US$70,000 has been awarded to individuals and organizations in the U.S. and Europe to help amplify Black voices in the travel industry
Kansas City, MO (July 8, 2021) — MMGY Global has partnered with the Black Travel Alliance (BTA) and the National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP) to award 30 financial grants totaling US$70,000 to Black travel organizations and content creators. These grants were funded by proceeds from the sale of The Black Traveler: Insights, Opportunities & Priorities, a groundbreaking research report created by MMGY Travel Intelligence on behalf of Black traveler advocacy organizations to identify the needs, behaviors and sentiment of the Black travel community. The newly awarded funds are in addition to US$30,000 in report proceeds that have already been distributed to the BTA, NCBMP and the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD) to support their organizations.
Grant entries, which were submitted in April 2021, were reviewed by Ursula Petula Barzey, research committee chair with the Black Travel Alliance, and Jason Dunn, immediate past chair of the NCBMP, with the support of MMGY Global. Individuals and organizations from the United States, Canada, France, Germany and U.K./Ireland – the countries in which The Black Traveler study was conducted – were invited to apply.
“This entire experience – from concepting the study with our partners and analyzing the data to now awarding these grants – has been both eye-opening and extremely rewarding,” said Clayton Reid, CEO of MMGY Global. “The research revealed many issues that need to be addressed in our industry, so I’m proud that these grants will be helping to amplify Black voices and support Black travel organizations.”
Jason Dunn added, “We believe that travel and tourism empowers communities. When we first started this journey, we wanted to do three things – the first being to heighten awareness for the $129 billion impact of Black travelers. The second was to embolden Black travel organizations globally to walk in their power and remove the false narrative that their business has no value. Third, we wanted to inspire the next generation of Black Travelers to explore the world. It’s refreshing to know that the 10 organizations selected reflect what we set out to do. Mission accomplished.”
Black Travel Organization Grant
Recipients in alphabetical order include:
- Black Kids Adventures, Inc
- Black Kids Do Travel
- Fight Through Flights, Incorporated
- iFLY Youth
- Little Africa Paris
- Maison Carib
- Niagara Bound Tours
- Teens of Color Abroad, Inc.
- The Vonne Group
- The Wind Collective
Black Travel Content Creator Grant
According to Barzey, “Reviewing the applications for the content creator grant was inspiring for the team as there was a diverse mix of storytellers. The 20 selected are a snapshot into the amazing but often overlooked talent pool of Black travel content creators who are influential in advancing the Black travel movement. Thus it is gratifying to know that a year of hard work on The Black Traveler study has generated funds to help amplify some of these lesser-known but important voices.”
Recipients in alphabetical order by their first name include:
- Aisha Springer, Blogger, Urban Escapist
- Brian Oliver, Social Media Influencer, Beyond Bmore
- Calvin Hearns, Photographer, The Calvin Chronicles
- Caroline Sande, Vlogger, TravelEatSlay
- Danielle Desir, Podcaster, The Thought Card
- Frederick Murphy, Social Media Influencer, History Before Us
- Ime Umoh, Vlogger, Push the Button
- Jessica Ufuoma, Blogger, The Ufuoma
- Joyce Oladeinde, Blogger, Diy With Joy
- Jupiter Kayonga, Photographer, Jupiter Konnections
- Kareemah Ashiru, Blogger, Hijabiglobetrotter
- Kesi Irvin, Blogger, Kesi To and Fro
- Montoya Hudson, Blogger, The Spring Break Family
- Roobens Fils, Blogger, Been Around The Globe
- Sandy Salyeres, Travel Author, Abenafrica
- Sierra Redmond, Journalist, The Daily Impressions
- Simone Mills, Blogger, EverytingSimSimma
- Sojourner White, Social Media Influencer, Sojournies
- Tameika Gentles, Social Media Influencer, Tameika
- Tia Mills, Social Media Influencer, Tia Takes The World
The Black Traveler: Insights, Opportunities & Priorities research report is available for purchase at www.mmgyglobal.com/the-black-traveler-insights-opportunities-priorities.
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About MMGY Global
MMGY Global is the world’s leading integrated global marketing firm specializing in the travel, hospitality and entertainment industries. With eight operating brands across the world, the award-winning organization maintains a global communications practice in all marketing channels, serving many of the world’s premier travel and tourism brands. As a company dedicated to the travel industry, MMGY Global strives to create a connected, inclusive and peaceful world by promoting travel as a cultural bridge of understanding. For more information, visit https://www.mmgyglobal.com.
About Black Travel Alliance
The Black Travel Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with Black travel content creators as members from across the globe. Our three pillars of the community are alliance, amplification, and accountability. As travel authors, bloggers, broadcasters, journalists, photographers, podcasters, social media influencers, and vloggers, we unify to amplify. We also aim to provide training and business support to our members, as well as hold destinations and travel brands accountable on the issue of diversity in travel marketing and storytelling. For more information, visit www.blacktravelalliance.org.
About National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals
The National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP), founded in 1983, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the training needs of Black hospitality professionals, and those that support Black meetings and events. Since its founding, NCBMP has made a significant impact in the hospitality community by advocating for equity and helping members maximize their return on investment.
About National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers
NABHOOD is an organization aimed at increasing the number of African Americans developing, managing, operating and owning hotels and expanding vendor opportunities and executive-level jobs for minorities, thereby creating wealth within the African American community. The key to achieving this is the Annual International African American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit & Trade Show. This four-day summit is designed to educate attendees on becoming a hotel owner or investor; share minority investment trends; explore supplier opportunities; find out how to market to minorities; and identify and address diversity issues affecting the industry.
Media Contact:
Natalia Colon
MMGY NJF
ncolon@njfpr.com