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travel - Page 3

5 mins read

The Rise of The Black Travel Movement

I encourage you to do a little experiment. Go to our trusted Google, search ” travel ” and click on images. Notice anything? See a certain commonality? No. People. Of. Color. Anywhere. Sadly, in 2017, this is the reality and because of this, about 2 years ago, a crop of niche online communities started to rise.

travel

Largely seen on Instagram, their feeds regularly posted carefully art directed, color rich, make-you-want-to-pack-your-bags-right now and catch a private jet charter images featuring African American travelers in almost every corner of the world you can imagine. Travel Noire, Nomadness Travel Tribe, Tastemakers Africa, Black Travel Hackers and a host of others gave meaning and credibility to what’s known as the black travel movement and it’s shown no signs of slowing down.

While these groups are not solely comprised of African Americans, it can be said that the majority of their members are people of color. Why is that? Why the need for niche travel groups?

Reasons for this span from the simple to more complicated; from recent trends to systematic disparities for African Americans during the Civil Rights era. And in case you’re unfamiliar, let’s do a brief lesson on the need for this movement.

Travel Noire

Starting simply, the travel market is estimated at $1.2 trillion globally and while African Americans and Hispanics annually contribute $48 and $56 billion respectively, there is still a lack of notable representation of people of color in travel marketing and communications.

In fact, according to Nielsen, on 2.6% of media advertising is geared toward African Americans. Only TWO. POINT. SIX. PERCENT! Let that sink for a minute…I’ll wait.

Travel Noire

In the travel world, there is a longstanding stereotype that people of color do not travel and if they do, it’s only to places in the domestic south or Caribbean. This belief permeates in major hospitality and travel companies and therefore do not fully represent people of color beyond the token, thinking simply placing one brown person in the mix checks the box on diversity.

Representation in media allows people to imagine and manifest possibility; that they too can have what has seemed out of reach, thus, sites like Travel Noire, Black and Abroad, and Nomadness Travel Tribe were born to give inspiration and show the market, “We out Here” in the words of Nomadness Travel Tribe founder, Evita Robinson.

Nomadness

The idea African Americans don’t travel stems from very real experiences dating back to the pre-Civil Rights era. First, slavery and Jim Crow left African Americans with significant disparities in income providing little to spend beyond life’s necessities, like leisure activities.

Second, when African Americans did find themselves on the road, often times conditions were subpar in terms of service and accommodations due to segregation. To combat this, The Negro Travelers Green Book, published from 1936 to 1964 served purpose in providing African Americans with valuable and likely life saving tips while traveling in the US.

The guide would feature listings of restaurants, lodging, and places regarded as safe and would provide service to African Americans. It could be said that modern black travel communities are the new versions of The Negro Travelers Green Book with an added layer of pride, inspiration and an international view.

The Black Travel Movement offers a sense of community, the ability to connect with individuals who prioritize travel, and make exploring parts of the world that seemed like a far-fetched dream, a reality.

Travel Noire

But more importantly, these travel groups are contributing to something bigger; these groups are helping to show the realities of African Americans beyond the often narrow and miniscule representation in mainstream media. #LiveYourBestLife

Ola Abayomi is a blogger living in New York City. In 2015, she was lucky enough to spend 3 glorious months backpacking through Southeast Asia. That sabbatical inspired her blog Out of Office: Gone Living. Follow Ola’s adventures on IG @ola_ola_ayy.

9 mins read

3 Powerful Things that Traveling the Globe Taught Me

I spun the globe around as quickly as I could. With the confidence of a fourth grader, I pointed to each continent and said, “One day I am going there.” My teacher overheard me and reassuring replied, “I believe that you will, Tyra.”

My fascination and desire to travel actually began because of my introduction to foreign lands through my first love of reading. I would read a scene, imagine all of the details, and then envision myself there. One place that I had always wanted to visit was Portrush United Kingdom due to it’s close proximity to so many special spots.

A ceremonial welcome from the indigenous people of Australia

Once I linked my literary world to that of my geographic studies, I was determined to step foot on all 7 continents. Some 30 years later and 5 continents down, the quest still unfolds.

Traveling for me has always been about connecting with the strangely unfamiliar, yet familiar. Even in lands where I did not speak the language or where my religious beliefs or political ideologies were not the norm, there was, inevitably, something that I shared in common with the people who lived there. When visiting new places it was always important to follow vaccination recommendations such as getting jabs for Mexico. It is always better be on the safe side.

Sydney’s Opera House

It is through my international travels that I grew and learned quite a bit about what it means to belong, to be foreign, and to be misunderstood or embraced simply because of where I was from or what I looked like.

Great Barrier Reef Region

If I had to capture the three most powerful things that traveling taught me, they would be the following:

1) Black is and Black ain’t. “Where are you from?” It is often an innocuous question that we use to make a connection with someone else. Yet, in the context of foreign travel, it serves as a springboard to really reflect upon what it means to be a part of the African Diaspora.

My honey-caramel skin and kinky, curly tightly braided hair did not signify ‘she is one of us’ in certain parts of Cameroon. In fact, my Americanness trumped my Blackness. This was strangely at odds with my dominant worldview of the Motherland as my homeland.

Then there was the trip to Cape Town. While in South Africa, I was often mistaken for a Coloured woman (a category created during apartheid to classify mixed raced people) as people would casually and comfortably speak to me in Afrikaan.

