Frankly Charleston Black History Tours

The Frankly Charleston tour was an amazing, experience for my husband and I. Mr. Franklin, the tour guide (storyteller) shared the true American history everyone should hear, learn, and see. Visually seeing our past that is whitewashed in history books and classrooms had a profound effect on us. Mr. Franklin shared information from many years of learning, readings, and research. He encouraged us to ask questions so that we can get the most out of the experience and not just an ordinary tour. This is our history no matter the race. We cannot deny or change history, but we can learn to get better moving forward to make this country great. Knowledge is power when we embrace and learn the truth about our past. Because of our experience, we are looking forward to returning to Charleston, SC to learn more about the city and our history.

This tour was truly one of the most eye-opening experiences we’ve had. It was incredibly informative and shed light on the parts of Charleston’s history that are often overlooked or completely hidden. Frankly told the story with such kindness, respect, and thoughtfulness—it was honest without ever feeling heavy-handed, and handled with so much care. We walked away feeling like we truly learned something—not just about Charleston, but about the people whose lives built the charm this city is known for. We can’t recommend this enough! Frankly, thank you—we truly appreciate what you’re doing.

The is a history tour, not a tourist tour. History has been white-washed for centuries and continues to this day. Frank is a passionate scholar of Charleston history that you won’t learn on the tourist tours. When Frank taps his umbrella on the ground, listen up: He’s making a point! My wife and I loved Frank. He’s super kind and energetic. We would take this tour again just because there was too much info to process in two hours. He shared a bibliography and we plan to do more studying. He also shared a list of Black owned restaurants which you should try. (Hannibal’s = A+) This was the highlight of our trip to Charleston. Take this tour, you won’t regret it.

Hands down best tour I have ever experienced. If you want to learn the TRUE history of Charleston in an informative and personal way, this is the tour for you. Mr.Franklin is a Historian and a seeker of truth, even if its uncomfortable. Historical Storytelling at its finest. I could have spent all day with this gentleman. I look forward to returning with my children. What a real gem in the city of Charleston.

Absolutely the most riveting Black History tour I’ve ever been on. I recommend this tour to anyone who honestly wants to learn about African American History. This tour is raw, real and riveting. While at the same time being a delicate balance of historical facts not normally shared. This is a must do when in Charleston

We truly enjoyed our tour with Mr. Franklin. Everything about it was memorable, insightful, educational, and entertaining. This is the first of many tours I’d like to take but as a first time visitor to Charleston, SC we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. It was amazing to see so many of the preserved historical fixtures that still stand to this day there in Charleston and Mr. Franklin did an amazing job at giving the back story to just about any and everything there. One of the people on our tour had to check out of their hotel so Mr. Franklin didn’t get to take us to all the spots he wanted to but I will tell you, find time to take this tour while you are in Charleston. You will NOT be disappointed!

The Frankly Charleston Tours presented the history of Charleston from a different perspective from the norm. Frank, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and engaging, it was an enjoyable experience that he brought to light concentrating on the role that the enslaved Africans played in the building of Charleston. Highly recommend taking this tour.

My husband and I took the tour during our vacation to South Carolina. We both have found it important to seek out ways to gain more insight of our history. Especially during these unprecedented times. We have been on many tours that were very insightful. We both agreed that walking away from most tours left us with emotions that we have had to manage after hearing all that we endured through slavery. However, the tour we were on with the Frankly Charleston black history tour was different. While going to the first two sites I wondered when we would begin talking about all that our forefathers endured. Here’s what set Mr. Frankly part from the rest. His tours had minimal lesson was minimal and what was particularly important to share was what our ancestors were able to accomplish. He shared, we listened intently took notes and felt proud of what our ancestors were able to endure but just as important was how much more we were able to achieve here in Charleston. We were encouraged to take what we learned and add recommended books to our personal library in order to keep our history alive. If we’re not intentional about preserving what we know to be true concerning the ability to make brick's and build homes, to read and teach others and to save up enough to buy their own freedom. At the conclusion of the tour I felt proud and determined to do my part with the information shared. P. S. Your book recommendations will become apart of our library.

A wonderful choice to hear from a Charleston resident who is knowledgeable and interested in sharing history about his city...all the history not just fables or whitewashed versions of this beautiful place! Frank was welcoming and witty and we had an amazing couple hours with him.

