Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1543954
D uring Black History Month, Black Meetings & Tourism (BM&T) and the National Policy Alliance (NPA) proudly announce the launch of Black America 250 a national media and marketing initiative commemorating the U.S.A.'s 250th Anniversary (the Semiquincentennial) celebrating the role African American history plays in the enduring contribution, preservation and triumph of the American story. In conjunction with the overall initiative, BM&T intro- duces TheBlackAmerica250.org - the official website where readers can explore the initiative, its purpose, and opportuni- ties for participation. The site offers an accessible, unique engaging space that reflects both the gravity of history and the immediacy of the present moment. A nationwide campaign, Black America 250 recognizes the historic, cultural, civic, and institutional impact of African Americans from the country's founding through today. Various components of the campaign will unfold between now and July 4, 2026, serving as both a commemorative obser- vance and a forward-looking framework for engagement across communities and industries. Black America 250 is guided by four pillars which include: • A CELEBRATION OF OUR LEGACY honoring the indi- viduals, institutions, and historic treasures of African descent that have shaped the nation; • AN ELDERS TO YOUTH intergenerational program encouraging young people to engage elders in conversations about history, resilience, and progress; • RECOGNITION OF CIVIC LEADERSHIP and the role public servants play in advancing African American commu- nities, and; • TRAVEL BLACK AMERICA, a focused and ongo- ing promotional effort encouraging travelers to, and within, the U.S. to enjoy culturally enriching experiences in destina- tions throughout the nation and its territories. As part of the TravelBlackAmerica250.com pil- lar, the highly anticipated TravelBlackAmerica250.com (TBA 250) platform will launch in July 2026. It will serve as a centralized hub for elevating destination marketing organizations, tourism bureaus, cultural institutions, and meeting professionals—providing a dedicated digital platform to explore and book visits to African American cultural and heritage sites, venues and activities in cities and towns, known and unknown, across the country and in U.S. territories. TravelBlackAmerica250.com is spearheaded by the publishers of Black Meeting & Tourism, Solomon and Gloria Herbert, who recently stated, "Our vision is that when inter- national visitors and U.S. citizens alike, experience these des- tinations they are reminded not of division, but of the collec- tive triumph of history, preserved legacies that honor a nation made stronger by acknowledging the heritage that built it." Industry professionals and the public are invited to visit TheBlackAmerica250.org to learn more about the Black America 250 campaign and follow its progress. For media inquiries, partnerships, or participation opportu- nities, please contact: Editor's Desk. Semiquincentennial O u r www.theblackamerica250.org 12 B M & T ••• March/April 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com Black America 250 BLACK MEETINGS & TOURISM, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE NATIONAL POLICY ALLIANCE, LAUNCHES BLACK AMERICA 250 NATIONAL CAMPAIGN AND UNVEILS THE BLACK AMERICA 250.ORG DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH