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B M & T ••• March/April 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 35 CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SITES: For those looking to infuse their corporate event with local history, Hattiesburg has a wealth of historical sites waiting to be discovered. Explore the East 6th Street Historic Museum District, the Mobile-Bouie neighborhood that played a crucial role in the civil rights movement, which is dedicated to the history of Black people in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Many sites in the East 6th District played a pivotal role for plan- ning meetings and fundraising events for the movement and host to many iconic leaders of that time like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Fannie Lou Hammer, Medgar Evers and Dick Gregory. Incorporating this history into your corporate event provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the progress made and the work still to be done in the realm of justice and equality. One notable and must stop is the African American Military History Museum housed in the historic Black USO Club constructed in 1942 for the purpose of providing a place for Black uniformed military personnel to congre- gate for recreation and relaxation. The museum provides a fascinating journey through the mili- tary contributions of African Americans service from the American Revolution and Spanish- American War, to World War ll, through mod- ern day conflicts like Desert Storm and the Global War on Terroism with hundreds of orig- inal artifacts on display. On those grounds is a monument to cele- brate the contributions of our fallen heroes and the sacrifice of Gold Star Families, recognizing the parents, siblings, spouses, children and extended family left behind by the loss of a loved one who died as a result of active-duty military service. This stop provides a truly unique per- spective on the city's history, offering an enrich- ing experience that can be both educational and inspirational for inquisitive travelers fostering a connection between your corporate group and the local community. A preservation of African American educa- tional history, the district houses the historic Eureka School opened in 1921 as one of only two brick high schools for African Americans in the state before schools were integrated after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forced public schools to desegregate. The Oseola McCarty house - formerly located on Miller Street and relocated to Museum Row, honors the life of Oseola Mc Carty, a washer- woman who scrimped and saved her life earnings for over 50 years to donate $150,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi in 1995 at the age of 87. She forever changed philanthropy at the university and left an educational legacy. The Smith Drug Co., established in 1925 by E. Hammond Smith, was the heart of the Mobile Street commercial district that included a dentist, doctors offices, barbershops, beauty shops, grocery stores, a movie theater, ice cream parlor, restaurants, banks and even a hotel. Smith heroically, was one of 15 men who filed a suit against the Forest County Registrar of Voters for blocking the black vote. C IVIL RIGHTS TRAIL: For the ultimate experience, take your group on the self-guided, 16 stop, audio tour that com- memorates the cities journey in the 1964 Freedom Summer Trail which honors the his- toric role Hattiesburg played as the largest Freedom Summer site in Mississippi. Made up of 90 out of state volunteers, 3,000 local partici- pants, and 675 Freedom School students, they made history ensuring the statewide 1964 vot- ers registration drive called Mississippi Freedom Summer, was a success; solidifying Hattiesburg's significance in the civil rights movement marked by its inclusion in the Mississippi Freedom Trail. L OCAL CUISINE-HIGHLIGHT AFRICAN AMERICAN RESTAURANTS: No trip to Hattiesburg is complete with- out indulging in its delectable southern cuisine. With over 200 locally-owned restaurants to choose from and over a dozen of them Black owned, you can incor- porate local flavors into your corporate event by organizing catering from a renowned Black establishment like Bourbon on Front, owned by Nelson Haskin, visionary entrepreneur, and owner of six local eateries including the Blu Jazz Cafe. This trendy establishment offers a chic atmosphere and an extensive bour- bon selection and provides an ideal setting for networking and socializing during your corporate event. For an elegant evening with vintage flair, consider including Bushman Street Cafe owned byChef Terry Jordan, in your itinerary. This charming restaurant not only serves high- quality cuisine but also provides a cozy and intimate space for small dinner gatherings or casual meetings. Hattiesburg, Mississippi, emerges as a hidden gem not just for corporate events but as a multifaceted experience for any traveler setting the stage for an unforget- table and meaningful experience. Find a comprehensive guide to Hattiesburg's Black owned businesses at www.visith - burg.org and encourage your corporate attendees to explore and support local black-owned businesses and artists during their stay. Statue of Vernon Dahmer a civil rights movement Activist