Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/704649
B M & T ••• March/April 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 23 and of course, a good GPS system. Taking that same trip 50 years ago, during a time of racial segregation and Jim Crow laws, the one indispensable item you would be sure to have, is a little publication known as THE GREEN BOOK. First published in 1936 by Victor Hugo Green, this compre- hensive guide listed places where African-Americans could find, a room to sleep, food to eat, even service stations to get gasoline. While civil rights laws have served to eliminate the necessi- ty for using such a guide, African-American travelers, who are 3 times more likely to travel in groups than their general mar- ket counterparts, are also more likely to travel to destinations and venues based on the recommendations of other Black travelers. This segment if the Travel Industry is reported to be a $56+ billion Market and growing. The 23-year track record of Black Meetings & Tourism and the emergence of the increasingly popular African- American Travel Clubs, i.e. (First Friday Nation, National Brotherhood of Skiers and Nomadness Travel Tribe) clearly demonstrates that Black Travelers go where they are: INVITED, WEL- COMED and VALUED. Of course, those destinations (many not as obvious as one might think) that relate to African-American history and culture have a particular appeal. Black visitors to any city might uniquely seek out an a place of wor- ship, restaurant and arts & enter- tainment section. They may wish to do business with an African- American owned florist, transporta- tion company, beauty salon or other type of business. For all of the above reasons, BM&T is launching The NEW GREEN BOOK, African-American Travel Guide in the fall of 2016 tion and harm while traveling on the open roads across the country. Victor Green lived all his life under Jim Crow laws yet he often said "I hope that one day my trav- el guide will no longer be needed." Victor Green knew that for his Green Book not to be needed that African-Americans would have to have full rights as citizens and access to accommodations on the nation's highways and roads. Victor did not live to see the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act as he died in 1960, but his wife Alma kept the Green Book going until the passage of that act The Green Book first crossed my path over a decade ago and since then I have made it the bases of a play, a children's book and now I am finishing the final touches on my documentary film, The Green Book Chronicles. I speak at various types of gatherings about the significance of the historic Green Book and at elementary schools about Ruth and the Green Book, my book for children, which has been adapted into a musical play. My drama, The Green Book, was performed years ago in Washington D.C., with the late Julian Bond portraying Victor Green. The documentary film, once completed will be shown on PBS and at film festivals in the US and abroad. With the announcement regarding Harriet Tubman's picture as the new image on the 20 dollar bill, most people are aware of the Underground Railroad. But this story of the Green book, until recently, has been a well-kept secret. Black Meetings & Tourism and others are adding their voices to ensure that this story is told and continues to be shared for many years to come. I will travel this country with my various offerings of the Green Book to shed light on the dream of Victor Hugo Green, a man with a 7th grade education who made a difference and impacted the history of African- Americans and of our nation as a whole. The NEW GREEN BOOK , African-American Travel Guide will be an Electronic Book, available in hard copy and downloadable formats. This handy guide will serve as a convenient reference for travelers with listings of: State Departments of Tourism International Tourist Boards Destination Convention, Visitors and Travel Bureaus Black Owned & Other HOTELS and BED & BREAKFAST Locations African-American & Black Chambers of Commerce & Business Associations Facilities for Meetings, Conferences, Reunions & Conventions Transportation Services African-American Heritage and Historic Sites & Venues African-American TRAVEL AGENTS and/or TOUR OPERATORS See subsequent issues of Black Meetings & Tourism magazine, the black- meetingsandtourism.com website, the BM&T E-Newsletter and the pending www.thenewgreenbookafricanamericantravelguide.com website to learn about qualifying for complimentary listings in The NEW GREEN BOOK African-American Travel Guide and showcase your business/service to the many Black Americans who are enjoying The FREEDOM of TRAVEL. GLORIA HERBERT CALVIN RAMSEY