In Bartow County, like many other areas in the South, local African American history begins with the institution of slavery. When Bartow County, originally known as Cass County, was chartered in 1832, slavery was already present. The primary economic drivers were cotton and agriculture, but enslaved laborers were also utilized in industries such as timber, mining, railroads, and iron.

Following emancipation, a strong African American community emerged in Bartow County. Despite the pressures of Jim Crow laws and segregation in the South, this community worked together to support and empower its members. Many of the families that settled in Bartow County during that time still reside here today, dedicated to preserving the legacy of community support and empowerment.