Sojourn Noir

01/03/2025

Sojourn Noir conducted a proprietary survey to find out what motivates Black travel. Culinary experiences were at the top of the list. Culturally and historically the African American relationship with food and dining experiences in this country has been met with great challenges. From food deprivation, lack of access to fresh wholesome food leading to food deserts, to segregation in the food service industry and tableside racism that still exists today. Through the years and the many iterations of food trauma, we have mastered culinarily skills from the lease of what we were given and afforded, turning scrapse into delicacies, using our farming, botany, and animal husbandry skills from Africa to opening five star restaurants. At Grace Manor Bed and Breakfast we are happy to continue the tradition of providing great culinary experiences for our guests. Daily we serve a two to three course Southern influenced gourmet breakfast. We look forward to you joining us at the table.
www.gracemanorbandb.com

27/02/2025

Grace Manor Bed and Breakfast is the first Black Woman owned Bed and Breakfast in South Central Pennsylvania, one of less than 10 in Pennsylvania and less than a mere 4 percent in the United States. Black owned Bed and Breakfasts are a natural extension of privately owned homes that historically offered safe havens to weary Black travelers during segregation in this country under the hainess times of Jim Crow. Today, we offer respite and safe sapces that are welcomlmg and offer a sense of belongong to leisure travels across the country. Grace Manor offers five beautifully appointed themed suites that transport guests to Asia, Mexico, France, Switzerland and the African Diaspora. The French suite featured in the video is a 750 square foot suite that’s sleeps four. This is the Solon’, one of four rooms in the suite.
A great place to renew, release, relax, rekindke a flame, turn up for a girlfriend’s getaway. Please visit us soon.
www.gracemanorbandb.com




-travel

24/02/2025

One of the many hats that I love to wear is that of owner-operator of Grace Manor Bed and Breakfast. I developed and birthed this business out of my understanding of the importance of rest and respite and the desire to provide a space where community could step away from the day to day perpetual grind that many of us feel. Grace Manor pays homage to the matriarchs in my family and the countless women in my community that were never afforded the opportunity to rest. Grace Manor’s namesake is after my maternal grandmother and the photo on the logo is my maternal great grandmother, Ethel. These women were never afforded the luxury to rest, but were handed a life sentence of work and toil that was the evolution of their enslaved mothers before them.
Sojourn Noir is a natural expansion of my intention to highlight and promote rest and leisure to my community. We at Sojourn Noir define self care as, “The purposeful and intentional stepping away from systems of oppression whose purpose is to keep one too exhausted, frustrated and distracted to have space to dream imagine and actualize freedom.” At Grace Manor Bed and Breakfast, “We have prepared a place for you.” Over the course of the next few weeks we will introduce you to Grace Manor Bed and Breakfast in the quaint town of York, Pennsylvania. We hope to see you soon.
www.gracemanorbandb.com
www.sojournnoir.com

24/01/2025

🎉🎉 Sojourn Noir was presented with the Tourism Program Grant of the Year Award from York County's official tourism agency and destination marketing organization, Explore York County PA, at the Annual Tourism Industry Event! We're both proud and humbled by this award - proud that we received this recognition from our peers and partners who understand the importance of our mission to inspire and encourage Black leisure travel; and humbled that we get to do this work with the support of you, our community of followers, and our local business partners to ensure York is a welcoming place where you can truly "Bring Yourself Here" and experience all that York has to offer!

Thank you to Explore York County PA for this recognition and for your collaborative spirit and support to Sojourn Noir as a grant partner. The north star compass in this thoughtfully hand-crafted award made by local artist Candi J. Duda Stained Glass and Garden Art is a beautiful reminder to remain focused on our mission and vision.

We also want to extend our gratitude to the York County Community Foundation and Crispus Attucks York whose investment and partnership were integral to our successful launch.

23/01/2025

Join the conversation in a panel discussion and view a pop-up exhibit by local Black women artists at Ophelia's Making Agency, as part of The State of Black Life in York Series, presented by 's Racial Justice Committee.

21/01/2025

If you visit The King Center in Atlanta, GA., you'll see on display Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s travel suitcase. This is the suitcase that he carried on the fateful trip to Memphis, where he stayed at the Lorraine Motel. The plaque below it details the contents:

“To lead the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King traveled thousands of miles and spent many days away from home. As a veteran traveler, he traveled light. This suitcase, which he took to Memphis on his last trip, contains many personal items characteristic of the man. Included are his appointment calendars, notes for speeches, lists of “things to do,” and two of the books he authored which he used as references for speeches. Also included are his personal toiletries, wash and wear shirts, pajamas – the minimum of items this busy man carried with him.”

We remain eternally grateful to Dr. King for traveling often dangerous roads, to face the unknown with great courage and faith, so that we would have the ability to travel more freely in this country, our country.

We remember the man who inspired generations with his vision of equality, justice, and unity. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. challenged us to dream bigger, love deeper, and work together for a better world.
Let's ensure the work continues beyond

26/12/2024

Bring your culinary curiosity.

