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 establishments that offered comfort and safety to Black travelers.

Through vivid stories and photographs, Hidden Hospitality 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, Hidden Hospitality captures how Black hoteliers not only built businesses but also created dynamic spaces that were more than places to stay—they were lively centers of Black art, music, and social life, influencing the broader society around them.