AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE GUIDE
CULTURAL LANDMARKS
VISIT THESE CENTERS FOR BLACK INFLUENCE
The Harvey B. Gantt Center is named for Charlotte’s first Black mayor and is filled with artwork by Black artists.
BY RACHEL CRICK
AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTERS GO BEYOND TEACHING HISTORY.
They weave together stories of Black art, music, cuisine and innovation to explore what it means to be Black in America. They also are gathering spaces for community events, workshops and celebrations.
With their emphasis on education and enrichment, these centers are hubs for learning and personal growth, and excellent stops for meaningful travel experiences. Here are some spaces across the country where visitors can experience Black culture in its richest form.
THE CHARLES H. WRIGHT MUSEUM Detroit
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, simply called “The Wright,” is one of the oldest institutions chronicling African American history and the world’s second-largest museum dedicated to Black history. Charles H. Wright, a Detroit physician, founded the museum in the basement of his medical practice in 1965. It moved to a larger building in the 1980s and then again in the ’90s to keep up with its growing collections. It was officially dedicated to Wright in 1998, four years before his death.
Today, The Wright houses more than 35,000 artifacts and has rotating exhibits that explore many facets of African American culture, from historical figures to photography collections that look at the world through the lens of Black culture.
In addition to guided or self-guided tours, groups can sit in on one of the museum’s many public programs held in a newly renovated theater. A popular program there brings in artists and notable local or national figures for educational talks or theater and dance performances. Other museum programming is organized around holidays and includes celebrations for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, the Annual African World Festival and Kwanza. Catered meals can be arranged on site.
“There’s not only learning here, but celebration, and when it comes to the activities and exhibitions we host, they are immersive,” said Jonathan Jones, manager of youth and family programs. “I have yet to meet anyone who has not had some very impactful experience once they’ve entered this institution.” thewright.org
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE
Washington, D.C.
D.C.’s dizzying array of museums provides groups with an abundance of options, but for Black culture, the choice is obvious — The National Museum of African American History and Culture. It is far bigger than it appears because half of its 10 floors are underground. Wide-ranging exhibits provide a comprehensive portrait of African American history and culture, from fun exhibits on Black influence in the music industry and pop culture to somber explorations of darker chapters of Black history.
This Smithsonian Institution museum realizes some of its galleries induce powerful emotions. Next to some of its most thought-provoking galleries, the Contemplative Court and its floor-to-ceiling waterfall give visitors a place to collect themselves and process their emotions.
The group experience at the museum is highly customizable. A museum representative greets groups then gives them itineraries designed to take them through the museum. These itineraries can vary based on what groups are interested in. Larger groups can be split up into smaller parties with different itineraries. Any museum-hosted docent talks will be highlighted. Meal vouchers are available for group dining at the museum’s Sweet Home Café. The museum’s also fosters connections within visiting groups and its interactive exhibits and activities coax groups into discussions with each other.
“The assumption before was that museums were one-way conversations, but it became clear that visitors do want to spend time learning about the people they came with and the stories they have to share,” said Herman Marigny IV, assistant director for visitor and guest services. “The museum is great excuse to do that.” nmaahc.si.edu
MOSAIC TEMPLARS CULTURAL CENTER
Little Rock, Arkansas
The Mosaic Templars of America was a Black fraternal organization founded in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1883 by two formerly enslaved people. It provided death and burial insurance to Black people and at one time had over 120,000 members. The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center was named for this organization and located in its original headquarters when it opened in 2001. Though the original building burned in 2005, the new one occupies the same footprint as the old at the intersection of Ninth Street and Broadway, once a thriving Black business district. The center was founded through Arkansas legislation to preserve and chronicle the history of African Americans in Arkansas. It’s now one of only three Black history and culture museums in the South accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
In 2023, the center’s main exhibition space underwent a $3.5 million renovation to enhance its large collection of exhibits, which tackle subjects from the history of Mosaic Templars and Black universities in the state to the role of African Americans in Arkansas religious institutions. Many of its exhibits are interactive, including one that lets visitors talk with AI-generated historical figures, including a Tulsa
Race Riot survivor and Andrew Young, a Civil Rights activist.
