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A LEGACY OF TRAVEL EXCELLENCE

Henderson Travel Service has a long and distinguished history in African travel and tourism. Henderson Travel first opened its doors in Atlanta, GA in 1955 as the first fully appointed African American owned travel agency in the U.S.

In 1955, the same year that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus in Montgomery, AL-when African Americans could not freely travel across town in the deep South because of segregation, Freddye and Jake Henderson were coordinating and promoting African American travel to Europe and soon thereafter to Africa. In 1957, before commercial airlines were flying to Africa, and all of Africa was still referred to as the “Dark Continent”, it was necessary for the Hendersons to charter an airplane to take the first group of American tourists to Ghana to celebrate its independence and the inauguration of Kwame Nkrumah as Africa’s first Black President. That pioneering trip to Ghana’s Independence celebration was the catalyst for what became a multi-faceted company involved in heritage tourism and tourism development projects throughout the African Diaspora. That pivotal 1957 tour was also the beginning of Henderson Travel’s commitment to promoting travel to Africa, for which we have won numerous distinctions and awards over the last six decades from various heads of state of African countries and travel industry associations and organizations.

One such award was the Africa Trophy, a prestigious award for excellence in the promotion of tourism to Africa. Additionally, Ms. Freddye S. Henderson, founder of Henderson Travel Service, received the Rosenbluth Memorial Award, the American Society of Travel Agent’s (ASTA) highest recognition of competence in the travel industry. Her daughter, Dr. Gaynelle Henderson, who has run the business since 1984 has continued the Henderson Travel Service pioneering legacy and received many awards and honors as well. Since 1957, Henderson Travel has literally sent hundreds of thousands of tourists to Africa.

Today, we are a full service, fully computerized, state-of-the-art Travel and Tour company and a Tourism Development Consulting firm that operates under the name of Henderson Associates. Henderson Associates/Henderson Travel is comprised of a team of employees, associates and technical advisors, uniquely qualified to provide the full range of travel, tour services and tourism development consulting, in addition to the full array of conference and special event planning and management. On every assignment, we bring a comprehensive blend of management, technical and administrative support to implement, support and monitor the requirements of contracts and projects.

Six Black-Owned Travel Businesses To Support

As the world continues to open up amid COVID and after the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, travelers move in a more mindful direction.

For those looking to plan their next adventure, here are six Black-owned businesses that we recommend that will help put your plans in place.

NOMADNESS Travel Tribe

NOMADNESS acts as an influencer for millennial explorers of color. Through planned trips, media content, and travel innovation, promoting travel for all people. Since its foundation in September 2011, NOMADNESS’s Tribe has grown to include over 20,000 members. To join the Tribe, participants need only a passport stamp and plenty of enthusiasm.

In addition to their trips, NOMADNESS ran the first U.S. conference for millennial travelers of color, the #NMDN ALTERnative Travel Conference. It also sells merch through its online store, NOMADNESSMERCH.COM .

The NOMADNESS Project, a web series, documents Tribe trips on YouTube . Issa Rae, the show’s co-producer, has made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and starred in HBO’s four-season comedy, Insecure . Her series The Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl achieved a Shorty Award for Best Web Show.

NOMADNESS’s founder, Evita Turquoise Robinson, gave the first TED Talk on the Black travel movement. She visited the White House under the Obama Administration for South by South Lawn (SXSL), a 2016 festival celebrating cutting-edge creators. She started NOMADNESS after a life-changing trip to Paris and has visited 30 countries since.

Akwaaba Bed and Breakfast Inns

Since her first bed and breakfast in 1995, Monique Greenwood has established six within the Akwaaba brand. Alongside her husband, Glenn Pogue, she’s opened unique hotels across the U.S. Her locations wow guests with personal service, beautiful décor, and all the unique charms inherent in boutique hotels.

Akwaaba’s original location is the renowned Akwaaba Mansion. In the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, the renovated Italianate villa from the 1860s offers four luxury suites. The Jumping the Broom, Regal Retreat, Ashante, and Black Memorabilia Suites share the house with the owners’ autumn home. A personal, elegant focus had defined the Mansion for twenty-two years. HGTV featured it on Restore America .

Next, Akwaaba expanded to Washington, D.C. They refurbished a historic building in the stylish Dupont Circle area into a charming hotel. Greenwood named each Akwaaba DC’s six rooms after an author or literary genre. Whether guests stay in the Zora Neale Hurston or the Poetry room, they can expect romantic flair.

In 2006, Greenwood and Pogue bought the first bed and breakfast they’d ever stayed in together. They turned the Annabel Lee Guest House, an 1850 cottage in Cape May, New Jersey, into the cozy, seaside Buttonwood Manor. Large families or groups can stay there.

Travelers can also find Akwaaba luxury at Akwaaba Philadelphia, New Orleans’s Akwaaba in the Bayou, and the Poconos Mountains’ Mansion at Noble Lane. Greenwood and Pogue move seasonally between their bed and breakfasts, keeping each location going with their personal touch.

Henderson Travel Agency

When MS Freddye and Jake Henderson founded the Henderson Travel Agency , they created the first African-American-owned travel agency in the U.S. The agency launched in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1955 and still organizes unforgettable trips today.

Initially, the Agency coordinated trips to Europe for African American travelers. At the time, Black Americans faced significant travel discrimination, and the Hendersons wished to make it more accessible.

Commercial airlines wouldn’t fly to Africa, so in 1957 they chartered a plane to Ghana. A group of tourists celebrated Ghana's independence on a landmark trip.

Henderson Travel Agency has earned many awards for its work. In 1982, the American Society of Travel Agents awarded Freddye S. Henderson with its highest honor, the Joseph W. Rosenbluth Memorial Award.

Dr. Gaynelle Henderson, who took the company over in 1984, achieved the U.S. Department of Transportation Administrator’s Award for women business leaders. In 2013, the company attained the African Diaspora World Tourism Award. Henderson Travel Agency and its leaders have consistently gained recognition for excellence in travel and historical importance in the African Diaspora.

The Agency currently runs various international tours, including trips to Cuba, South Africa, Senegal, and many more. They organize activities, guides, and accommodations for travelers. Henderson Travel Agency continues to run yearly trips to Ghana, honoring its culture and long connection to the Agency itself.

The Oak Bluffs Inn

The whimsical Oak Bluffs Inn boasts pastel siding, a wrap-around porch, and its own lighthouse. This nautical element reflects the Inn’s seaside home in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, the renowned summer island rich with history and natural landmarks. Architect Mark Hutker added the lighthouse in the 1970s, building off the original 1870 home.

The Oak Bluffs Inn is the first on Martha’s Vineyard owned and frequented by Black Americans. In the following decades, the Oak Bluffs Inn became a foundational vacation spot for Black travelers and a string of famous guests.

Barrack Obama, Wynton Marsalis, Bell Hooks, and more have all stayed within its walls. Its historical significance affords it a spot on the Vineyard’s African American Heritage Trail.

In 1998, Rhonda and Erik Albert purchased the Inn and made it their own. They maintain ten unique rooms with their stylistic quirks. The two carriage house spaces work great for larger groups, and Room Two contains a reading nook. Each morning, Erik makes a renowned breakfast for guests.