What a breath of fresh air this tour was. It was so educational and informative. I would have paid for a class at college if Frank was the professor. He made it interactive and open ended because he was not only the teacher, he was open to discussion or added information from us. It was a wonderful time. It went by soo quickly because it was entertaining as well. This is the Best tour I have ever been on in my 40 years of traveling around the world. Please go, it is more than worth it. Please don't be afraid of the 2 hour walking tour because it is roughly 2,000 to 3,000 which is doable for most people. Thank you soo much Frank.

Absolutely amazing. Mr Franklin is knowledgable and a great storyteller. He taught an alternate history but what I love about him is he told us not to take his word for anything rather to verify what he said ourselves. I highly recommend this tour.

We found Franklin to be incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the historical facts of this beautiful city with such a dark history. Thanks for a wonderful tour!

This is a fantastic tour. It tells the true story of what happened to enslaved people. And Frank is a great tour guide.

The Frankly Charleston tour was *the* reason I wanted to get to Charleston & Franklin did not disappoint! My in laws can trace their family to Charleston & the information we got while on this tour felt like we were learning our family's history. Franklin is personable, knowledgeable & an invaluable historian. I'm so thankful that he is not only willing to share the information that he has researched and learned but that he includes everyone, listens to and answers questions, and when he doesn't know the answer he tells you that too - along with resources to review on your own. The Frankly Charleston tour set the bar far above any other tour I've taken. Now let's hope that Franklin puts his knowledge in writing so that we can continue learning about the Other Charleston even when we are 100s of miles away. This is the #1 thing to do that I will share with anyone I know who is visiting Charleston!

Thank you for an incredible tour and history lesson today! I'm so glad we started our time in this city with Franklin - we now have an historical lens to view this city. We learned so much and sparked us to want to understand and learn even more! Thank you Jennifer and Chris

Great tour. We did several tours while we were in Charleston and this was the best one. Mr. Frank told us the real deal. The tour was very informative and insightful. I would recommend this tour.

Take this tour if you want a deep dive into the African-American contribution to Charleston. Franklin was extremely knowledgeable and personable. We highly recommend this tour!!

Frank provides the missing context from most Charleston tours Just overhearing guides on the streets from other tours, I hear no new thinking about a cruel system that created the wealth viewed from the streets

Franklin was a great story teller. I took my grandparents on this tour after taking an "old" carriage tour where it missed half the history of Charleston! Frankly Charleston made sure we understood the real history of Charles Town without sugar coating. It really sparked my grandpa's thoughts & pushed him to rethink what he thought he knew about the town. I would highly recommend for those looking for an honest, thought provoking tour of Charleston.

We took this walking tour in May 2023. It was outstanding...the owner Frank Williams does a great job telling the story of how the slaves were the backbone of the cities growth and development and showed remnants of their work. One of the highlights of our trip! Highly recommend to anyone who wants to get a deep understanding of history and evolution of Charleston!

We took Frank's Black history tour and loved it. He's so knowledgeable and such a great story teller. If you're looking for a tour of the buildings and well known historical sights, this is not it. That's a white history tour. This is a tour of the black PEOPLE who built Charleston, not the buildings they built (although he will point out a few significant to black history if you don't get him off on a tangent!). It's a tour done to very honestly yet tactfully explain how different the history of Charleston from the 17th-21st century has been for people of color. I highly recommend it.

Charleston has a very carefully curated history from the 1600s to now. Frankly Charleston Tours peels back the veneer of the town and tells you THE STORY of Charleston. Franklin is a certified (and passionate) guide who takes you much deeper than the touristy aspects of the town. Franklin ensures you can properly identify, understand, and appreciate the messages from the past. This tour allows you to fully embrace the whole of Charleston. Your Charleston experience is not complete if you pass on this opportunity.

Franklin was a thoroughly knowledgeable and engaging tour guide. His super power is his ability to generate thoughtful inquiry. Other guides have left me feeling dazzled and full of new information. Franklin left me with a plethora of leads on historical stories that I am excited to look up on my own, as well as an understanding of African symbology I never noticed, but am finding around the city now that I know to look for it. I appreciated that this tour took us through historic Wraggborough, so we were seeing landmarks that many other tours that stick to the French Quarter don't visit. I am thankful for the greater appreciation I now have for the foundational contributions from Black Charlestonians who built this city over hundreds of years.

Having spent a lot of time in Charleston and taken traditional tours of the city before, we wanted to know the other side of the story, and Franklin delivered that and more. He is a passionate historian and storyteller who connects black and white worlds from the inception of the city and slavery up to the present--and into the future. Come with open minds and hearts--and don't be afraid to ask questions. Whether you are a first-time visitor or have been to Charleston before, you are guaranteed to come away with a richer understanding of the city's history and culture.