When I explained that I was American, some people’s demeanors would shift and deferential treatment would ensue. There was no escaping that in some spaces, my Americanness Othered me and even in certain places in Africa, my Blackness could not protect me.

Waterfall in a rainforest in Australia

2)Black women are beautiful. I know and you know that we are beautiful, but every once in a while, wouldn’t it be nice to be in a space where your beauty is not challenged or minimized?

I used to tell my girlfriends that if they ever needed a self-esteem pick-me-upper than to go to Italy or Southern France. Black women of all hues, sizes, and shapes are considered “muy bella” (very pretty) in certain cultures.

Now, I don’t want this to become a digression into a conversation about interracial dating, but too often in the United States, Black women are the ones who are asked to capitulate to certain beauty standards in order to be deemed desirable and attractive.

So, I will be honest that it was refreshing to see men of various races who found Black women aesthetically appealing. Now, of course, one cannot gauge the deepest levels of love and care between two people, but from what I observed, there were numerous beautiful Black women gracefully walking through the streets in the arms or their admiring lovers. Muy bella indeed!

Three Sisters rock formation in the Blue Mountains of Australia

3)You are insignificant. There is a tendency in the United States to assume that our worth is dictated by our credentials, our status, and our material comforts. Yet, when you stand on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in one direction and the French Alps in another one, you realize just how insignificant you are.

When you see a clam in the Great Barrier Reef that is older than most of the people who you know, then you begin to understand just how large and magnanimous the world is. There is so much more to living and breathing and existing than simply acquiring things and titles.

Dr. Camie Wright and Dr. Tyra Seldon in Port Douglas Australia

There is a majesty in knowing that there are billions of people on this earth, intricate dishes that are made from the most delicate of food staples, and languages that permeate your ears faster than you can comprehend them. This is the beauty of international travel; you are forced to lean into discomfort while glowing in the awe. All you need for successful travelling is your cabin luggage and an open mind!

Of course, there are elements of world travelling that every person must be aware of, including physical danger, possible terrorists’ attacks, and navigating the nuances of any new and unfamiliar culture and typography.

But those potential red flags do not usurp the aspects of world travel that simply cannot be replicated by reading about them in a book, magazine, or even this blog.

There are certain things that you must live and traveling to distant lands is one of them. So, for everyone who is reading this who has never stepped foot on foreign soil, go find a globe, give it a spin, start dreaming, and most importantly, begin traveling.

Dr. Tyra Seldon is a professional writer, motivational speaker, and the Founder and CEO of

Seldon Writing Group, LLC. She has worked with a wide range of clients ranging from Dr. Boyce

Watkins, Damon Dash, and Kenyatta Griggs to Freelancers Union, National Geographic and

OpenEd. Her articles often explore the intersections of race, culture, gender, and identity. She can be reached at seldonwritinggroup@hotmail.com

24 mins read

#SHOPPE NAIJA: The Black and Bourgie Shoppe Black Experience in Lagos

I’ve wanted to attend Social Media Week Lagos for the last five years, ever since my girl Ngozi Odita founded it with a group of fellow Nigerians.

The largest innovation and technology convening on the Continent, SMW Lagos is definitely a Nigerian hot spot for the cool girls and guys representing innovation in Africa across industries.

The Busy African and I decided to introduce Shoppe Black to the masses on the other side of the Atlantic, while checking out some of the best of what the Continent has to offer.

Opening Day of Social Media Week Lagos.

Although this would not be my first trip to Nigeria – it’s been a minute. Tony hasn’t been back for a few years either so it would be a homecoming of sorts for him, especially since he’d have his new Iyawo [read: bride] in tow.

Considering the fact that Nigeria is home to 174 million people, with many more of her children located throughout the globe, we were both looking to Shoppe Black when we went “back home.”

What we didn’t know was how many businesses were not owned by Nigerians. We just naturally assumed everything was for us, by us. Not so. While there are countless Nigerian owned businesses, the country also has its share of businesses owned and operated by Lebanese, Chinese and other Asians.

Nobody’s here for the xenophobia that countries like South Africa are sadly exhibiting. However, in our quest to support our own, we went on a mission to experience the best Naija-owned businesses we could find.

Imagine our delight when we happened upon the #buyNigerian movement that includes businesses with great concepts and excellent customer service.

Who knew just how fun and cosmopolitan our Black and Bourgie in Lagos experience would be? Certainly not us. The two weeks we spent Shopping Naija inspired us beyond imagination.

From nail bars and rooftops to organic juice brands and museums, Lagos has a little bit of everything with lots of room left to start something new.

Hanging out with my in-loves post brunch.

So whether you’re in Nigeria for business, going home to visit the family or relocating to this bustling country, check out our personal faves from in and around Lagos.

This is only a sample that reflects our quick trip but we’re looking forward to diving into the Buy Nigerian movement as we continue to build our own brand. And watch out, #shoppenaija may be coming to the innanets near you.

Shantrelle P. Lewis


WHERE TO STAY

La Maison Fahrenheit Hotel
While Tony and I didn’t stay at Fahrenheit, we certainly hung out there with friends on a few occasions. The rooftop is undoubtedly one of the best places for drinks and stimulating conversations in the city.

The boutique hotel has the coolest vibe and decor. The rooms are sexy and spacious. I’ve heard great things about the food at the in-house restaurant as well. We’re definitely staying here the next time we’re in town, if only for a few days.
fahrenheithospitality.com

Protea Hotel Lagos at Kuramo Waters

During Social Media Week, we opted for Protea Hotel Lagos Kuramo Waters. It’s a smaller garden style hotel owned and operated by Marriott on Victoria Island, located a few minutes away from Landmark Center.

