This fall, I was lucky enough to attend the first-ever Power of Partnership Summit in Richmond, Virginia. The conference was a transformational one for me as I sat in on discussions led by some of the travel industry’s brightest minds and discussed what came to be known as “the three Cs” of the conference — culture, community and climate.
One of the biggest themes I noticed throughout the week was the need to amplify voices that aren’t always heard in our industry. This came up time and time again in our sessions and discussions, but it was highlighted the most at the conference’s multicultural marketplace, a collection of 24 small U.S.-owned companies and tour operators, many of whom were people of color.
While I didn’t have the chance to stop at all 24 tables, this is a quick roundup of the companies I spoke with. I urge you to check them out and recommend them to your travelers; they’re all doing amazing things.
A Tour of Possibilities
While the first things to come to mind when one thinks of Memphis, Tennessee might be Elvis and Barbeque, Carolyn Michael-Banks, founder of A Tour of Possibilities, LLC (ATOP) wants visitors to know the city is so much more than that. Specializing in highlighting African Americans’ cultural and historical contributions, ATOP helps visitors discover how Black people played an important role in shaping Memphis’ thriving businesses, music scene, sports, politics, education and religion through guided private tours.
“There’s a reason A Tour of Possibilities consistently tops TripAdvisor’s Rankings,” said ATOP on its informational flyer. “We’re passionate about tapping you into the lifeblood of this great region and giving you an experience you’ll never forget. With A Tour of Possibilities, the possibilities are endless!”
Elegba Folklore Society
“A year-round, lively celebration of African and African American culture,” Richmond, Virginia’s Elegba Folklore Society helps visitors “awaken their spirits” through traditional performances, guided heritage tours, expansive art collections and annual festivals. Founded in 1990 by Janine Bell, Bell said the following to The Beacon in a 2020 interview when talking about her inspiration, “Many untold stories, unlearned history and cultural identities need celebration. Our (African) identity was systematically washed away, suppressed and ignored. This gives me a sense of my humanity. Our mission speaks to re-instilling cultural foundations in the African American community.”
The Elegba Folklore Society Cultural Center is located in downtown Richmond where visitors can attend regularly occurring dance classes, view rotating art exhibits and artifacts, partake in heritage crafting workshops and more. Travelers can also get involved by attending one of the society’s yearly festivals like the Black Book Expo, Juneteenth, Down Home Family Reunion and Capital City Kwanzaa Festival.
Hidden In Plain Site
Every city has a story to tell, but too often, marginalized groups are forgotten. From the erasure of the legacies and achievements of Black and Indigenous people to the state of disrepair so many once iconic places sadly fall into, some of the nation’s most important history has been lost. Enter Hidden In Plain Site, a virtual reality exploration experience that is keeping hidden history alive through the power of storytelling.
Wondering how it works? By donning a virtual reality headset, participants find themselves instantly transported to cities like Richmond and Roanoke. Then, to explore their surroundings, viewers follow a series of arrows that take them on a sort of virtual walking tour narrated by the Hidden In Plain Site team. Don’t have a virtual reality headset? No worries, Hidden In Plain Site and its associated tours can be accessed online for free.
Inside Out Tours
For more than 12 years, Inside Out Tours, a NYC-based tour company, has specialized in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities by bringing tourism dollars to local people and neighborhoods. More than the run-of-the-mill big-city sightseeing experience, Inside Out Tours celebrates the diversity of the Big Apple and is the perfect choice for travelers looking to go beyond the basic tour stops the five boroughs have to offer.
“You do not simply observe from a distance on our tours, rather taste regional food, see the historic homes of jazz greats, listen to gospel music, view street art, view famous landmarks, all while immersing yourself in the city’s vibrant neighborhoods,” said Inside Out Tours on its website. Inside Out Tours has a wide variety of tours for visitors to choose from, and while the information within each will vary, travelers can feel good knowing the company is committed to telling the stories of the people who have “made a difference in New York City history” in addition to promoting sustainable tourism.
JoJo’s Ventures
Also located on the East Coast, JoJo’s Ventures is a New York City tourism company specializing in historical and cultural-themed walking tours. Each tour is hosted by Joseph Landon, founder of JoJo’s Ventures and NYC native, who leads guests through the city’s five boroughs while sharing his zeal for unique history.
In addition to historical tours of Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, visitors traveling in large groups can choose from the company’s extensive NYC-themed tours and experiences which consist of a themed walking tour, a cultural meal and an entertainment experience. A few eye-catching NYC-themed tours include the “Jazz in NYC Day Trip,” “Roots of Activism Day Trip,” “Caribbean History of NYC Experience,” “Black History in NYC Experience” and more. Finally, for those hoping to explore the famed island minus the walking, JoJo’s Ventures also offers luxury vehicle tours for small and private groups with a focus on Downtown NYC and Uptown Harlem.
