Join Mizz Mercedes for a new walking tour starting and ending at Central Village Park. Learn the fascinating history of this historic Rondo community -- how black residents advocated through churches and with the 1st black city councilman to claim the area of Dale and University to Western and University. They were given the opportunity to buy land and build their own homes which many community members still live in today! This area has evolved since the late 1970’s when the Asian and African immigrants migrated to the states and were placed in the housing projects on this block. Today the area, especially along Dale and University which was once all black owned, has evolved into a multicultural community. The tour walks the trail of Central Village Park which leads into Uni-Dale shopping mall area where we take stops into Earths Beauty Supply store (a black owned hair store), Sun foods (a international grocery store), Trieu Chau (a Vietnamese restaurant for a food sample), and possibly inside Xia Gallery (a Asian bookstore and art gallery, perfect to buy souvenirs!) Tour led by Mercedes “Mizz Mercedez” Yarbrough, educator, community leader, and creator of the Black to the Future comic series, blending art, history, and innovation to make learning fun and relevant. If tour is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. We will let you know if spots become available.

Celebrate Black History Month! The Black to the Future Tour is a fun and interactive experience that brings the Black to the Future comic books to life—celebrating Black history past, present, and future. Participants will explore inventions created by Black innovators while visiting local Black-owned businesses featured in the comic book. Each stop connects history to modern-day creativity and entrepreneurship, inspiring guests to imagine what’s next. Based on a series of comic books written by Mizz Mercedes, this is your chance to experience Black to the Future in real life! Tour led by Mercedes “Mizz Mercedez” Yarbrough, educator, community leader, and creator of the Black to the Future comic series, blending art, history, and innovation to make learning fun and relevant. Stops & Inventions Highlighted: 2 Scoops – Ice Cream Invention Golden Thyme Café – Home Security System Invention Walker West Music Academy – Folding Chair/Guitar Invention Final Stop: 825 ARTS – Double Dutch invention & Screening of the “Black to the Future” short film We will see the impact of Black inventors in everyday life, support local Black-owned businesses, and celebrate the power of art and education through a collective learning experience. Includes Motorcoach Bus, Our Guide-Mizz Mercedes, Samples, 2 Scoops Ice Cream, and a Black to the Future Comic Book. TIME: 11:45 am Board Bus - 825 Arts 12:00 pm Bus Departs 3:00 pm Bus Returns to 825 Arts NOTE: Only transfer of registration available after Jan 20th. 75% refund if we are able to fill your spot from the waitlist. If tour is sold out, please add your names to the waitlist. We will let you know if spots become available.