Hidden Hospitality - by Calvin Stovall (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

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 establishments that offered comfort and safety to Black travelers.

Calvin Stovall, a hospitality professional with nearly thirty years in the industry, brings this overlooked history to light. In Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era, Stovall shares the inspiring paths of these pioneers. He highlights the immense challenges they faced and the enduring impact of their establishments, showing how their 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 that were more than places to stay--they were lively centers of Black art, music, and social life, influencing the broader society around them.

As Black history continues to enjoy growing scholarship, a fuller picture of the Black experience emerges through stories corrected, expanded, or finally told. Stovall is here to remind us that the story of Black hospitality is far from over.

Review Quotes

"A revelatory tribute to the resilience, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit of African American hotel, motel, and resort owners. Through stunning visuals and untold narratives, Stovall brings to light a vital yet overlooked chapter of Black history--one where hospitality served as both refuge and resistance. This book is more than a history lesson; it is a celebration of legacy, community, and an unyielding pursuit of opportunity in the face of adversity. A must-read for anyone who values stories of triumph woven into the fabric of America's past." --Ronald J. Stephens, Author of Idlewild: The Rise, Decline, and Rebirth of a Unique African American Resort Town

"Calvin Stovall has brought us a fascinating and important book that brings near-forgotten personalities back to life, resurfaces significant advancements in hospitality, and gives Black hospitality pioneers their due at last." --Arnie Weissmann, Editor in Chief at Travel Weekly

"Hidden Hospitality is a major contribution to Black history, American history, and the hospitality industry as a whole. Calvin Stovall's passion, leadership, and deep dedication to this project is unmatched and will result in a historical publication that will inspire and inform many for generations to come. This book should be featured in every hotel, resort, hospitality school, and university across the country and beyond." --Evan S. Frazier, President & CEO, The Advanced Leadership Institute; Founding Chair, Mosaic Hospitality Association

"Great books humble us, inspire us, change us, and make us want to make the world better . . . Stovall's passion, meticulous research, and gimlet eye for details shine. This is not a hagiography but a nuanced biography of ordinary people reaching for the extraordinary. How can a person practice hospitality when they live in inhospitable times? How can a person retain their humanity when faced with inhumane situations? How can a person persevere when they have every reason to give up? The lessons in this book are profound. You will be moved. You will be inspired. You will shout. You will be entertained, educated, and elevated." --Dr. Jeffrey O, President & CEO, International Hospitality Institute

"By brilliantly documenting and bringing to life the remarkable, little-known history of African Americans in lodging and hospitality, Calvin Stovall not only sheds light on a legacy of innovative entrepreneurship, but further inspires the continued development of ownership and leadership in this industry." --Gloria & Solomon Herbert, Publishers, Black Meetings & Tourism

"This isn't just hospitality history, it's American history. Calvin Stovall has unearthed the extraordinary stories of Black hoteliers with reverence and clarity, ensuring their contributions are no longer overlooked, and that they are getting the recognition they have long deserved." --Anna Blue, CEO, Blue Moss Group

"No longer hidden. Thanks to Calvin, a more complete history of American hospitality is in full display." --Ted Teng, Former President, CEO, The Leading Hotels of the World

"Calvin Stovall's beautiful homage to Black hoteliers is an incredible work of passion, love, and commitment in sharing the important untold stories and history of Black hospitality leaders, their hotels, and their guests. The vital role Black hospitality leaders played in the industry and in American history and society broadly has remained hidden for far too long. Thanks to Calvin, they are hidden no more!" --Stuart W. Greif, Chief Strategy, Innovation & Operating Officer, Forbes Travel Guide

"Ralph Ellison wrote, 'I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.' Hidden Hospitality makes available to us a long and neglected chapter of American history of sanctuaries for weary travelers and tired souls who navigated through a treacherous period [of] segregation. With scholarly acumen and masterful storytelling, Stovall unearths an understory of African American entrepreneurship filled with resistance, dignity, and ingenuity . . . [a] remapping of untold stories of courageous men and women who dared to create democratic spaces of beauty, equity, and belonging . . . In the most inhospitable of times, Black hospitality thrived--not merely as business, but as radical care." --Walter Earl Fluker, Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor Emeritus, Boston University

"Stovall brilliantly unearths the overlooked narratives of Black entrepreneurs who defied systemic barriers to establish vital havens for travelers and communities during segregation. It's a powerful and meticulously researched testament to resilience, business acumen, and the enduring spirit of hospitality. A truly illuminating and iconic contribution to American history that reshapes our understanding of the past." --Jelani Millard, Founder of The Wapechi Collection

"Hidden Hospitality sheds light on the rich and often overlooked narrative of Black hotel ownership, weaving together the stories of pioneers and trailblazers who boldly carved a path in a challenging industry during tumultuous times of resistance and civil rights upheaval . . . Not just a collection of photos and chronologizing of the journey of Black hotel owners--it is a testament to resilience, passion, and the enduring spirit of the Black community in the face of adversity. --Berkita S. Bradford, PhD, Associate Professor & Department Chair, Department of Hospitality and Tourism Administration, North Carolina Central University School of Business

"A compelling read, offering historical insights and unveiling the resilience, dignity, and entrepreneurial spirit of Black-owned lodging establishments . . . Profound and enlightening . . . Essential for those seeking a deeper understanding of the complexities of American society during the segregation era." --Ron McCoy, Grandson of Tookes Hotel Founder, Dorothy Tookes, Tallahassee, FL

"A profoundly important story. What will be so interesting for readers are the personal journeys, overcome obstacles, and lasting legacies of these pioneering individuals and families. Understanding their experiences will provide invaluable insights into American history, the evolution of the broader hospitality sector, and the enduring spirit of Black entrepreneurship. An amazing story!" --Frances Kiradjian, Founder & CEO, Boutique & Luzxury Lodging Association

"Hidden Hospitality . . . reveals a powerful truth: resilient operators driven by purpose shape markets and inspire legacies. For any investor looking to understand leadership beyond the balance sheet, this is essential reading . . . not only timely but essential ... both history and blueprint--preserving stories that inspire the future of inclusive ownership and institutional capital in our space." --William Huston, General Partner, Bay Street Hospitality

"Groundbreaking! Hidden Hospitality . . . reclaims a vital narrative, one of hospitality as a form of resistance, empowerment, and cultural pride . . . The depth of Stovall's research is matched by the stunning photography and archival imagery [that] breathe life into the untold stories. Our students--tomorrow's rising stars--must see the fuller picture of American ingenuity, hospitality, and determination. This book reminds us all to look deeper, honor legacy, and celebrate the rich, complex heritage of our industry. Reader--treasure this valuable look into the heritage of American hospitality." --Leora Halpern Lanz, Associate Professor, Boston University School of Hospitality Administration