THE GOLD TRAIL
BOOKS • CULTURE • THEATER • COMMUNITY
DIRECT CULTURAL CONNECTION — OAKLAND → BERKELEY
FOLLOW THE GOLD • SUPPORT BLACK CULTURE
A CULTURAL ROUTE BETWEEN TWO HISTORIC BLACK INSTITUTIONS
Black Authors. Every Voice. Every Era.
From Nobel laureates to the poet writing in a notebook right now — the Gold Trail honors every Black author who ever put pen to paper and refused to be silent.
The Gold Trail Literary Hub
Every Black Voice.
Every Era.
From Toni Morrison to the poet writing in a notebook right now. From Langston Hughes to N.K. Jemisin. The Gold Trail honors them all — and gives you a place to learn, gather, and go deeper.
Discover
The Authors Collection
20 authors and growing — legendary, well known, rising, and emerging voices all in one place.
Explore AuthorsExperience
Classes & Learning
Literary salons, cultural tours, writing workshops, storytelling circles — experiential learning rooted in Black culture.
Browse ClassesBlack Travel & Hidden History
Follow the Trail.
Discover What
Was Hidden.
There are towns that were burned to the ground and rebuilt. Beaches where Black families gathered before they were pushed out. Crossroads where history turned on a dime. The Gold Trail finds these places — and takes you there.
Inquire about our city tours. Let us plan your next trip. It is an investment that will give you returns for many, many years to come.
Explore the Maps & ToursThe Green Book Corridor
National · 1936–1966
Black Wall Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma · 1906–1921
The Underground Railroad
Eastern Seaboard · 1780–1865
The Great Migration Routes
South → North & West · 1910–1970
Freedmen's Towns
South & Southwest · 1865–1900
The Harlem Renaissance
New York · 1920–1940
Follow the Clues.
Find the Treasure.
Seven stops. Seven clues. One cultural journey through the greatest Black places on earth. Bay Area. Deep South. Canada. The diaspora, connected by gold.
Complete the trail. Claim your Gold Trail certificate.
Travel the Gold Trail
Go Where Black Excellence Lives
From the Deep South to the Bay, from Canada to the Caribbean — the Gold Trail is your guide to every great Black place. Restaurants, galleries, theaters, bookstores, boutiques, barbershops, jazz clubs, and sacred spaces. Any and every great thing that's Black.
Oakland · Berkeley · San Francisco
Where the Trail was born
New Orleans · Atlanta · Memphis · Birmingham
The roots of everything
Toronto · Montreal · Vancouver
Black excellence across the border
Harlem · Brooklyn · The Bronx
Culture capital of the world
Bronzeville · South Side · Hyde Park
The Great Migration's crown jewel
Lagos · Accra · London · Kingston
The diaspora, connected
Coming Soon
The Gold Trail Black Business Directory
In our market you will find it all — African American restaurants, shops, painters, jewelry makers, clothiers, cobblers, hat makers and more. Browse by category, neighborhood, state, or country.
Bay Area · California · Nationwide · International
Explore the DirectoryColin Kaepernick Event
Were You There? Claim Your Photo.
If you attended the Colin Kaepernick event at Marcus Books or Black Repertory Group, your photograph may be waiting for you. The process is secure, private, and concierge-handled — no photo is released until your identity and claim are verified.
- 1View watermarked proof gallery to find your photo and note your claim number
- 2Complete and sign the secure Photo Claim & Release Form
- 3BRG / Marcus Books reviews your request
- 4Your approved photo is delivered privately to you
All claims are reviewed before any photograph is released. Submission does not guarantee delivery.
Follow the Gold
Stay connected to the trail
Get updates on events, readings, and performances at Marcus Books and Black Repertory Group — delivered to your inbox.