James Beard Award in the category of Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic. “Philadelphia [welcomed] me and shined me like a diamond,” says Martínez, noting she fell in love with the city right away. “There are a lot of immigrants from different countries here and it is an opportunity for me to bring my culture to a different space … South Philly Barbacoa and Casa México were the first to make handmade tortillas in Philly. So they are places I can bring my story, my roots and share with this strong community that has embraced me.” Joanne Wilmore — owner of Grace Manor Bed & Breakfast , the first Black-owned B&B in south-central Pennsylvania — also works to ensure visitors of all races and ethnicities feel embraced by the state’s cities and towns. A couple years ago, she founded Sojourn Noir , a tourism initiative focused on promoting travel to Black individuals to York County in response to research indicating they often feel unwelcome or discriminated against in certain destinations. By highlighting local businesses that cater to their needs and preferences and showcasing the rich African American heritage of York County, Wilmore helps Black visitors feel a sense of belonging. The desire for belonging, safety, and inclusion extends to all individuals from all walks of life, and no one knows that better than Liz Bradbury, who has spent her life on the front lines of LGBTQ+ equality in Pennsylvania. Since the 1970s, her relentless advocacy has shaped laws in Allentown, Reading, Bethlehem, and beyond — securing protections that once seemed out of reach. As the co-founder of the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center — named for her and her partner, activist Patricia Sullivan — Bradbury has built spaces of advocacy, education, and connection. The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center is a hub for arts projects, family programming, on-site supportive health services, and continued education training and workshops. Check the calendar for upcoming events or exhibits at its on-site art galleries, or attend the annual Lehigh Valley Pride , an annual celebration of the region’s robust LGBTQ+ community. “The Lehigh Valley has had 32 years of Pride festivals and I’m proud to say I’ve worked booths in every one,” says Bradbury. Today, Bradbury works as the CEO and Senior Director of DEI Training for DEI Associates, a division of Boudica Publishing Inc. Over the course of her career, Bradbury has trained thousands of professionals, from healthcare workers to state officials, on LGBTQ+ equity — empowering future generations to live, work, and thrive authentically in Pennsylvania. From New Hope and New Castle to Gettysburg and Lewisburg, Pride parades light up towns big and small, celebrating the LGBTQ+ community’s strength and joy — a statewide reflection of the inclusive, enduring legacy Bradbury has spent her life helping build. PA Pride Picks Looking to experience more contributions of LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians? Local advocate Liz Bradbury recommends: • LGBTQ-themed programs at Civic Theatre of Allentown • Keith Haring State Historical Marker, Kutztown • Lehigh Valley LGBT Community Archive at Muhlenberg College, Allentown • Art in the Park, Allentown VISIT BUCKS COUNTY New Hope Celebrates Pridefest, New Hope visitpa.com 45
Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Travel Guide 2026: Page 45