Oak Bluffs Inn makes for beach-going convenience. Surf and sand are five minutes away, and the Inn provides towels, chairs, and umbrellas. It maintains a blog for activities to do on a stay in Martha’s Vineyard. The Oak Bluffs Inn offers family-friendly accommodations.

Travel Noire

Travel Noire empowers Black millennials to experience the world. As a digital media company, it creates online communities and produces relevant content on travel. It has been an organizational space for hundreds of trips; its members have visited every continent. It aims to make travel inclusive, representative, and accessible for travelers of color.

Travel Noire focuses on an elegant and sustainable lifestyle built around travel. Its parent company, Blavity Inc . , owns various brands for Black millennials. These include Shadow and Act , an entertainment industry news site, 21Ninety , a beauty and lifestyle brand; and Afrotech , a company for entrepreneurship in the tech industry.

Travel Noire’s founder, Zim Ugochukwu, has made Forbes’s 30 under 30 lists for young, influential entrepreneurs. She was the youngest appointed precinct judge in North Carolina.

She is a member of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100 , a prestigious list of leaders whose work “elevates humanity.” She has a lifelong history with travel, and she’s a fundamental leader in the Black Travel Movement.

La Maison In Midtown

La Maison In Midtown , a charming three-story bed and breakfast, enjoys a centralized location in Houston, Texas. Near the Theater and Museum Districts, Houston’s shopping centers offer guests chic lodgings for an unforgettable vacation.

Genora Boykins and Sharon Owens purchased La Maison’s land in 1999. They’d worked together in business before and sought to expand their efforts to the hospitality industry. They spent ten years creating a business plan, building the hotel, and gathering capital.

They opened La Maison’s doors in 2010 to glowing reviews. They aimed to create a cozy space amidst a bustling city, and reviews on sites like TripAdvisor attest to their success.

La Maison provides breakfasts with “Southern flare” and several cozy common spaces, including a parlor, living room, and dining room. It features seven guest rooms with effortless elegance. La Maison made BedandBreakfast.com’s Top 10 Inns for Business Travel, and it has been featured on Forbes , Travel + Leisure , and Good Black News . The hotel is currently open with increased health and safety policies.

Written by Olivia Cipperman

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Our Black Travel Group in Atlanta is like no other. We offer travel packages that are perfect for girls trips, singles, and couples. Join us as we explore new cultures, discover authentic cuisine, and impart on new adventures around the globe. We invite you to take a look at some of our upcoming trip s . We are not just another black travel club, we create immersive trips with expansive travel plans that are engaging, fun-filled, and truly memorable. Contact us to learn more about our Atlanta Black Travel Group.

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After 65 Years, the First African-American-owned Travel Agency Continues to Provide Travelers With Unique Experiences

The agency planned Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s trip to Oslo when he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Before the current boom of black travel nomads and influencers, there were African-American pioneers who charted a course that would revolutionize the way black travelers traversed the world. More than 80 years ago, postal service worker and travel writer Victor Hugo Green had the foresight to create The Negro Motorist Green Book , a travel guide that was initially the go-to source for black American travelers. It featured a list of recommended hotels, restaurants, and gas stations that catered to black patrons when Jim Crow laws and racial segregation were prominent in the U.S.

Born in Harlem, New York , Green published the first edition of The Negro Motorist Green Book in 1936, printing 15,000 copies every year. In 1952, he broadened the scope of the guide to encompass travel beyond road trips by changing the name to The Negro Travelers’ Green Book .

And come June, visitors to the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee , will be the first to see a traveling exhibition dedicated to the Green Book . The exhibit will offer a look into Green’s vision to inspire African-Americans to travel as well as inform a community of the safe spaces across the country. “We’re calling out some really great Green Book business owners and their stories with video and interviews,” said Candacy Taylor, the curator and content specialist for the exhibit. “I’ve found and tracked down family members about artifacts, so there’s about 50 objects, including my photographs of the buildings and businesses today.”

Taylor’s new book, Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America , will serve as the companion piece to the new exhibition, scheduled to make its way around the U.S. through 2024. The book chronologically traces the social mobility and history of African-Americans over the last century.

For the book, the cultural documentarian used her stepfather’s firsthand accounts of growing up in the segregated South, her own travels to dozens of businesses listed in the Green Book , and her experiences working with literary scholars and cultural critics, like Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., an award-winning filmmaker and the director of the Hutchins Center for African & African-American Research at Harvard University. She poured all of her hard work into telling the story of a resilient community and culture.

“As much as black Americans have had so many challenges and hit so many really low points, it’s even in those low points that we’ve done incredible things,” said Taylor. “We have this incredible legacy.” And part of that legacy, listed in the popular travel guide, includes the black-owned and operated businesses, from restaurants that served incredible soul food to fabulous nightclubs where patrons could see music icons such as Billie Holiday.

One of the key figures in Taylor’s book is Victor Hugo Green, who was determined to provide African-Americans with the necessary tools to travel in the U.S., and eventually abroad. In 1949, Green expanded his travel guide empire and launched Reservation Bureau, in a partnership with Maher Travel Bureau in New York. The company offered trips to the West Indies, Bermuda, Europe, South America, and Africa. As advertised in the Green Book from 1949 to 1957, this new liaison was not only meant to encourage African-Americans to travel abroad, but also to provide an underserved community with travel logistics, from applying for passports and visas to booking travel via airline, railroad, and at the time, steamship.

The 1950s were hailed as the “golden age of travel.” According to Taylor’s book, international travel was becoming more popular within the black community. The airline industry became the new mode of travel, offering perks like being able to arrive 30 minutes before a flight and gourmet in-flight meals. As more black jetsetters traveled beyond U.S. borders, they quickly took notice of the positive greeting they received abroad, especially at a time when African-Americans were still fighting for equality. Langston Hughes wrote how “colored performers live normally as human beings” overseas. He and other lauded artists and entertainers, such as Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong, and Ella Fitzgerald, felt accepted and received warm welcomes when visiting Europe.

In 1954, Freddye Henderson, who later founded Henderson Travel Service , the nation’s first African-American-owned travel agency, took a group of black female fashion designers to Europe. Much like the celebs, they raved to family and friends about their incredible travel experiences. “My mother shared with my father how easy it was to plan the trip, and also how well-received they were as Negro women in Europe. This was the impetus for opening the doors of Henderson Travel a year later,” said Gaynelle Henderson, Freddye’s daughter and the company’s current president.

For Freddye, the trip conjured an epiphany. She knew that if she spread the word about how African-Americans were being accepted abroad, they would travel overseas. In 1955, Freddye and her husband, Jacob, opened Henderson Travel Service in Atlanta to assist African-Americans who wanted to travel internationally. Coincidentally, it was also the same year that Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama.

The agency planned and booked thousands of trips for black travelers, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 's visit to Oslo, Norway, where he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. And Freddye tagged along, too.

During the agency’s early years, the Hendersons saw the potential of specializing in travel to Africa. In the 1950s, they wanted to plan trips to encourage travelers to explore the continent’s diverse, rich cultures. There were only a handful of travel companies offering services to what was then known as the “Dark Continent,” but this travel agency provided exclusive services, including chartering planes to West Africa, an area where there were no commercial flights. Their decision to focus on trip planning and tours to Africa would not only become a revenue generator for the company, but it would also serve an underserved travel market and forge valuable connections in the black community.

