The coronavirus epidemic temporarily halted those trips, but with a little help, they'll soon have an option to take people on virtual tours using augmented reality.
Their nonprofit, The Coltrane Group, won a $15,000 Wonder Grant sponsored by Oklahoma City-based Trifecta Communications, with commercialization consulting provided by the Ronnie K. Irani Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth (I-CCEW).
The Wonder Grant project will use a mobile app to create augmented reality "time-portals" that transport people to the early 20th century, where they'll ride a train through Oklahoma's black towns.
Along with organizing tours, The Coltrane Group helps revitalize those communities that still exist by helping raise funds. The group also helps improve economic development and fosters cultural tourism, while recognizing others who work to preserve the towns.
Eighteen organizations applied for the Wonder Grant. Trifecta Communications CEO Brent Wheelbarger said the newly formed Wonder Grant Group will offer additional grants from technology and innovation providers.
"We see this as an ongoing opportunity to expand Oklahoma's innovation ecosystem," Wheelbarger said.
André Head, co-founder and CEO of The Coltrane Group, said the organization will work with Oklahoma schools to develop curriculum to be used alongside the app and AR experience.
"It's a part of African American history, Oklahoma history, U.S. history. You've got that saying, you need to know where you come from before you know where you're going," he said. "The people we've talked to, they don't know the history. They don't know what's going on with these towns today, and they definitely don't know what's going on with these towns in the past."
Jessilyn Hall Head, co-founder and chief operating officer, said she's excited to introduce this technology to their education efforts, with the hope that thousands more people will become interested in learning more about towns like Boley, Rentiesville and Taft.
"And they may not have had that idea originally, but once touched and made aware of, will do further research and further study," she said. "We are particularly grateful for Trifecta and for those who supported this effort, because we think it is a wonderful method for educating the public while they're entertained about this rich treasure that exists right up under our noses, but many have not known about."
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