Black Meetings and Tourism

Black Meetings & Tourism February/March 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 90 W hile Black History Month is every February, the time is always right to explore the heritage of African-Americans in this country. With the swear- ing in of Barack Obama as the first African-American presi- dent, it feels as if the centuries old struggle for equality has reached a dramatic climax. This may not be altogether true, but it is clear that African-Americans are reaching greater heights. It is the perfect time to explore our history from the slave ships to the White House by visiting some of the truly memorable heritage sites and attractions found throughout the country. It is well known that African-Americans will travel for spe- cific reasons such as family reunions and attractions specific to their interests. Planners would be wise to include heritage attractions, tours, or Black neighborhood excursions as a part of their meeting or conference agenda. This is sure to grab the interest of potential attendees who may be on the fence about traveling during these tough times. But where are the best places to discover African-American heritage? As the center of the plantation system, the Southern United States is where most of African-American culture can trace its roots. It is in the South where most of us can trace our families to and it makes sense that this is where most of the sto- ries about African-American history will be told. A wealth of attractions can be found in states like Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Everything from the stories of slav- ery and the Civil Rights movement to the creation of rock n roll and jazz can be experienced in the South. Each state and city has a different story to tell. Birmingham, Alabama stands as one of the most important cities on the heritage trail. Few cities played as prominent a role in the American Civil Rights movement as Birmingham. As such the city boasts a six-block Civil Rights District that is a tribute to the monumental fight for equal rights. Within this area are an assortment of attractions and sites that are worth seeing. A significant part of the Civil Rights District, the newly renovated Sixteenth Street Baptist Church is the site of the infamous 1963 bombing that killed four little girls and brought world condemnation of racial violence. Sixteenth continues it legacy as an open-door church welcoming cultural, education- al and civic activities. Distinguished as "A Place of Revolution and Reconciliat- ion," historic Kelly Ingram Park serves as a threshold to the Civil Rights District. During the Civil Rights Movement, this public park became the focal point of the grassroots resistance. Sculptures commissioned for the park depict attacks on demonstrators, children jailed for their role in the protests, and a tribute to the clergy's contributions to the movement. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI) is a living institution that views the lessons of the past as a positive way to chart new directions for the future. BCRI's permanent exhibi- tions are a self-directed journey through the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement and human rights struggles. Multi-media exhibitions focus on the history of African-American life and the civil rights struggle. Yet the institute is more than a muse- um; it is a center for education, research and discussion about civil and human rights issues. Atlanta, Georgia is widely considered the center of the South and as a Black Mecca of sorts. Its large African-American population and compelling history make it a top travel destina- tion among Blacks. The Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site honors the life of the civil rights leader and includes a visitors center, his birth home, both his tomb and that of his wife, Coretta Scott King, at the MLK Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change; and both the traditional and new BY NORMAN MAYERS A park near the French Quarter in Louisiana Photo Credit: Paul Giamou BLACK HISTORY FOCUS: HISTORIC SIGHTS AND VENUES

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