of history as it impacts our Black residents in St. Petersburg. St. Pete is on the bottom of our peninsular county and the first Black resident arrived
in 1868. It makes defining the time frame and geography very easy for the era and geography I study.
6. How did you come to start St. Petersburg Black History Tours and what’s a major story (or two) of Black history in St. Petersburg that you never tire of telling?
It was March 2020 and COVID shut everything down. I was a docent at a civil rights exhibit sharing stories of local Black history and was amazed at the impact on attendees. The museum closed however I was on fire to keep educating. I looked around and no one was teaching local Black history and then George Floyd happened. The desire was buring in me to do something. Early 2021 I had the idea of a bike tour and began putting it together. The first bike tour was scheduled in September 2021. The media grabbed hold of it and before I knew it I couldn’t schedule enough tours to meet the demand. St. Petersburg Black History Tours was born. Three years later the walking tour was added. To date we have led almost 120 tours for almost 1,500 people who are now taking action for advancing racial equity in our city. Inspiring people to action is our focus.
Sharing the life of Black residents at the founding of our city in 1903 is a favorite to share because its so shocking and fundamental. Black residents could shop in the retail stores but could not try clothes or shoes on except one day a year when the department store allowed it. White people would go to City Council and complain about hearing Black people talking and laughing. City Council had a committee called “Problems with. Colored People” where complaints were sent. The inhumane treatment of our Black residents is sadly a theme throughout St. Pete history. The very early history establishes its start.
7. Today, we are touring Campbell Park. Why is it such a significant spot?
The early leaders of our city namely the newspaper editor, William Straub, had foresight to designate the city’s waterfront as a string of parks. However in the founding of the city (1903) those beautiful parks were only for white residents. The Black community was relegated to finding their own land for recreation. In the far southwest corner of the city were 16 acres of land that private property owners were not maintaining. While it was not formerly a park, it was called the ‘Negro park.” It took almost 50 years when the city purchased the land and on April 4, 1950, the park was dedicated for “the permanent use by the Negroes” and named Campbell Park.
The stories of the park are a microcosm of the city and display interesting stories of events and troubling treatment of those that used the land. The stories have never been researched and need to be shared. Wrapping all of this together is what makes this a significant spot. The history provides the foundation to the systemic racism of today. Standing on the land makes the education more powerful. Campbell Park is the heart of the early Black community. It’s significant in understanding systemic racism today.
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