The Homage Hotel Group is giving you a chance to become a part of making Black History in the Travel and Leisure Industry. Homage is seeking to make a change in the American hotel industry, in which African Americans own less than 1% by opening a new hotel in downtown Oakland, CA. Though the vast majority of black owned hotels are a franchise of Marriott or Hilton, the Oakland hotel is slated to be independently and black owned.

“Historically, it’s easier to secure funding if the management is done through established hotel management companies like the Hilton, Wyndham or Marriott,” Damon Lawrence, Homage Hotel Group CEO, says. “But Homage seeks to bring a unique, independent hospitality experience to our guests.”

Damon Lawrence is no stranger to the hospitality industry, with over 8 years of working in motels, luxury 5-star properties, and most recently CEO of Haussotel, a vacation property rental service in Southern California.

The hotels opening and location was inspired by half-Black half-Danish entrepreneur William Leidesdorff Jr., who opened The City Hotel, the first ever hotel in California.“There’s a need in our society as a whole to acknowledge Black culture as part of the larger American story. It’s important to pay homage to pioneers, especially black pioneers, in hospitality, “ Lawrence says. “When blacks did not have the option to go elsewhere, it was black hotels and other black businesses that served them. It’s unfortunate that now we have endless opportunities of places to go, but the opition of supporting local, black owned businesses is no longer there.”

The Homage Group is currently making offers on several downtown Oakland properties. They are seeking to provide guest with an invaluable experience. Patrons can expect to enjoy pieces of African American culture thorough music, art, cuisine, and even history at it’s properties.

The Homage Hotel Group is raising the seed-round of capital until March 4, 2015, in order to secure the financing needed to open the downtown Oakland, CA. location. Make Black History by contributing to the campaign here: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/homage-hotels

Stay updated: http://www.hausotel.com

http://www.homagehotelgroup.com

via http://blacktobusiness.com/black-owned-hotel-group-to-open-hotel-in-downtown-oakland/