Victor Hugo Green, born in 1892, was a Black American postal worker from Harlem, New York, who became renowned for his groundbreaking creation, the "Green Book." In 1936, Green launched this travel guide aimed at Black American motorists, providing crucial information about safe accommodations, restaurants, and businesses that welcomed Black travelers during the era of racial segregation and Jim Crow laws.
Formally titled "The Negro Motorist Green Book," this guide served as a lifeline for Black travelers, offering them a means to navigate a landscape rife with discrimination and danger. Green's meticulous research and dedication ensured that Black travelers could find safe havens and avoid the indignities and threats posed by racially motivated violence.
Though the need for the Green Book diminished with the civil rights advancements of the 1960s, its legacy endures as a testament to Victor Hugo Green's vision and the resilience of Black American travelers in the pursuit of freedom and equality.
The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.
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Victor Hugo Green