UNLOCK EATONVILLE'S STORIES WITH HISTORIAN N.Y. NATHIRI

N.Y. Nathiri was taught the value of history and preservation from her mother, one of her first mentors and one of the first individuals to instill the rich history of Eatonville, Florida. From her family’s influence, she grew to become a historian and a storyteller for the first incorporated all-Black municipality in the United States, established in 1887, known today as Eatonville, Florida.

 

 As the founder and executive director of the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc. (PEC), her mission is to keep the legacy of the city on the front pages, hoping to secure its’ rich heritage for generations to come.

 

“My people came to Eatonville,” she explained. “My grandfather, my mother's father, built the home for the first principles of the industrial and normal school.” With the deep roots she has with the historical city that was established in 1887 by African American freedmen as a place where they could find autonomy and freedom. It is evident why she carries such a bright torch to keep it visible, vibrant and its history circulating.

 

Nathiri has led PEC efforts for almost 40 years, and she has been on the front lines fighting to preserve, protect and promote the historic community for generations to come. The people of the city have experienced the backlash of racial inequities that have kept a looming fear of endangerment. However today, Nathiri has a diverse team and city residents who carry the legacy of Eatonville and help show its growth and importance in the fabric of America.

 

Eatonville’s youth are considered powerful and critical figures in preserving the city’s valuable history. Nathiri pours into them through PEC programming and shares the stories of Eatonville with them in hopes of giving each child a sense of pride in their hometown, by helping them see the pivotal role they play in shaping the social fabric of Eatonville and keeping their stories alive.

 

For more than 20 years, PEC has hosted after school opportunities for students during the summer through the Excellence Without Excuse Program. Educational supplements, a computer arts lab and learning center are all a part of the program and it draws interest from parents and children alike.

 

“Children would come after school and get the kind of high touch tutoring and enhancement that helps them have security and flourish long term in life,” Nathiri went on to share, “Students came from e Elementary as well as from a private day school. There were teachers who helped them with language arts, reading and math lessons. Also, in the summer, we ran a six-to-eight-week summer camp.”

 

Although the population of Eatonville is still predominately Black, in recent years there has been an influx of Hispanic residents expanding the city’s multicultural landscape.

 

The richness of the city’s culture also lies in it being home to one of the nation’s greatest artists, Zora Neale Hurston. The writer of the Harlem Renaissance classic, “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” Almost 90 years later, Hurston's legacy continues to inspire others.

 

Nathiri vows to continue to fight for Eatonville to keep its place in American history, serving as a modern-day griot and keeper of history and culture.

 

The 2025 Zora! Outdoor Festival of the Arts kicks-off today. For more details, please visit 2025 ZORA! Festival Season