April 14, 2025

Traveling Black in the Automotive Age

Join Dr. Mia Bay, author and historian, to explore how the invention of the passenger car reshaped the experiences of Black travelers in the automotive age.

For many African Americans, cars were more than just a mode of transportation. They were a symbol of autonomy, providing an alternative to traveling in segregated railroad cars during the Jim Crow era. Still, car travel wasn’t a complete escape from racial discrimination. Rest stops, roadside accommodations, and gas stations grew increasingly segregated as car travel became common. Black customers were often refused service.

Discover how Black travelers navigated these challenges with resilience and ingenuity, mapping out careful travel routes, relying on networks of friends and safe havens, and carrying supplies to avoid unwelcoming establishments.

Mia’s book Traveling Black: A Story of Race and Resistance will be available for purchase at the event.

WHAT TO EXPECT

6:30 PM: Doors Open

7:00 PM: Presentation 

8:00 PM: Event Ends