Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Wyndham announces finalists for ‘Greensboro Six’ mural

Bhardwaj is a multi-medium artist with degrees from Panjab University in India

Wyndham announces finalists for ‘Greensboro Six’ mural

WYNDHAM REWARDS RECENTLY announced the three finalists for the mural project at Gillespie Golf Course in Greensboro, North Carolina. The selected artists are Vincent Ballentine from Brooklyn, New York; Raman Bhardwaj from Greensboro, North Carolina; and Abel Jackson from Charlotte, North Carolina.

A committee of key community figures and organizations chose these finalists from over 50 nationwide applicants, Wyndham said in a statement.


The project aims to honor the Greensboro Six, a group of Black men who, in 1955, played golf at the whites-only Gillespie course, the statement said. Their act of defiance against segregation occurred just a week after Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus. The Greensboro Six were arrested, convicted of trespassing, and spent 15 days in jail. Their actions and subsequent court cases eventually led to the desegregation of Gillespie Golf Course. In 1961, the Greater Greensboro Open (now the Wyndham Championship) became the first PGA Tour event in the South to welcome a Black player, Charlie Sifford.

“The Greensboro Six left a lasting legacy at Gillespie – one that deserves to be memorialised for generations to come,” said Ryan Wilson, First Tee – Central Carolina’s CEO. “Our chosen finalists have unparalleled talent and passion for their craft, and the quality of their work makes us confident these men will have a permanent place to be celebrated in our community.”

Wyndham Rewards, the title sponsor of the PGA TOUR’s Wyndham Championship, will install the mural at First Tee – Central Carolina’s Learning Center at Gillespie Golf Course, Wyndham said. It will be unveiled on August 5, at the start of Wyndham Championship tournament week.

The finalists

Vincent Ballentine, a multi-disciplined visual artist with a degree in film and education from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, explores Greensboro's intricate history through captivating and inspiring work. Raman Bhardwaj, a multi-medium artist with degrees from Panjab University in India, is a local Greensboro talent known for his diverse portfolio including murals, portraits, paintings, and illustrations commissioned by clients like the Charlotte Hornets and the Arts Council of Greater Greensboro. Abel Jackson, a visual artist and graphic design graduate from Winthrop University, embraces an open approach to creative expression, focusing on producing thought-provoking pieces that promote unity, pride, and inspiration.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts recently named Amit Sripathi as chief development officer, succeeding Chip Ohlsson, who departs in June.

More for you

Extended Stay America survey 2025

Study: Extended-stay hotels feel more like home

What makes extended-stay hotels better than vacation rentals?

EXTENDED-STAY HOTELS OUTPERFORM vacation rentals and apartments in comfort, value and sense of home, according to a survey by Extended Stay America. About 79 percent of respondents said extended-stay hotels are like a home away from home, while 82 percent said they offer a stronger sense of home than vacation rentals or apartments.

In the national survey by ESA and Wakefield Research, respondents preferred extended-stay hotels over other options, citing amenities at 34 percent, comfort and familiarity at 33 percent and personalization at 30 percent.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ameyalli Park City by Appellation resort

Appellation, Chopra launch Utah retreat

Introducing Ameyalli Park City by Appellation

APPELLATION HOTEL BRAND co-founders Charlie Palmer and Christopher Hunsberger are working with wellness expert Deepak Chopra to launch a new branded hospitality concept, “Ameyalli Park City by Appellation”, near Park City, Utah. The 78-acre retreat, set to open in 2026 in Midway, will include an 80-key hotel, a wellbeing center and multiple dining venues.

The resort will feature the Ameyalli Center of Excellence, offering health and longevity programming based on Chopra’s seven pillars of wellbeing: emotional regulation, sleep, mindfulness, movement, relationships, nutrition and laughter. Appellation will operate the property.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hyatt CEO Mark Hoplamazian receives Cornell Icon Award and renews RiseHY youth hiring initiative in the hospitality sector

Hyatt’s Hoplamazian is Cornell Hospitality Icon

Who is the CEO of Hyatt and why was he honored?

Mark Hoplamazian, president and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corp., received the Cornell Hospitality Icon of the Industry Award on June 3 in New York, recognizing his 18 years of leadership. The company also renewed its RiseHY commitment to hire 5,000 additional opportunity youth across the company and its hotels by the end of 2028.

The program provides employment access for individuals disconnected from the economy and supports their workforce participation through ongoing investment, Hyatt said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hilton celebrates 1,000th luxury hotel milestone with global expansion

Hilton tops 1,000 luxury hotels

What are Hilton’s newest luxury hotel openings in the U.S.?

HILTON WORLDWIDE HOLDINGS Inc. recently opened its 1,000th luxury and lifestyle hotel globally, with nearly 500 in the pipeline, such as NoMad Detroit. The company plans to add more than 150 luxury and lifestyle hotels worldwide this year, including its first LXR Hotels & Resorts property in India.

It added more than 100 luxury and lifestyle hotels to its pipeline this year, following the NoMad and Graduate brand additions and a new partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Hilton said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
RevPAR trends for US extended-stay hotels in April 2025

Report: Extended-stay April performance mixed

What's the latest on US extended-stay hotel performance for April 2025?

U.S. EXTENDED-STAY AND overall hotel RevPAR declined in April, reflecting their long-term correlation, according to The Highland Group. Economy and mid-price extended-stay hotels performed better than their respective classes, while upscale extended-stay hotel RevPAR fell in line with all upscale hotels, according to STR/CoStar.

The Highland Group’s “US Extended-Stay Hotels Bulletin: April 2025” reported a 3.6 percent year-over-year increase in extended-stay room nights available. This gain partly reflects the addition of mid-price brands WaterWalk by Wyndham in May 2024 and Executive Residency by Best Western in January to the database.

Keep ReadingShow less