Lynn Brown

It has been 60 years since the March on Washington and Martin Luther King Jr’s famous speech. But while the struggle for civil rights goes on, its story is finally being told across the businesses and museums of the US Capital Region

The international slave trade, lasting approximately between 1526 to 1867, created a diaspora of African people in almost every corner of the globe. From Europe to South America, people of African descent have impacted history and created unique, often blended, cultures that persist to this day in many places around the world.

Halfway through my trip along the Civil Rights Trail, I was re-evaluating my preconceptions. As a Black woman traveling through the Deep South, I’d been mostly concerned for my physical safety. However, it turned out it was my emotions that were in turmoil.

From energetic cities and beautiful beaches to mist-covered hills and museums that mark important moments in history, the Tar Heel State has something to lure every type of traveler. Here are some of the best places to visit in North Carolina so you can start planning your next trip to this East Coast destination packed with must-see spots.

Juneteenth is a US holiday about both uplifting the African American community and acknowledging a history that still needs to be told.

Black women over the decades have led the way in fields from sports to politics to art, however, many of their accomplishments have remained unsung. Many Black women have not only become successful in their own right but are doing the work to help others come up behind them.

In 1950, a major change was taking place across America as more Black families moved from rural areas in the South to larger cities in the North. The first wave (1910-1940) of what was known as “The Great Migration” had already seen over 1 million Black Americans relocate to Northern or Western cities from the South, and the second wave was in full swing.

Las Vegas is full of luxurious, even extravagant, hotel rooms and suites. However, most of these accommodations come with hefty price tags that sometimes total tens of thousands of dollars.

What do you do when you want to live like a high roller but don’t have a stack of cash at your disposal?

Indigenous peoples have been creating a wide variety of breathtaking visual arts worldwide since time immemorial. However, too often, it's only these historical examples that non-Indigenous people get to see, perpetuating the idea that Indigenous art and Indigenous peoples are only in the past.

People travel for a wide variety of reasons. Some love to venture far from home to immerse themselves in foodie tours and cultural excursions. Others crave an adrenaline rush by way of an adventure-packed vacation. Then there are those who simply want to spend their days relaxing on a beach in the tropics.

One niche group of travelers that often gets overlooked is lovers of literature.

From Alaska to Australia, Indigenous communities around the world are creating travel experiences that allow visitors to learn more about their history, their culture and their future.

In 1936, a mailman from New York, Victor Hugo Green, and his wife, Alma, tackled challenges around traveling while Black by creating the first edition of the "Green Book." The guide helped African American travelers and other people of color safely navigate the roadways by listing which hotels, restaurants, gas stations and other businesses were open to Black travelers in a time when racial segregation and violence were prominent.

Hotel bathtubs are one of my favourite parts of travelling. For me, there are few things more enjoyable after a long day of flight delays and baggage problems than a soak. The bigger and more elaborate the tub, the better.

So, imagine my disappointment when I visit a new or recently renovated hotel only to find that my beloved bathtub has been replaced by a beautiful but underwhelming rainfall shower.

I was about ten minutes into The Woman King when I posted a note on social media that read: “Pretty sure I know where at least some of my Mom’s ancestors come from.” The depiction of a fierce community of warrior women in 1800s Africa was one that resonated with me in a way that few depictions of Black women in the past really have.

If you’re hoping for a vacation full of gorgeous pink and purple sunsets over sugary white sand beaches and brilliant blue water, you may be surprised to find that you can get all of this and more in Gulf Shores, Alabama.