Heritage Meets Hospitality: Kristin Kitchen Creates Lodgings and Inns of Historical Importance
In 2004, Kristin Kitchen, CEO of Sojourn Heritage Accommodations, opened her first lodging locale called Six Acres Bed and Breakfast in Cincinnati, Ohio. Subsequently, the astute business owner, historian, commercial property manager, and real estate developer opened three additional Cultural Heritage Tourist Epicenters across the United States with more to come.
“Sojourn Heritage is about planting our roots in every city in our communities, telling our history and our stories. We DESERVE to know what that rootedness feels like because there is definitely a void,” says Kristin.
Today, tourists looking to be enlightened and educated on Black history while residing in elegance can visit her beautiful, uniquely designed bed and breakfast inns as well as boutique hotel.
Six Acres Bed and Breakfast, in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a part of the Underground Railroad. Spaces include Annie’s Suite, Barbara’s Room, Robin’s Room, and guestrooms named Grandma Grace, Grandma Helen, Grandma Beatrice, and Grandma Dixon. www.sixacresbb.com
Dunns Josephine Hotel, having suites named for Nat King Cole, Gwen Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, and others, is in the historic Overtown district of Miami, Florida. “The Dunns Josephine celebrating ‘Harlem in Miami’ isn’t just about the names of the greats as our room names,” shares Kristin. “It’s about embodying the spirit of the struggle for black liberation and creating safe spaces for that liberation to breathe!” www.dunns-josephinehotel.com
Avent on Falls Bed and Breakfast, sited in the historic district of in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, pays tribute to Black people in the tobacco industry from slavery to today. Guests can retreat to The Mint Green Room, Peach Room, Blue Room, or Queen Family Suite. www.aventonfalls.com
Morgan and Wells Bed and Breakfast, in Shelby, North Carolina, allows tourists to retreat in comfort to The James Edward Room, The Lady Anne Room, The Melvin Maurice Room, The Green Room, and La Sal Room. www.morganandwells.com
Kristin is certainly a very successful businesswoman who is committed to reinvesting in the neighborhoods in which she operates her accommodations. “We create jobs and entrepreneurs in each community we serve because our mission is to make our communities better and to empower the people that live there. When we thrive, our communities thrive,” says Kristin.
This article previously appeared in the February-March 2023 issue of Upscale magazine.
Leslie E. Royal is an encourager, global travel writer, lifestyle writer, author, influencer, editor, product profile writer, and multi-media journalist. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications including Upscale Living, ESSENCE, AAA Midwest Traveler, Black Enterprise, Upscale, The Ashro Blog, FORTUNE.com, Medium, Chicago Tribune, and AAA Southern Traveler. She is an Ashro Brand Ambassador and the host of their popular video series called Onward and Upward with Leslie E. Royal. The creator of the Leslie’s Lane consumer information blog, she has two books: Leslie Lane The Book!: Your One Stop Internet Resource Guide to Links for Jobs, Inspiration, Discounts, FREE Stuff, Scholarships, Travel & More ( $14.95) and How to Write and Self-Publish Your Book for FREE with Amazon’s KDP: An Easy Way to Complete Your Manuscript in Seven Stress-Free Steps ($9.95). Follow Leslie on Instagram @LesliesLane and see her Amazon Author Page.
