In March 2022, then-Report for America corps member Katie Hyson, who covered race and inequality for WUFT, published a story: “How a Black marching band style was erased from Gainesville’s fields, and why it matters decades later.” The story became one of Hyson’s most memorable segments. Through her reporting, she delved deep into the history and impact of desegregation in North Florida, as well as the lost legacy of a traditional Black marching style in Gainesville, a county with one of the largest achievement gaps between Black and white students in the state. Throughout her time as a corps member, she continued covering the community’s efforts to retain the marching style — and their history.
Three years after the initial story, news broke that an alum who marched under the legendary band director featured in Hyson’s breakthrough story was returning to lead the band. Report for America provided the support so Katie Hyson could return to her former newsroom and report on one last follow-up assignment. You can read her September 2025 update here.
Following her reporting, Hyson spoke to Report for America to reflect on her investigative process and the impact her reporting had on the community.
Part 1: Uncovering the History of Gainesville’s Black marching band
“In the 1970s, when the federal government started enforcing desegregation, they closed down the all-Black schools that were held near and dear to the Black community there,” Hyson says. “They were sources of pride and gathering for them. And part of it was that they had a unique marching band style. It was a style traditionally known for HBCUs. You might think of high steps, swinging horns, dancing…”…