Sojourn Noir is designed with the Black traveler in mind - to inspire you to engage in the inalienable right to leisure travel, feeling welcome, respected and inspiring a sense of belonging.

Experience York County, PA your way.

Bring Yourself Here.

Sojourn Noir is a proud tourism partner of Explore York County PA

24/12/2024

Sojourn Noir is committed to the work of addressing anti-Blackness and partnering with communities, businesses, organizations and the public sector to build a culture that supports a welcoming environment for Black travelers. To that end, through the generous support of Explore York County PA, we developed a comprehensive, solutions-oriented approach: “Bring Yourself Here” Cultural Intelligence Learning Series, that focuses on a broad range of tourism segments.

The series launched November 14, 2024, where we invited a group of York area leaders to a three-hour introduction to the series. A second group will be hosted in February of 2025 before full roll-out. We are encouraged by the feedback that we received from the training so far. We look forward to sharing more insights with you in the coming months and continuing to intentionally include your voices as we shape gratifying, fulfilling travel experiences that meet our expectations, reflect our desires and embrace who we are uniquely as travelers.

To learn more, read the latest blog, a letter from Sojourn Noir's founder, Joanne Wilmore. https://www.sojournnoir.com/news/we-have-work-to-do

20/12/2024

Bring your love for locally made.

Sojourn Noir is designed with the Black traveler in mind - to inspire you to engage in the inalienable right to leisure travel, feeling welcome, respected and inspiring a sense of belonging.

Experience York County, PA your way.

Bring Yourself Here.

Sojourn Noir is a proud tourism partner of Explore York County PA

17/12/2024

"York's Black history is intertwined in every facet of our community." Watch this compelling video by Samantha Dorm, Co-Founder of Friends of Lebanon Cemetery, a non-profit dedicated to the promotion of African American cemeteries in York County, PA. It's a quick 5 minute video. In it, Dorm talks about how the family Bible holds profound significance in African American history, serving as one of the few tangible records documenting the lives and mere existence of so many enslaved ancestors. "In the pages of the family Bible, African American families were able to inscribe their own narrative, often the only evidence of their past."

On display at the York County History Center is the Johnson family Bible, given to Harriet Johnson by her husband Cyrus Johnson, dating back to 1881, among other historic pieces.

If you're planning a trip to York, PA to include the History Center, it's in close walking proximity to the Goodridge Freedom Center, Restaurant Row, art galleries and shopping in the Market District and downtown York accommodations.

Samantha Dorm describes York's hidden Black history that is now documented in the new displays at the York History Center.

12/12/2024

Planning a visit to York County, Pa this holiday season? Here are a few events for inspiration. For more information and festive events, check out www.YorkPA.org/Events/

06/12/2024

There’s something about a carefree getaway with your best girlfriends - your soul sisters, or a solo self-care excursion that can refresh your spirit like nothing else. If you’re looking for a destination to celebrate the season and re-connect this holiday, or maybe a bit of post-holiday recovery, York County, PA is full of surprising hidden gems for African American travelers seeking culture, connection and a laid-back vibe.

Holiday travel doesn’t have to be stressful. York County is an easy drive - just 45 minutes from Baltimore, MD and about 90 minutes from Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia.

Bring Yourself Here.



Photo Credit: Grace Manor Bed & Breakfast

27/11/2024

Thankful determination. That’s how I’d sum up what I’m feeling in this moment and this time of year, which is always a season of reflection and gratitude for me. I’m grateful to everyone who has come alongside Sojourn Noir this year and invested in helping us to build and advance this crucial initiative to engage and encourage Black tourism in York, PA. That support enabled us to expand our digital footprint and build a community centered around promoting and celebrating positive Black travel experiences. We could not have done it without each of you, so we’re thankful for this community – for your perspectives and voices in this conversation.

Black travelers contributed over 100 billion dollars to continental U.S. travel last year. Yet, travel industry research shows that Black travelers often report feeling unwelcome in destinations they visited. In an October 2024 survey conducted by Group Black for TripAdvisor, 1 in 5 Black travelers said they felt discriminated against while traveling. These are daunting, but not surprising, statistics.

At Sojourn Noir, we believe travel is an alienable right; and Black tourists deserve travel experiences, spaces and destinations that are safe, welcoming and offer a sense of belonging. We believe Black travelers deserve travel industry dollars allocated toward the health and well-being of Black travelers. This includes, but is not limited to, investing targeted marketing dollars that amplify the voices of Black tourists, conducting and compiling continued research to understand the experiences, sentiments and motivations of Black travelers and, most importantly, a commitment to doing the work to help create spaces that are open and welcome to receiving Black travelers.

We recognize there is much work to be done in addressing anti-Blackness – here in my community of York County, Pennsylvania and beyond. Nationally and locally, both historical and present day egregious racial incidents have documented the treatment of Black people that impinged upon their ability to enjoy the benefits of unencumbered leisure, which is a tenant of self-care.