Key2MIA
Keymia Sharpe, owner and operator of Key2MIA, a Miami-based tour company, is helping visitors to her fine city go beyond the beach through curated travel experiences. A company where every tour is unique, the Key2MIA team finetunes every experience based on participants’ interests meaning no two tours are alike. From exploring local cultural offerings and mouthwatering culinary delights to luxury experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures, a more authentic experience in The Magic City awaits.
Additionally, as a Black-owned business, Key2MIA shines a special light on the contributions of Black people and people of color throughout Miami’s history and around the world. Regarding the company’s mission to highlight these stories, Key2MIA’s website reads this, “We believe that by sharing these stories, as well as others, we can inspire our guests to become advocates for social justice and equality.” And, as a locally-run business, Key2MIA tour guides provide guests with expert insights into “all things food, fun, culture and travel,” to help them get the most out of their visit.
Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center
An African-American history museum in the Lincolnville neighborhood of Saint Augustine, FL, the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center (LMCC) aims to “preserve, promote and perpetuate over 450 years of the African American story through the arts, educational, programs, lectures, live performances and exhibits.” This unique museum is housed in the historic Excelsior School Building, which acted as the first public Black high school in St. Johns County after desegregation in 1925.
LMCC shares the story of how Black people shaped the state of Florida and the nation as a whole through educational exhibits like “Lincolnville LifeWays” — which focuses on life in the Lincolnville neighborhood in the early 20th century —, “Defenders” — which illustrates how military conquest impacted the lives of enslaved West African peoples —, “Women Who Made a Difference” — an exhibit designed to explore the lives and achievements of influential POC women — and much more. In addition to learning about the region’s history, visitors can also attend one of LMCC’s many events including seasonal film series, lectures, festivals and more.
Manumission Tour Company
Founded in 2016 by John Taylor Chapman, Manumission Tour Company highlights the historical legacy of Africans and African Americans in Alexandria, VA through curated guided cultural heritage tours. As a fourth-generation Alexandrian and a member of the Alexandria City Council, Chapman is uniquely qualified to share the stories of his fascinating hometown — especially those that aren’t always told.
Currently, Manumission Tour Company offers three 90-minute walking tours — “Freedom’s Fight in Alexandria,” “Duke Street Black History” and “Still’s Underground Railroad” — that focus on the region’s iconic tales and the places that shaped them. In addition to its regular walking tours, visitors can also opt for a two-hour guided bus tour titled “Black History in Alexandria” which stops at a variety of important places including the Freedom House Museum, Alfred Street Baptist Church, the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery and more.
Sawari Tours
With a mission to “educate, empower and connect the African Diaspora through travel,” Sawari Tours takes a unique approach to cultural and historical sightseeing in the U.S. and beyond. Stateside, Sawari Tours offers specialty tours in Houston, Philadelphia and Louisiana, while internationally, the company operates out of Senegal and Ghana with the goal of connecting African Americans to their African roots.
In addition to its in-person selections, people looking to enjoy Sawari Tours’ offerings can do so online through the “Virtual Tours” portion of the company’s website. Here, visitors can tour Black Houston at their own pace, on a self-guided journey consisting of photos, fun facts and informational videos of some of the region’s most significant historical and cultural sites.
Triad Cultural Arts
Located in Winston-Salem, Triad Cultural Arts invites visitors to join them in exploring the “depths of culture, art and history that define the African American Narrative.” Through its variety of guided tours, rotating pop-up and online exhibits and annual Juneteenth celebration, the organization does a little bit of everything to help participants “gain insights into the struggles, triumphs and ongoing legacy of a resilient community while immersing yourself in the rich traditions that make up this extraordinary cultural mosaic.”
Triad Cultural Arts shares the stories of the past and present from the viewpoint of the people and cultures who lived them. Visitors who embark on one of the company’s bus, trolley or walking tours can expect to make stops at art galleries, historic homes and neighborhoods, educational institutions, churches, Enslaved and Freedmen’s Graveyards, local shops and more.
VisitAble
Started by Joe Jamison in 2019, VisitAble is a premium disability inclusion and awareness training and certification company based in Central and Northern Virginia. Growing up with a father with paraplegia, Jamison was inspired to help those with disabilities after observing the lack of information surrounding accessibility and poor disability etiquette. To combat this, Jamison developed a series of comprehensive certification programs, now available through VisitAble, based on disability inclusion and user experience in addition to ADA compliance.
VisitAble’s training covers a variety of communities including those with disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental health, neurodivergent, blind and low vision, and D/def and hard of hearing. A few things participants can expect to learn include best practices surrounding assumptions, verbiage, interaction, accessibility, definitions and more. Those interested in learning more about VisitAble’s training, certification and pricing can visit the company’s website. Together we can “make going out in public fun, easy and possible for those with disabilities.”
About the Author
comments