Black History Month Experience

Where to Go on a Black History Month

Let’s begin with an introduction to the Black history and legacy by visiting Bessie Smith Cultural Center – a place, where African American History and Culture is being preserved and celebrated through art, education, research, and entertainment. Here you can learn about the Black history of Chattanooga and its famous residents.

Continue exploring the city with Chattanooga Segway and Bike Tours. This will give you an opportunity to explore Chattanooga in a fun way – on a segway or a bike. They also provide engaging history walking tours.

Also, come see murals near Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard created by community art projects and organizations in Chattanooga. “The Soul Of MLK” murals were created as a visual depiction of the past, present and future vision for Chattanooga and a tribute to the rich African-American culture.

Your next stop might be Keeody Gallery. It openly offers art, love and soul to the public in the form of inspired and original mixed-media compositions.

Reflection Riding Arboretum & Nature Center is an environmental learning hub that reconnects Chattanoogans with nature. It offers about 14 miles of trails and roads to explore. Mountain slopes, meadows, a creek sidewalk, and wildflower paths – there are many different options. Come and try them all. They also have a broead collection of wildlife.

The Chattery – a nonprofit organization that believes in enjoyable adult education by providing fun, affordable and accessible classes and workshops for our community.

Noir Nooga was created in 2019 as a platform for Millennial professionals within the City of Chattanooga.  Noir Nooga aims to strengthen connections and foster new experiences through expertly showcasing and crafting social, community, and networking opportunities.

R.I.S.E. (Responsive Initiatives for Social Empowerment), is an independent black-led and founded 501c3 non profit community arts & culture organization dedicated to the development of creative programming and events that aim to transcend cultural barriers while promoting more awareness, vibrancy, inclusiveness and resiliency for the greater Chattanooga communities.

Chattanooga Ladies of Charity was established in 1963 with volunteer members from parishes throughout the area. Items for sale include clothes, household goods, electronic and numerous other items. All of the proceeds raised go back into the community.

Black Owned Businesses we are Proud to Have in Chattanooga

Don’t know where to hold the next family or friends gathering? Want to enjoy some soul food? Check the list of local black-owned cafes and restaurants below to have a great time, taste delicious food, and support local businesses.

Together Cafe – a coffeeshop with heavenly coffee, exceptional customer service, and a great social mission to help restore survivors and victims of human and sex trafficking.

Mad Priest Coffee Roasters – a small-batch specialty coffee roasting company with unconventional, creative, sacred coffee choice + a social enterprise with the mission to “Craft excellent coffee. Educate the curious. Champion the displaced.” ‍

Neutral Ground – a modern New Orleans style Po-Boy and Yakamein restaurant.

Plant Power Cafe & Juice Bar – one of Chattanooga's best-rated vegan cafes.

Chatt Smoke House – here you can taste one of the best barbecues in Chattanooga; the meat is slow-cooked daily using charcoal and hickory wood.

Chatt Taste – Chattanooga’s Culinary Renaissance, an immersive experience that allows guests to visit multiple restaurants in one evening and explore the gastronomic side of the city.

Chatterbox Cafe – from brisket to ribs to chicken wings, everything is cooked low and slow to tender, seasoned perfection.

Blue Orleans – a place where every bite and every detail brings you back to the Big Easy, so come experience the taste of New Orleans

There's nothing fancy about C&W Cafe, a red brick building, but this family-owned business is where the magic happens at mealtime six days a week, drawing hundreds of customers for good times and captivating home-cooked soul food.

The Flaming Rooster – participate in Oh Hale Naw Challenge to become flamous. Eat 6 spicy wings in 5 min or less to get on the wall of flame as well as a Free T-Shirt.

Chattanooga Cigar Club – is Chattanooga’s premier cigar and cocktail lounge with a wide selection of hand-rolled cigars from around the world and speakeasy-style craft cocktails with a modern flair.

Uncle Larry's Restaurant – a family-owned restaurant with a down-home fish fry environment.

Memo's Grill – an old school classic BBQ with famous wiener plates.

Allgood's Used Books and Coffee – used books retailer, coffee shop and café with cozy atmosphere.

The CRAB TRAP SeaFood TakeOut – great restaurant with exotic seafood.

Herman’s Soul Food & Catering offers a variety of southern favorites from classic, comfort foods such as their Famous Chicken & Dressing, Smothered Pork Chops, Homemade Macaroni & Cheese and Turnip Greens. Take a break from cooking tonight and let Herman’s Soul Food serve you and your family.

Chef Express was founded by Mr. Terence Locke in Chattanooga, TN. The young chef established his catering business with the purpose of fulfilling the public’s desire for quality food  and excellent customer service. Chef Express recently won BEST CATERER during the Inaugural Black Excellence of Chattanooga Awards Show.

The Big 9 Street Food – Ninth Street in downtown Chattanooga – renamed Martin Luther King Blvd. in 1981 – was the epicenter of the black community and a mecca for food, live music, and entertainment. Known as “The Big 9,” the area was a hotbed for food, live blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, and soul music.

Six 18 Restaurant and Lounge offers an upscale yet intimate ambiance in the heart of Downtown Chattanooga. The unique menu specialties are curated in a simple yet elevated way that creates a nostalgic experience.