If you've ever wondered what can happen when a love of biking and a passion for history collide - meet Josette Green. After decades of globetrotting, Josette turned her curiosity inward to uncover the hidden history of her hometown, St. Petersburg, FL. What began as a docent gig evolved into a beloved community project: St. Petersburg Black History Tours. I had the joy of interviewing Josette after collaborating on a photo shoot, and trust us - her story is as inspiring as it is energizing.
Q: I discovered your business St. Petersburg Black History Tours in The NY Times travel article. What is the origin story of your tours? How did you come up with the idea and how did you bring it to life?
A: St. Petersburg Black History Tours began when my love of world cultures and my own anti-racism journey unexpectedly collided. For over 35 years I’d been traveling the world to 75+ countries motivated by experiencing new cultures. I realized there was a culture little known to me right here in my beloved city St. Petersburg, FL.
Research shows that St. Petersburg is one of the most segregated large cities in the US today so while it may sound odd to some, it's easy to live a totally insular white life in this city. I dug in to learn about our Black community and found the history absolutely fascinating and sobering. I attended every event, talk and tour I could to learn more from local Black leaders, historians, speakers and journalists. I dug deep into the research and conducted my own studies. It’s been almost 20 years now of study as a historian.
In 2019 a local museum had a civil rights exhibit and put out a call for docents. I answered the call, went to every training, hung on to every word and began doing tours. I was astounded by the impact of this history on those on my tours. For some it was traumatizing for others they were completely stunned at what went on in their city that they never knew.
The exhibit closed because of COVID but now I was on fire to keep educating. I realized how much knowledge I possessed and I didn’t want to stop. Then George Floyd happened and I looked around and realized there was nobody actively teaching local Black history. My research at that point was focused on the locations in the city where our first Black residents lived. I realized the locations were very bikeable and in COVID so many people were biking. Plus standing on the ground where history began is so powerful.
In spring 2021 the bike tour was conceived in my head. I started writing content and did practice rides in the summer. As a white person, it was vital to have a local Black partner and I identified Mr. Brayboy as someone to approach. He immediately agreed to partner and talk with each biking group about his lived experiences. When the biking tour launched I was stunned by the endless media attention and the tours filled in a week. I added more, they filled and then I added more. The St. Petersburg Black History Tours were off and running. We’ve now operated for 4 years conducting more than 80 tours to over 1,500 people.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your tours - is there more than one type? How do they work? How often do you do them? What is your team like?
A: St. Petersburg Black History Tours offers a walking tour and a bike tour teaching local Black history. The bike tour is the oldest at 4 years old. We stand on the land where the history first began and bike forward into history. This early history forms the foundation of where we are today as a city. The bike tour is 3 hours long and then afterwards everyone spends an hour with my partner, Mr. B., as he shares his lived experiences. He’s the highlight quite honestly. It’s a very immersive 4 hours experience. Everyone leaves with action items of how to positively impact racial equity in our city. The first is to support Black owned businesses and bikers are given a list of restaurants they can immediately go to and eat. They are inspired to do exactly that. A shout out too for the dedicated volunteers that bike with me to ensure safety and guidance for the bikers. I couldn’t do it without them.
I knew biking was leaving out a huge population of people who wanted this history. I live in a historically Black area of our city and the park in my area was the first “Negro park.” The park has been the focus of my research for the last 4 years and its history is fascinating. It was the perfect solution for a walking tour. The 2 hour tour began more than a year ago and has been very successful, especially for groups. Walkers also leave with action items at the end of the tour.
Each of these tours are offered to the public each month in the fall and spring with additional tours in February for Black History Month. Private groups can also schedule tours. It is important to me that people have access to this history so the tours are free if one is not able to offer a minimal donation or fee.
Q: What do you think the bicycle adds to the tour experience?
A: The bike is not just a fun means to move bikers to the various historic locations but provides something else very beneficial. The history of our St. Petersburg Black residents is sobering and the injustices are hard to hear. Bikers are hearing hard stories along with inspiring history but left with many difficult feelings. Body movement helps to process and release those difficult feelings in between stops. Physical movement is so important to combine with stories like these. Walking offers the same benefit.
Q: I understand that St Petersburg Black History Tours is not technically a business but rather a volunteer project. Why did you decide to structure it that way? What are the advantages/disadvantages of this organization structure?
A: I am a volunteer and this is very intentional as you noted in the question. In recent years Florida has embraced laws that limit the teaching of Black history. As volunteers we stay out of the way of these laws and practices. The con to this decision is that St. Petersburg Black History Tours is not eligible for grant funding like a non profit nor healthy fees like a for profit business. What is important is that our residents have access to this impactful history and I can do it most effectively as a volunteer given state laws even without funding. Additionally, this decision has also proven beneficial in the current direction of our federal government.
Q: Regardless of incorporation status, building an operation is a lot of hard work and sacrifice. What are some aspects of the tours that make it all seem worthwhile? Any highlights you’d like to share?