“We really had the advantage because our niche specialization was African tours,” said Gaynelle. “We had a well-known reputation because my parents, in particular, worked closely with almost all the major African-American professional associations during those early years.” Those social and professional organizations included the National Bar Association, National Medical Association, historically black colleges and universities, as well as black fraternities, sororities, and churches.

With their credibility in the travel industry and long-standing trust among African-American travelers, Henderson Travel Service didn’t escape a couple of changes in the 1980s – more than 30 years after opening their doors. In 1984, Gaynelle, one of Freddye and Jacob’s four children, opened a new office in Washington, DC. Meanwhile, the Atlanta office remained open with her parents still at the helm. However, in 1989, Henderson Travel Service closed in Atlanta, and the Hendersons passed the baton to their daughter to take over the family business.

From an early age, Gaynelle remembers learning the ropes from her parents. “I remember writing airline tickets with my sisters and brother. My mother would give us a list of names and a prototype of how to write the ticket with city segments, airlines, and departure times,” she said. “We would literally copy that ticket and just change the names manually in handwriting.” On the weekends, Gaynelle and her siblings would use a mimeograph to print out the travel information that their mother would mail out to clients.

From handwritten tickets to printed tickets to electric boarding passes, Henderson has seen it all. And as times have changed, the agency has transformed its mode of operations, too. As the new president of the agency, Gaynelle wanted to diversify the company to increase its revenue stream. So, she received her AA certification in Small Business Administration in hopes that the agency would be able to compete and bid for federal government travel contracts, especially now that it was based in Washington, DC. Initially, her hard work and valiant efforts were not able to get her a seat at the table, so she decided to expand the company to include conference management, which required similar skills, including logistics planning and booking.

In 1989, it would prove to be a smart move. “The first time we put a proposal together for a contract, we won it,” she said. “That happened to be a $1 million contract with Health and Human Services to plan and manage a series of conferences on AIDS and the minority community in different cities around the country.” From this lucrative venture, Henderson Associates was born as a new consultant division under the Henderson Travel Service brand. Creating another valuable revenue stream, it helped the agency survive difficult times and stay afloat during the Great Recession that occurred from 2007 to 2009.

Henderson Travel Service continues to bolster its reputation for specializing in tours in Africa, including their most popular tour destinations of Ghana, Senegal, and South Africa. Meanwhile, Henderson Associates focuses on federal government contracts and assisting other countries “in building their market shares.” It breathed new life into the company, providing more valuable partnerships and connections. In 1990, for example, Ghana Airways sought out Henderson and appointed her the national manager for North America to increase the number of African-American travelers visiting the West African nation.

And in 2001, Henderson Associates was awarded a contract to work with Bermuda’s Minister of Tourism, David Allen, on the African Diaspora Heritage Trail conference, where countries and people of African descent converged on the island nation to discuss how enslaved people have influenced their country’s or community’s history and culture.

Over the last decade, Henderson Travel Service has survived the increase of travel apps and online travel aggregators by banking on its well-renowned reputation and expanding its tours to group-requested destinations such as India, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia, while still managing a few Africa tours per year. Henderson believes people are still intrigued by Africa because it’s an unfamiliar travel destination. “People are just so uninformed about Africa that it really is a disadvantage in terms of travel planning. They don’t know where to start,” she said. “Some people are still uncomfortable about planning on their own, and I think it’s best to come to a specialist who can plan your travel to Africa.”

Celebrating 65 years in the travel business this year, Henderson Travel Service lives on through Freddye and Jacob’s daughter, as she and the agency continue to provide travelers with unique experiences in Africa. Henderson said she’s semi-retired and has been contemplating the agency’s next chapter. But for now, she’s focused on planning more tours and writing a book that her mother started, which will give travelers, historians, and culture documentarians a glimpse into the lives of an African-American family that became true pioneers in the travel industry.

Related Articles

The Past, Present, and Future of the Nation’s First Black-Owned Travel Agency, Henderson Travel Service

By Jessica Poitevien

Established in 1955, the origin story of Henderson Travel Service—both the first Black-owned full-service travel agency in the U.S. and a pioneer of Black American travel to Africa—is rooted in the determination and resilience of one woman: Freddye Henderson. She was intent on showing her fellow Black Americans what the world had to offer them, in spite of the many social ills—rampant racism and sexism, in particular—that sought to keep them out. More than 60 years after the agency’s landmark first trip to Ghana , held before commercial flights to Africa were even available from the U.S., HTS is still going strong—and it’s her daughter, Gaynelle, who has kept it at the vanguard.

Gaynelle was only eight years old when her mother founded HTS in Atlanta, but it didn’t take long before she started pulling her weight in the family business. Henderson vividly remembers her preteen years, when she and her older siblings would spend weekends in the office, filling out airline tickets by hand, while their mother worked on trip planning and their father handled the accounting. At 16, Gaynelle started guiding group tours on her own and continued doing so throughout her college years. It was a role she loved, but after graduation, Henderson decided to forge her own path.

Gaynelle Henderson's parents, Freddye and Jacob, pose in front of Henderson Travel Service's Atlanta headquarters in the early 1960s.

“I remember consciously not wanting to be in the business,” she says. “For the longest time, I just wanted to do my own thing and wasn’t particularly interested in returning home.”

When Henderson’s career took her to Washington, D.C., however, she realized the internationally diverse city was the perfect market for an extension of HTS. She took money from her own savings, rented out a one-room office, and in 1984, Henderson Travel Service of Washington, D.C., was born, running alongside the Atlanta flagship.

Her timing, as it turned out, was perfect. In 1989, Henderson’s then-elderly parents were ready to shut down their Atlanta operations, leaving Henderson to take over their clients and continue the HTS brand. Leaning on her prior experience in management consulting, Henderson took the business a step further than her parents by expanding its offerings to include travel contracts for the U.S. government. For 20 years, Henderson managed two HTS divisions servicing government contracts, which brought in several million dollars on its own, as well as leisure travelers.

“That diversification contributed substantially to the longevity of HTS,” Henderson says. “There was no way we could have survived as a small travel agency through the end of commissions from airlines, the internet, people buying their own tickets, and eventually even being able to book their own tours online. It would've been difficult for us to survive at the level that we did.”

But in 2004, Henderson ended HTS’s government contracting work to focus on the leisure travel clients. And four years later, she decided it was time to return to the company’s beginnings entirely, and focus on what she really loved: planning group trips to Africa .

“That was the aspect of the business that really appealed to me,” Henderson says. “I’m passionate about taking people to Africa, exploring their roots and understanding the history of Africa.”

According to Naledi Khabo , CEO of the African Tourism Association, much of the shift in attitudes—not only towards Africa, but also in how Black travelers are viewed—is thanks to the work of HTS.

“We tend to talk about the Black travel movement as if it's a modern movement. There's no Black travel movement without Henderson Travel,” Khabo says. “They were taking Black professional associations, churches and affinity groups to connect with the continent long before the movement had a label. We are thankful for the foundation they laid, which has given rise to a deeper appreciation of the value of the Black traveler today.”

Though her mother managed to send clients all over the continent, there was one market that Henderson was able to open on her own: post-apartheid South Africa , which became the company’s most popular destination for several years.

