TAMPA, Fla. — As we continue our coverage of Black History Month we focus on the strength of a town that began with Black history.

Two lifelong friends are catching up.

“Well, we grew up together,” said Sylvester McCloud of his relationship with Donald Hallback.

It's been a year since McCloud and Hallback have seen one another, but their memories are fresh. 

“There was no internet, no "game boys," we would go out there fishing and hunting and play in the fields,” said McCloud.

One of their main conversations was about Bealsville, a town founded by 12 freed slaves. It's the place where Donald and Sylvester grew up together.

A trip down memory lane takes us to the town in east Hillsborough County. While the two drive around Bealsville, they talk about the town’s history. McCloud says it all started with his great-great-grandmother Mary Reddick, who was one of the founders.

McCloud said Reddick had a son, Alfred Beal, who Sylvester says is his great-great uncle, and who the town was named after.

According to McCloud, when the slaves were freed they were given land. Those that stayed became farmers.

While McCloudy is one of the descendants, Hallback is not, but his grandparents moved to Bealsville and were farmers. That job that was passed along to Donald’s parents.

“She use to one day get all of the cultures together,” he said.

As the two drive around Bealsville, they make a stop at a nearby farm and reflect on their time growing up together.

“This is sacred territory. There is a lot of memories, good memories, very good memories,” Halback said.

Hallback says farming brought the community of whites and Blacks together.

“It's a model of all cultures and races working together honestly,” he said.

It’s a shared vision that still resonates with the two friends today.

Hallback will hold a special ancestral salute on Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. at 13202 Cherry Bark Circle Riverview Florida. He will honor his parents and their legacy.