How one entrepreneur updated a Civil Rights-era survival guide for the 21st century
Photo credit: Condé Nast Traveller
From 1936 to 1966, "The Negro Motorist Green Book" was a lifeline. Published by Victor Hugo Green, it listed hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses that would serve Black travelers during the Jim Crow era—a time when being Black in the wrong place could be deadly.
Decades later, Martinique Lewis recognized that the need for such a resource hadn't disappeared—it had evolved. She founded the ABC Travel Green Book, a modern database that helps Black travelers identify welcoming destinations, businesses, and experiences around the world.
The Modern Problem
While legal segregation ended, the challenges facing Black travelers didn't vanish. From encountering microaggressions at luxury hotels to researching whether a destination is safe for Black visitors, travel still requires preparation that white travelers rarely consider.
Lewis understood this intimately. As a frequent traveler herself, she experienced the subtle and not-so-subtle ways that Black travelers are made to feel unwelcome. She decided to do something about it.
Building the New Green Book
The ABC Travel Green Book launched as a digital platform designed for the modern era. It features:
- Destination guides with safety information for Black travelers
- Business listings of hotels, restaurants, and tour operators that actively welcome Black guests
- Community reviews from Black travelers sharing their experiences
- Resources on topics from traveling with natural hair to navigating countries with different racial dynamics
Lewis also became a prominent voice in the travel industry, advocating for greater diversity in hospitality and tourism. She speaks at conferences, consults with tourism boards, and pushes for systemic change.
The Legacy of Victor Hugo Green
By naming her organization after the original Green Book, Lewis explicitly connects her work to a Civil Rights-era tradition. Victor Hugo Green created his guide not out of acceptance of segregation, but as a practical tool for survival and dignity.
Lewis carries that same spirit: she doesn't accept that Black travelers should have to navigate hostile environments alone. By sharing information and building community, she ensures that the lessons of the past inform the journeys of the future.
Why This Matters Now
Some argue that a modern Green Book shouldn't be necessary. But the reality is that Black travelers still face unique challenges—from profiling by hotel staff to hate crimes in certain destinations. Having access to vetted information can make the difference between a transformative trip and a traumatic one.
Lewis's work also pushes the industry to do better. When businesses see that their inclusion—or exclusion—in Black travel resources affects their bottom line, they have incentive to change.
What Martinique Teaches Us
Martinique Lewis teaches us that advocacy and entrepreneurship aren't opposites—they're complements. By building a business that serves Black travelers, she's also building a movement that demands better treatment for all of us.
Her work reminds us that we don't just travel for ourselves. We travel as part of a community, and the information we share helps everyone who comes after us.
Martinique Lewis is building the guide we need. Learn about Martinique and other Black history pioneers, then explore our upcoming trips to destinations curated for travelers who expect excellence.