A: You know first hand, Maria, how much time it takes to start a new, successful business or initiative. It takes endless hours and persistent devotion. What makes it all worthwhile for me is that I’m able to use my knowledge of almost 20 years of research and study to advance a very important value and that is racial equity for my beloved city of St. Petersburg. We have a lot of work to do. I know that with my knowledge and educating folks on the tours that we move the needle. What really inspires me however is that with every tour some if not all of the participants are ignited with their new knowledge and awareness. They leave with action items of what they can immediately do to increase racial equity and they are raring to go. I leave on a high just observing them and can’t wait for the next tour.
Q: During the shoot, there was one shot with you, Pat, and Laschell in a row, facing the camera, with you in the center. You made a point of moving to the side so that “whiteness would not be centered”. This became a beautiful teaching moment. Do you have any advice for white allies on how to overcome the fear of an awkward moment or a defensive reaction?
A: As a white person, I am constantly learning how to be an ally. It’s easy for white people to get off track as we have not had the lived experiences of our Black neighbors, friends, coworkers, etc.What is important is to keep learning, listening, trying to do better and most importantly showing up. In the US we have a white culture and we focus on white people as a result. The voices of white people typically dominate and any visual presentation have white people in the center unless we consciously center on giving equal voice and presence to all. To counter white centeredness means to move the white presence and voice to the side and allow others to step forward, therefore giving more overall racial balance. In our photo shoot, my being the only white person of the three models, and then being in the center, screamed injustice as it was contrary to my deep value of racial equity. I appreciate that the photo shoot group heard me when I brought this situation to light and we consciously changed the shoot.
Q: When I reached out to you via cold email about helping with the photo shoot, you quickly wrote back that you were interested. What about Po Campo and/or this project piqued your interest? Did you like getting to know the product and the brand better during the shoot?
A: My interest was immediately piqued when I received your email. It’s not everyday that I get an email asking to be in a photo shoot by the owner of a NY company. (Big grin.) I had to know who this courageous woman was and her company and products. I was first impressed with Po Campo being a woman owned company and then I opened the website and was blown away. There was the backpack pannier I had long been looking for with all of the features I had only dreamed of. The fabrics and colors were beautiful and alive. As I looked over the other products, I found them creative, fun and very functional. Maria knows what she is doing in her designs and of course I said yes to the request. These were products I could believe in. I brought along a couple of other bike tour friends as models and we had a very fun day with the photo shoot. That day gave me a chance to see the products in person and they were even more impressive than online. It’s the endless features that I can’t find elsewhere that got my attention, but also the nice colors instead of black and gray. I am thrilled to now own three Po Campo products and I love using them.
Q: The bike tour aside, you told me a bit about your “nomadic side”. Tell us a bit about your travels and why this is such an important part of your life?
A: The world is amazing with endless intriguing people and cultures. I want to see and do it all. Travel was in my blood at an early age when at 5, I wanted to travel to Japan. After 45 years of mostly solo travel, I’ve covered 75+ countries, lived in 3 countries and yet there is so much more to see. My love of cultures and people led me to this path as a local Black historian. It’s the best of both worlds. I am out part of the year to travel and then I’m home to keep studying and learning about the Black culture of where I live.
Pictured: Josette and the Vernon Bike Basket on set of a Po Campo photoshoot
Q: Po Campo’s tagline is “with you for the ride”, acknowledging that a person’s life goes through different chapters. How would you describe this chapter of your life, and what about it do you find particularly fulfilling/enjoyable/challenging? Any surprises?
A: I am living the most meaningful life ever in my 60’s. I love my life and am so grateful for all I’m able to do. Beyond being a historian and educating and inspiring people with the walking and biking tours, I am an award winning activist in my community and initiate various projects that uplift our community and/or the city. I am an elected leader in some organizations and a participant in others and love every bit of it. Plus, free from a job I can travel to amazing destinations several months a year. If it were not for the meaningful work I do in St. Pete, I would be traveling the world 12 months of the year but tours and activism keeps me happily tied to St. Pete. Can life get any better?
Q: How can the Po Campo community best support you right now?
A: St. Petersburg Black History Tours is a volunteer organization and I am not able to obtain grants and funding. This leaves little to no funding for PR and promotion of the tours. Word of mouth is typically how people hear about the tours but we miss a wider market. Using your social media platform to increase awareness of St. Petersburg Black History Tours would be invaluable.
Q: How can we tag you on social? What are your handles?
Facebook: St. Petersburg Black History Tours
Website: www.blackhistorybiketour.com
Q: Is there anythingelse you’d like to share?
A: From a surprise email in my inbox from Po Campo owner Maria to a photo shoot and to answering these questions, my motto of “just say yes” brings me so many interesting adventures. I’m grateful I said yes to your initial request and thankful for the added richness it has brought to my life. It’s fun to open your ads and be greeted by myself or my legs or my arm. Here’s to your continued success Maria and to the richness of life for both of us.
Pictured: Josette and the Domino Handlebar Bag
Josette is proof that saying "yes" can lead to life’s most meaningful chapters. From uncovering powerful local stories to centering community voices and riding through history, she’s creating real change, one tour at a time. We’re honored to feature her work and grateful for the chance to share the ride. Be sure to follow her, spread the word, and if you're in St. Pete, hop on the tour!
Comments
So good to meet the Pocampo “model” and what a model you are Josette. Thanks for sharing your story and the story of the black community in St Petersburg. Wishing you continued adventures and much success.
Another Pocampo fan