Tracy Hopkins

Suite! Upscale resorts with private kitchens, pools and other amenities may save you cash — and the uncertainties of renting from a homeowner.
Although staying at a hotel-style resort is often a convenient and reliable option, it can also be predictable and pricey (room service, resort and mini bar fees, hello!). As an alternative, condo and guesthouse rentals are popular, but as we’ve discovered through trial and error, not all experiences with companies such as Airbnb, HomeToGo or Vrbo are ...

Richmond’s Black culinary scene is blossoming because of chefs and restaurateurs who have fought to preserve their foodways and ancestral connections in the city that was at one time the largest slave-trading center in the Upper South.
“The joy, pain, and stories of our past and present are centered around food. In celebration, in sorrow, food connects us,” said Amy Wentz, a proud Richmond native and co-founder of the Richmond Black Restaurant Experience. The goal of the weeklong event (March...

You loved our list of retreats so much, we’re back with even more pampering picks.
When was the last time you took yourself on a spa date, Sis? Setting aside 30, 60 or 90 minutes for a refreshing facial or a tension-taming massage might be the self-care treat you need to regain that natural glow, boost your immunity and put some pep in your step. To enhance your experience, we’ve found five Black women–owned day spas across the country for you to consider.* Plus, cool cultural things to do wh...

These institutions around the country celebrate Black excellence and inspire purpose in the present by telling stories from the past.
This Black History Month, take time to celebrate our regal and resilient culture by visiting a museum that chronicles and celebrates how we as a people have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and achieved odds-defying wins. Start your tour of our journey from slavery to freedom at one of these renowned cultural institutions.
International African Ameri...

During the racial reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd, protests raged in Richmond, Virginia, in the summer of 2020. A prominently displayed statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee perched on Richmond’s tree-lined Monument Avenue was defaced, and became a rallying post for protesters. A year later, and more than 130 years after it was installed, the statue of Lee was removed from its pedestal. By the end of 2022, the last of the city’s public Confederate monuments were remov...

Relax at one of these eco-friendly retreats nestled in nature.
Spending time in nature is good for your mind, body and spirit. So if taking a walk in your local park can help alleviate stress and anxiety, and boost your mood when your spirits are low, imagine how relaxing a getaway to an exotic tropical locale or mountainous retreat might be.
Does a meditative meander through a field of wildflowers, a stroll along a white sand beach or a hike through a rain forest sound like vacation bliss? I...

A drugstore product that generations have used — in part because of biased beauty standards — is deemed a potential health hazard.
We sisters always take care in putting our best face forward, and that doesn’t end with the pride and joy that melanated beauties take in maintaining a timeless visage. Often, it also means treating hyperpigmentation or blemishes under a dermatologist’s care. Many of us rely on a custom skin care routine, medication, or treatments such as microdermabrasion for a f...

From jazz to jambalaya, African American culture is at the heart and soul of what makes the Crescent City so musical, vibrant, and flavorful. Beyond the colorful strings of plastic Mardi Gras beads, powdered beignets, and over-imbibed tourists on Bourbon Street, the city’s multicultural history rises to greet you at nearly every turn.
Past meets present in its most striking form as you stroll through the French Quarter and look up at the ornate wrought iron balconies, reminiscent of elegant P...

If you come to Miami and only fill your itinerary with tried-and-true tourist destinations like South Beach and Miami Beach, the Design District and Wynwood Walls, then you’re missing out.
Although not as well traveled as Little Havana, where Afro-Cuban culture is represented in music, art, and dance, the tropical city of Miami is also home to distinctive historically Black and Caribbean neighborhoods and cultural landmarks that are worth checking out on your next trip.
Want to explore more o...

Charlotte is a historically rich city that prides itself on being part of the new and moderate South. Even so, the Queen City’s Black history remains tied to the legacy of slavery, Jim Crow segregation, and the events of the subsequent Civil Rights movement. While more quietly displayed than in smaller Southern cities, the stories of Black Charlotteans are showcased in several historic neighborhoods, parks, and cultural centers.

Want to explore more of Charlotte’s Black history and culture? L...

Whether you’re island-hopping, flying to Latin America, or driving to Mobile or the Big Easy, get ready for an unforgettable celebration.
Carnival season typically falls between Epiphany on January 6 (also called Three Kings Day) and Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French). It's an indulgent time to eat, drink and be merry before Lent — the Christian period of fasting and spiritual reflection — begins on Ash Wednesday. We’re talking ornate feathered headdresses, eye-catching and often barely there...

Puerto Ricans are proud of and passionate about their culture, which blends indigenous, Spanish and African traditions. You can taste the melting pot of influences in dishes like mofongo and arroz con gandules. You can hear it in the music, from bomba to reggaeton.
On previous excursions to this balmy Caribbean island and U.S. territory, I hiked through the El Yunque rainforest; toured the colorful, cobblestoned streets of Old San Juan; and snapped Instagram-worthy photos of the street art mu...

The holiday season is hectic. So after you’ve made your shopping list and checked it twice (you know exactly who has been naughty or nice), spend time either virtually or in-person with family and friends, treat yourself and wind down your holiday season with a self-care staycation or festive getaway to one of these five urban chic hotels.
Eaton DC (Washington, D.C.)
Pack a weekend bag and head to the nation’s capital for a creative and sensorial stay at Eaton DC. More than a hotel, Eaton DC ...

Michelle Cox lives in an impoverished but proud community in Louisville, Kentucky. The 41-year-old call center worker is the primary caretaker for her 67-year-old mother who was a custodian at the University of Louisville for 30 years. Cox’s mother Cheryl suffers from type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and sometimes it’s difficult to make ends meet and maintain a work-life balance.
“We’ve had some hard times where she has overslept and not taken her insulin shots. I work third shift hours, so ...

’Tis the season to mix and mingle and enjoy. Check out these holiday events happening in great destinations or in your area.
From over-the-top Christmas light displays and holiday markets to ice-skating, dance performances and Kwanzaa celebrations, here’s a snapshot of 10 festive winter wonderland events happening in cities across the country. Enjoy them with family and friends or solo (don’t shy away from taking yourself on a merry little Christmas date). Check local listings to find more ho...