Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1539265
B M & T ••• September/October 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 23 modern luxury with classic charm, making it an excellent choice for both business and leisure travelers. With its prime location and outstanding amenities, the Valencia Hotel is a quality choice for business travelers and event planners seeking both comfort and sophistication. This boutique hotel offers: Accommodations: 213 elegantly appointed guest rooms ▪ featuring luxurious bedding, modern amenities and complimenta- ry Wi-Fi to ensure a restful stay. Meeting Facilities: Over 7,000 square feet of adaptable ▪ indoor and outdoor event space, including eight meeting rooms. The largest venue, the Valencia Room, offers 2,268 square feet of space, including the grand Corte Real Ballroom. This Valencia venue accommodates up to 285 guests. Also available, is a serene rooftop terrace perfect for receptions and gatherings. Dining Options: On-site dining at Dorrego's Restaurant, ▪ which features Argentinian-inspired cuisine, and the Naranja Tequila Bar, offering a selection of tapas and an extensive list of mezcals. Guest Perks: Guests are welcomed with a complimentary ▪ margarita upon arrival, setting the tone for a delightful stay. For booking : hotelvalencia-riverwalk.com A City Rich in African American History: SAN ANTONIO AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY ARCHIVE AND MUSEUM (SAAACAM) San Antonio has long been a place where cultures intersect, and its African American heritage is getting the recognition it deserves. The soon-to-open San Antonio African-American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) is set to become the third- largest Black cultural arts center in the U.S. encompassing 20,000 square feet of exhibit space. A bedrock of African-American heritage in San Antonio, SAAACAM tells the stories that shaped the city's Black communi- ty through powerful exhibits, interactive tours, and cultural events. Embracing the Ghanaian Sankofa principle, which emphasizes looking to the past to build a stronger future, SAAACAM offers a rich, cultural experience. Visitors can soon look forward to an exhilarating experience set to open in June 2026. Imagine a space where every floor bursts with creative energy: inspiring hospitality internships, a chic 12-14 room boutique hotel, and a reimagined lunch counter featuring a residency for Black chefs who serve up culinary brilliance. A rooftop terrace offers breathtaking views of the city, while expansive event areas, a carefully curated library, a state-of-the-art auditorium, a comprehensive archive office, and a stylish gift shop await discovery. This visionary project promises to captivate those with a pas- sion for Black heritage and innovation, inviting every visitor to explore, engage, and be inspired. Ultimately enhancing the muse- um's role as a community hub. Additionally, SAAACAM is set to launch a DNA Ancestral Project in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture. This multi-year initiative aims to digitally archive family photos, films, videos, oral histories, and genealogies, creating an accessible online repository that enriches the understanding of African American heritage in San Antonio. To find out more: SAAACAM.org