Today, you’ll find Henderson semi-retired but still organizing at least five totally customized group trips to Africa every year. Most of her clients head to West African countries like Ghana and Senegal, where she says they have impactful experiences learning about the history of the Transatlantic slave trade and connecting with the people and cultures there.

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“It's just such an eye-opening experience for [Black Americans], and they come back with more pride, often more connection to their heritage and history, and just excitement to share that and return with other family members or friends,” Henderson says.

Beyond planning meaningful trips for Black Americans, Henderson is also proud that her family’s business has always prioritized working with local, African-owned tour operators on the ground.

“It was very important to us to foster and help develop other Black businesses on the continent,” Henderson says. “In many cases, these were companies just getting started, but we gave them our business, and they were able to grow.”

Gaynelle Henderson in Kenya in the 2010s

Now, one of these business partners may be the future of HTS as Henderson takes steps to ensure the company lives on after she’s gone. Since the younger generations of her family have not shown interest in running the business, Henderson is partnering with Landtours Ghana Limited , an Accra-based operator, who will take over the day-to-day business operations, allowing her to lessen her involvement and simply be the face of the company, as well as the main initial contact, for as long as she pleases.

The two companies have worked together for about 15 years, with Landtours Executive Chair Mona Boyd describing Henderson as an adventurous, open-minded, and customer-centered colleague who has “helped to raise the profile of many African destinations.”

“As an African American woman, it means a great deal to me to have the opportunity to be part of carrying on the legacy of this iconic travel business,” Boyd says. “There are very few African Americans in the travel industry in America and it would be very sad, after over 60 years, if Henderson Travel no longer existed. […] I hope that Landtours’ technology driven back office will enable Gaynelle to keep her parents’ legacy alive for many generations to come.”

Henderson isn’t sure if or when she’ll ever fully retire, but in the meantime, she’s enjoying planning trips to Africa and encouraging other travel agencies to start or improve their offerings on the continent. More than anything, she hopes that continuing to tell the story of Henderson Travel Service will inspire others.

“We’ve managed to survive 66 years, two generations, and two different women running the agency all these years,” she says. “It’s been a wonderful experience.”

7 Black-Owned Travel Companies You Should Know About

Jul 31. 2017.

This article was originally posted on Las Morenas de España .

This is the age of the Black Travel Movement. Despite what mainstream media may depict, there are more African Americans traveling, now more than ever. Also, despite the stereotypes, we’re traveling to more than just the Caribbean, Bahamas, Miami, and Vegas. With the rise of social media, online platforms, and travel communities, travel resources have become more readily available. Not only that, but the visibility of black travel has vastly increased as well; showing people of color that “Hey, you could be doing this too!”.

In the wake of this new age black-owned start ups have been able to fill in the gaps in the market, providing experiences, products, and services catered specifically to people of color. Here are 7 black-owned travel companies you should know:

Airfordable

When you hear the term “layaway” you probably think of clothes, toys, and big ticket items from Supercenters and places of the like. Where your mind probably doesn’t go is to airline tickets. However, it is a real thing and I’m here to tell you all about it. Birthed from the struggle of not being able to go to her native country, Ghana, during school breaks at university, Ama Marfro created Airfordable . This black-owned, travel company has made it easier and more affordable than ever to book flights. How so? Airfordable allows customers to secure their desired flight with an upfront deposit, and then pay in bi-weekly, recurring, installments until their flight is paid off. The best part about the service is no credit check is required. So, no more putting off your travel dreams because you’re low on cash or credit. No more dropping buckets of money on a flight at one time when you have other things that may take precedence at that time (you know, like rent/mortgage, lights, water, and gas). No more missing out on group trips because “the way your bank account is set up”. No more!

Travel Noire

Millennial women of color are dominating the travel scene right now. One of those women on the forefront, leading the pack, is Zim Ugochukwu, the creator and CEO of the online travel community, Travel Noire . I’ve been a fan and a follower of this community from early on and have witnessed it’s immense growth. It’s where I learned that glitch fares even existed, and how I nabbed an incredible deal to Abu Dhabi for $187, roundtrip.

  Learn How to Spot Error-Fare Flights!

This brand provides tools, resources, and experiences for the unconventional traveler. It offers everything from travel tips and tricks on how to save for travel to how to make travel a part of your lifestyle. Whether you’re sauntering through the world solo or gallivanting with a group, TN has built an inclusive community with resources for everyone. With their TN Experiences you can “discover a world you never knew existed”. Carefully curated, Travel Noire has cultivated local group trips that allows travelers to journey deeper and have a true authentic experience. Some of their 2017-2018 destinations include, Amalfi Coast, Bali, Cape Town, Cuba, Salvador, Zanzibar, and more.

We all need a tribe – that select group of people who are “family by choice”. That’s exactly what Evita Robinson set out to create when she created the Nomadness Travel Tribe. Likeminded individuals, with an urban edge, who have a lust for travel is what the Tribe is all about. Nomadness didn’t just stop at curated group trips; from their web series to Nomadness apparel to annual travel conferences, it has become an entire lifestyle brand.

Black Girl Fly

This group was founded for women and girls who love travel. It has since turned into a melanin movement and tight-knit sisterhood. What started as a way to share her personal journey, owner’s Gabrielle Victoria corner of the interwebs eventually morphed into an entire network of women who enjoy the same interests. Since 2015 BGF has begun offering group trips. However, these ladies take group trips to another level! Glamping in Gatlinburg anyone? Or how about sliding on your fuzzy slippers or a cozy onesie for a weekend Slumber Party in Atlanta ? You can also experience the world, and immerse yourself into various cultures with BGF, visiting places like Cartegena, Nairobi, India, etc.

Up in the Air Life

Work hard. Play harder. Enjoy the finer things in life. This is, essentially, the concept of the black-owned, travel company Up in the Air Life (UITAL), founded by Claire Soares. Claire noticed there was a gap in the market for working professionals of color who, not only loved travel, but also enjoyed the finer things in life. This realization lead to the creation of UITAL, a luxury travel company that creates epic experiences.

UITAL curates meetups, trips, and events, all in the name of inspiring, connecting, and growing. They do all the leg work and heavy lifting with the planning, and all the members, known as Lifers, have to do is show up and have fun.

I’m sure by now we’ve all heard of the unfortunate discrimination issues with Airbnb (remember hashtag #AirbnbWhileBlack?). Though the company made strides to address the issue, those efforts may have came just a little too late. Such was born Innclusive . After experiencing their own fair share of Airbnb grievances, founders Rohan Gilkes and Zakiyyah Myers set out to create an online booking platform where people of all backgrounds can travel the world and stay with respect, dignity, and love. They now have accommodations in over 130+ countries.

  Learn About Other AirBnb Alternatives!

Las morenas de españa.

Of course I can’t talk about black-owned travel companies without mentioning LMDES . This was my go to guide/source when making my move to Spain, and I have been fortunate enough to now be a contributor to this incredible site. Our founder, Sienna Brown, first launched LMDES as a resource for women of color who lacked resources about life in Spain. Since then, this digital platform has reached greater heights and not only cater to expats in Spain, but travelers and expats worldwide.