Thank you Mr. Williams for teaching me about our history in the creation of Charleston, SC. It's easy to find tours covering architectural beauty and wealth of the city. I've taken them. If you're interested in the black history of Charleston, take this tour. Come ready to learn, and ask questions. After this tour you won't look at the city the same way again.

The Frankly Charleston tour was the best part of our trip! The guide was honest and respectful about the history of the city. If you want to know the truth about Charleston while being entertained, I recommend checking out Frankly Charleston.

We are so glad we chose this tour and suggest you do the same. Franklin was warm, thoughtful and engaging while he delivered an honest and important perspective about his city. We have been thinking about his insights and the contributions of African Americans to Charleston (and the US) since we left him hours ago. I believe that one cannot claim to love this country if one cannot face its history. If we face our history, we can attempt to repair and restore it, but honesty is necessary. We enjoyed our time with Franklin and appreciate his knowledge, laugh and openness to all questions (including where to go for lunch - Hannibal's). Thank you!

Black history immersion. Franklin is a terrific guide- deeply knowledgeable and able to relate past and current history. Exactly what I was hoping to find! An unvarnished look at a painful and ongoing story. On the bright side he shares tips for Local Soul Food, other attractions and references.

My daughter and I wanted to learn more about 'the real' history of Charleston. While the city seemingly has dedicated itself to 'not talking about its true history, offering lots of 'nice' tours', Franklin IS talking about the real story of Charleston! Franklin's tour was the highlight of our visit to Charleston. In the days before Franklin's tour, I felt like we were on a movie set as we walked through the waterfront, the marketplace and King Street. What a relief to find Franklin and spend 2+ hours learning what actually went on, who was responsible for the growth of the colony, and who we have to thank for being able to walk through the beautiful neighborhoods and areas. Thank you, Franklin, for so eloquently speaking the truth and sharing your vast knowledge with us. City of Charleston, you should put Franklin front and center to educate us all, so we make strides toward history not repeating itself.

Great tour! The tour I originally planned to sign up for was full, and then I came across this one, and I'm SO GLAD I DID. I learned so much about Charleston's history, or "the other Charleston." The tour guide, Frank, knows so much about the city, and he tells it all in such a compelling way. Frank is a great host, very friendly, and funny. You get to see a lot of the city from the van, the typical tourist parts and more residential parts that you wouldn't normally go to. He also tells you about how the neighborhoods have evolved over the years and what's in development, the good and bad of it. I highly recommend this tour. Thank you, Frank.

I have lived in Charleston for almost 40 years and this tour opened my eyes to a Charleston I have never seen. This is not your ordinary tour if the beautiful South of Broad Homes. It is the untold and too often ignored history of enslaved and free African Americans artisans who lived in Charleston and made it the beautiful city that it is today. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad and always attuned to telling the truth, Franklin is a knowledgeable and fascinating tour guide. This is a tour I highly recommend and one I will bring my friends to. Do yourself a favor and book this one.

I highly recommend Frank Williams of Frankly Charleston if you want to know the real Black history of Charleston. Thank you Frank for a wonderful experience.

I am so glad we got to go on a tour with Mr. Franklin Williams. He's so knowledgeable and passionate about the unvarnished history of Charleston, and he's great at sharing that with others. I highly recommend taking one of his tours...You'll come away with a deeper appreciation and understanding of this incredible city, I promise!

We are very thankful we took the Frankly Charleston tour. Full of knowledge and stories .... so much information!

This tour is fantastic - fascinating information, really compellingly told. It's the perfect complement to any other historical tour, house tour or plantation visit you might have planned for Charleston. The things you will learn on Frankly Charleston, about Charleston's black history, will give you fresh insights (and questions) everywhere else you go. Black people outnumbered white people for the vast majority of Charleston's history - so black history is the perfect lens for understanding the city's complexity. Highly, highly recommended.

On my recent visit to Charleston from Los Angeles, CA. we had the pleasure of taking the black history tour from Frankly Charleston Tours. Franklyn and his wife Sylvia were exceptional tour guides on the historical past of Charleston. I would highly recommend to every person to take the black history tour with these fine people. Franklyn gave us his best with an honest look through history and that knowledge was powerful! Thank you, Franklyn and Sylvia.