Sojourn Noir is committed to the work of addressing anti-Blackness and partnering with communities, businesses, organizations and the public sector to build a culture that supports a welcoming environment for Black travelers. To that end, we have developed a comprehensive, solutions-oriented learning series, “Bring Yourself Here” Culturally Informed Learning that focuses on diverse segments of tourism including arts, culture and entertainment, history and heritage, outdoor adventure, rest and relaxation, dining and retail. We kicked off a pilot of the series earlier this month (pictured here). We’ll share more with you about the learning series in the coming days.

In this time of reflection and gratitude, I’m thankful for the work we’ve accomplished together and the insights from many of you who have framed our approach. But there’s more work to be done. I’m more determined than ever to ensure that Sojourn Noir amplifies the voices of Black travelers and that we’re persistent in advocating for safe, enriching and welcoming experiences for Black travelers here in York County, PA or wherever they journey.

Happy Thanksgiving and wishing you safe travels!

Sincerely,

Joanne Wilmore,
Founder, Sojourn Noir

14/11/2024

Now feels like the perfect time to hit the reset button and embark on a journey that nurtures our mind, body and soul. Whether on the trails or on the water, nature beckons us to slow down and reconnect with the beautiful landscape around us. Make time for rest, relaxation and self-care. These are the moments that matter.

Bring Yourself Here.

Experience York County, PA your way.

27/10/2024

After many years of efforts to protect and preserve this property, officials recently broke ground on a project that will preserve the Mifflin farmstead — a stop on the Underground Railroad — near the Susquehanna River in eastern York County, PA. The 18th-century farmhouse is where the Mifflin family helped to hide freedom-seekers and ferry them across the Susquehanna River on their way to Philadelphia. It will serve as a place for the public to learn about the region's role in the Underground Railroad.
"This is a landmark moment for the preservation of not only our local history but also for the broader narrative of American history," Mark Platts, president and CEO of the heritage area, said in the release. “We look forward to working with the community to ensure the Mifflin House continues to be a beacon of cultural significance for generations to come.”

Check out this recent article in the York Daily Record/Sunday News to read more about plans for the Susquehanna Discovery Center & Heritage Park — a project that will include a regional visitor center, restoration of the Mifflin House, and recreational trails. https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2024/10/07/project-begins-on-mifflin-house-farmstead-an-underground-railroad-stop/75479040007/

Photo credit: Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record

27/10/2024

It's peak leaf peeping season! While the leaves are starting to fade in the northern parts of PA, they're in peak color in York County. See the PA Fall Foliage Report and get outside to enjoy the splendor of nature's fireworks! 🍂🍁🍂

Friends, we have hit peak leaf-peeping season! 🍁🍂

Cool nights and warm, sunny days have continued to transition the seasonal landscape. Vibrant tones top trees in Visit Lebanon Valley, sugar and red maples are shining across Rothrock State Forest, and Lehigh Valley, PA and Visit Bucks County trees are donning their fall-iest leaves of the season.

As the crisp air sets in, and northern tier trees begin to shed their lovely leaves, this may be your last weekend to experience PA’s colorful fall views. Hop in the car and spend the day in PA

https://www.visitpa.com/sites/default/files/2024-10/foliagerpt_10-24-24_0.pdf

11/10/2024

The leaves are starting to show off, with a vibrant canvas of color in York County, PA. Peak color is expected between now and the first week of November. Did you know, Pennsylvania has a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation -- or anywhere in the world? It's true! Check out the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Fall Foliage Reports to learn why, and plan your outdoor excursion.

The 21-mile stretch of the Heritage Rail Trail is an ideal place to immerse yourself in the changing season. Bonus: You can explore local York County Trail Towns along the way. Check out our latest blog for more fall ideas and inspiration.

https://www.sojournnoir.com/news/discover-tranquility-in-york-county-pa-5-fall-excursions-for-black-travelers-seeking-rest-relaxation-and-self-care

03/10/2024

As the crispness of autumn settles in, and the world around us transforms into a tapestry of golds and reds, it’s the perfect time to hit the reset button and embark on a journey that nurtures your mind, body and spirit. For Black travelers seeking rejuvenation, relaxation and self-care, fall offers a unique opportunity to explore destinations that blend natural beauty with cultural richness.
Little known secret, York County, PA is the perfect backdrop for a restorative and enriching getaway. Check out our latest blog for inspiration: https://www.sojournnoir.com/news/discover-tranquility-in-york-county-pa-5-fall-excursions-for-black-travelers-seeking-rest-relaxation-and-self-care

As the crispness of autumn settles in, and the world around us transforms into a tapestry of golds and reds, it’s the perfect time to hit the reset button and embark on a journey that nurtures your mind, body and soul. For Black travelers seeking rejuvenation, relaxation, and self-care, fall offer...