The rooms were modern and comfortable. We stayed on a lower floor one night and in a suite on an upper floor the remainder of the trip, which was better because of the small balcony and natural sunlight.

The food at the restaurant was pretty decent. The staff was beyond accommodating and friendly. P.S. Don’t let the website fool you. The hotel is situated on a beach but not the the kind of beach you’ll have access to or where you’d probably opt to lounge. marriott.com

 

WHERE TO GRAB A BITE

Nok by Alara
Named after one of the world’s oldest civilizations that flourished during the Iron Age in present-day Nigeria, Nok’s ancient terra-cotta sculptures, jewelry and artifacts are preserved today in museums around the world. The contemporary Nok is a well designed concept restaurant that features a delicious modern take on traditional Nigerian and Diasporan dishes.

It’s cute for a date night or gathering with a group of friends, with both indoor and outdoor seating options, although the menus vary depending on where you choose to dine. On one occasion I had the jerk chicken and the grilled beef filet on another.

The Red Alert was my adult beverage of choice. I ate there at least on three separate occasions and they did not disappoint on any. It’s on the pricier side but well worth it. And if you wonder why the aesthetics are so supreme, that’s partially because the building was designed by internationally renowned architect David Adjaye.  nokbyalara.com

Samantha’s Bistro and Grill

There’s no denying the fact that I’m a picky eater. Not only that, I’m the self-identifying Burger Queen. My love for hamburgers has nothing to do with the fact that I’m American but everything to do with the fact that I have always, always loved hamburgers.

So put me in any city or country and I’ll find the best burgers there. In Lagos, Samantha’s might be it. Also, their grill had some of the BEST tilapia I’ve tasted in my life. And I’ve had some great tilapia. I couldn’t stop talking about this tilapia though. It was grilled to perfection. You should also check out their brunch. IG: @samanthasbistro

Hans & René
With locations at the Radisson Blu hotel in Ikoyi, Palms Shopping Center and Ikeja City Mall., Hans & René is a very cute, Black-owned bakery and gelataria.

They serve traditional flavors of gelatos and sorbets that you’d find anywhere in the world but also a variety of local concoctions that were quite delicious. My personal favorite was the Agbalumo – a sorbet made from a popular indigenous fruit affectionately called “African cherries.”

Hans & René also offers a selection of other sweets and baked goods. This is not the place to go if you’ve kicked your sugar habit but most certainly the place to visit if you have a sweet tooth. hansandrene.com

Craft Gourmet by Lou Baker
This may be bit of a faux pas, considering we are all Black everything but I be remiss if I didn’t recommend Kraft Gourmet located on the upper floor at Mega Plaza. Why? Because although not Black, they are of color and their customer service was EVERYTHING.

Plus the food is good. I dined there for a late brunch twice. The chicken and waffles were tasty. The $10 mimosa came in a carafe that allowed you to squeeze out at least three mimosas, which meant I was pretty tipsy both times but I didn’t complain.

The owner’s husband was very sweet and extremely accommodating. I believe they’re Indian, which in this case, is good enough (brown enough) for me. Great service goes a long way. IG: @craftgourmet

So Fresh
One afternoon after quite a hot and dramatic visit to the National Museum, Tony and I were looking for a quick bite en route to our next appointment.

I saw the signage from the road on our way to the museum and asked the driver to pull into the parking lot for So Fresh. We were pleasantly surprised by the neat juice bar that also had a variety of salads, wraps and smoothies.

It’s not only nutritious and but is an an ideal haven for Nigerian veggie lovers. We love their branding and customer service as well! sofreshng.com

Simply Green
So Fresh isn’t the only health conscious brand in Lagos. Once again, my girl Tayo put me on to several great Nigerian businesses in the area. She and her husband are huge supporters of the #buynigerian movement.

During a visit to her home, she offered me a refreshing and nutritious Simply Green cold pressed juice. I was in love! The owners of Simply Green have mastered the art of branding. Additionally, their products come from a Nigerian owned farm where they grow their fruits and veggies.

Their juices can be found at various stores throughout the country as well as at their own location in V.I. If you’re really committed to cleansing and giving your system a break after stuffing it with fufu and pounded yam, you can order a cleanse which ranges from 3 to 6 days.

The Simply Green staff delivers your fresh juices directly to your door. How cool is that? simplygreenjuice.com

 

BEAUTY


Scratch and Social

It’s no secret that I have a picky palate. I’m even pickier when it comes to my pedicures. I decided to check out Scratch and Social at the end of SMW when it was time for my nails to get touched up.

Someone told me that the uber cute nail shop also had a bar so I figured it was the perfect answer to cure our need for happy hour and tackling my manicure at the same time. The vibe is super chic.

The place is owned by a millennial from Texas who returned home to try her hand at Nigeria’s booming start up sector. I absolutely loved the place. I loved the service. What I didn’t love was the four hours it took to get my nails done. (Neither did Tony or Yaba).

I think it had more to do with the fact that it was a Friday night and that it takes at least an hour for each service and there was at least one person ahead of me. In MY opinion, it might be better if the owner just makes everything by appointment only to alleviate the wait unless she hires more staff to meet her growing demand.

