Columbus Black History

Columbus, Ohio has a rich African American history that dates back to the early 1800's. Historian Rita Fuller-Yates works to capture and share that history through her film projects as well as her book series, "Columbus Black History - Images from our Past". This book, Volume II in her series, picks up where she left off in Volume I. In this volume, you will find expanded stories, historical records, and events that helped shape the city of Columbus. Fuller-Yates has sat alongside city leaders and legendary families who have shared their personal photos and stories to help tell the story of Black Columbus.

Columbus, Ohio has a rich African American history that dates back to the early 1800's. Historian Rita Fuller-Yates works to capture and share that history through her film projects as well as her book series, "Columbus Black History - Images from our Past". This book, Volume II in her series, picks up where she left off in Volume I. In this volume, you will find expanded stories, historical records, and events that helped shape the city of Columbus. Fuller-Yates has sat alongside city leaders and legendary families who have shared their personal photos and stories to help tell the story of Black Columbus.

A Columbus, Ohio native and Graduate of Columbus East High School, Rita went on to attend Ohio University where she studies History and graduated in 1991. She returned to Columbus where she started her first business in 2000. Rita later returned to school and received her master's degree from Savannah College of Art and Design and started her second business in late 2014. She authored her first Book entitled "Life, Camera, Action! A guide to Hosting and Entertainment" in 2015. In her book she helps readers recognize the importance of Family and traditions. In February 2022, she released her second book, "Columbus Black History -Images from our past, Volume I." In May 2022 she released her Children's book, "Just a little girl from Long Street", which features an 8- year-old Rita as she takes us on her journey through her community. You can catch Rita as she serves as Columbus' Lifestyle Expert on WSYX 6, Fox 28, as well as WBNS 10TV in Columbus. In addition to local news affiliates, Rita is the founder and producer of "Columbus Black News", a weekly lifestyle news program focusing on topics that effect the African American Community. She also hosts the digital History program "History in da Streetz" where she helps uncover and educate viewers on Black History facts from right here within Columbus. Rita is a teacher and speaker, teaching corporations and companies the value of local black history. She uses her experiences having grown up on the east side of Columbus to help convey the historical conversation of racism, discrimination, and inequality. She takes each attendee/student on a journey of over two hundred years of Columbus Black History while commemorating the success of the black community. In June of 2022 she started city bus tours featuring Columbus' Historic African American communities, and sites throughout the city of Columbus, Ohio. She plans to expand tours to other cities across the country.