LMDES is all about inspiring and building communities, so they often host various events in Spain, such as the LMDES Rooftop Social, Madrid Afternoon Soiree, and Sake & Vibe. One of the biggest events was the Thrive Conference , where people from all over the globe came to learn, share, and network in a day packed with informative workshops and panels. There are so many great things to come with LMDES. Stay tuned!

These are all separate entities who share a common goal: Inspire. Enrich. Build. Connect. Grow. Learn. The Black Travel Movement is taking the world by storm, and it’s black-owned travel companies like these that help facilitate and pave the way.

What are some of your favorite black-owned travel companies? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below! 

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Monique Y. Wells

Thanks for publicizing the names of these black-owned travel companies. My husband and I are the founders of Discover Paris!, a black-owned travel company that provides guided walking tours on African-American history in Paris. Visit our website here: https://discoverparis.net .

Ms.Mac’s Teach and Travel llc

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The 14 Best Black Travel Specialists to Help You Create Your Next Dream Vacation

Luxury travel doesn't always prioritize the black traveler. these industry advisors are making it sure it does., demetrius simms, demetrius simms's most recent stories.

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Three years ago, travel research and marketing firm MMGY Global released a report showing that Black Americans spent more than $100 billion on travel in 2019, a banner year for the industry. A staggering figure, for sure, driven by 458.2 million Black travelers stays or 13.1 percent of the US leisure travel market at the time. The pandemic upended such progress for all groups in 2020, and its lingering hold was evident in 2021 and 2022. Now, though, with the world fully reopened, expect Black travelers to expand their reach and ambitions alongside most five-star travelers: 49 percent of respondents in a survey conducted by Booking.com said they would likely spend more on their next trip.

What will drive their decisions on where to spend that expanding budget? Per a  follow-up report by MMGY Global in 2021 54 percent of Black travelers were “more likely to visit a destination if they see Black representation in travel advertising.” Additionally, 71 percent of US and Canadian respondents agreed that “safety was extremely or very influential” in their decision-making on whether a destination was perceived as desirable for Black people. A chance to connect with locals and engage with activities that highlight Black culture were also decision-drivers, according to a poll by Global Green Book of Black travelers from over 60 countries, attracting 67 percent and 40 percent of respondents, respectively.

The travel industry as a whole has a poor reputation for representation: More than two thirds of travel advisors in America identify as white, and barely more than 7 percent are Black. Finding those Black advisors, though, and working with one who truly understands the luxury market is time consuming and complicated—and that’s where Robb Report ‘s list can help. We’ve pulled together 14 need-to-know names, with varied specialties from cruise to safari, living and working everywhere from Atlanta to Tanzania—these are the people to call when you next want to book a vacation.

Amina Dearmon, Perspectives Travel

Following a 15-year stint as a luxury beauty and fashion exec, Amina Dearmon launched her membership-based travel agency Perspectives Travel  in 2019. Based in New Orleans, her firm Perspectives Travel operates on a tiered basis, with three levels of service: Silver, Gold and Platinum. The latter, costing $1,000 for 10 hours of planning, includes preliminary phone consultations, tour and restaurant bookings, as well as special offers after your trip for future travels. 

Crucially for her luxury bona fides, her firm is affiliated with Virtuoso , an invitation-only organization that effectively acts as a guarantee of quality in the luxury travel space. Dearmon hopes to encourage Black travelers to absorb her sense of adventure. “I share my experiences as a luxury traveler with my clients in the hope that it will encourage other travelers of diverse backgrounds to feel confident in visiting the destination or property,” she tells Robb Report.

Brianna Glenn, Milk + Honey Travels

Milk + Honey Travels founder Brianna Glenn realized her love for travel after college via a 10-year professional track-and-field athlete. “I got to compete all over the world,” she tells Robb Report . “Travel had become such a huge part of my life and I loved the idea of finding a career that would keep me connected to that in some way. Glenn has visited over 30 countries and launched her Orange County-based agency in 2015 with a focus on properties and experiences that are “boutique in nature.”      Milk + Honey Travels, a Virtuoso member, plans trips around membership-based and per trip fees. Its services range from custom trip planning to VIP travel packages, and à la carte services. VIP travelers pay a one-time $2,000 retainer which includes unlimited travel planning for a year, travel concierge for all your trips and insider access to amenities at luxury partner properties—from Four Seasons to Mandarin Oriental —in destinations like Italy, Spain, France and Croatia.

Kareem George, Culture Traveler

As a lifelong traveler, Kareem George has ventured to over 80 countries across all seven continents. Managing a team of nine at his luxury travel agency named Culture Traveler in Franklin, Michigan, the specialist aims to foster greater global understanding through travel. “I feel strongly that travel is our best teacher,” he tells Robb Report. His firm helps diversify travel by promoting less visited destinations to its clients, with luxe stays from Hungary to New Zealand.

George is hoping to expand the cruise world’s relationship with Black travelers via his role on Hurtigruten Expeditions ’ Black Traveler Advisory Board in 2022. “Black travelers are a large group keen to travel,” he tells Robb Report, and notes that 2023 looks stronger than ever, “The number of Black travelers we serve has already risen by 12 percent over this time last year.” Weeklong trips rates for two can range from $5,000 to $7,000 per person. Weekend escapes via yacht charter and private jet trips can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000. 

Maurice Smith, Eugene Toriko

Sustainable luxury travel specialist Maurice Smith is the founder of Eugene Toriko , a four-year-old company in Atlanta, with a team of eight Black advisors, including Smith. “After being in the industry for years, I noticed that there’s an inconsistency in the level of support provided to travel advisors/independent contractors,” he tells Robb Report via email. “This sparked my drive to build relationships within the industry with the ultimate goal to start my own independent travel agency.”

Come to him for adventurous, eco-minded trips—he has particular expertise in Central America. Smith’s focus on sustainability includes collating an assortment of affiliate properties that share his values— Bawah Reserve in Indonesia is a personal favorite, but he’s also an advocate for Habitas , the new luxury boutique operator which emphasizes minimal footprints with maximum impact. Trip design fees start at $499.

Kemi Wells, Wells Luxury Travel

U.K. native and Wells Luxury Travel founder Kemi Wells, has visited more than 60 countries across six continents and has lived on three of them. She joined the travel industry in 2014 as an executive for a travel management company before launching her own Vancouver-based travel agency in 2021 that specializes in curating luxe trips around celebrations, wedding anniversaries, honeymoons and birthdays. 

For one recent trip she planned to Rwanda, a country that has helped pioneer the high-end, low-density tourism model that’s increasingly emphasized across Africa: Kemi coordinated a private jet-based trip there which included a stop in South Africa, too, with stays at One & Only Gorilla’s Nest and Singita Kwitonda . Fees start at $500 for 4 hours of planning at WLT. When booking trips during peak season, longer, complex trips can total around $150,000 to $250,000.

Linda Scroggins, Affluent Luxury Travel

Affluent Luxury Travel is the brainchild of founder and president Linda Scroggins. Scroggins spent time in asset management and dispositions before launching her travel agency in 2019. She says she segued into the industry by turning her after hours abilities into a career. “While working in the legal profession for almost two decades, my hobby was researching and making travel arrangements for my friends and family, doing it for free because it was fun,” Scroggins tells Robb Report. 

