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10 Helpful Ways to Support Awesome Black Owned Businesses

As many of you (hopefully) know, February is Black History Month. This compelled me to write a blog post sharing helpful ways you can patronize both small (and large) black businesses, and travel destinations. The best part about this list is that it includes black museums, black destinations, black landmarks, and black owned restaurants. These locations only scratch the surface as there are plenty of black business owners to support so keep this in mind and do your part. Without further ado, let’s get started!

Disclosure: This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products/experiences I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.

Covid-19 Disclaimer: The recommendation for the cities and activities listed are based on my own suggestions. There is an ongoing U.S. Travel Advisory and in some cases U.S. Travel Restrictions. Use your best judgment if you choose to travel (or you can simply hold off for now and save it for later). If you decide to take a trip, follow national and state guidelines, and the CDC while traveling.

Black Landmarks

Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial

I’ve talked about my love for Martin Luther King Jr before. It’s not hard to find inspiration when hearing many of the contributions MLK Jr. has done for African Americans. I highly recommend paying a visit to his memorial to commemorate his existence which is located in Washington, D.C. Book a tour here.

Restaurants

Many of you have been following me for a while, and most of my close friends know I’ve been a foodie since forever! It’s a must that I include black owned restaurants that are so delicious, you’ll be in heaven.

Black Owned Restaurants in NYC

My hometown (NYC) has some of the best food known to man so it’s only right I mention black chefs who have contributed to the food atmosphere.

1). Seasoned Vegan

I was fortunate enough to be able to dine at Seasoned Vegan which serves delicious vegan soul food with global inspired flavors located in Harlem, NY. The food is mouthwatering and the service is top notch!

2). Amy Ruth’s

Amy Ruth’s is a staple in Harlem for delicious soul food. I’ve eaten here so many times with friends I can’t even keep track.

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Black Owned Restaurants in Texas

It’s no secret that I traveled to Texas for work and did some heavy exploring on my days off. From Houston, to San Antonio, to Austin, you name it, I was there! I ate very well in Texas so I’m here to give you all of the deets.

Black Owned Restaurants in Austin

1). Sassy’s Food Truck (Permanently Closed Unfortunately)

Okay so technically Sassy’s isn’t a restaurant, BUT it was amazing for those of us who are willing to take our food on the go or sit in a designated area outside. Sassy’s was a vegetarian soul food truck located in Austin, TX and was a must visit if you were in the area. I hope they are able to reopen one day. Interested in exploring more of Austin’s food scene? Check out this Best of Austin Tour.

Black Owned Restaurants in Houston

2). Mikkis Soul Food Café

When I first arrived at Mikki’s I noticed that there was an extremely long line (this is usually a positive sign that the food will be good). I was happy to say it was well worth the wait; I highly recommend going if you’re in the Houston area. It’s popular among locals and celebrities alike.

Museums of Black History

There is so much to be learned about black history and going to a museum is one of the best ways to educate yourself. Going to museums are kind of my thing, so I’d like to share some of my favorites that are bound to amaze you.

Black History Museums in Washington D.C.

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

This museum is honestly breathtaking! I was entranced by all of the exhibitions and collections and I’m sure you will be too. It’s so important to learn about history and ways we as people can evolve. Don’t miss this museum if you’re in the D.C. area!

Black History Museums in Houston

Houston Museum of African American Culture (HMAAC)

The Houston Museum of African American Culture blew me away with its artwork and statement pieces. I’ve talked about my love for this museum, but honestly you just have to see it in person. Your ticket for admission helps, but feel free to provide donations as well as purchase artwork and other items while attending.

Black History Museums in Atlanta

APEX Museum

I have recently visited the APEX Museum during my trip to Atlanta and what makes this museum so special is that it tells history from the black perspective. Not to mention it’s the oldest black history museum in Atlanta. I plan on re-visiting and taking this tour which includes The Center for Civil and Human Rights. Atlanta has a lot to offer so check out some of the things to do below.

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Black History Museums in New York City

The Studio Museum in Harlem

This is another museum on my must see list. The Studio Museum in Harlem is a museum that showcases art from people of African descent. Art is an important aspect of our culture and influence so please check it out and support! Get to know more about Harlem when taking this Harlem Renaissance Walking Tour.

