Black Meetings and Tourism

Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 116 CHANGE HAS COME BY NORMAN MAYERS Washington, D.C. is located midway along the eastern seaboard of the U.S., south of Maryland, north of Virginia, and 233 miles south of New York City. The Washington, DC metropolitan area refers to the District of Columbia plus seven Maryland counties and five Virginia cities. The big news in Washington is, of course, President Barack Obama. The first African- American president and his lovely family stepped into the White House in January and have forever changed the landscape of American politics. Politics is synonymous with Washington, D.C. but in recent years that has been looked down upon. As Obama takes his place in history the face of the city is being altered. Once more the African-American community is tak- ing an interest in the political destiny of the United States and D.C. can only benefit from this sudden interest in all things political. While President Obama's full impact on the world is not yet known, no one can deny that change is in the air and Washington, DC is primed for an explosion in tourism and meetings business from the African-American community. Now is the perfect time to explore all that the city has to offer. DC's unique history is shaped by this strong African-American heritage. By seeking out opportunity and suc- ceeding in education, business and the arts, DC's Black population became integral in the development of Washington's identity as a culturally inclusive and intellectual capital. If you're interested in learning about DC's African-American heritage, start your exploration with a visit to the Smithsonian Institution's Anacostia Community Museum. Located in a his- toric African-American neighborhood southeast of the Capitol, the museum houses a collection of approximately 6,000 objects dating back to the early 1800s. The history of this neighbor- hood — home to orator and abolition- ist Frederick Douglass — is explored throughout the museum. After you've visited the Anacostia Community Museum, pay a visit to Frederick Douglass' home, Cedar Hill, which recently reopened after a three- year renovation. When Douglass bought the nine-acre estate, he became the first African-American to buy a home in the Old Anacostia neighbor- hood. Tour the 21-room Victorian mansion or take part in a program to learn about Douglass' efforts to abol- ish slavery. Set high in the hills, the house and its grounds also open up onto one of the most breathtaking views of the city. Anacostia isn't the only area of DC with roots rich in Black history. Music legend Duke Ellington's influence is still evident throughout the city, espe- cially in the U Street Corridor — dubbed "Black Broadway" — where Ellington grew up and where jazz greats like Cab Calloway, Pearl Bailey and Jelly Roll Morton once played. A clearly-marked neighborhood heritage trail points out landmarks like the Lincoln Theatre, the African- American Civil War Memorial, and the Thurgood Marshall Center for Justice and Heritage, home of the first African-American YMCA. Nearby, Howard University is one of the nation's top historically Black colleges. When walking around the city pay special attention to Cultural Tourism DC's African American Heritage Trail, which highlights sites that represent important moments in Washington's – and the nation's – Black history. It pro- vides the opportunity for DC residents and visitors to enhance their apprecia- tion for the city's rich cultural roots and the many generations of African- Americans that built strong communi- ties, churches and businesses through- out the city. DC is also one of the best cities to plan a large meeting or convention. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is an impressive new facility that boasts beautiful granite, limestone and a dramatic 100-ft. curved glass entry. The Walter E. Washington Convention Center contains 2.3 mil- lion total sq. ft. with more than 700,000 sq. ft. of prime exhibit space with 30-ft. columns on 90-ft. centers; 125,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and nearly 70 meeting rooms; 52,000-sq. ft. ballroom featuring pre-function area with breathtaking panoramic views of the DC skyline, including the Capitol and the Washington Monument; 44,000 sq. AREA GUIDES White House Photo Credit: Destination DC CTC WASHINGTON DC

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