Her concierge-style, Virtuoso-affiliated company offers three tiers of membership—the highest end, Black, costs $200,000 per year. For that, expect access to booking everything from private jets to VIP one-off experiences like meeting actor Denzel Washington or receiving two ringside tickets to a boxing match in Las Vegas. Planning rates for ALT start at $1,000 per person and can reach up into the six figures for bespoke vacations and cruise adventures.

Antoine Wilson & Okello Jao, Melanated Safaris

Looking to explore the Africa’s Serengeti or mainland Tanzania? Try Melanated Safaris founder Antoine Wilson and its co-owner Okello Jao. Their 100% Black-owned, Tanzania-based firm offers a diverse assortment of safari packages, varying from a five-day Serengeti-focused outing to two-week-long Ultimate Tours focused on various corners of the country.

“Each and every safari we give back to the local community in some shape or fashion, whether it’s giving school supplies to local Maasai Villages, or passing out sanitary napkins to school girls,” Wilson tells Robb Report . The firm specializes in small groups, with specific dates earmarked for each itinerary. Trips planned by the agency can range from $3,500 per person to $20,000 with VIP packages including 5-star hotels, expedited customs screenings and private transportation for your adventures.

Belvin Baldwin II, Showtime Travel

Showtime Travel , founded by Belvin Baldwin II, is an Atlanta-based company that specializes in five-star all-inclusive vacations. Baldwin identified that niche as a turnkey option for the busiest of Black professionals—the ultimate five-star fly & flop—but will also work with anyone to custom-design a trip, as with a recent ask, where he helped organize a $200,000 trip to Ghana for a client’s birthday. It included a stay at five-star Kempinski hotel, private excursions, custom tailored clothing for each guest and a dedicated driver for the entire trip.    “The major challenge I see is the limited diversity marketing from luxury travel suppliers,” he says of the Black traveler today, “If they don’t see any diversity, they may feel that they are not wanted or may not enjoy their vacation.” 

Valerie Dorsey, Cruise Planners

Valerie Dorsey’s niche is in her name: Cruise Planners. Dorsey launched the company after a 21-year career in pharmaceutical sales, as a post-retirement career, with an already existing love of travel. “About half of my business is with black travelers,” she says, noting that her role is as much advocate as agent. “I sit on the Board of ASTA South Florida as the director of membership. We are strong advocates of Blacks in the C-Suite of the cruise lines and all other aspects of the travel industry.”

Dorsey has expertise in all major cruising destinations from Alaska to the Mediterranean, and works almost exclusively with luxury lines like Viking, Silversea and Oceania. Cruise Planners’ rates average between $30,000 to $50,000 in total among luxury clients, Dorsey claims. One recent trip she planned, part cruise and part land, totaled $60,000 for clients to explore Greece and Italy.

Jackie Williams, NuVibe Travel Experiences

Jacksonville, FL native Jackie Williams had a life-changing trip in 1998, two years after Hurricane Bertha ravaged St Martin and the Virgin Islands. Seeing students walking along the streets there amid still-ruined streets was an indelible memory for 16-year-old Williams and it set her up on the professional path she’s followed since: establishing a travel agency to help others experience similar awakening experiences via their travels.

NuVibe Travel Experiences specializes in destination weddings and vow renewals, as well as destination celebrations and bucket list adventures that includes safaris and luxury expeditions. Her rates for trip-planning start at $750, and $1,695 for destination weddings. Starting budgets are $1,500 per person and can add up to a starting budget of $21,000 for a seven-night experience.

Tisha Neufville, Neufville Travel

Virtuoso-accredited, Atlanta-based Tisha Neufville is passionate about travel. As a teen with Jamaican roots, the luxury travel advisors explored the world from a young age with her parents and has now visited a total of six continents.

Neufville has lived in Asia three times, and is an insider guide to Japan above all—she’s recognized by the country’s notoriously picky tourism board, JNTO, as an advanced specialist in the country. Consulting fees for Neufville’s insider services range between $450 and $1,500 per trip.

Tillie and Joseph James, Tilly James Travel

After 20 years of working in federal government, Tillie James became a travel advisor three years ago, and now co-owns her namesake firm with her husband, Joseph, a former event manager; planning rates start at $500 per itinerary.

The Richmond VA-based couple will plan luxury vacations across the world, from Peru to Paris, but has specific know-how in cruising, whether river-cruising in Europe or island-hopping around French Polynesia. They also operate select group tours—later this year, these include a 10-day trip to Provence and a music-focused Caribbean cruise.

Demetrius Simms is a digital staff writer at Robb Report. Following a brief stint in public relations, their work has now appeared in lifestyle and culture publications such as Men's Health, Complex…

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The Best Black-Owned Businesses In The Blacklanta Directory

Blacklanta showcases a diverse array of businesses,Travel Noire has chosen a few businesses for you to check out on your ATL getaway.

Rafael Peña • Aug 23, 2023

Raven Strode, the visionary behind Blacklanta, encourages you to turn to her online directory of Black-owned businesses. Founded in 2019, Blacklanta is a beacon for those looking to support the city’s thriving Black business community.

“Atlanta is a vibrant hub for all things Black, with a myriad of Black-owned enterprises,” noted Strode. The directory showcases a diverse array of businesses, neatly categorized into sections like dining, beauty, healthcare, education , travel, and more.

Travel Noire has chosen a few businesses for you to check out on your Atlanta getaway.

Nubiance Salon & Spa

Located within Cheshire Square, in the neighborhood of Buckhead, Nubiance Salon & Spa offers a haven of style and relaxation. Their team of friendly and skilled stylists is committed to delivering cutting-edge hair and beauty services in a tranquil environment. Nubiance offerings cater to a spectrum of preferences. Embracing the diversity of hair textures, they provide services such as a natural hair silk press, precision cuts, and styles for both short and long hair. Explore their range of specialties, including keratin smoothing treatments, lock grooming, starting, and interlocking. For those special occasions, inquire about the salon’s wedding packages to elevate your bridal experience.

Metro Atlanta Urban Farm

Metro Atlanta Urban Farm is on a mission to make high-quality, affordable produce accessible to all. Their commitment to sustainable agriculture is reflected in their certified naturally grown produce. The farm not only grows crops but also nurtures self-sufficiency by imparting gardening and agricultural skills to families. Community lies at the heart of their vision, inspiring their efforts to provide fresh, pesticide-free produce and promote health education. In the heart of College Park, the facility invites visitors to join the movement and cultivate a healthier future.

Purple Corkscrew Wine Shop & Tasting Room

Back in 2012, a fresh concept emerged in the world of wine rooms. This distinct space exudes the warmth of a cozy, eclectic den, inviting patrons to savor their favorite vino as if they were relaxing in the company of their closest friends. The innovative approach expanded to include a retail wine shop, boasting an exclusive assortment of wines from small vineyards. This evolution culminated in the birth of The Purple Corkscrew Wine Shop & Tasting Room in 2016. Now, under one roof, the opportunity beckons to sip and shop.

Proprietor Steffini Bethea has skillfully crafted a haven at The Purple Corkscrew that mirrors the warmth of her own home. Alongside her dedicated team, every wine that graces the shop’s shelves is meticulously tasted and selected. Beyond merely procuring a bottle or flight, Steffini’s ethos centers on delivering unparalleled customer service and a wine experience that lures patrons back for more, day after day.