Also a free drink for the wait would have been a nice gesture. All in all, she was very sweet and I’d still go back because you can’t beat the vibes. scratchandsocial.com

House of Tara
There was a House of Tara booth during SMW and I picked up two lipsticks. I loved the colors! So after I discovered that it was in the neighborhood when we drove by one day on the way back to my in-laws, I stopped in to pick up a few more lipsticks and a few things for my mother-in-love.

House of Tara has a full line of cosmetics. You can book appointments to have your makeup done as well.  Since I purchased my colorful hues, I’ve been wearing them almost daily.

They’re not very big tubes so I’m not sure how long they’ll last in comparison to larger brands but I love the way the purple and bright pink shades highlight my complexion. shop.houseoftara.com

 

WHERE TO SHOP


Alara
Located in Victoria Island, Alara is very chic, very modern, very ultra-dope concept store boasting of luxury brands from around the globe. The four – five story  locale has anything and everything a couture loving fashionista/o would ever need in their wardrobe or home.

I don’t do red bottom shoes (my ankles and size 10s/41s were not set up for stilt walking unfortunately) but they had plenty pairs of Christian Louboutins if that’s your thing. The store also functions as a gallery that is curated by my good friend Temitayo Ogunbiyi.

After working up an appetite spending hard earned money at Alaro, you can go its sister restaurant in the back for some good bites. IG:@alaralagos

Grey Velvet
I have to credit my play cousin-in-love for turning me on to Grey Velvet. Kemi’s an it girl who comes home frequently. Because she highly values more modern twists on traditional wear versus Western name brands, she shops at Grey Velvet.

We checked it out before flying back to the States. Kemi was right! I wanted to buy half the store but only left with an Ankara Agbada, a few tops and a pair of shades.

It’s a cute boutique located in the Lekki shopping center and has a variety of colorful dresses, blouses, pants, skirts, accessories including the local made high end Femi handbags. greyvelvetstores.com

 

Lekki Market
I posted a status on facebook about my experiences in Balogun Market hunting for fabric. I handled it like the O.G. professional Diasporic haggler that I am.

But battling the sheer excited chaos and heat that is Lagos’ largest street market is not for the faint of heart or inexperienced. So if you want to purchase some small items for the home or friends, go to Lekki Market.

In addition to sculptures, masks and jewelry, there are also vendors with nice traditional paintings. You still can bargain, don’t just take someone’s last price. But even if you do, you’ll still come out with some good finds. Find out more about Lekki Market here.

WHERE TO FIND ART AND CULTURE

In my head, Fela was my uncle. Which means, Seun is my play cousin. Hanging out with my boy, the Crown Prince of Afrobeat.

Kalakuta Republic Museum
For years Kalakuta Republic was a place that lived in my imagination. The actual home of one of my patron saints, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Kalakuta Republic was the socio-political and ideological headquarters and living quarters for the late great father of Afrobeat and contemporary Pan-Africanism.

In 2012, the home was converted into a museum, to preserve not only his remains but Fela’s legacy and serve as the family’s headquarters for Felabration. Today, it also plays host to the rehearsal spot for Fela’s youngest son and my good friend, Seun Kuti.

Seun and Egypt 80 practice there weekly for hours. Upstairs is a local hangout spot and bar for neighborhood youth. We had the opportunity to hang out with Seun and crew and got a tour of his dad’s home turned-museum.

The museum is in Ikeja, in the heartland of Lagos City, about an hour’s drive from the island. Click here to learn more about the museum.

CCA Lagos
Another place I’ve been wanting to visit is the Centre for Contemporary Art in Lagos. Founded by curator Bisi Silva in 2007, the center preserves, exhibits, and discusses contemporary Nigerian art and visual culture.

In addition to its gallery space, the center houses one of the largest visual art libraries in Africa. When my friend Tayo took me there, she introduced me to brilliant young artist Kelani Abass, whose exhibition If I Could Save Time was on view in CCA’s galleries.

Bisi is as brilliant as she is sweet and CCA is a much needed institution. CCA is located on the mainland in Yaba. ccalagos.org

 

Lekki Conservation
If you google what to do in Lagos, one of the top tourist attractions is Lekki Conservation. Since the in-loves lived in Lekki, I naturally assumed that it was right down the road (that’s also how far away our driver described the distance). It was a little further than down the road but it was worth the trip.

Growing up a five minutes drive away from the swamp, I’ve always been enamored with nature and botanical landscapes. The conversation is a quiet walk into local fauna, an oasis away from the urban hustle and bustle that is Lagos.

For whatever reason, I encouraged my brother-in-love to trek up the six suspension bridges that took us on a journey into the sky above the trees. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be, perhaps testament that I’m slowly overcoming my fear of heights.

We saw some local wildlife including peacocks and had a meditative, peaceful good time. ncfnigeria.org/projects/lekki-conservation-centre

Jazzhole

Jazzhole was yet another socially hip place that we got put onto by friends. This time, it was a suggestion by Afrobeat queen Wunmi. A group of us headed there after treating ourselves to post-brunch sorbet at Hans & Rene.

The place was fantastic! There were all kinds of classic vinyl albums from all over the continent. There were also loads of books, magazines and cds.

Between browsing and listening, you will probably engage in profound conversations with the founders or one of the Jazzhole’s intellectual patrons.

There’s also a cozy cafe situated in the back that carries assorted teas and small bites. Check out this Black Fabulousity post about Jazzhole and its owners here.

The New Afrika Shrine
The first time I went to the Shrine was in 2007. It felt more like a dream than something that actually happened in real life.

