Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era

Rediscover Black-Owned Hotels, Motels, and Resorts—and the History Behind Them
Throughout America’s history of slavery and segregation, Black travelers faced not just unwelcoming environments but the challenge of finding safe places to rest and recharge. In response to this basic human need, courageous Black entrepreneurs carved out spaces within the dominant culture, creating a network of Black-owned hotels, motels, and resorts that offered comfort and safety for Black travelers.

Calvin Stovall, a seasoned hospitality professional with nearly thirty years of experience, brings this overlooked history to light. In Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotels, Motels, and Resorts from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era, Stovall shares the inspiring stories of these pioneers. He highlights the immense challenges they faced and the enduring impact of their establishments, showing how these spaces became vibrant hubs of Black culture, where people could gather, find joy, and be their true selves.

Through vivid stories and photographs, Stovall covers the entire chronology of Black hospitality, from the Royal Navy Hotel, an eighteenth-century establishment managed by a free woman of color, to significant fixtures during the Green Book era, such as the Majestic Hotel—a city unto itself—as well as the Hotel Theresa, where historical figures were known to unpack their bags. All along, Stovall captures how Black hoteliers not only built businesses but also created dynamic spaces for culture and community. They were more than places to stay—they were lively centers of Black art, music, and social life, influencing the broader society around them.

Stovall helps us better understand the Black experience by highlighting stories long forgotten or never told. The history of Black hospitality, rich with creativity, resilience, and legacy, continues to unfold, reminding us that the story is far from over.