For Keeps Books

For Keeps Bookstore isn’t just a destination for acquiring rare and timeless Black literature. Created by Rosa Duffy, this special space transcends the conventional bookstore experience. Functioning as a dynamic reading room, it invites visitors to engage with a history frequently overshadowed or relegated to the discount bins of other establishments. Its distinct blend of books is available for purchase along with an assortment meant exclusively for in-shop perusal.

Good Boys Treats

Good Boys Treats is crafted for dog enthusiasts, where your pup comes first. As passionate advocates of canine well-being, the establishment specializes in crafting CBD-infused treats. These treats aim to alleviate your furry friend’s anxieties, ultimately fostering a sense of ease and comfort. Now, caring dog parents can ensure the optimal health and happiness of their cherished companions.

The Wellness Sanctuary

Owner Tiana Allen is the embodiment of the modern age’s wellness-preneur archetype and the driving force behind The Wellness Sanctuary, Inc. Allen’s multi-dimensional expertise spans the domains of wellness, education, business, and social justice.

A luminary in her own right, Allen holds a tapestry of degrees and experiences. Allen is certified in Lymphedema Therapy, a specialized field where she shines in the management of lymphatic disease. Her compassionate touch extends to her role as a wellness practitioner, offering solace and healing to expectant mothers. The Wellness Sanctuary is also a haven for domestic abuse survivors and those who have confronted the challenges of cancer. Central to her ethos is the ardent desire to empower others with the tools to embrace self-love.

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ATL Unguided Celebrates Black Travel Experience in Atlanta

February 4, 2021

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) introduces ATL Unguided : Where Legacy Meets Evolution – a multi-platform collection of content spotlighting the destination’s Black travel experience. This curation of key cultural experiences amplifies Black voices, stories and businesses to help Black travelers, along with those interested in supporting the Black community, see and explore the beauty of Atlanta.

ATL Unguided’s launch also coincides with Black History Month to showcase Atlanta’s rich heritage and influence on arts, culture, food, music, technology and civil rights. ACVB partnered with local Black content creators to write personal stories of their favorite places to spend time in the city to give travelers a local’s view of the destination.

“Atlanta is a bold reflection of Black excellence,” said Sheretha Bell, vice president, brand, ACVB. “You see it in our people, our creativity, our resilience, our pride and our strength. When visitors hear untold stories and learn where to go and what to do to celebrate the fullness of Atlanta’s Black history and culture, we know they experience our city differently. Our hope is they feel more connected and want to share with family and friends.”

ATL Unguided includes an array of content including:

• Atlanta’s Black history and excellence
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• Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs)
• Iconic Atlanta musicians and lyrics
• Soul food and Southern eats
• Quintessential spots in Atlanta

Additional content and stories will continue to be added at ATLunguided.com .

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The first Black-owned travel agency | A Summer Series episode The Folo by Travel Weekly

Welcome to our annual Summer Series, where we feature some of our favorite recent Folo by Travel Weekly episodes. In honor of Juneteenth, this week we're highlighting an episode about Henderson Travel, the first Black-owned, accredited travel agency in the U.S. Among the topics owner Gaynelle Henderson and host Rebecca Tobin discuss: How Henderson Travel came to be in Atlanta in the 1950s, convincing Black Americans to travel abroad, its eventual focus on travel in West Africa, and the agency’s work with Black giants like Martin Luther King Jr. This episode was initially published Feb. 20 and has been edited for length and clarity. Episode sponsor: This episode is sponsored by the Globus Family of Brands. https://www.globusandcosmos.com and https://www.avalonwaterways.com Related links: The first Black travel agency flourished, overcoming immense challenges: https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Travel-Agent-Issues/The-first-Black-travel-agency-Henderson Henderson Travel https://hendersontravel.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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7 Black-Owned Travel Groups That You and Your Squad Should Join

If you haven’t already noticed, black women are currently slaying the travel scene.

In fact, we are traveling now more than ever before. African-Americans’ intent to travel reportedly increased by 19 percent just from 2015 to 2016. According to the Mandala Research Firm, 17% of us take one or more international trips a year, and we spend $48 billion on travel in the United States alone.

But in a society where the typical jet-setter is portrayed as white, minority travelers are consistently underrepresented by the mainstream travel industry. Despite the media’s misrepresentation, there is a large, fast-growing community of black travelers, and these six trailblazing black travel groups are at the forefront.

All owned and operated by BAUCE women, they share a common goal: to shatter the stereotype that people of color don’t travel.

1. Nomadness Travel Tribe

With a demographic that’s 80% female and 85% African-American, the Tribe unites like-minded individuals looking for an alternative to mainstream travel. Those wishing to join must have at least one passport stamp and complete a Newbie Bootcamp. The average sellout time for their trips is five minutes!

2. Urban Events Global

Last but not least, this travel group is a secret gem that will help you discover the world. Founded in 2011, Urban Events Global members are predominately people of color who enjoy experiencing all that life has to offer, from exotic trips to international travel. The group currently has more than 50,000 members and includes accommodations for their international packages .

Every year the group hosts an adult camping trip in Central Texas for individuals who love the outdoors and are looking to bond and make new friends in the company of Mother Nature. For people that love the seas, Urban Events Group also offers a luxurious cruise weekend every March for ultimate party-goers.

If using your passport is more your travel style, then you can also partake in an annual international meetup that occurs in far-off, activity-packed locations. If you’re looking to mingle with a mature and fun-loving crowd, then Urban Events Global is your crew.

3. Travel Noire

Travel Noire’s message is simple: you can and should make travel a priority—and you don’t need a ton of money or vacation days to do so. And the best part? They’re here to show you how . Aside from offering exclusive group trips dubbed “Travel Noire Experiences,” the company recently launched Compass, a community course designed to equip members with the knowledge and tools needed to travel the world on their own terms. It features guides like “How to Convince Your Boss to Work From Anywhere” and “Hidden Destinations You Won’t Believe Exist”, along with live Q&A calls and trainings with world-class experts.

If that doesn’t draw you in, one look at their Instagram account will leave you overcome with wanderlust. Be prepared to spend hours scrolling through their colorful collection of real black travelers in the world’s most stunning destinations.

4. Tastemakers Africa

Cherae Robinson started the company to change the often-negative perceptions of the continent. Her former NGO job frequently led her to African countries, but her journeys were often met with fear and skepticism from those at home. But upon seeing people’s positive interest in response to the photos and stories she brought back with her, she saw an opportunity to transform the narrative by inviting people to experience some of the lesser known aspects of African life. Soon after, the Tastemakers brand was born, and it has since grown into a global community with offices around the world.

If you’re planning your own trip, be sure to check out their mobile app, TSTMKRS, to find the best events at your destination, ranging from hidden beach escapes to pop-up dining with local chefs!

5. Black Adventuristas

Inspired by her own life-changing experience, Garnett launched Black Adventuristas as a platform to encourage, celebrate, and connect adventurous black women. According to their Facebook page, the group “aims to inspire black women to conquer their fears, pursue their dreams, and fully experience the adventure that is life. Whether it is traveling the world, tackling an epic bucket list, quitting a “good” job to pursue a non-traditional career, trying a daring new hair or lipstick color, or simply dining alone for the first time, all adventures are worthwhile.” Check out their Instagram, Facebook, and Tumblr, and keep an eye out for their upcoming website.