“It lets you access history differently instead of just reading a panel,” said Courtney Bradford, curator.
Groups of 10 to 30 can tour the center. They can opt for a deep dive into a particular topic of interest; one of the most popular, called “What’s in the Pot?”, explores the history of soul food and its connections to traditional African American cuisine. Catered lunches can be arranged in the center’s ballroom or classroom space. arkansasheritage.com
CALIFORNIA AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM
Los Angeles, California
Located in Exposition Park in southern Los Angeles, the California African American Museum was founded in 1977 to preserve and collect artifacts related to Black history, art and culture, especially those related to the American West and California. Its current 44,000-square-foot building was
BY ALAN KARCHMER, COURTESY
The Wright Museum in Detroit
NMAAHC’s Slavery and Freedom exhibit
An exhibit at Little Rock’s Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
Washington’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
designed by Black architects Jack Haywood and Vince Proby and completed in 1984.
The work of Black artists in the museum’s galleries spans many mediums, from sculptures to photographs to mixed media. Visitors can also peruse historic documents and a research library. While many of its works come from Black artists connected to California or the western United States, there are also works from Haiti, Brazil and Africa. The museum is also a site for community events and programs, such as lectures, yoga classes, conversations with artists and guided walkthroughs.
Admission is free to the museum, which is located near Exposition Park attractions including the California Science Center, the Natural History Museum and the Exposition Park Rose Garden. caamuseum.org
HARVEY B. GANTT CENTER Charlotte, North Carolina
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture is a gem in the Queen City. The center’s namesake Harvey Gantt is an architect and politician known for being Charlotte’s first Black mayor, as well as the first Black student at Clemson University. First opened in 1974 as the Afro-American Cultural Center and named after Gantt in 2009, the 46,500-square-foot building in the heart of Charlotte’s business district is notable for its modern design of crisscrossed glass, metal panels and steel. The design was inspired by the story of Jacob’s Ladder and quilt patterns used the Underground Railroad.
The Gantt Center’s mission is to preserve and celebrate the contributions of African Americans to art, history and culture. Its exhibits highlight visual arts, and its permanent collection contains work from prominent artists such as Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden and Jonathan Green. In addition to displaying art, the center hosts lectures by visiting black artists, community art classes and workshops, and events.
“There’s a lot of heritage here at the Gantt,” said Ingrid Travis James, director of marketing and communications. “There’s that longstanding history we have in the Charlotte region, so if you’re from Charlotte, you’ll learn more about your community. And if you’re not from here, you’ll be surprised just how much history and heritage Charlotte has.”
Groups of 10 or more can can choose between a one-hour guided tour of the art and exhibits or couple their tour with an artist-led workshop where they learn about an African American artist and create artwork in that artist’s style, or complete a goal-setting exercise and create a self-portrait. Groups can also arrange for a catered lunch on site in advance.
ganttcenter.org
Alea Simone is a content creator who uses her business savvy and travel experience to create educational content about planning affordable trips and finding hidden gems in destinations around the world. After she quit her day job in 2019, Simone began to grow a following across social media platforms that is now more than 873,000 strong. Her most popular pages are on Instagram and TikTok, but she can also be found on Facebook and Pinterest. Her brand appeals to young, professional women of color who aspire to travel the world. She teaches that with careful planning and some insider tips, luxurious travel experiences are affordable. She also plans and hosts group trips for women to international destinations like Bali, Egypt and Dubai.
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The Gantt Center’s exterior
Alea Simone THE TRAVEL TAURUS
TURN IT UP
MUSIC FESTIVALS CELEBRATE BLACK CULTURE
Festivalgoers enjoyed the Black Radio Experience in Napa, which subbed for the annual Napa Blue Note Jazz Festival in 2024.
BY RACHEL CRICK
IT’S DIFFICULT TO OVERSTATE THE IMPORTANCE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN INFLUENCE ON THE MUSIC INDUSTRY.
