“When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.' We closed our eyes. When we opened them we had the Bible and they had the land.”
— Desmond Tutu —
PLACES
Turks & Caicos
If you’re like me and you just want to lounge at the beach and eat seafood while on vacation, then Turks & Caicos is the perfect place for you. This British territory consisting of two groups of islands, Caicos Islands & the smaller Turks Islands, is a beach lovers dream. With miles of white sand beaches and turquoise blue water, Turks and Caicos is a pristine island paradise.
Africa
Namibia
Namibia is one of my top five countries. Its relatively small population, desert landscapes, and wide open spaces reminded me of my home state of Arizona. After two visits to the country I cannot wait to return. Compared to neighboring South Africa, Namibia feels a bit sleepy...in the best possible way. Safari lovers will want to head straight to Etosha National Park in the north.
Ghana
Ghana is on a lot more people’s travel radar after its successful 2019 ‘Year of Return’ Campaign, commemorating four hundred years of when some of the first Africans were captured and sent to the Americas as enslaved people. For sure, a trip to El Mina and Cape Coast castles are moving, sobering, and
Cabo Verde
Comprised of ten volcanic Islands and boasting a temperate climate year-round, Cabo Verde is a an appealing destination. The country lies a few hundred miles west of Senegal. Visitors to the capital city Praia could be forgiven for feeling nostalgia for…
The Caribbean
Jamaica
Jamaica is a beautiful island country in the Caribbean with a vast landscape. Nicknamed Land of Wood & Water, Jamaica has 1,022 km of coastline and lush rain forrests. While Jamaica is known for its beaches, jerk chicken, Bob Marley & Usain Bolt, it is also home to what is considered to be the world’s best coffee - Blue Mountain Coffee & home to the World’s Best Performing Stock Market.
Belize
Belize is truly a melting pot of different ethnicities and cultures. One of the of the major contributing factors to Belize’s unique mix of cultures is its geography. It is located south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, borders the Caribbean sea and is an ex-British colony. It is also the only country to hold full membership in the Caribbean community (CARICOM), the community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC), and…
Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago should be higher on many travelers’ lists. Trinidad, with its significant oil and gas industry, relies on tourism to a much lesser degree than some of its Caribbean neighbors. Also its beaches, ie the beautiful Maracas Bay, tend to be a deep indigo rather than the typical turquoise waters. The country is located pretty far to the east—we arrived after a 35-minute flight from Caracas, Venezuela. In fact…
North America
Chicago
Chicago is a densely populated and walkable city, that is if you’re in the loop. The loop is one of Chicago’s 77 designated community areas and is the heart of Chicago’s downtown and the center of Chicago’s business district. The Loop is also home to some of the world’s earliest skyscrapers. It is the third largest city in the United States and is known as the windy city. Chicago is also currently home to Mariya Russell, the world’s first black woman to earn a Michelin Star.
Oakland
Oakland, located on the West Coast in Alameda County of the Bay Area is also know as “the Town” for its small town vibe. Located across the Bay from SanFrancisco, it is known as the sunny side of the Bay.Oakland has a rich history of African Americans migrating from the south to work on the railway, the ports and in the shipyards that line the area. With the influx of African Americans to the area, came a rich culture of jazz, blues and soul music…
Washington D.C.
A trip to ‘Chocolate City’ affords visitors an opportunity to visit numerous Smithsonian museums for free, including the relatively new National Museum of African-American History and Culture. The NMAAHC is located in a beautiful, Yoruba-inspired glass structure. Countless memorials and monuments also make for plenty of outdoor and free things to do. Given the small size of the city, it is possible to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time. City Center offers upscale...