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    Black Owned

    Traveling While Black: Cape May, New Jersey Black-Owned Guide

    Cape May, NJ has a special place in my heart, so I want to make sure I do this place justice. Even though I only spent one day there, it was honestly one of the best day trips I have taken. It felt truly immersive, left me in my feels, and gave me a completely different perspective on this charming seaside town. Cape May is more than Victorian homes and beautiful beaches. Its streets are filled with stories of Black resilience, entrepreneurship, and freedom that are in plain sight.

    Traveling While Black: Cleveland, Ohio Black-Owned Guide

    Cleveland keeps giving me reasons to come back. After two visits, I have gathered plenty of recommendations for spending a day or even a full weekend in Black-owned Cleveland, OH.

    Traveling While Black: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Black-Owned Guide

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin, does not get nearly enough love. Black-owned Milwaukee, WI most definitely does not get the love it deserves. I think part of the reason is its close proximity to Chicago. Located only about 1.5 hours away on Amtrak’s Hiawatha route, Milwaukee can easily become a side trip from Chicago. But after exploring Black-owned Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I realized it deserves to be the main trip. So here's a one-day guide to help you get started!

    Traveling While Black: Covington, Kentucky Black-Owned Guide

    Covington, KY is that quiet little sister no one talks about because it sits right across the river from Cincinnati, OH. With a population of around 40,000 compared to Cincinnati’s 315,000, it’s easy to overlook. But honestly? Covington surprised me, especially Black-Owned Covington, KY.

    Traveling While Black: Cincinnati, Ohio Black-Owned Guide

    Cincinnati, OH surprised me in the best ways. I had no idea how significant Cincinnati’s role was in the Underground Railroad or how connected Harriet Beecher Stowe was to the city. I loved experiencing Black Cincinnati in so many layers, from Black art and music to the entrepreneurs and businesses that continue to shape the city today. This one-day Black-owned Cincinnati guide is for you.

    Spend a Weekend in Black-Owned Lexington, Kentucky

    Lower Manhattan is often framed as the financial capital of the world: we're talking Wall Street, big skyscrapers, fast-paced energy. But beneath that polished surface lies something deeper: one of the most significant Black historical landscapes, much of it that exists six feet under. We are talking about the Ellis Island for enslaved Africans, according to former Mayor David Dickens, our first NYC Black mayor.  We are talking about the African Burial Ground. We are talking about a Black-owned Lower Manhattan.

    Spend a Day in Black-Owned Lower Manhattan, New York City

    Lower Manhattan is often framed as the financial capital of the world: we're talking Wall Street, big skyscrapers, fast-paced energy. But beneath that polished surface lies something deeper: one of the most significant Black historical landscapes, much of it that exists six feet under. We are talking about the Ellis Island for enslaved Africans, according to former Mayor David Dickens, our first NYC Black mayor.  We are talking about the African Burial Ground. We are talking about a Black-owned Lower Manhattan.

    Spend a Day in Black-Owned Upper West Side, New York City

    Upper West Side and Black culture are not two things that typically go in the same sentence. When I think of the Upper West Side, I picture brownstones, doormen, Central Park West, Columbus Circle, and people in suits. White people in suits. So it’s no wonder there have been more than one post on Reddit asking if there are any Black-owned businesses and where Black people hang out in the Upper West Side. I’m here to say: Yes, there are Black-owned businesses in the Upper West Side. Not many, but they exist. Yes, Black people hang out here. No, you don’t have to go all the way up to Harlem or Manhattan Valley to find them. That is why I am creating this Upper West Side Black mini travel guide.

    Traveling While Black: Tulsa, Oklahoma Black Owned Guide

    Known as “the world's largest small town," Tulsa, Oklahoma offers a wonderful mix of both Native American and African American culture and history, plus a blend of Midwestern and Southern charm. It is rich in Black history from Black Wall Street to the Tulsa Race Massacre. Interestingly. it was also known as "the Oil Capital of the World" due to the the rapid growth of the oil industry. By 1920, Tulsa served as the base for over 400 petroleum companies.

    Traveling While Black: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Black Owned Guide

    Known as “the birthplace of America,” "The City of Brotherly Love;" "The Quaker City;" "The Cradle of Liberty," Philly has a lot to offer in terms of history & culture. It is the 1st world heritage city in the United States; 2nd largest city on the East Coast; and 3rd most populous downtown in the USA. Consider visiting Philly because it's the literal home to history; With tits murals, mosaics, museums, and more, it's known as the “Mural Capital of the World.” Also, it is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own unique set of restaurants, murals, shops, customs, and experiences.

    10 Black History Sites & Neighborhoods in NYC You Don’t Expect…But You Should!

    Harlem. Bed Stuy. Flatbush. These are all areas often associated with Black History in New York City. However, do you ever think of Bowling Green, Greenwich Village, or Flushing, Queens? Black History truly exists everywhere if you know where to look for it!

    My Top 5 Black-Owned Restaurants & Food Spots: Harlem Edition

    Harlem is known internationally as the Black Mecca of the world! Ever since the Harlem Renaissance—an early 20th-century boom in music, literature, dance and art—this neighborhood has been synonymous with black culture.

    My Top 5 Black-Owned Restaurants in Brooklyn: Little Haiti Edition

    Within the Little Caribbean is a smaller enclave known as Little Haiti. Little Haiti exists because when Haitians first moved to the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, they were isolated in part due to speaking French-Creole versus English, which is spoken by other Caribbean countries. Although Haiti is geographically part of the Caribbean, the Haitian community has

    My Top 5 Black-Owned Restaurants in Brooklyn: Little Caribbean Edition

    The vibrant Caribbean flags waving proudly from street poles, windows, and dollar vans. The sounds of Kompa and Soca blasting from parked cards. The smells of spicy food filling up the neighborhood air. These are the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of home -- the Little Caribbean.

    Traveling While Black: Rhode Island Black Owned Guide

    DISCLAIMER: In an effort to shed light on a lens that I travel everywhere with, I decided that it was important for me to explicitly talk about My Black American Traveler Experience. I want to stress that everyone has their own experiences and biases traveling to any country. Therefore, my experience may not be your own. In specifying the Black American

    Dr. Princess Francois.

    Welcome to the Franny the Traveler blog! I’m Dr. Franny, a national award-winning educator, entrepreneur, author, and Black travel enthusiast on a personal mission to make every destination a Black-owned destination. As I visit all 50 states and 50 countries by age 50, this Black travel blog is a growing collection of Black-owned city guides, itineraries, travel tips, and reflections on traveling while Black for the conscious traveler. I’m so happy you’re here!

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