It can be found in the moving tones of the Blues, the funky beats of soul and the energy of hip-hop. It has impacted gospel, R&B and pop music through the decades.
At Black music festivals, the influence shines bright. Here are five Black music festivals where the African American influence can be heard.
SUMMER CELEBRATION
Indianapolis
In July 2025, the annual Indiana Black Expo (IBE) Summer Celebration Music Heritage Festival, held annually in Indianapolis, celebrates its 55th year. IBE is a nonprofit organization that promotes advancements for African American youth and families through cultural events and programs. The Music Heritage Festival is the IBE’s largest event and in addition to an outdoor concert, it includes expos, conferences and a film festival. It brings hundreds of Black vendors, artists and businesses to Indianapolis to celebrate Black culture in support of Black youth.
The lineup for Summer Celebration’s 2024 concert included stars like Johnny Gill, Lalah Hathaway and Karyn White, as well as the band Atlantic Starr. In 2023, there were performances from Grammy-winner Stephanie Mills, R&B singer-songwriter Howard Hewett, R&B group Dru Hill and The O’Jays on their final tour.
Groups can attend the festival for a night of energetic performances. It’s held at the IU Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium, and general admission starts at $10. The All White Affair, an upscale party hosted the day following the concert, also features live entertainment. summercelebration.net
BY SANDRA JAMALEDDINE, COURTESY BLUE NOTE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
BLUE NOTE JAZZ FESTIVAL
Napa, California
Napa’s Blue Note Jazz Festival is designed to feel as upscale as any other event in California’s wine country as the summer festival celebrates the intersection of jazz and hip-hop over the last 50 years. A relatively new festival first held in 2022, it got its start from the New York branch of the same festival, which began in 2011.
In 2024, the Blue Note Jazz Festival took a break to offer the Black Radio Experience, a Labor Day weekend festival with headline artists including Jill Scott, John Legend and André 3000. Despite this hiatus, the jazz fest plans to return in 2025. Previous lineups featured high-profile headliners, like Mary J. Blige and Chance the Rapper. In 2022 and 2023, the festival was hosted by Dave Chappelle at the upscale Silverado Resort.
The three-day festival spreads out over a large area with multiple stages. It also takes full advantage of the region’s award-winning culinary scene, with local food vendors and wineries on hand. A 21-plus after-party each day gives attendees more opportunities to meet the talent and enjoy live music. bluenotejazz.com/jazz-festival-napa
BLAVITY HOUSE PARTY
Nashville, Tennessee
It’s no surprise Music City has its share of popular music festivals. One of its newest, Blavity House Party, focuses on Nashville’s Black culture and music, highlighting R&B and hip-hop performers, sometimes with a hint of country mixed in. The festival, hosted by Blavity Media Group re-creates the fun and intimate atmosphere of a house party and celebrates Black culture. With its energetic atmosphere and prominence of emerging artists, it appeals to Millennial and Gen-Z audiences.
Blavity House Party was held for the first time in June 2024 at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. Over two days, performers included R&B singer Monica, New Orleans native rapper Big Freedia, rapper and producer Rick Ross and R&B group Dru Hill, among others. Attendees were fueled by more than 20 Black-owned Nashville restaurants and vendors.
Blavity Media Group will host “house parties” in other cities, with the next one planned for mid-November 2024 in Houston. blavity.com
A Black Radio Experience performer
A performance at IBE’s Summer Celebration in Indianapolis
Dancing at the Black Radio Experience
Arts & Entertainment
Art ‘N Antiques Show and Sale, Victorian Mourning Party & Ghosts Tours: October 31-November 2, 2024
Wassailfest: December 6, 2024 | Spring Pilgrimage: April 1-13, 2025 | Tales from the Crypt: April 2, 4, 9, 11
Catfish in the Alley: April 11-12, 2025 | Market Street Festival: May 2-3, 2025
From arts and cultural attractions to shopping, dining and exciting events, Columbus has you covered. Plan your Columbus adventure today. Dates are subject to change.
