The NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE INITIATIVE was established to act as a catalyst for the marketing of the Culture and Heritage of Americans of African Decent, using tourism as a deliverable platform.  The National Cultural Heritage Initiative was developed in concert with the Florida Black Chamber of Commerce. 

Florida was chosen for initial development because of the state’s ‘Multi-Cultural and Ethnic Diversity’.  Florida’s population has a rich cultural mixture of residents with diverse African Heritage, composed of multiple national and ethnic backgrounds.  Florida truly represents the ‘World’ in its makeup and history.  The state is not just Old South, Beaches, and Theme Parks, but has a population that are European, Latin American, Hispanic, Caribbean, African, and Asian ancestry and culture.  All are “Proud Americans”.  Americans with one common bond, an appreciation of their individual heritages and cultures, intertwined with an appreciation for the international influence and with a flavor that is unique, but - Afro-Centric in its appearance. The uniqueness has proven to be a major contributor and economic bonus to the state’s tourism industry; and has allowed Florida to become one of the top tourism destinations in the world by the successful marketing of its cultural diversity, to include the diverse Afro-Centric cultures as a part of it s rich history.   

Unfortunately, still too little is known about American Black Heritage and Culture.  Although, several cities and states, including the States of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana, have endeavored to correct this oversight, by publishing and marketing several critically acclaimed publications, including the Florida Black Heritage Trail publication.  But there has never been an organized attempt to market and showcase the African American and Black Culture as a platform to the world, most importantly to the Global Black Diaspora.  The National Black Chamber and the Florida Black Chamber saw the need and the necessity to provide the answer to the age-old cultural question of Black travelers to unknown cities, “Where are the Black Folks?”   Together, with the National Black Tourism Bureau, the Florida State Black Tourism Center was developed as an affiliate of the Florida Black Chamber to test the concept.  The intent being to develop a platform and products to market and inform the African American Culture and Heritage, nationally and internationally, for the benefit and service to the African Americans and the Black Diaspora.