06/19/2026
When I plan a trip, my checklist usually revolves around packing, itineraries, and finding the best local coffee spots. I look at a map, pick a destination, and just go.
I recognize that I have the privilege of travel without worry. But that hasn't always been the reality for everyone, and historically, the open road wasn't equally open.
This is the cover of The Negro Motorist Green Book from 1940. Founded by Victor H. Green, it wasn't just a travel guide; it was a literal survival tool. During Jim Crow, Black travelers couldn't just pull over at any motel, eat at any diner, or buy gas at any station. The Green Book mapped out the safe havensâthe hotels, restaurants, and service stations where Black families could find safety, dignity, and shelter on their journeys.
As a parent of a mixed-race childâof which I am neither raceâhistory isn't just something confined to a textbook. Itâs a roadmap of how we got here, and it shapes how I look at the world my son is growing up in. Seeing him explore, laugh, and move through the world with joy and weightlessness is something I celebrate every single day.
On Juneteenth, we celebrate freedom, resilience, and the incredible journeys of those who paved the way. We have come a long way from the days when a guidebook was required just to drive across state lines safely.
But as we celebrate that progress, we also acknowledge that there is still a long way to go to ensure that every travelerâno matter their raceâcan move through this world fully free, safe, and without worry.
Today, we honor the past, celebrate the freedom of the present, and keep working toward a more inclusive future for the next generation of explorers. Happy Juneteenth, everyone. đ¤â¨