Femi performed, I probably had my share of African cabbage and cried. LOL. I was so overwhelmed at the idea that I was at Fela’s shrine. Granted, it wasn’t the original edifice, but the spirit of Fela lives there.

We missed Seun’s show, which is the last Sunday of each month but we were able to catch Femi live. The show was nice and laid back.

I’m undoubtedly a bigger fan of Seun’s than Femi but it’s well worth the trip. The Shrine is in Ikeja. It’s a must do for any true Fela disciple. thenewafrikashrine.com

6 mins read

How to Negotiate The Ultimate Vacation with your Employer

In many areas of the world, work is only a part of life with enough time off to actually enjoy the money you earn. In fact, Europeans are among the least-deprived vacationers with some nations across the pond offering up to 30 days off. T-H-I-R-T-Y! Meanwhile here in the US, the average worker gets 15 days and most use only 11 days – leaving around 500 million vacation days unused.

Why don’t we take vacation we’re owed? Reasons often include busy work schedules, feelings of guilt about being away, money, or fear of a negative perception from one’s boss. To this I say, no more! We deserve more time off! Various reports prove a healthy-work life balance not only leaves employees feeling recharged and motivated once they return to work, ultimately creating a more productive worker bee but also reduces stress, absenteeism and expenses.

So, this is a story about how to negotiate the ultimate vacation – a sabbatical – specifically if you haven’t had a life changing event like giving birth or hitting a 10-year work anniversary, often a requirement for most US employers. About 2 years ago, I was at a crossroads.

I felt I was done working in the ad agency world, tired of NYC, ready for warmer weather year round (Hello LA) and thought a major shift, like a move across country, could afford me some time off for traveling abroad. But then something happened. Changes at the company provided me room to flourish and lead projects for the biggest and highest profile clients in the agency.

I produced 4 TV spots in 5 months, got promoted and was working the way I saw fit. I realized this job is what I make of it. And I decided to make it mine. However, I couldn’t shake the insatiable itch to explore unknown lands so, after feeling extra inspired by a few glasses of wine, I decided to ask my company for three months to travel. Here’s how I did it: Find the right time. This is crucial. Is there a period during the year that’s particularly slow at work? This is the ideal time to go.

I was able to determine that October through the beginning of the year would be slow – I had finished all my major projects and one of my clients was going to be on maternity leave during this time. Plus, the holidays and New Year create a slower-than-usual pace at the office, making it easier to digest. Express love for your job. I wasn’t interested in quitting, coming back, having to find a new job and proving myself all over again.

Up until this crossroads moment, I didn’t think it was possible but I had learned to love my job and the people I work with. I made sure to express this sincerely to the powers that be and worked with my team to garner support and develop a coverage plan while I was gone. Also, I’m pretty sure the fact that I wanted to come back sounded like music to my company’s ears given the extreme turnover in agencies in NYC. Make the case: it’s a win-win. Once you’ve found the right time to go, for how long and expressed you want to come back, think and focus on what the benefits are.

They get a happy-as-a-clam employee who will probably be more loyal than they could ever imagine and they wont have to go through the horrendous process of interviewing, finding your replacement and getting them up to speed quickly. In the grand scheme of things, a few months isn’t that long of a time away and you’ll return refreshed, motivated, and ready to jump in the saddle when you get back.

So did it work? Yes! Yes it did! I negotiated the terms of my leave of absence (3 months, unpaid) and left for my stint in Southeast Asia which was the inspiration for my blog: Out of Office, Gone Living. To anyone who is thinking about doing that backpacking trip for an extended period of time, I say go for it. Or, at least try to figure out a way you can make it work if your job is of concern – you might be surprised. The answer is always no unless you ask.

 

Ola Abayomi is a blogger living in New York City. In 2015, she was lucky enough to spend 3 glorious months backpacking through Southeast Asia. That sabbatical inspired her blog Out of Office: Gone Living.  Follow Ola’s adventures on IG @ola_ola_ayy.

 

6 mins read

Do Lagos Like This During Social Media Week

Lagos City

The Centre of Excellence. The beating pulse of Africa’s most populous nation. Located in the southwestern point of Nigeria, Lagos is home to approximately 18 million people. The city has a relentless energy that hardly ever disappoints. From February 27 to March 8, Lagos will host Social Media Week and an influx of visitors from around the globe.

We put together the ultimate guide to Lagos so your stay in this majestic African city is one for the books. 

Safety First

Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way. It’s no secret that Lagos has, in certain areas, a tad of a criminal touch. Make smart decisions. Connect with local friends who are willing to serve as hosts. Move around in registered transportation. If it doesn’t look or feel right, then it most likely isn’t. 

Where to Sleep

There are a plethora of hotels in Lagos that meet international standards and are closely located to the Landmark Centre on Victoria Island (venue of Social Media Week). With the current currency fluctuation, the rates are pretty favorable for out-of-towners. Let the Nigerian-owned travel site Wakanow spoil you with choices based on location, price, ratings, recommendations, and reviews. 

Owned by the Nigerian business conglomerate, The Chagoury Group, the Eko Hotel & Suites is safe, affordable and convenient.

Eko Hotel

Moving Around

It’s the dry season now so it’s hot like Hades. Bring loads of sunscreen. For those coming in from out of town, look no further than Uber or Ryno (The official transportation option for #SMWLagos) for a clean, reliable and air conditioned vehicle that is also safe and inexpensive. These companies have been in Nigeria for a couple of years and they have revolutionized the taxi game in Lagos.

ryno

For the adventurous, you can risk it all on a mini motor bike otherwise known as okadas. Rider beware: this is not your mom’s Harley. You’ll be seated behind the driver and whisked anywhere for next-to-nothing. Highly innovative tricycles have been transformed into passenger vehicles known as “Keke Napep”. They are a step-up from the okadas and “safer,” said with air quotes.

