Having a go-to hotel brand is something special, especially for avid travelers who need reliable and comfortable accommodations with high standards of hospitality and service. Safety is a significant factor in selecting a favorite hotel brand. Staying loyal to a specific hotel chain can benefit travelers even more if they are part of loyalty programs. No one wants to experience subpar or offensive service at a trusted travel accommodation. Unfortunately, for one Black-owned nonprofit organization, this nightmare occurred at a Hilton Hotel location after years of loyalty.
The nonprofit organization Buy From a Black Woman (BFABW) has released a statement about a negative experience at the Hilton Hotel. This organization is a prominent space that supports Black women-owned businesses. Since 2016, it has been a hub for those who value giving back to their community. It offers an online business directory, educational programs, and funding opportunities for Black women in business. When the incident happened, the organization was on its Buy From a Black Woman Inspire Tour.
After the racist encounter, Buy From a Black Woman tried to reach out to Hilton corporate. Much to BFABWs’ dismay, they did not receive an appropriate response. Following this experience, the organization decided to sever all ties with the Hilton brand.
Travel Noire spoke with BFABW founder Nikki Porcher to get a better understanding of what caused them to move forward with the bold decision of boycotting the Hilton Hotel.
Travel Noire: Buy From A Black Woman has been touring for quite some time for the Inspire Tour. How has that fostered connection and promoted Black women business owners in the past?
Nikki Porcher: Black women are the people who keep me going and inspire me, so that’s what started the touring during the whole month of July. The relationships that come out of pouring into the community are incredible. Our community engagement events like sister catch-up coworking events and business besties are safe spaces for Black women. They can come and unapologetically be themselves without judgment and fear, so that has been a heaven-send.
In 2020, I was part of a group with 100 Black women [American Express’ 100 For 100 program], and one of the sponsors was Hilton. With that, they gave us some funding and resources. We were traveling and staying in Hilton Hotels… networking and building relationships, pouring into Black women.
TN: Let’s talk about the recent incident with Hilton Hotel staff. Could you elaborate and provide more details about the situation?
NP: There were white staff and white people involved who were deemed greater than me [and my service]. What set it over the top was when I went to send an email about the situation, one of the drop-down tabs was “Did you experience something racist?” That really blew me away, because how much racism is happening that that is an option?
TN: In your opinion, what would Hilton Hotel have to do to show the public that the situation has been appropriately handled?
NP: Front-facing funding opportunities for Black hospitality groups, more training, and workshops for their staff and employees on the ground. But we have a lot more suggestions and things that can be implemented so we are just waiting for them to call us.
TN: What would you recommend travelers do to avoid racist situations like this or in response to them?
NP: If you’re staying somewhere and you encounter racist situations, always document details, time, and everyone involved. Write that down and make sure you have a copy but also send that to corporate, you just never know so you should keep it documented. Stay cool and always have a backup hotel for an exit strategy. Share your location or tell trusted people where you are going to be.
I had my rose-colored glasses on, I wasn’t looking for anything else they [Hilton Hotel] had done. When I went to look, they were not treating us as Black people well. Voting with our dollars and being conscious consumers is making sure that everyone is doing a good job with the community. Racism is inherited so there’s that, but for us, the decision was about standing on integrity and morals. “Standing on business” as they say is taking our power back economically. Then, they will start paying attention a lot more, so that’s what I’m hoping for.
TN: How has your criteria for a reliable and trustworthy hotel changed since this encounter?
NP: We are still traveling and getting recommendations for places that might be privately and Black-owned from our community all over the country. So, getting back into that community engagement and utilizing platforms like Travel Noire.
Utilize Black publications, Black spaces, and Black resources. I’ve been doing this prior to this situation happening, but I encourage Black women to go back to community building. Knowing that you have safe spaces to stay and community, especially in the lonely world of entrepreneurship is valuable.
This article has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