Black History Month Travel

Martha’s Vineyard

In my blog post about The Best U.S. Destinations for Thanksgiving, I briefly talked about my love for Martha’s Vineyard but I didn’t go into details why (aside from visiting family in MA). Martha’s Vineyard has an African American population due to its history. Many slaves formed residences in Martha’s Vineyard (Oaks Bluffs) before it eventually became known as a resort town. Eventually affluent and middle class African Americans moved here including the most notable President Obama and Michelle Obama. I would highly recommend visiting Martha’s Vineyard and taking this tour which showcases the islands history and culture once travel is safe to do so again.

Final Thoughts

That concludes my list of black owned businesses, and destinations. As always, thank you for reading! Have you been to any of the locations mentioned? Are you open to supporting black owned businesses? Learn anything new or have any feedback? Let me know! Please comment below and don’t forget to subscribe here.

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Blog Disclaimer

Disclosure: This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products/experiences I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.

This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

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10 Helpful Ways to Support Awesome Black Owned Businesses

My Favorite Top 5 Ultimate Travel Wish List

Travel is finally starting to pick back up again so I decided to put together a wish list of countries I’d love to go to. Do we share any similarities on destinations? Read on to find out. FYI, this list is not in any particular order. Without further ado, let’s get started!

#1 Maldives

Honestly what’s not to love about the Maldives? With it’s lush beaches, picturesque landscape, and tons of water sports (swimming, fishing, or scuba diving anyone?); a Maldives vacation is a dream destination. So where is the Maldives located?; In the Indian Ocean. Some quick facts about the Maldives are it’s population speaks its own language called Dhivehi and it is a Muslim country. A flight to Maldives will take about 17-24 hours to get there from NYC depending on the route chosen.

#2 Tahiti

If you couldn’t tell by now, I’m clearly someone who loves tropical weather and amazing beaches. So next up on the list is Tahiti. Who wouldn’t want to travel here? A Tahitian vacation not only offers nature, but snorkeling, diving, sailing, waterfalls, fine dining, and shopping just to name a few. The primary language spoken in Tahiti is French, with Tahitian and English following. Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia and is located in the South Pacific Ocean. Tahiti is a paradise that is very secluded. It takes about 13 hours to travel to Tahiti from NYC depending on the flight path taken.

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#3 Zanzibar

Zanzibar is located off the coast of Tanzania in Africa, and is another well-known island located in the Indian Ocean. You can expect a tropical humid climate for Zanzibar weather, coral reefs, and indigenous forests too. Zanzibar not only looks like a dream, but offers snorkeling, swimming, luxury, relaxation, adventure, nightlife, and of course culture. The primary language spoken in Zanzibar is Swahili, then Arabic and English. The flight time varies from NYC to Zanzibar, but usually takes around 18-24 hours depending on layovers etc.

#4 Bali

Bali is a well-known island in Indonesia and for good reason. This beautiful island has a little something for EVERYONE including, but not limited to: yoga/meditation retreats, stunning beaches, temples, rice fields, culture, scuba diving, and surfing, just to name a few. Bali is comprised of a few religions with Hinduism as the primary; Islam, Christianity, and Buddhism are also practiced throughout the country. The main languages spoken are Balinese, Indonesian, and English. A Bali flight also takes about 20-24 hours depending on the flight path.

#5 Seychelles

Last but definitely not least on my wish list is the Seychelles! The Seychelles is an island also located in the Indian Ocean and is the second richest country of Africa. I find Seychelles alluring for its nature reserves, rain forests, coral reefs, diving, water sports, rock climbing, and of course beaches. A Seychelles vacation is the ultimate luxury. The languages spoken in Seychelles are Seychellois Creole, English and French. The flight time from NYC to Seychelles takes about 17-24 hours depending on layovers etc.

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Final Thoughts

Well that concludes my top 5 travel wish list. I’m hoping I can travel to all of these amazing places at some point. As always thank you for reading! Have you traveled to any of these destinations or feel inspired to plan a trip to any of the places on the list? Did you learn anything new or have any feedback? Let me know! Please comment below, and subscribe here.

**FYI: The places listed are hot climates so sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, a bathing suit, a cover up, a beach towel, and a hat; would be great for your trip. The recommendations for the products are suggestions on what works for me, and does not serve as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a medical professional.

I’m on most social media, so let’s be friends! Click the icons located on the right side (desktop), and the bottom of the screen (mobile) to find me. Looking for the perfect travel gift for your loved one? Sign up for my freebie of travel gift ideas.

Interested in my favorite travel items? Check out my blog post here. Looking for free things to do in NYC? I’ve got you covered here. Traveling out of the country? Check out my detailed travel itineraries to Aruba, London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Need resources related to blogging? Check out my tips on email marketing here and how to protect your blog here. Want to know what it’s like traveling during the pandemic? Read more here.

