The Green Book: A Guide for Black Travelers

The podcast explores the history of the Green Book, a travel guide that helped black travelers find safe and welcoming places to stay, eat, and visit during the era of segregation. Victor Green, a mailman from New Jersey, created the guide in 1936 to address the challenges faced by African American tourists due to racial discrimination. The Green Book provided listings of businesses across the country that were open to serving black customers, including restaurants, hotels, and service stations. It relied on the support of a network of black letter carriers and gained popularity, eventually covering all 50 states and even international locations. The guide helped black travelers navigate the Jim Crow era and provided a sense of security and opportunity for exploration.