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VISIT FLORIDA Launches Black History Month Campaign with BET

By on February 13th, 2015 — 10:32am

For the first time ever, VISIT FLORIDA has partnered with BET to launch a nationwide campaign for Black History Month.  VISIT FLORIDA collaborated with destination partners in Miami, Overtown, Orlando and Eatonville, as well as prominent African Americans in the travel and tourism community, to create a series of short stories that tell of the rich heritage and culture found around the state.

The first two 60-second stories, which run for the next 3 weeks across national and cable networks, highlight two of Florida’s world-famous tourist destinations, as well as two of the state’s hidden gems.

Minutes from Orlando’s well-known attractions is Eatonville, “the town that freedom built.” Founded in 1887 as the nation’s first all-black city, Eatonville also is important in African-American history as home of Zora Neale Hurston, the Harlem Renaissance writer known for her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. To view the entire 60-second narrative, click here.

The second story airs later in the week and focuses on Miami and Overtown, a neighborhood northwest of Miami, and home to the original Booker T. Washington High School.  This was the first high school educating black students south of Palm Beach.  Overtown is also known as an entertainment center, and in the 40s and 50s, many music legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole could be found performing in the area.

“In addition to its 825 miles of beaches and enviable theme parks, Florida is home to an abundance of culturally relevant hidden gems – from the earliest settlement of free Blacks in America to the vibrant music and artistry surrounding the ‘chitlin’ circuit’,” said Will Seccombe, President & CEO of VISIT FLORIDA.  “Florida is the No. 1 destination choice for African Americans traveling for vacation.  By working with BET – the leading provider of entertainment for African Americans – VISIT FLORIDA is able to reach an audience of 91 million and provide viewers with even more reasons to explore the Sunshine State.”

The stories air in Atlanta, New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Detroit and Dallas.

For more information about VISIT FLORIDA’s efforts in promoting Black History Month, contact Lucille Spann at lspann@VISITFLORIDA.org or (850) 312-0052.


Susannah Costello
Vice President, Global Brand
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