6. Black Girls Travel Too

With that empowering message—along with their group tours of incredible destinations like Cuba and Barbados—Black Girls Travel Too is emboldening more and more women of color to discover the world on their own terms.

7. Passport Posse

Are you into traveling in crews? Then this is the group that you need to know about. Started by two travel addicts, Shantoya and Willie, outside of a cafe in Greece, Passport Posse was born from the need to reverse the negative perceptions and encounters that they had experienced as African-Americans in foreign countries. The goal of Passport Posse, according to their website, is to 1) encourage the travel frequency of minorities abroad, 2) provide a platform for healthy travel interactions and communities of practice, and 3) create trips and sponsor activities aimed to immerse globetrotters in the culture of the countries they have elected to visit.

One thing that makes Passport Posse unique is the fact that they really help you to reduce your overhead costs when lodging abroad if you sign up to become a member. Not to mention, this crew is filled with serious travel enthusiasts — the lead ambassadors have both collected at least 25 stamps (and counting) in their passports!

Many people will choose a tour group when they travel, because it will be more convenient, and traveling with a group of people will produce more interesting things. How to make your tour group more unique, you can customize your unique lanyards, and you can customize the group logo or pattern on it to give it to your members, which can not only promote your tour group but also easily distinguish your members for easy management. If you are traveling for a family or an individual, custom lanyards can be hung with a mobile phone or water bottle to free your hands and prevent them from being lost. Order now on GSJJ, it is more cost-effective to order in bulk.

Featured photo via BrooklynAl

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This content was produced via a paid partnership with BAUCE Magazine.

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Comments 34.

Check out The Pack Roadtrip Travel club founded and operated by Andrae Marable based in Portsmouth, VA!! I have been on numerous trips with “The Pack” and each experience has been memorable. Andrae’s professionalism enhances the variety of events offered and the price packages are easy on the pockets. The Pack is one of best black travel groups on the rise!

The Pack Roadtrip travel club is a great black owned business in Virginia. I have done short weekend tris and extended stay trips. Andrea Matabele is the greatest.

Wonderful article!! I have utilized The Pack Road trip Travel Club (owner Andre Marable) which is a black owned travel company. His trips are exquisite, fun, exciting and innovative! He’s always so pleasant and professional to work with and I encourage your readers to check him out! He’s located in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia! thepacktravelclub.c om/ Thank you for your time!!

Great article, Nikki.

Missing one of my favorite group – Black Travel Movement… I’ll look for the update

Check out Jet Black! @globaljetblack on Instagram.

Check out MyWanderYear.com

You should check out Travel By Design also. It’s based in Philly and they do some awesome trips!!!

Are all of these groups predominately female?

Very inspiring . I love it!!!

Yep! It’s a phenomenon I’ve noted for a while now and also why I intentionally try and curate trips which include men.

I always want the freedom to travel and connect with others 🙂

Check out BlackGirlFly.com all black women!

I would like to know more about this group…

How do i join the travel group,?

I seek culture travel club!!

Black Travel Movement has nearly 175,300 members in their Facebook group.

Great article!

LS Travel Club is another, both male and female. Affordable travel packages Payment plans available

• Pingback: 15 Travel Bloggers of Color You Should Be Following

You missed a vital one — “Black Kids DO Travel” For all our brown beauties all over the globe. You should check it out too :)

Videnda travel is huge too! Surprised they didn’t make the list

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I’m a 57 y/o married female that wants to travel. My husband isn’t interested so I’ll go it without him. But I’m not interested in the beach/bikini loving groups. What’s the best travel group for me?

Urban events global >> https://www.urbaneventsglobal.com/

• Pingback: Why Solo Travel Is so Worth It - and Reasons Why You Should Try It!

Can’t believe my favorite travel group didn’t make the cut! A well blended travel group out of Dallas, Texas is Curlfriends Abroad! I recently traveled to Bali with them and had a wonderful time! http://www.curlfriendsabroad.com

Wow, you missed the most dedicated black girl travel group Black Girl Travel Movement (BGTM) is an international membership based organization that facilitates transformational experiences “BGTM does not host trips”all around the world to improve the lives of black women and their families. Through their unique one of a kind travel experiences, BGTM offerS a sacred space for its members that encourages black women to make self-care their top priority, assist black women with identifying personal goals, fellowship with likeminded women while celebrating their individual life achievements through travel.

I booked with Black Girls Travel Too, and their customer service was horrible. After they canceled the trip due to poor attendance, we only received a credit for a future trip. I would never book with them again.

I have travelled with http://www.thetraveldivas.com . They have wonderful trips and do a great job!

For ladies in your late 30’s to early 60’s, Well Diva Lifestyle and Fly Life Travel offer a classy and mature experience each time. Our trips are usually intimate experiences for about 15 to 35 ladies. By the end of your time with us, you realize that you’ve just gained a new sisterhood. We offer one to two travel experiences a year where we invite you to bring your male partner. The rest of our trips are ladies only, and at least two per year are wellness retreats. Visit welldiva.com to take a look at the blog and travel experiences coming up. Visit Facebook.com/groups/flylifetravel to connect with the sisterhood on Facebook. We look forward to hosting your next amazing travel experience.

The Wanderlust Tribe http://www.wanderlust-tribe.com is a reputable travel group based in the DC metro area. The trips are co-ed and the group size averages between 14 and 20. Our itineraries are unique and the trips are a good value. Check us out at @wanderlusttribeadventures on IG.

Weekend Travelers – Black Female Travel Group! joinweekendtravelers.com

Love this list. Extremely useful. I think I may have found y tribe. fingers crossed

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Celebrating Black-owned airlines and their impact on the aviation industry

• By Isaac Ocean
• Jun 25, 2024

As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the contributions of Black-owned airlines have become an integral part of its history and development. These airlines provide essential services and represent a significant step forward in diversity and representation within the aviation sector.

A new era in aviation

One of the most notable recent developments is the emergence of a new Black-owned flight school. This institution is breaking barriers and paving the way for more minority pilots to enter the field, addressing the critical need for diversity in the cockpit.

Trailblazers in the industry

Among these pioneering companies is a 35-year-old Black woman leading one of the world’s largest Black-owned airlines. Her leadership is a beacon of inspiration, showcasing the potential for young Black entrepreneurs to make significant strides in industries traditionally lacking minority representation.

Another historical highlight is the story of Air Atlanta, a Black-owned airline that marked its place in history as a trailblazer. The rise and fall of Air Atlanta serve as a testament to the challenges and triumphs faced by Black-owned businesses in the competitive aviation market.

Challenges and innovations

The aviation industry is not without its challenges, as companies must adapt to the growing concerns over passenger sizes and cabin space. This issue has sparked discussions and innovations aimed at accommodating the diverse needs of today’s travelers.

The legacy and ongoing efforts of Black-owned airlines are crucial in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for the aviation industry. As these companies continue to soar, they inspire a new generation of Black entrepreneurs and aviators to reach new heights.

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• Air Atlanta , aviation diversity , aviation innovations , Black-owned airlines , cabin space solutions , digital , entrepreneurial leadership , inclusive aviation , industry trailblazers , minority pilots

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