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Blog Disclaimer

This blog post has affiliate links which means if you click and make a purchase I may earn a small commission at NO additional cost to you. These are my own personal suggestions based on products I love and use. Read the full disclosure here.

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My Favorite Top 5 Ultimate Travel Wish List Pin

Photo Credits

Thank you to Ahmed Yaaniu for the photo on the Maldives, Reiseuhu for the photo on Tahiti, Humphrey Muleba for the photo on Zanzibar, Aron Visuals for the photo on Bali, and Nuno Marques for the photo on Seychelles. I discovered all of their work from Unsplash.com. Please check them out!

What it’s Like Traveling During Corona Virus

Hello! I’ve been on a little bit of a hiatus, but I’m back like I never left with a new blog post! Thank you for staying tuned in. As mentioned in my Amsterdam blog post, I promised I would cover what it was like traveling during the novel Corona Virus. This is what occurred while returning back home to the U.S.

Corona Virus

Learning about the novel Corona Virus while away from home was unnerving to say the least. There were so many unknowns about contracting the virus, surviving the virus, as well as ways to remain healthy and safe. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous and scared.

When I left the U.S. for my vacation to Amsterdam, travel was still allowed. Towards the end of my trip, cases began to rise as well as the deaths caused by the virus. Countries began shutting their borders, and traveling home at this point was unknown. I finally managed to get in contact with the U.S. embassy in Amsterdam who informed me that I should be able to return to the U.S. as long as I wasn’t exhibiting symptoms. The representative also advised additional screening with the CDC would be required upon return.

In order to boost my immune system I took ginger shots, drank fresh fruit juices, and turned to my handy manuka honey, and tea. I always carry these items when traveling. Some honorable mentions are activated charcoal in case you become nauseous, or have gas; wipes to sanitize the room and plane, and manuka honey cough drops. Also, I highly suggest carrying bottled water with you when you travel as this may not be readily available, or a water bottle with a filter.

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Travel During Corona Virus

Amsterdam looked like a ghost town by the time we were leaving (and with good reason). Upon arriving at the airport, we were surrounded by long lines of concerned travelers who were also trying to get back home. After waiting, my sister and I finally spoke to a ticket agent and discovered the flight we originally had scheduled with a stop in Canada was canceled. We were then informed that Canada closed its borders to U.S. Citizens. What did this mean for us? After giving us the news, we were told to speak to customer service to see what other flight options were available.

After waiting in line again we spoke with another agent who found us a direct flight from Amsterdam to NY. The only issue was that it would be leaving within an hour. She warned if we were to wait for the next flight, we would risk possible cancellations or further delays. I told my sister we should take our chances and rush to make the flight although we hadn’t yet checked-in or gone through TSA.

After retrieving our tickets, my sister and I began a mad dash to catch our flight. But wait, remember the long line of passengers I mentioned earlier? Well, that’s exactly what we had to face when attempting to check-in and go through TSA. Frantically, I pulled a worker for the airline aside and explained to them our situation and we were allowed priority to the front of the line to check-in. We just made it and I was so thankful to God.

Flight

The flight itself was peaceful after the initial panic we went through. The plane was relatively empty with plenty of space between the passengers so that we could avoid sitting close to one another. Everyone wore their mask, and there were no issues. The food on the flight was also surprisingly delicious. I had the coconut Thai curry, cheese and fruit, and salted caramel ice cream.

Cheese and fruit appetizer and salted caramel ice cream for dessert

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Arrival

I was so thankful to be back home because at one point it was all in the air. After the plane arrived, everyone was told that they’d have to be screened by the CDC as well as fill out a questionnaire about our travels among other things. The CDC took our temperatures as well as the forms and we were on our way. After retrieving our luggage, my sister and I headed home thankful and appreciative that we made it.

Despite the scare and uncertainty of Covid-19, I will say that everyone was so cooperative, helpful, and understanding. The employees went above and beyond to ensure that not only my sister and I made it back safe, but that EVERYONE was well taken care of. The strangers we met traveling were also kind and thoughtful. This was a difficult experience, but I’m glad that I was able to overcome it.

Final Thoughts

As always, thank you for reading. Please remain safe during this difficult time and follow the necessary precautions. Learn anything new or have any feedback? Let me know! Please comment below, and subscribe here.

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What It’s Like Traveling During Corona Virus Pinterest Pin

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Blog Disclaimer

The recommendations for immune boosting products are my own personal suggestions on what works for me, and does not serve as medical or professional advice. Please consult with a medical professional.