Photo by Jack King Media
ROOTS PICNIC
Philadelphia
Set in the City of Brotherly Love, the Roots Picnic is an annual Black music festival founded by The Roots, the Philadelphia-based hip-hop group that is the house band for “The Tonight Show.” Since it was first held in 2008, the festival has been delighting audiences with its impressive lineups. It is held each summer at the Mann Center in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park. In June 2024, the Roots Picnic drew in an impressive 60,000 attendees over two days of performances that included rap, hiphop and R&B sets from André 3000, Jill Scott and Lil Wayne, as well as Victory Monet and The Roots, who frequently perform at the festival. In 2023, the festival’s lineup also included rapper Lil Uzi Vert, songwriter and rapper Lauryn Hill and a comedy performance by Dave Chappelle.
Three stages are set up in the park, including a podcast stage for live podcasts and other experiences. Local, Black-owned restaurants supply refreshments. Single-day tickets are available, as well as VIP tickets with pit access to the stages and meal and drink vouchers. therootspicnic.com
JAZZ IN THE GARDENS
Miami Gardens, Florida
Miami Gardens, a Miami suburb with a population of about 113,000, is also the third-largest predominantly African American city in the U.S. so it makes sense that the multicultural music festival Jazz in the Gardens would be held there. The two-day music festival in March each year is hosted by the city at Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
While the festival, in its 17th year, focuses primarily on jazz, R&B, soul and gospel artists are also featured. In 2024, headliners included singer-songwriter Maxwell, R&B singer-songwriter Summer Walker and Nigerian singer Davido. In 2023, the lineup included Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Charlie Wilson and Ari Lennox. A record-breaking 41,000 people attended in 2024, thanks to a partnership with Black Promoters Collective, which added performers and genres to the mix.
When groups buy general admissions passes, they’ll need to bring their own seating. Food vendors will be located throughout the stadium and festival sponsors will provide games, activities and merchandise. Single-day tickets are available, as are upgraded and VIP experiences, which include parking passes and elevated seating areas with access to an open bar.
jazzinthegardens.com
Jeff Jenkins was a high school choir teacher before he embarked on a journey that would lead to becoming a National Geographic TV host. He began making content about his personal experiences as a plus-sized traveler to break down barriers that deter plus-sized people from traveling and champion diversity within the online travel space. He quickly gained a following through social media and his blog and was eventually offered the chance to host his own television show on National Geographic called “Never Say Never,” which aired in 2023. In this show, he travels the world to prove there’s no limit to the experiences plus-sized travelers can enjoy.
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The stage at Philadelphia’s Roots Picnic festival
Jeff Jenkins
CHUBBY DIARIES
Roots Picnic crowd
A SACRED SPACE IN GEORGIA.
A Significant Historic Landmark.
This historic cemetery is home to Confederate soldiers� unmarked graves of those thought to be formerly enslaved� as well as Horace King� a former slave who rose to become an accomplished engineer� bridge builder� and state legislator� This memorial honors the lives of those laid to rest there and features an interpretive pavilion� walkways� seating areas� and one of only five remaining King covered bridges� The significance of the site in our collective history is not to be understated� Come explore some of the stories that helped shape our future� VisitLaGrange.com
Oh, The Stories You’ll Tell
Mulberry Street Cemetery, Coming in 2025
WALK THESE NEIGHBORHOODS
BLACK CULTURE THRIVES AT STREET LEVEL
Tulsa’s Greenwood District was once called Black Wall Street because of its prosperous, self-sufficient Black community.
BY RACHEL CRICK
THE STORIES OF BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS AND HISTORIC DISTRICTS ARE INTEGRAL TO AMERICAN HISTORY. These neighborhoods have been scarred by some of the most brutal chapters of history, but they also tell stories of innovation and resilience. They’re the birthplaces of iconic figures in Black history and global movements in the arts, and many continue as thriving epicenters of Black culture and heritage.