Okada

Places to Grub

With such a large population, feeding Lagos is an industry of epic proportions. You can get anything from a five-star meal at Tolindos Steak House to a freshly made plate of local delicacies on the side of the road. Grab a cheap meal at the local fast food joints, Chicken Republic and Tastee Fried Chicken. For an international flare, eat at Bungalows, Samantha’s Restaurant, Casper & Gamibini’s. 

If you are looking for a truly Nigerian experience with high quality food, we set these three places to our watch:

  1. Yellow Chilli
  2. Natives Restaurant
  3. Jevnik Restaurant 

When your schedule is tight or you’re unable to move about freely, order freshly made meals that are delivered to your door from Akoni Kitchen. Their burgers, wraps, and hot dogs are delicious. Daily menus are posted on their Instagram @AkoniKitchen.

Yellow Chilli

Places to Shop

The fashion scene in Lagos is booming and retailers are almost exclusively stocking made-in-Naija wares. Your best bet for high brow stores are at The Palms Shopping Centre, Mega Plaza, Ikeja Mall, and The City Mall. Stop in Da Viva for luxurious African fabrics.

If you really want to stunt, we recommend finding a local tailor to custom fit a Naija outfit to your specifications. The FIA Factory (women) and Jaxn Wears (fellas) are our top choices. 

You’ve NEVER been to a market until you’ve been to Balogun Market. First off, wear comfortable shoes and a negotiators spirit. Secondly, go with a local guide. Third, and most important, there are no rules. You were warned.

To step up your African art game, take in the equally wondrous Nike Art Gallery and Lekki Market. You’ll spend all of your money.  

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Last, but Most Important…..NIGHTLIFE!

Lagos rivals New York as the city that never sleeps. For a younger crowd (or if you don’t mind being the old-head at the club), our top three picks will get your life right: 

  1. Quilox Nightclub
  2. Vapors
  3. Likwid 

If you’re looking for a low-key and quiet evening by the Lagoon, go to the Radisson Blu Anchorage, Sailors or Casper & Gambini’s. 

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Final Words

Photo Credit: Cognitio Studio Photography

The best way to experience Lagos is to roll with a local. Lagosians are very friendly. Use Social Media Week as an opportunity to network your way into some fun. As the local saying goes, “Eko O Ni Baje”. Lagos will not spoil.

Nwaji Jibunoh & Jo-Ann Enwezor

17 mins read

Zakiyyah Myers, Co-Founder of Innclusive, offers an Alternative to Airbnb

Innclusive could be described as the online version of The Negro Motorist Green Book. The “Green Book” was a guide intended to help Black travelers avoid discrimination during the period of racial segregation.  It listed businesses that would accept Black customers and even provided a service that made lodging reservations for clients.

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Fast forward to 2016. In addition to facing racism offline, travelers are now encountering it online as well. We no longer have The Green Book but we do have Innclusive. Innclusive is building a space where you can “Travel with respect, dignity, and love, regardless of race, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

I recently spoke to their Co-Founder, Zakiyyah Meyers, and this is what she had to say:

SB: So, who is Zakiyyah and how did you become involved with the creation of Innclusive?

ZM: Zakiyyah is this awesome woman…(Laughs) Nah, just kidding! I’ve worked in government for about 21 years and now, I’m retired…

SB: Wait, what? Retired? You should have seen my face when you said that.

 

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ZM: (Laughs) Yes! I’m retired. No one ever believes that, but it’s true. You should see the responses I get face-to-face. People are like, “Uhh, aren’t you like 20 years old?” I just made some great financial decisions early on that have put me in a position where I no longer have to work.

SB: Wow, that’s great. My bad, you kinda threw me off a bit with that but go on…

ZM: So, my plan after retirement was to travel the world. While I was doing that, my friend Rohan was discriminated against on Airbnb. After it happened, he called me and we talked about it.

 

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Rohan Gilkes – Founder of Innclusive

He said he was going to write about it and I encouraged him to do so, telling him I’d post about it in all of the travel groups that I’m a member of. Rohan’s post about his experience went viral. I kept sending him comments from people in my travel groups who were reacting to it and expressing similar experiences. We collectively thought it a shame of how often this happens and how we keep patronizing a company that obviously doesn’t care about minorities.

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At that point, we decided to do something about it. At first, I was somewhat skeptical but Rohan asked, “If not us, then who?” That really resounded with me and so I said, let’s make it happen. Enough of the hashtags, enough complaining….BOOM! Innclusive was born.

SB: Nice. Be the change you want to see, right?
ZM: YES! Absolutely.

SB: That’s great. So what would you say differentiates Innclusive from Airbnb?

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ZM: A few things. One, we really are welcoming of all people from race, religions and backgrounds. Well, minus the bigots and racists. We prefer they stay far away since all money ain’t good money.  We are for everyone that’s open and all about fairness, love, peace, and respect. It’s obvious that Airbnb is welcoming of racists and bigots and they don’t do much to kick them off the site once they identify themselves. We will be kicking racists off once they show their true colors.

