Two Black Kansas City landmarks are featured in a new National Geograpic docu-series

Two Kansas City staples are featured in the new National Geographic documentary series “Black Travel Across America.”

Hosted by travel influencer and consultant Martinique Lewis, the series explores popular destinations for Black travelers of the past and present while visiting landmarks listed in Victor Hugo Green’s “Green Book,” as well as more modern Black markers across the country.

The first episode of the documentary series, which is available on Hulu, celebrates Kansas City’s Black community including the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and Ruby Jean’s Juicery.

“The one word to describe my experience in Kansas City as a whole is ‘full,’” Lewis said during the pilot episode. “Full with good eats, full with a richer knowledge of history and full of gratitude.”

In the show, Lewis sits down with Negro Leagues Baseball Museum director Bob Kendrick to discuss the Negro Leagues’ legacy and how the museum was founded.

The series uses Green’s “Green Book” as a launchpad for many of the locations and conversations. First published in 1936, The Green Book was known as the number one resource for Black people traveling across the country during Jim Crow. There are 23 editions of the Green Book available here.

The book was published annually until 1966 and updated with places where Black travelers could safely and peacefully eat, sleep and shop. Recommendations for road trippers were broken down by state and helped Black folks avoid sun down towns and other hostile environments.

Many businesses throughout Kansas City’s 18th and Vine district were regularly listed in the Green Book as safe spaces for Black patrons. Some sites listed included The Street Hotel and Elnora’s Cafe. A full list of Kansas City sites that were listed in the Green Book can be found here, compiled by the African American Heritage Trail of Kansas City.

While chatting at the Negro League Baseball Museum, Kendrick and Lewis discussed how the Green Book was essential for traveling Black athletes competing between the 1930s through the 1960s.

“[It was] vitally important because you’re looking for those safe havens, sanctuaries,” Kendrick said to Lewis, adding that the Negro Leagues relied on Black businesses. He said when the leagues visited new cities, they often brought with them lots of business from both the athletes and supporting fans.

Lewis also visits Ruby Jean’s Juicery on 30th Street and Troost Avenue to chat with the juicery’s founder Chris Goode. The two talked about Goode’s decision to open up a healthy juice shop in honor of his grandmother on the city’s east side.

“We have this ability to tell a very Black story that touches every walk of life. When these doors are open, it’s not just Black people coming in here. It’s not just white people coming in here,” Goode said during his interview with Lewis.

“There are no boundaries for the people who come here.”

In the first episode of the series, Lewis also visits landmarks in Harlem, New York and Denver, Colorado. The show will air on the National Geographic channel on Mondays and will be available on Hulu the following day. The first episode featuring Kansas City, is available now.