Tours of these neighborhoods offer groups multicultural dining, shopping and entertainment experiences, but above all, a chance to learn more about lesser-known yet essential aspects of America’s history.
HARLEM
New York City
Traditional tours of New York City often overlook one of its most authentic experiences: a visit to Harlem. This Upper Manhattan neighborhood covers about three square miles. It’s been home to many different people and cultures: first a Dutch village in the 1650s, then to Jewish and Italian immigrants in the 19th century, followed by African Americans, who moved in during the Great Migration in the 20th century. During the 1920s, Black literature and jazz flourished there, as a cultural movement known as the Harlem Renaissance began. Today, Harlem is known for its Black culture and history, with plenty of jazz clubs, eclectic eateries and beautiful, historic architecture.
Perhaps the best way for groups to experience Harlem is on a walking tour. Harlem Tours founder Carolyn Johnson started the company in 2004 to build awareness of what Harlem has to offer.
“Tourism was starting to come back in Harlem, and I wanted to give a true perspective on it because there were a lot of outsiders,” said Johnson. “It lets them get out of touristy places like Times Square to see the beauty of Manhattan and the boroughs.”
Tours are kept small to create a more intimate experience. Larger groups can be split into smaller ones with additional guides. Tours touch on different topics, from Civil Rights to the Harlem Renaissance to jazz. One of the most popular is the gospel and brunch tour, where a Black gospel concert is paired with the other famous sights and sounds of Harlem, such as the Apollo Theater. All tours make stops for meals at local restaurants. welcometoharlem.com
BLACK WALL STREET
Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was such an economically prosperous Black community in the early 1900s that it earned the nickname “Black Wall Street.” The self-sufficient neighborhood had grocery stores, doctor’s offices, hotels and more in 35 square blocks. But in 1921, it became the site of a horrific tragedy, the Tulsa Race Riot, also known as the Greenwood Massacre. The violence began after a Black shoeshine was falsely accused of assaulting a white elevator operator. White rioters invaded Greenwood, burned and looted businesses and homes, and killed residents. The violence ended only after the Oklahoma National Guard was called in. The riot was devastating; As many as 300 Black residents died, more than 10,000 were displaced and property was destroyed or damaged.
Over the next several decades, the community was rebuilt, and when segregation later ended, African Americans began to spread out into the Tulsa community. Today, Black Wall Street is remembered for the tragedy it endured and the resilience of its Black community.
The Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce does group tours for up to 15 of this once-thriving district. Tours may include Greenwood Rising, also known as Black Wall Street Museum; street art, including murals and sculptures commemorating the neighborhood’s past; the Black Wall Street Memorial; and Vernon AME Church, which survived the riots. Shops and restaurants can be stops along the way. bwschamber.com
WEST OAKLAND
Oakland, California
West Oakland, California, has a long history of multiculturalism. In the late 19th century, African Americans from the southern United States migrated to the area, joining the diverse population of immigrants already living there. The neighborhood’s success grew over the next few decades alongside its Black population. West Oakland’s Seventh Street, its main strip, was the center of the community. During its prime, West Oakland was a prosperous Black neighborhood with an exceptional entertainment scene. Jazz clubs and other nightlife drew in renowned performers like Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin. Though the neighborhood’s prosperity waned in the mid-20th century, it’s currently undergoing a resurgence fueled in part by an interest in preserving its roots.
A jazz-themed tour of Harlem
A mural in Greenwood
A walking tour of Harlem
David Peters founded Black Liberation Walking Tours in 2019 after he moved back to Oakland and noticed a cultural change in the neighborhood.
“The tour came out of an event my wife and I had out of our home, and some older residents started telling stories about what the neighborhood was like when they were younger,” Peters said. “A hush fell over the room. There was a hunger for this information, and I realized I had an opportunity to record the voices of our elders, to save that for posterity, to share that with others in our community.”
