I will be in Salt Lake for a convention next week and will have a few hours on Saturday to walk or drive around town.
I thought I would go to the Sundance store, since I like the stuff in the catalogs.
Anyone been there?
Any place I should go besides the obvious (the Tabernacle and BYU)?

Isn't anyone out there familiar with Salt Lake?

I was in SLC about 10 years ago and remember it as a very clean, charming city. The Tabernacle is gorgeous with just a few hours. You'd need days to go up exploring into the beautiful surrounding mountains. I remember some good shopping but can't tell you where I was...sorry!

There are a couple of malls downtown, ZCMI Center and Crossroads. They are across from the convention center and Tabernacle Square. Not sure if there is a Sundance store there though. If you have a car and about 3 hours, Park City is a nice place to visit. It's about a half hour east of the city, just off I-80. It has some nice shops.

What is a few hours ? Are you staying at a downtown hotel? BYU could be a stretch since it is in Provo and nothing there to see anyway. I assume you are talking about the Tabernacle and the Temple located at Temple Square. Well it is the largest tourist attraction in town. Shopping at Trolley Square perhaps. I can not recall exactly where the Sundance store is in SLC. I think it is off of the Bangeter Highway about 2400 So. So that would be bout a 20 minute drive from downtown SLC. Also, a Sundance store located in the Sundance resort..it is smaller. and Sundance will be a 1 hour drive from downtown SLC.
If Dayle would answer this post she will have some good suggestions. In fact I am appalled that she has not post a reply yet.

Is it safe for an african-american to travel to Salt Lake City?

BYU is about an hour's drive away. I wouldn't waste my time going there unless you have relatives or some other connection there. The Sundance store is nice, but not a must-see. Park City is a fun place to visit if you have a lot of time. It's about 45 minutes from downtown Salt Lake.