Today we’d like to introduce you to Aundar Maat.
Hi Aundar, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey began with a deep passion for truth, history, and community. As a lifelong student of African and African American culture, I came to realize that much of San Antonio’s Black history — the people, places, and contributions — was hidden in plain sight.
In 2018, I co-founded Melaneyes Media with Born Logic Allah, a company dedicated to telling our stories through documentary film, education, and community programming. We produced the award-winning documentary “Walk on the River: A Black History of the Alamo City,” which explored the often-overlooked history of African Americans in San Antonio. The incredible response to that film made something very clear: people wanted to know more. They wanted to see where these stories happened, walk the neighborhoods, and connect with the legacy firsthand.
That response inspired the creation of San Antonio Black History Tours — a living, moving classroom that takes participants through Eastside landmarks, historic churches, schools, and cultural sites. What began as a one-time bus tour has evolved into a powerful cultural experience serving tourists, families, schools, and organizations across the city. Today, we offer public and private tours — by bus, van, on foot, or virtually — to share this important history with audiences of all ages.
Our mission is simple: to preserve, educate, and celebrate the history of San Antonio’s Black community — not just for African Americans, but for everyone who calls this city home. Through these tours, people learn about pioneers like Reverend Claude Black, Artemisia Bowden, Myra Davis Hemmings, and Charles Bellinger, and discover how their efforts helped shape the progress and spirit of San Antonio.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but it’s been a meaningful one. When you dedicate yourself to telling stories that have been historically overlooked, you often have to build everything from the ground up. Early on, we faced challenges with funding, visibility, and access. There weren’t many examples or models to follow for what we were trying to do — creating a business centered on Black history and education in San Antonio.
We started with limited resources — just passion, research, and a small team committed to making it happen. There were moments when community interest was high but financial support was low, so we had to get creative. We relied on grassroots marketing, word of mouth, and the strength of our community to grow.
Another challenge has been changing perceptions — helping people understand that Black history isn’t just “niche” or “seasonal,” but a vital part of San Antonio’s larger story. Sometimes that means breaking through barriers of indifference or misinformation to show people that this history belongs to everyone.
Still, each challenge pushed us to grow stronger, more strategic, and more committed. Every tour, every documentary, every classroom presentation reminds us that the work matters — and that the road, though not smooth, is worth every step.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a student of history and a cultural activist. Through Melaneyes Media, we use film, guided tours, and educational programs to share the rich history and culture of African Americans in San Antonio and beyond. Our goal is to make history come alive — not as something locked in textbooks, but as a living, breathing story that people can see, hear, and feel.
I specialize in Black history and cultural education, creating experiences that connect people to the legacy of those who built and shaped this city. Whether through our documentaries like “Walk on the River” or our San Antonio Black History Tours, I’m known for turning history into powerful learning experiences that inspire pride, reflection, and community connection.
What I’m most proud of is the impact — seeing young people, families, and visitors walk away with a new appreciation for the Black experience in San Antonio. What sets us apart is our grassroots approach: we’re not just telling history, we’re preserving it from within the community, guided by love and cultural purpose.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are many ways to connect and collaborate with us. We welcome partnerships with schools, organizations, and businesses that want to bring local Black history, culture, and education to their students, employees, or audiences. We regularly host private tours, film screenings, cultural presentations, and educational workshops that can be tailored to fit different groups and events.
People can also support our work by attending our tours and programs, becoming sponsors for our community events or simply spreading the word about what we do. Every ticket purchased or donation made helps us continue our mission to preserve, educate, and celebrate the Black experience in San Antonio.
We’re always open to collaborations that build community, promote unity, and uplift culture — whether it’s through film, tours, education, or shared storytelling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sanantonioblackhistorytours.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreedomToursSATX
- Other: https://www.melaneyesmedia.com/