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Second, we’re implementing several tech tools that will make it very difficult to discriminate against someone. For example, I want to book with Tony and stay in his spare bedroom. Once you accept my offer, you see my profile picture. You won’t see the picture until after you accept. You may see the pic and you say “Wait a minute, she has on a wig, I don’t like wigs. I prefer dreads. I’m canceling this reservation.”

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You have the right to do that. It’s your home and you may not want fake hair in your house. However, once you cancel, no one else can book for those dates. So, you have the right as a homeowner to say “Nah”, but I have the right as a business owner to say, “Cool, now you have just screwed yourself because you can’t book anyone else for those dates.”

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SB: “Congratulations, you played yourself”. You should include a DJ Khaled meme.

ZM: Right (Laughs) That’s about to be a pop up. LOL! People are gonna say,  “Wait, this company is a little too Black.”

 

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SB:Right! (Laughs) So Innclusive isn’t just for Black people but for for all who have experienced some sort of discrimination?

ZM: Absolutely. We’re for the people who have felt marginalized for one reason or another. Muslims, Latino’s, Trans, or handicapped. We’re open and welcoming. We just want travelers to know that they can get around and be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve as a human being.

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SB: Have you received any messages or responses from non-Black people who have been discriminated against?

ZM: Oh, definitely! We’ve had several people reach out because they were discriminated against because of their weight. There was a white lady who expressed gratitude for the platform because she could never get a booking accepted with her Black husband in the profile picture. At first she didn’t understand why no one was accepting her requests. She changed her picture and then started getting accepted left and right.

Different people from all different walks of life reach out to us just wanting to tell us their story and thank us for what we are doing.

SB: So, this is one of those situations where there’s more to your business than just making money. You’re actually making a difference and making the world a better place.

 

ZM: Yes. That’s been my motto since I was a child. It just so happens that now I can make money from being a decent person. Do you know how great that feels? It feels so good.

SB: Would you say Innclusive is a form of social entrepreneurship?

ZM: I would. Down the line you’ll see aspects of that. Eventually, we plan to be more than a home sharing network. We plan to be a social network that goes out into various communities around the world creating social change.

SB: What parts of the world have most of the responses come from in terms of people wanting to be a host?

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ZM: Honestly, there are so many I couldn’t even begin to name them all. When we first put up our site and started accepting hosts, our very first home added was from Vietnam. Isn’t that crazy? We literally have homes in most countries right now. At one point, we had almost 30 back to back bookings from Italy. We had no idea how that happened, but later found out that someone out there ran an article about us. We actually had to google translate the article once we located it. (Laughs)

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SB: So, I’ve signed up for updates and I have friends and family that have done the same. How many other people do you have waiting for the updates now and how many people do you have waiting to host?
ZM: Right now, we have a couple of thousand ready to host and want a few more thousand before we launch, just because we want people to be able to go into the site and say, “Ok, there’s a host everywhere I’m trying to go.” So, right now we’re pushing hard for hosts to come on board.13627006_273172329707405_6678560449215088237_n
They can go to our website and add their bedroom, spare room, office, or whole house. We recently had a sailboat added to our site. You can literally go onto the boat, sleep on it, take it out, and it comes with all kinds of other water amenities. You could host the back seat of your classic Chevy.
There might be someone out there with a fantasy of sleeping in the back seat of a Chevy in Compton (Laughs). No, I’m kidding. It’s whatever space you have that you want to rent out.The beautiful part is that it’s a win-win for everyone because it’s a stream of income and also builds your network.
SB: What areas would you like to see more hosts coming from?

ZM: We have several events coming up, including Afropunk London, so we would like more homes in London. We’re looking at huge events like Carnival in Trinidad and focusing on those cities because of the large amount of travelers that will be there and need a place to stay.
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SB: What security measures will you have in place to ensure the safety of guests as well as the hosts and their property?

ZM: There will be insurance on every stay – protecting home, owner, and traveler. Identity checks will also be done

SB: Cool. When is the official launch and how much longer do we all have to wait for this awesomeness to go down?

ZM: We are really focused on getting hosts right now so that travelers get the best experience when they log in and look for a place. We’ll be launching in September officially.

SB: Ok, great! So, its apparent that you travel a lot. Where are your favorite places and why?

ZM: That’s a really hard question. I’ve been to over 40 countries.942597_10207383434877343_2562438672050573097_n

SB: Has this travel been for business, personal, or a mix of both?

ZM: The first 25 countries were business in the beginning, but I found personal time to do things. The last 15 or so have been personal and will be personal from now on. My favorite continent is Africa, without a doubt. I truly love Zimbabwe and Namibia. I would say those two really stand out to me. I also love Thailand and Barbados. My next trip to Africa will be to Nigeria.
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SB: I’m biased, but I think you need to make that happen.

ZM:  I have to go. I did DNA testing and that’s where my ancestors are from. I feel this calling to just hurry up and get there and meet my relatives.

SB: You should! They are there waiting for you. Innclusive was initially called Noirebnb, why the name change?

ZM: It was a sheer coincidence that Noirbnb and my company, Noirebnb came up with the same concept. We didn’t even know they existed until we put something out officially on Twitter. That same day, they put out an official announcement also and sent us an email saying we should work together.
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Their company started 3 weeks before ours, but they didn’t do anything with it until our company came on the scene and they learned of it. While in the midst of talks with them and coming to terms on what we were going to do, they trademarked our name. That hurt. We are all here trying to come up for the community. There’s room for everyone to eat.

SB: I hear you. So, you’re a mother, entrepreneur, and a world traveler. How do you balance running a company and all of your other responsibilities?

