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In 1887, the first all Black town was established in America. The town was named Eatonville, and it is located in the heart of Central Florida. Eatonville is recognized as the first & oldest African American Incorporated township in America, and to this day Eatonville is still governed by African Americans.
The prolific African American author, Zora Neale Hurston, brought international recognition to the town through her novels, and short stories. Oprah Winfrey turned Zora Neale Hurston’s best selling novel about Eatonville, “Their Eyes Were Watching God,†into feature film. Each year throughout the last week of January, Eatonville honors the memory of Zora with the nationally acclaimed Zora Neale Hurston Festival.
Although, Zora’s writing brought attention to Eatonville, there is another important and significant historical institution within the city. The oldest operating business in the city is a unique and special nightclub. The nightclub made it’s mark in history as the one and only stop in Central Florida for the “Chitlin’ Circuit.†The “Chitlin’ Circuit†was a string of venues that offered a place for African American musicians, comedians, and entertainers to perform during the time of segregation.
Some of the legendary artist that performed on the “Chitlin Circuitâ€here at Club Eaton, include Sam Cooke, Cab Calloway, Otis Redding, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Ike and Tina Turner, B. B. King, The Platters, Bobby Blue Bland, Etta James, James Brown, The Ink Spots, Marvin Gaye, and many, many more.
The club continues to keep it’s history alive by serving as a venue for up and coming musicians, comedians, and entertainers. Many of today’s now well known artist have graced the stage of the club such as Tupac, George Howard, Chris Tucker, Cedric the Entertainer, Faith Evans, Bernie Mac, Christopher Wallace a.k.a. Biggie Smalls, Sinbad, Roger Troutman, SWV, D. L. Hughley, and the list goes on, and on.
This magnificent historical club was originally named Club Eaton, however the name was changed to Mr. B’s, and then to Heroes, but today the club is affectionately known as KOHA. The name KOHA is an acronym for Keeping Our History Alive.