The tour began as a self-guided audio walking tour with narratives from Oakland residents and an interactive map. Demand grew, and Peters began offering guided tours for groups of up to 30 on the third Saturday each month, May–November, in addition to private guided tours. Whether groups opt for a guided experience or the self-guided walking tour, they’ll hear firsthand stories of West Oakland’s past and get to know some of the businesses, art and culture that are propelling it forward. blwt.org
TAKE HOME A SOUVENIR
A group tour of a Greenwood museum
The Black Liberation Walking Tour in West Oakland
HAYTI DISTRICT
Durham, North Carolina
The Hayti District in Durham, North Carolina, was founded in the latter half of the 19th century by African Americans who moved there to work in tobacco warehouses. The community was organized around two churches and a growing number of businesses. Eventually, some residents bought the land their growing community was built on, and large homes and other community assets, including a hospital and library, were built. The neighborhood flourished, becoming self-sufficient and prosperous, until the late 1950s, when it was partially demolished for a new freeway and other urban development projects. Today, the neighborhood’s history is preserved at the Hayti Heritage Center. Groups visiting Durham in early March won’t want to miss the annual Hayti Heritage Film Festival, which showcases films produced by and starring African Americans.
Founded by Aya Shabu, a dancer and teaching artist who lives in Durham, Whistle Stop Tours leads tours of the Hayti District through a partnership with the Hayti Heritage Center. The walking tours last about 75 minutes and stop at sites like St. Joseph’s AME Church, one of the cornerstone institutions of the neighborhood, and the Carolina Times, Durham’s only newspaper for Black residents. Inspiring stories of the neighborhood’s history are performed by guides. The tour company also does tours of two other prominent Black neighborhoods in Durham. A motorcoach tour of all three neighborhoods can be arranged. hayti.org
SWEET AUBURN HISTORIC DISTRICT
Atlanta
Located along Auburn Avenue in eastern Atlanta, the Sweet Auburn Historic District is steeped in history. Following the Atlanta Race Massacre of 1906 — when white rioters killed Black residents and destroyed homes and businesses in downtown Atlanta — the city’s Black businesses primarily migrated to what’s now known as the Sweet Auburn Historic District. The district became a thriving epicenter for the city’s Black community as early as the 1920s and achieved great success in the 1940s and 1950s. The moniker “Sweet Auburn” was coined by John Wesley Dobbs, a Civil Rights activist, and in 1956, Fortune magazine named it the wealthiest Black neighborhood in the country. Martin Luther King Jr. was born there, and his activism made it a critical site for the Civil Rights Movement.
The neighborhood was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976, and today it’s home to museums, art and heritage sites that pay tribute to its rich history. There are self-guided walking tours, and Roger’s Red Jacket Tours also offers guided tours. Its Sweet Auburn Walking Tour, for groups of up to 12, tells some of the neighborhood’s most powerful stories. Several U.S. Civil Rights Trail sites are in the district, including Ebenezer Baptist Church, King’s birth home and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. Other tour stops include the Atlanta Life Building and the office of the Atlanta Daily World, Atlanta’s oldest Black newspaper. rogersredjackettours.com
Ciara Johnson is a Houston-based content creator and travel influencer whose love of travel took off following a semester of study abroad in South Africa. After she graduated and worked a nine-to-five job for two years, she decided to pursue a life in travel and bought a one-way ticket to Mexico. She worked as a part-time travel writer while growing her brand, and today has over 233,000 followers across platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and her own blog. She posts content about solo travel as a Black woman, giving advice to help women who are traveling solo check items off their travel bucket lists safely and confidently. She shares her travel experiences, both good and bad, to help travelers plan the best trips and avoid newbie mistakes.
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The Hayti Heritage Center in Durham
Martin Luther King Jr.’s childhood home in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood
Immerse yourself in experiences that tell the stories of STRENGTH & RESILIENCE through influential Black Kentuckians. From Oliver Lewis, the jockey who won the first Kentucky Derby to the best black baseball team you’ve never heard of, to the Harlem Hellfighters, a Black infantry group who battled on the front lines of World War I, while also fighting racial discrimination. You’ve never experienced history like this.