ZM: Firstly, I have a great support network. I have a great team at Innclusive. Our team of about seven people are amazing. On my team, no one feels the weight of the world on them because we’re all pulling our weight and make sure that when someone has to go down, for whatever reason, you know we’re stepping up and helping out.
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Secondly, I have a community of support for my children: aunts, uncles, and cousins. Thirdly, I’m in a great position financially to hire nannies to help me with the children. As a single mom, I have no problem saying, “I need help”.

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Da kiddies!

I can’t be with my children all the time I don’t think that’s the best mothers are the ones that are always home and never leave. I need my mental breaks I need to travel. I need t give them a break from me and I need a break from them and I make sure I do that for my mental health and theirs.

SB: What advice would you have for other entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs?

ZM: Start! Don’t just continue dreaming about it, make it happen. Even if it’s little stuff every day. When an opportunity presents itself, like #AirbnbWhileBlack did to me, take advantage. People often come across potential opportunities but get lost in them. They get caught up in the emotions caused by the problem instead of coming up with a solution for it.

8 mins read

Tastemakers Africa: Giving You a “Taste” of an Africa You’ve Never Seen

When you think of travel to Africa, what is the first image that pops into your mind? Probably something to do with wildlife and so-called jungles.

If you are like a growing number of people, you now imagine the breathtaking views, delicious food and cool places to hangout. One person responsible for this change in perception is Cherae Robinson, NY – native and founder of Tastemakers Africa. We had a chat with her and this is what she had to say:

Tastemakers AfricaI’m Cherae Robinson, founder of Tastemakers Africa and a graduate of Morgan State University. Prior to starting my business, I worked in international development focused on partnerships and fundraising in the agriculture and women’s empowerment sectors. I currently split my time between Brooklyn, NY and the African continent.

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SB: What ignited your passion for travel in Africa?

CR: I’ve always been a Pan-Africanist at heart, I believe in the power of connecting Black people from different perspectives all around the world and I believe in reversing the effects of colonialism and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade through economic, social, and artistic exchange between people of African descent.

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On my first trip to the continent, I was enveloped with love. Music, food, and an energy that was both fascinating and familiar made me feel at once a welcomed visitor and a long lost member of the family.

 

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This was my experience in every place I went, whether it was the beaches outside of Freetown, Sierra Leone or the trendy vibes of Maboneng and the Johannesburg CBD in South Africa.

While this notion was a common thread, the vibes and experiences themselves were unique. There was so much uncelebrated diversity across Africa that I was tapping into with each country I touched down in.

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With an often times unappealing narrative on Africa so prevalent on a global scale, I realized that travel to the continent offered a huge unlock, especially for people of African descent.

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My goal is accelerate this on a global scale and in an experiential way. People are shaped most by their own lived experiences and travel to and within the continent has the opportunity to inform and transform us all.

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SB: When most people think of vacation activities in Africa, they think of going on a Safari. What kind of experiences do you provide?

CR: Tastemakers Africa focuses on premium, authentic experiences. This can be anything from a pop-up dinner with a local chef to a road trip to a jaw-dropping landscape photography lesson from a local creative.

We seek to transform and carefully blend opportunities to learn about cultures (think batik fabrik making with one of Ghana’s hottest fashion designers in Accra) to more active experiences like joining the dhow boat race in Lamu, Kenya with a champagne finish on a private island or VIP access to the most exclusive party in town.

For us it’s about charting your own experience, with our carefully curated suggestions, on demand.

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SB: Those all sound amazing! How are you able to find all these cool places and activities in multiple countries?

CR: We have local creatives and experience scouts who serve as our local curation network. Their job is to not only find the experiences and things to do but to put them through our screening process.

Getting the rubber stamp from our insiders means a lot to us, they are the funnel that brings things onto our radar and strengthen our relationships with business owners and experience providers in each city we operate in.

Finally – our instagram followers and TSTMKRS app users are a constant source of new ideas and happenings.

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SB: Many African governments are depending on their tourism sector to help reduce the reliance on commodities like oil for revenue. Have you introduced your business to any government officials? What was the reception like?

CR: Government has not been a primary focus though in some cases tourism boards have been our allies.

We’ve got a great relationship with South Africa Tourism and Kenyan Tourism yet others don’t see the promise of the millennial market or really aren’t ready to commit as much budget towards their tourism budgets as they might say in the news.

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SB: What are your growth plans for your brand?

CR: This year we’re focused on actually getting to market and making the TSTMKRS app public, we’re adding new curators and suppliers to really get the threshold of experiences available matching the appetite for our existing users.

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In the product itself, we’ve got some exciting new features that will make it the app you “can’t put down” whether you are actively planning a trip or just dreaming about one – unfortunately I can’t release all of the details around that just yet, but soon come!

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SB: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

CR: Spend a crap ton of time understanding your customer segments and their behaviors. I wish I would’ve done 10 skillshares or General Assembly courses on what this means from day 1.

It’ll save you time and resources to really be unreasonably solid about what your customer actually wants.

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Entrepreneurship is a journey. The silicon valley startups you read about have often been at it longer than you would’ve imagined and nothing will go exactly as you’ve planned. Be flexible and have endurance.

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Also, compete with yourself. Once you start your business, everyone else will want to start the same one, existing businesses will start pivoting into your “territory,” and people will be lazy and compare you to businesses doing “better” than you even if said businesses are only marginally related.

Don’t get caught up. Your inability to know what your customers want and innovate beyond that are your biggest enemies.

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