Welcome, I am so glad that you’re here. I’m Calvin Stovall, and I am the author of Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era, a visually rich coffee table book that shines a light on a powerful yet often overlooked part of American history.

This book tells the story of African-American entrepreneurs, visionaries, and community leaders who built safe havens for black travelers in a time when they were often denied the most basic forms of hospitality. These spaces weren’t just places to rest, they were sites of dignity, joy, resistance, and progress. Through stunning archival photographs, carefully researched narratives, and a hospitality lens, this book honors the people who dared to build and preserve spaces where we could feel welcomed, seen, and free. I created this book to celebrate their legacy and to make sure their contributions to this industry are never forgotten.

Feel free to explore this site. You can browse sample pages, learn more about the stories inside the book, you can pre order your copy of Hidden hospitality, and even get updates on upcoming events.

Thank you for stopping by, and thank you for being a part of keeping this history alive.

Thank you.