African American Guide to Chicago

More and more cities and publishers are producing special guides for African American visitors. One of most extensive is “The Guide to Black Chicago,” published this fall by The Guide Group in Chicago.

The 80-page brochure profiles 39 landmarks, 35 restaurants and bakeries, 29 night spots, 27 shops and 35 places of worship, among other listings. It also surveys predominately African American neighborhoods and gives their histories. A fold-out map and an events calendar are included. To order the $9.95 guide, call (888) 840-2345.

Only five years ago, such guides could be counted “on one hand,” according to Solomon Herbert, publisher and editor in chief of the Woodland Hills-based Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine. Now he confesses he’s lost count of them.

Although more African Americans are traveling, he said, the real change has been in “the recognition of the market” as black meeting planners have begun networking and more African Americans have gained leadership positions in cities and their visitors bureaus.