#27 - Celebrating Black History Month in Tampa Bay

On this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay, we celebrate Black History Month with two of Tampa Bay's treasures who are creating history of their own! First, we talk with CJ Thompson, the owner of Booze & Bubbles, a luxury bartending company, who started her journey as an epidemiologist. Yep, you read that right! Hear how she took a leap of faith and went from just 100 followers to brunchin' with the wives of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers! She dives into the details of her experience as a business owner and her views on being a Black and women-owned business in the city of Tampa. CJ and her bus, Boozy, are rolling up to any event you need! We then continue our conversation with Fred Hearns, the Curator of Black History at the Tampa Bay History Center. Fred delves deep into the rich, Black history of Tampa Bay and how he helps tell that story through his vital role at the Tampa Bay History Center. Fred then touches on his own personal experience growing up, his experience while at USF when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, and the positive changes Tampa Bay has seen over time when it comes to Black culture. Tune in to this episode of Unlocking Tampa Bay wherever you find your podcasts!