Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1544721
B M & T ••• May/June 2026 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 49 build an entire program around—equal parts music, memory, and movement. It shapes your entire time here, whether you're gathering at the Renasant Convention Center overlooking the Mississippi River or settling in at The Peabody Memphis, where history and hospitality carry equal weight. Memphis works best for heritage-driven conferences, asso- ciation meetings, and reunions where what you hear, taste, and feel make the gathering especially memorable. NASHVILLE On Jefferson Street, music lingers in the pavement. You can trace it from the Jefferson Street Sound Museum to the cam- puses of Fisk University and Tennessee State University, where generations of artists, thinkers, and leaders helped craft African America's cultural voice. You can also trace it to the National Museum of African American Music, a shared experience you can build into any gathering. From there, your meeting at Music City Center can flow eas- ily into evenings of live jazz or convivial late dinners. A stay at the Omni Nashville Hotel or JW Marriott Nashville keeps your group within walking distance of everything. Nashville works especially well for conventions, alumni gatherings, and incen- tive trips seeking an excursion into music and memory. VIRGINIA Virginia unfolds as a journey through legacy and leisure, where stories of resilience meet shoreline ease. In Hampton, the path begins at Fort Monroe and continues in nearby Norfolk through the Attucks Theatre and a thriving waterfront arts scene. Richmond deepens the experience in Jackson Ward, where African American enterprise and cultural legacy shape the times. Along the coast, Virginia Beach's vibe flows through the entire day, from sunrise on the Boardwalk, to afternoons on the sand, to evenings filled with live music, fresh seafood, and oceanfront gatherings. Across the state, HBCU traditions, neighborhood festivals, and thoughtfully curated cultural experiences create space for connection—whether you're planning a meeting, organizing a reunion, or simply traveling with intention. Convention centers, walkable downtowns, and welcoming hotels make logistics seamless, while outdoor recreation and culinary discoveries keep the experience novel and refreshing. Here, every stop invites you to explore Virginia not just as a destination, but as a story still revealing itself. HAMPTON Begin at Fort Monroe, where the shoreline at Old Point Comfort holds the story of the first Africans in Virginia and the "Freedom's Fortress" decision that reshaped the Civil War. From there, the Hampton University Museum and the Emancipation Oak at Hampton University ground your visit in scholarship and legacy. For meetings, the Hampton Roads Convention Center pairs with the connected Embassy Suites by Hilton Hampton Convention Center. Nearby stays such as Hyatt Place Hampton Convention Center keep your group in the center of everything. Between sessions, walk the waterfront at Fort Monroe or unwind at Buckroe Beach, so your gathering experience never feels separate from the place itself. NORFOLK Step into the historic Attucks Theatre, where Church Street's history as the center of African American life lives on through live performances and community events. The pres- ence of Norfolk State University extends cultural continuity in both history and ongoing influence. From there, Norfolk tran- sitions into public art and galleries in the NEON District. For meetings, the Norfolk Waterside Marriott and Hilton Norfolk - The Main place you directly along the riverfront, while nearby convention and event spaces keep everything within reach. Waterfront walks along the Elizabeth River can double as downtime between sessions. Nashville Music City Center Hampton Roads Convention Center Norfolk Skyline